Page 18 of Wild Night

I wish I had met him when I wasn’t this damaged. When I was free to make decisions and choices. I can’t do that now, though. I’m married to a man who is nothing more than a ghost… a nightmare—a monster.

Dinner is delicious and reminds me of home. Ivy and I make small talk after the discussion of my job. Nothing is deep. Everything stays on the surface. Then I ask him about the club and what it really all means.

“You have MCs in California. Hell, the Vicious Reapers are there. I’ve worked with them before.”

“I don’t know anything about them,” I say.

It’s true. All I know about a motorcycle club is what Dakota has shared, which isn’t much. She basically said it was an MC, her man was the president, and they were a protective family unit. Anything else I found out about them was because I Googled. But as much as I want to trust Google, I can’t.

“Tell me about it,” I urge. “Does anyone else have a job like you, or do they all just work at the security store?”

He arches a brow, not expecting me to know that part of their business. “It’s not a secret,” I say. “I Googled the club, and the Thunder Security Supply popped up on the first search page.”

“I own a portion of the club. All the members do. We’re equal in all ways when it comes to the security supply company and all that entails.”

Nodding, I stay quiet, hoping he will continue. Thankfully, he does. “We’re a brotherhood. But no, I’m not the only one who works elsewhere. Piggy is a cop here in town.”

My eyes widen at that announcement, and my lips part in awe. I did not expect that, not in the fucking slightest. He looks like he is about to laugh. Instead, he leans back slightly in his chair and looks at me as if waiting for whatever other questions are coming his way.

“I don’t even know what else to ask,” I say.

“You can ask anything at any time. I can’t promise you I’ll answer it the way you want, but you can ask me.”

I figured he would say as much. When I don’t ask anything else, Ivy pays the bill, and we leave the restaurant, walking out into the cool evening. If I thought it was chilly before, it’s downright cold now.

A shiver slides over my entire body. Ivy slides his arm around my shoulders, no doubt sensing the change in temperature. “Let’s go for a walk,” he announces.

We walk side by side down the sidewalk of the downtown area. It reminds me so much of home, but at the same time, it’s different. I never felt at peace in Shellgrove. How could I when memories of my parents, of my sister, were around every corner? Not to mention Lucian.

Every mistake I ever made is laced in that town.

But here, they’re nowhere to be remembered, and I can’t help but feel as if a weight has been lifted from me. I’m not sure if it’s the place, the man, or the distance. Whatever it is, I don’t care.It feels good, and for a moment, with this man’s arm wrapped around me, I can forget everything.

All of it.

CHAPTER EIGHT

POSEY

After our walk,Ivy and I climb back on his bike and ride to the clubhouse. I’m not sure why, but I feel very melancholy. I don’t know if it’s because Dakota has left for her honeymoon, or if it’s because this situation with Ivy feels a little off, or if it’s because of the looming threat of Lucian.

Whatever the case, I don’t like the feel of it at all. As the bike comes to a stop in front of the clubhouse, right next to my car, I think about climbing inside and leaving. I have no idea where I would go or what I would do. Plus, I made a promise to Dakota, and she’s had enough of life’s shit handed to her over the years. I don’t need to add to that.

A few moments after our arrival, we’re off the bike and walking into the clubhouse. There is hard rock playing, pool balls cracking against one another, the scent of smoke and booze filling the air, and naked women.

Lots of naked women.

Well, by lots, I count four.

That’s a lot to me, considering I wasn’t expecting to see any. As I scan the room, I not only see their nakedness, but a couple of them are having sex right there out in the open. Holy shit, this was not something I expected.

“Welcome to the club, princess,” Ivy says with a chuckle.

I don’t look away from the action. I can’t. There is too much going on here, and I can’t seem to do anything other than stare. I’m not sure what kind of world I’ve stepped into, but now I’m questioning everything.

Ivy seems to think this is funny. Whether he’s laughing at what’s happening or my reaction to it, I’m not sure. And honestly, it doesn’t even matter. I am in a state of surprise, of shock, of awe.

I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. I don’t consider myself a prude, or I didn’t until this moment. Granted, I don’t care that these people are doing their own things. It doesn’t bother me that sex is so free, but at the same time… it could not be me.

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