Page 24 of Spinner's Luck

Her lips trembled, and she looked away. “You don’t understand.”

“Yes, I do,” I said, softening my tone just enough. “What you told me—what happened to you—it was awful. But you can’t go bein’ territorial or pickin’ fights. Lucy’s not your enemy and I’m not your property.”

She sniffed, brushing her hair back from her face. “She doesn’t belong here, Spinner. She’s going to ruin everything.”

“If anyone’s ruining anything, it’s you by stirrin’ this shit,” I said sharply. “This is your warning, Ashlynn. You or anyone else start trouble with Lucy again, and you’re out of the clubhouse. Got it?”

Her eyes widened, tears threatening to spill, but she didn’t argue. She just nodded and walked away.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I turned back toward the common room. This was one of the reasons I didn’t even entertain fucking a sweet butt. They tended to get territorial. Hell, all I did with Ashlynn was listen and offer advice one day when I found her crying. Her story was similar to mine, and it made me want to help. But that’s as far as it went. I wasn’t interested in anything else.

I barely made it halfway to the bar when I heard Chain’s voice. “Well, did you explain shit to Ashlynn?”

I rolled my eyes as Chain and Bolt sauntered over, their grins wide enough to light up the room.

“Ashlynn was out of line,” Bolt said, crossing his arms. “I was about to intervene, but shit, Lucy was doing a fine job of handlin’ it.”

“Lucy doesn’t take any shit,” I muttered, grabbing a beer.

“Kind of sexy,” Chain teased, leaning against the bar. “You gotta claim on her? Because if not, I might be interested.”

I shot him a glare. “Don’t even think about it, asshole.”

Bolt smirked, shaking his head. “Yep, he’s claimed her.”

“You better make sure she’s on the up and up before gettin’ too deep,” Chain added, his tone light but pointed. “Gatsby and Kickstand are still diggin’ into her history.”

“Lucy’s cool,” I said smoothly, taking a long pull from the bottle.

Bolt raised an eyebrow. “I hope so, but just be careful. And watch out for Ashlynn, you know the shit I just went through with the sweet butts.”

“She’s got her issues,” I said, shrugging. “And I’m not gonna let her or anyone else run their mouths about Lucy. But I don’t think Ashlynn can be compared to Jenny or Barbie.”

“She acts like she’s got feelings for you, and that, brother, is a problem,” Chain said, no longer kidding around. “You’re too damn nice and don’t realize she’s playin’ on your sympathy.”

I slammed the bottle down on the bar and snapped, “I just try to be a good person, but I warned her she was out if she stirred any more shit.”

Chain raised his hands in mock surrender. “All right, all right. Relax, Spinner. We’re just lookin’ out for you.”

“He’s right, Spinner. Just keep your eyes and ears open,” Bolt said, his eyes promising we’d talk more later.

I looked around the room and noticed Lucy hadn’t returned. I had a feeling I knew where she might be.

CHAPTER TWELVE

I WATCHED THEwaves lick at the dock, their steady rhythmdoing its best to quiet the thoughts in my head. The sky was on fire with orange and pink, the last bit of daylight sinking into the horizon. I gripped the rough wooden railing, my fingers running over its worn grooves as I stared out at the water, lost in it.

Footsteps sounded behind me, slow and deliberate, each one hitting the dock with a familiar weight. I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Spinner. He carried himself like the world bent to his will—steady, sure, and unyielding.

“I can feel you staring at the back of my head,” I said, keeping my eyes on the horizon. “You got something to say, or are we just practicing the whole strong, silent thing?”

“You just keep runnin’ from me, Lucy,” he said, coming to stand beside me. His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it, like he was daring me to deny it.

I turned my head just enough to catch the glint of frustration in his dark eyes. “I’m not running from you,” I shot back. “I’m just… thinking.”

“About what?” he asked, softer this time.

I sighed, glancing back at the water. “The women and kids,” I said after a beat, the words heavy in my mouth. “The ones who need help. The ones no one wants to see. The ones I’m not helping by staying here.”

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