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He holds up his arms and his blue eyes immediately turn dark with regret. “I’m sorry, brother. I know better. I know you loved her.”

Loved? Hell, I still love her. I’m not ever getting over her. I’m smart enough to know that even if I wasn’t smart enough to take her with me back then.

All the fight goes out of me. All of that was so long ago. I made my decisions and I have to live with them.

“It’s okay, Lucky. I’m tired is all. I’m going home to sleep and finally catch up on some rest.” The last few days have been spent fighting with an MC from up North that thought they could invade our territory. They were some seriously bad dudes who also liked to beat their women, so we made sure regretted all their life choices. I had cuts on my hands and a black eye, but I wouldn’t have changed any of that. Seeing the rivalclub president’s wife with a broken arm had been enough to inspire all of us to kick some ass.

I glance around the club. So many of the guys are in shit shape, but we still look a hell of a lot better than our opponents. They are officially gone.

I let out a long breath.This is what it’s all about.This club’s oath is to look after those that no longer have a voice. We did our job.

I snap to attention when Lucky slaps my back again. “Now, there’s somethin’ you don’t see every day. A freakin’ debutante walkin’ into our shitty bar.” He lets out a low whistle. “She sure is pretty though, ain’t she?”

I glance over at where Lucky is looking and then do a double take. I lose my breath and my heart swoops into my stomach.

Cat? What the hell is she doing here?

Chapter Three

Cat

What if I imagined it all? What if I’m not really meant to be his? -Cat

The glowing, red sign over the run-down wooden structure saysThe Viper. This must be the place. I spent the day exploring Holly Oaks, looking over my shoulder, and trying to find out where the Silver Snakes would be.The Viperseemed to be the consensus.

I take a deep breath before pushing my way into the double wooden doors. I glance down at my outfit. I’m wearing a long skirt and my favorite cardigan with a scalloped top underneath.Why do I have the feeling I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb?The sounds of hard rock pound through the building and a couple of drunk guys have already stumbled out, giving me surprised looks.

Nerves roil in my stomach. There’s a good chance that Tor won’t even want to see me. I still don’t know why he left that night.

I remember being so happy that he finally noticed me as a woman. That he finally wanted me the way I had always wanted him. And thenanxiously waiting that night. Waiting for him to show up and kiss me and touch me. Then crying myself to sleep.

I straighten my shoulders. That’s all in the past. Now, I need his help. And the Tor I knew in the past would always help.

I push open the doors.

Why does it feel like the whole place stops as I stand there?Everything seems to quiet, even the beat of the loud music.

“Did someone call for the church ladies to visit tonight? Is that a new kink?” A loud voice erupts through the crowd, and I feel my cheeks heat. Laughter spreads through the rowdy crowd.

“Got a casserole to give to us, honey?” another person calls out.

I bury the need to hide and put my hands on my hips. “Very funny. Does anyone know where Tornado is?” I shout. I may look like a church lady, but I still have some of my nerve left.

“Tornado, is this one yours?” I hear a murmur ripple through the bar patrons.

Finally, I catch a glimpse of someone pushing through the others. The large bald guy in front of me moves to the side and then for the first time in five years, I see my best friend, my soul mate.

Tornado’s nostrils flair. I can’t help but cock my head to the side. He looks different. His hair is cut close to his head and he’s more muscular. My eyes follow a path down his body. He looks bigger…everywhere. My mouth waters.Fuck, he looks good.

I hear a low growl and my gaze snaps up to meet his grey eyes. That hungry look in his eyes hasn’t changed. It’s the same look he had the last day I saw him.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Cat?” he growls.

Well, so much for the welcome party.

Chapter Four

Tornado