Page 9 of Pink Poison

“Stephanie!” he shouts as I haul ass out of the truck. Quickly, I run towards the station to purchase a different ticket. I’ll be damned if I go wherehehas decided I’ll go. My fingers wrap around the handle when my feet lift weightlessly from the ground. Bulging arms constrict around my abdomen like a python with its prey.Fitting since Jameson Hargrave is a fucking snake.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Fuck you, Hargrave,” I spit. Disappointment morphs into rage, rage unlike anything I have ever felt. It’s a conduit, channeling waves of conviction straight to my heart. “I can buy myself a ticket. I don’t needyouknowing where the hell I end up.”

His arms slacken enough for the tips of my toes to touch the ground again. “I can’t help you if I don’t know where you are,” he murmurs against my ear, eliciting a shiver with memory of what we just did freshly burned into my brain.

“I don’t need your help.”

“We both know that’s a lie, Stephanie.”

Gritting my teeth, I throw my head back to connect with his nose. The pain is tolerable compared to the wreckage in my heart. “Stephaniedoesn’t exist anymore. It’s Stevie.”

My feet touch the ground completely as his arms drop heavily to his sides, leaving me to walk away without a second look behind me. I don’t need his pity or his help. I don’t need family or friends. I just need me. I will make something for myself, something that no one can take from me or hold over me.

My name is Stevie Waters, and I won’t let a man stand in my way ever again.

Chapter three

Graves

Fuck!

I’m stuck standing like a fucking moron, forced to watch the woman who has captivated me for months disappear through the doors.

Fucking move your legs, you idiot.

My lips press together as a steady vibration from my cut distracts me long enough to let her walk away. I pull my phone out seeingMackflashing across my smudged screen. Swiping the green symbol, I drag the device to my ear, only to be greeted with heavy breathing. “What’s up, brother?” I ask, hoping to high hell this motherfucker doesn’t know where I am or who I’m with.

“Where are you, man? Shit’s turning sideways on the streets,” he says breathlessly. Groaning, I walk back to my truck. Gangs have been the least of the MC’s worries until earlier this year. Some pissant group who callsthemselves the Priests have been causing issues all over the damn state. We’ve had to deal with a few of them recently, masquerading around on their shitty crotch rockets like they own these streets. “Graves, I said get back to the clubhouse, brother!”

“Alright, I’m on my way back. I just needed a breather.”

I end the call before he starts an inquisition. Because he would, that’s just who Mack is. He has to know everything, even when it’s detrimental to him. It’s like he has perpetualfomoor some shit. Opening the door to my truck, a flash of blonde hair headed toward an empty bus catches my attention. I swallow harshly, fighting every urge to yell her name and beg for her to just come back with me. I’ll let her go,for now.

My hunk of shit truck jerks roughly as I pull it past the gates of The Deli. Killing the engine, I snatch the keys from the ignition and push my tired body out of the cab before Mack gets too close. I know I told Stephanie—Stevie—that I wanted him to smell her in there, but now isn’t the time. I’ll torture him with that shit later.

“We’ve been waiting for your sorry ass to get back here,” Prez snarls from the porch as he eyes me for any damage.

Kicking my boots across the pavement, I dip my head low to avoid any confrontation. We don’t need another fight brewing between the club. Whatever beef Mack has with me, we can settle on our own. “Sorry, Prez. I just needed a minute.”

“Was you with her, that hot piece from Mo’s?” he asks, refusing to budge from the doorway.

So much for not starting any confrontation.

“Drove her outta town. Mack doesn’t need to be worried about his stepsister throwing her ass out for money.” I sigh. Guilt worms its way through my stomach, sloshing bile until it burns my throat. I really don’t like implying that she’s a whore when she’s not.

“Good thinkin’, kid.” He pats my shoulder. “Keep an eye on Mack. He’s gonna wanna keep pushin’ this whole thing. The club can’t handle that liability after pissin’ on Mo’s business.”

Nodding, I push past him. There’s a reason why he’s at the top of this club. The man is a legend around here. He may be a peacemaker, but he’ll rally us like no tomorrow at the first whiff of trouble. We handle our business, and only ours. It keeps our noses down and out of the PD’s way. I have a lot of respect for Prez. Well, most of the time. Even with his strong morals, he’s still behind on the times when it comes to women. Maybe one day he’ll find one worth settling down for.

Yeah, when hell freezes over.

“Graves, you piece of shit,” Mack growls, charging across the floor.

Jesus. I should have just crashed somewhere for the night. I don’t have it in me to deal with anyone’s shit at the moment. “What now, Mack?”

His face is set, pinched with accusing intent. Grabbing the collar of my cut in each hand, he seethes, “Have you seen your fucking face?”

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