Page 54 of Vicious

“Yeah, but...” her voice trailed off as she adjusted herself, shifting to face me a little better. “I think I ragged on them more than I should’ve. As much as I want to hate the club, they were there for Garrett—and me. They tried to be there for me after everything happened. Ronny mowed my yard every summer until I met Chandler. I know that he partially did it out of guilt for what happened, but the club also paid all the expenses and ensured that I never missed rent.”

“Wow, that’s really thoughtful.”

“Yeah, and I mean, I guess in a way they owed it to me, but they really didn’t have to do that.”

“I get what you’re saying. So, you just wanted to set the record straight? That’s kind of what I’m getting from you?” I eyed her, giving her a smile. “If it makes you feel better, I was only going to use the story as a reference for the risk riding a motorcycle in general poses—no other details.”

She hesitated, her eyes dropping to her lap. “That’s good, and there’s one other thing...”

I furrowed my brow, my stomach flipping at the words. “And what’s that?”

Louise looked back up at me. “I think you should leave town.”

“What?”

She started wringing her hands. “I think that you might be in trouble, Hannah. I don’t usually pass along rumors—but there’s a lot of them. I have a few connections in high places. Well,corruptplaces, I guess. Your name is floating around, and I hadnoidea that you were Vinny Lewis’s niece or that you were involved with Viper.”

“What do you mean?” My heart dropped, this new information throwing me for a loop. “Why would that matter?”

“Vinny isn’t well liked by some people in town, and I don’t think they like you poking around here. I’m not sure why Viper was brought up, honestly.”

“But who are ‘they,’ Louise?” I demanded, a shudder rolling down my spine. “Because this isn’t making any sense.”

Nothing makes any sense.

“I learned of it from Marley Anders—you probably don’t know the name, but Viper will.”

“Who is that?”

“She’s Charlie Hughes’ daughter.”

“I have no idea who these people are.” Frustration, fear, and just pure annoyance was running through my veins as I jotted the name down. “But I have no doubt that you’re right about me being in trouble.”

“Hannah,” Louise placed a hand lightly on my shoulder, her voice softening. “I’m not trying to scare you at all. It’s just...”

“What?” I looked up at her, seeing the genuine worry on her face.

“Viper willdietrying to protect you, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the club will. I think...” she let out a sigh, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “I think there’s some bad apples in there now. I canfeelit. I knew that club like the back of my hand, and something is wrong.”

I nodded. “Thank you for the information, really. I probably should get out of here—and you should, too.”

“Yeah, Chandler doesn’t want me meeting with you in public anymore. You can call me anytime, though. I’ll do my best to be here if you need someone to talk to.”

If I can trust you.

I smiled, shoving my notepad back into my bag. “I appreciate it.” I bid her goodbye and headed back toward the Tahoe, my heart racing as my head spun with all the information—or lack thereof--that Louise had given me.

Reaching for the Tahoe door, I ripped it open and climbed inside. As genuine as Louise seemed, there was no way I could take her word for it. I would just have to sort out the validity of what she was saying on my own.

“You don’t look like that went well.” Gunner’s voice sounded like it was coming from far away.

“That’s because she brought me here just to warn me, telling me to get out of town,” I muttered, turning to look at Gunner, who had a determined look on his face. “Make up your mind?”

“I’m in, Hannah. Let’s figure this shit out.”

“Perfect,” I said, letting out a sigh as I ran my fingers through my blonde hair. “I already know where we’re starting.”

“Great, what’s that?”

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