Page 37 of Spinner's Luck

Spinner snorted. “You jealous, Thunder? Thought you had better things to do than clock my wake-up time.”

“Not jealous,” Thunder shot back, grinning. “Just impressed you’re still standin’ after last night.”

Spinner didn’t reply, just smirked and grabbed two plates, loading them up with eggs, bacon, and toast before handing one to me.

“Thanks,” I said softly, the simple gesture catching me off guard.

“Gotta keep you fed,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Don’t need you keelin’ over.”

I followed him to the table, the laughter and ribbing fading into the background as we sat. Spinner stayed close, his knee brushing mine under the table, his presence solid and steady like it had been the night before. Every so often, his hand would rest on my thigh—not in a demanding way, but like he needed to remind himself I was there.

Or maybe he thought I needed the reminder. Either way, it worked.

The banter around us ebbed and flowed, but I stayed quiet, watching and listening. This world still felt foreign, even if Spinner made it seem less so. The men here were hard, scarred by life in ways I understood all too well. But there was something else, too—a loyalty that ran deep, binding them together like steel.

My gaze locked with Ashlynn’s, and in that moment, I swear I felt my own damn eulogy being written. She knew what went on in Spinner’s room last night—hell, everyone probably did. I’m guessing this place has thin walls, and I felt myself trying to remember just how loud we’d been. My cheeks burned as memories of the night replayed in vivid detail. Yeah, we’d given plenty of audio.

“You okay?” Spinner’s voice cut through my thoughts, low enough that no one else could hear.

I glanced at him, at the keen eyes that didn’t miss a thing, and nodded. “Yeah. Just... getting used to everything.”

His lips quirked, and he leaned closer, his voice a rough whisper. “You don’t gotta get used to anythin’ you don’t want to, Lucy. But if you’re thinkin’ of boltin’, just remember, I’ll chase you.”

For the first time in too many years to count, I didn’t feel like running. Instead, I let myself smile, small and hesitant, but real.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE MAP LAYsprawled across the table, routes markedwith lines, notes scrawled in Devil’s precise handwriting. Everyone was in their usual spots. Bolt leaning forward, elbows on the table; Chain lounging like this was a poker game; Mystic in the corner, his simmering intensity coiled tight like a spring. Every brother here had one thing on their mind: the war brewing with Dragon Fire.

I felt her before I saw her. That quiet, electric shift in the air. When I looked up, there she was—Lucy, standing in the doorway, arms crossed, chin tilted like she was daring me to call her out. That fire in her eyes struck a nerve, irritation flaring hot in my gut.

Now wasn’t the damn time for this.

She wasn’t supposed to be here, and she damn well knew it. But there she stood, bold as hell, like she had every right to be in the middle of this.

My blood pressure spiked.

I shoved back from the table and moved toward her, muscles tensed with frustration. She was forcing my hand, making me handle her like this, and I hated it.

“I told you to stay out of this,” I said, voice low and controlled—just enough to keep Devil from losing his shit.

“And I told you I’m not a bystander,” she shot back, stepping into the room like she belonged. Her eyes locked onto mine, unwavering. “I’ve dealt with men like them for years. I can help.”

Chain smirked, leaning back farther, lacing his hands behind his head. “She’s got a point. And honestly, I like havin’ her around. She’s got more guts than half the guys here.”

“Shut up, Chain,” Thunder muttered, but the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement.

Then Devil spoke, his tone slicing through the room, cold and final. “You can sit in, but if you’re in this room, you listen. No talking out of turn. You’re in our house now. That means our rules. Clear?”

Lucy’s jaw tightened, but she nodded, meeting his gaze in a silent battle of wills.

What the fuck? I ran a hand through my hair, frustration burning through me. This wasn’t how I expected Devil to handle her crashing a club meeting. Outsiders didn’t belong in this room. Club business was sacred—off-limits to anyone not wearing a patch. Devil had an angle, and that worried me more than anything.

“Dragon Fire’s trying to bait us,” Devil said, his gaze still locked on Lucy. “What do you know about their inner workings?”

“They don’t have big numbers—maybe fifty guys tops—and they’re not loyal. They talk shit about each other constantly,” she said, stepping farther into the room, pulling out a chair like it was just another Tuesday. “They’ve moved locations twice since I started running inside their circle.”

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