Page 54 of Bound By Flames
I roll my eyes. “Ash, I told you to call me Mia.”
“Sorry, you’re Mrs Malone here. Can’t get too comfy with the boss’ wife.” He winks and shrugs, his youth making him look almost out of place. Ash has red hair like me. People might almost think we’re siblings. As we make our way to the main entrance, the crowds part like the sea, giving us a clear path straight to the door. They're all dressed in black, with tattoos and scars on most of them, the air crackling with eagerness and the promise of brutality.
They stare at us, especially me, which doesn’t usually bother me. I’m used to getting attention, especially when you’re a redhead who likes to dress like you’re going out to a Hollywood party, but this time’s different.
They don’t look at me with desire, admiration, or lust.
Their gaze drifts down as quickly as they set their eyes on me as if they weren't allowed to look at me. Some of them eventurn their face to the side to make sure their eyes don’t fall on me. As if they know who I am. Who I’m married to.
Something in their faces is shining with fear and uneasiness.
A few members of the Raven Sons were at our wedding, but this is a much bigger crowd, and I’ve never been there before.
Do they know who I am?
“Ash,” I murmur, his hand inches behind my back, careful not to touch me but still here to protect me. “What’s going on?” As we walk to the entrance, the air shifts with each step I take. Ash doesn’t answer me, his gaze doing a one-eighty. He may look young, but there’s no doubt that this is where he belongs. Focused, determined to protect me and complete his mission for Ares. Once we enter the warehouse, I sigh with relief.
That was intense.
“Sorry ‘bout that, just wanted to bring you inside safely. Boss told everyone you’d be here tonight.” He grins as if it means something in particular. Erin and Shadow follow us and she steps next to me.
“Well, never a dull moment at the club.” She chuckles. “It’s the first time people get to see you. Hence the staring contest out there.”
“O-okay, that was, um, intense,” I tell her.
“Girl, I’ve been here for years and I never seen that many men fear a woman this way, so yeah intense is kind of the right word.”
“Fear me? Seriously?” I’m surprised by her interpretation.
“You’re the president’s old lady now. It comes with perks and, well, power.” She shrugs her shoulder with a wink. “All the men in the region, if not in the country, know that looking at you the wrong way basically equals the death penalty.”
Oh.
Yeah, I kind of forgot that since my father was a weak man, he never once defended me when men got a bit too comfy with me. I like it better here.
Don’t get used to this. This isn’t a real marriage. It won’t last forever.
I look around and take it all in. The tall ceilings, the bar, the massive shelves of cardboard carrying God knows what, dartboard, pool table, big screen and pin-up posters on each wall with expensive metallic lights hanging from the ceiling, American flags, and a leather couch making me think of westerns I once watch with Kiara when we were little. The Raven Sons emblem rises before me at the top of the wall, the skull surrounded with angel wings with their motto:Riding The Shadows.There’s pictures on the wall on the left of the club members driving together. Where I come from, everything is supposed to be concealed, secret. Even the made men of my father remained in the shadows. All I ever saw was black suits and occasional guns. Here it’s impossible to ignore the pride of the members of the club.
I notice the right corner looks more like a garage with bikes, tools, and parts. I take a step forward and look at the huge octagon set in the middle of the warehouse, something I only saw on television. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this is way larger than I thought it’d be, with a cage-like atmosphere that gives it a gladiator feel. The light above it is neon bright, almost blinding us.
Ares is going to fight in this.
“Impressive, right?” says Ash looking at the octagon, his chest setting a bit higher. Cute to see how proud he is to be a part of the club.
“Yeah, but I have a hard time picturing Ares in it,” I admit.
He grins. “Don’t worry, he’s like a fish in water.”
“Where is he, by the way?” I ask casually. Not that I want to act all giddy-wifey in front of his men, but I haven’t seen him since this morning and I kinda want to talk to him before he goes in the cage.
“Follow me,” Ash says, motioning his chin to his left. I glance at Erin, whose hand is entangled with Shadows. They look so good together.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to her and she smiles back.
“I’ll keep you a seat next to me,” she says before walking closer to the octagon, Shadows' hand lingering protectively on her back.
“Carter will be there in a sec,” Ash informs me. “Since Erin came, Ares's gave him the night, so Carter and I will be your official bodyguards tonight.”
