Page 73 of Vicious

“I...” my voice trailed off as I took a deep breath, studying my president’s face—was he safe to talk to? I mean, heknewabout the missed drop... “I’m going to Charlie’s party.”

Tip’s face dropped. “You’re going to see Charlie without me? What the hell kind of move is that?”

I furrowed my brow, thinking back to our initial conversation. “I said that I would handle it, and that’s what I’m doing—I’m the one in charge of the drops.”

“But we handle businesstogether.” He was seething, his face reddening with irritation.

As much as I wanted to argue with him, I really didn’t have time. “I’m sorry, man. I guess it was just a miscommunication or something—we can talk about it after tonight.”

“Nah, bro. That isnotwhat we’re going to do. You might have been around this club longer than I have, but I’m still the president. You’re not running off with some reporter and fuckingGunnerto one of the most prolific underground man’s party.”

Oof.

He’s going to fucking piss me off.

“I think I’ll be just fine to handle this. Gunner might be, well, whatever he is, but he’s loyal—andthatmeans something.”

“Are you questioning my loyalty right now?” Tippy sneered, his eyes narrowing at me. “I saved your ass all those years ago when the club wanted to kick you out after your brother and dad died, and you,” he jabbed me in the chest. “Quit showing up for club meetings. It wasmewho picked your ass up off the ground and brought you back to where you are now—andthatis why I’m the fucking president of this club instead of you.”

I backed down, the truth in his words heavier than I wanted to admit. “Fine, you’re right, Tip. I don’t know how I would’ve made it to this point without you.” I shook my head, having pushed my darker days off into the corners of my mind. I swallowed hard, hating the “What do you want me to do then?”

He stared at me for a few long moments, his eyes darting between mine. “I’ll be coming along tonight.”

I bit back the urge to argue. “All right.”

This is gonna be interesting.

Chapter 27

Hannah

I took Viper’s hand, swinging my leg over the bike and stepping down onto the pavement out front of the massive mansion we had just pulled up to. This wasnotlike any party I had been to with the Steel Heretics—it was like...Hollywood.However, there were very few vehicles parked out front. I glanced over at Tippy and Gunner, both hanging their helmets on the handlebars of their bikes.

We looked...out of place.

Well, actually, I didn’t really look that out of place once I smoothed out my hair, which I had left tucked up under my helmet. Taking a deep breath, I left my fingers intertwined with Viper’s, letting him lead me into the party. My heels clicked on the pavement, and the smell of Tippy’s cigarette wafted to my nostrils.

“Put that shit out,” Viper turned back to Tip as we headed for the front doors, manned by a couple of extra-large men in suits.

“Right,” he snorted, tossing it to the ground and stomping it with his black leather engineer boot. “I forgot you’re better at these stupid high-class parties than me. I’m just some fuckin’ gangster from Oakland.”

Oh, salty.

Tippy going with us had surprised me, but I didn’t ask. Viper seemed even more tense with him being present, but again, there was no point in pressing him about it. My goal was just to be a good girlfriend tonight...

And maybe do a little digging.

“Good evening,” one of the men greeted us, his eyes raking over me. “What’s the name? Mr. Hughes said this is a private event tonight.”

Ah, that makes sense.

“Steel Heretics,” Viper said coolly, glancing back to Gunner and Tippy, who were standing back.

The man shook his head. “Nah. I neednames.”

Viper hesitated. “Uh, Ronny Lombardi, Hannah Mullins,” he gestured to me. “Sid Levens, and that’s Gunner Whitt.”

The guard took a deep breath. “I don’t have all those names on my list.”

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