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1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ivy

5 Years Later

The overwhelming realization of knowing I am out of my element almost knocks me on my ass. This is completely wrong. I know that, yet, I still find myself standing in hell as I look around at the unfamiliar faces. Their eyes are watching me like a train wreck, scrutinizing us. While I am having a mini panic attack, they are laughing and talking amongst themselves. We piled into the small bar with all eyes locked on us. We definitely didn't look like we belonged and now, as I stood still like a statue, I was painfully aware of what an idiot I appeared to look like. Everything about my appearance screamed I was in the wrong place. From my light blue sundress and cowboy boots to my curled hair. I didn't match the short skirts, leather, and tattoos that seemed to be the normal attire. Shoving past me, Lacy strutted over to the bartender with an air of confidence surrounding her. She brushed her long, strawberry-red hair behind her shoulder as she announced her order. Her tight jeans and even tighter hot pink tank top accentuated her curves perfectly. The bartender, an older man with a long, dark beard and tattoos covering every inch of skin displayed, only smirked at her as she began to make her margarita on the rocks. Watching, I felt my mouth fall open as I still stood in the doorway. In contrast, I was the complete opposite of Lacy in every way imaginable. My long caramel-colored hair flowed down to the center of my back and my five-foot-five frame was thin, not voluptuous and screaming of sex appeal like Lacy's. My hazel green eyes were plain, not sparkling like Lacy's. All my life I had been shielded from places just like this. They all seemed like wild myths or rock star fairy tales that were shared, but that you knew somewhere in the back of your mind weren't real. Only, this was real. I was suddenly aware that all eyes were locked on Lacy and not me. At that moment, I never felt so happy to be invisible.

Now, standing in an unfamiliar place, I felt that same tug deep inside me that told me I didn't belong. Everything about this place, and the people inside, screamed for me to get the hell out. Glancing around, the black walls glowed from the neon signs and electric paintings of motorcycles that scattered the space. I inhaled sharply, preparing myself to slowly back up, when I felt a push from behind as a group of men and women wearing leather jackets and scowls on their faces shoved me through the doorway and into the small biker bar. I watched as they made their way over to an area that contained four pool tables with a crowd of people surrounding. Everyone welcomed them with smiles and high-fives. Inside, I was smiling at how nice it must be to have that many people to love you. But, I couldn't think about that now. I had made a choice to leave my life and the people in it behind.

The sounds of a heavy metal band blasted through the speakers, which hung above me, drowning out the conversations taking place. The sudden noise startled me back to reality. Thankfully, the loud thumping base from a Metallica song hid the growing beating of my heart, which I felt would jump out of my chest at any moment.

"Hey, perk up," a voice carries over the loud music, jolting me from my own thoughts.

"Huh?" I asked, turning to face my best friend Lacy.

"You look like you are either about to faint or kill someone," she teases, as she takes in the scene before us.

"I'm fine," I lied. "I am just taking it all in."

Well, at least that part was true. My best friend Lacy had been begging me to try out this new bar with her and after becoming frustrated with listening to her whining, I decided to go. "Let's go get a drink," Lacy said as she began to walk back through the crowd again. In my own daze, I hadn't even seen her approach me and just as fast as she had arrived, she was gone again.

"Get your ass over here," Lacy yelled, as she patted the empty barstool next to hers. "Ivy Allan, don't make me drag you here myself," she finished with a smirk.

Sucking in a heavy breath, I forced myself to walk further into this smoky bar .

I wasn't sure why I had agreed to come with Lacy tonight. I normally spent my nights at home in the apartment we shared near campus. I was a twenty-one-year-old college student and as straight-laced as they come. I was the good kid, the girl who never disobeyed, never skipped a curfew in high school or drank alcohol or smoked or tried drugs. I was the opposite of Lacy, who in her younger years had pushed every boundary placed in front of her. Or at least that's what she had told me. The only reason we became friends was that we were forced together our freshman year of college as roommates in our small dorm. We shared a hatred of the dorms and of most the girls living around us. We had decided to rent an apartment together the next year and had been friends ever since. I had hidden myself behind my books and the crowds of girls at the private prep school I had attended high school. I was always afraid to push myself to be the center of the stage. Somehow, Lacy saw in me something she liked and our friendship had only flourished over the last few years.

As I made my way up to the bar, I pushed past several sweaty guys that smelled like whiskey and leather. Finally walking over to Lacy, I sighed.

Seeing me, Lacy smiled. "This place is awesome," Lacy beamed. "I really like the music and the bartender said the band is supposed to be epic," she said.

Standing in the center of the crowded room, I watched as a band began to set up the stage for live music. The loud, hard rock music blared around us and I hoped the band would be better than whatever was playing now.

"How did you hear about the band?" I asked. I realized at that moment that I had never asked her where she learned about this place. It wasn't the typical college bar where we usually hung out and it was far from campus, located on the far north side of town.

Taking another sip of her drink, Lacy tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Her blue eyes sparkling as she glanced from the stage and then back to me. "Funny story," she began and I groaned out loud. "A guy in my Sociology class gave me a flier for the band. I guess he knows the drummer," she shrugged. "Plus, they do like wrestling matches or something, too. It sounds like a lot of fun!" She smiled brightly at me.

"So, you dragged me clear across town on a Thursday night because some guy gave you a flier?" I asked.

I knew my voice sounded shrill, but I couldn't help it. I grew up with strict rules and upscale standards. Never in my life had I ventured into a place like this.

Suddenly, everything seemed more exciting. Realizing that my parents would absolutely hate this place made me start to love it.

"Yes, just relax and have fun," Lacy stated, playfully shoving my arm.

With a smile now forming on my face, I decided to just go with the flow and enjoy the night. Grabbing her drink out of her hand, I took a big gulp

"That's my girl," Lacy cheered, as I allowed the alcohol to take effect.

"We have no business being here," I screamed over the loud music.

"Relax," Lacy said, waving off my worry. She was watching the bartender fill shot glasses with more whiskey and I rolled my eyes as she winked when he caught her staring. Lacy's confidence was either going to get her laid or us killed—I wasn't sure which tonight.

"Lacy, this is a biker bar. We don't drive motorcycles and we are so far from campus, I have no idea where we are exactly," I whined. Even though I felt excited about being here, the logical side of my brain was still screaming for us to get the hell out of here.

I knew I was getting on her nerves, but I didn't care. She had forced me to come with her and I knew she needed to hear how terrible and dangerous this idea was. For Lacy, she loved to push the boundaries and explore the world around her.

"You just need a drink of your own. There are some hot guys in here," she said, waving her arms around the room.

Grabbing her hand, I tried to stop her. "Are you crazy? Everyone in here is already looking at us like we are insane. Please stop drawing more attention to us," I yelled. "Besides, when have you ever been into guys with tattoos?" I asked.

The bartender chuckled as he watched us. "You girls have never been to a biker bar before, have you?" he asked, leaning his arms on the dark, cherry wood bar.

"No, but I like what I see," Lacy said, biting her bottom lip while leaning closer to him, her boobs threatening to pop out of her tight shirt.

"What's your name?" the bartender asked. His leather vest was open, revealing a rock-hard set of abs underneath. Tattoos snaked down his arms and a fierce beard covered his strong face. I had to admit, he wasn't my type but he was hot.

"Lacy. What's yours," she asked, swirling the tiny black straw around in her drink.

"I'm Drake. I own this bar with my three younger brothers Axel, Blaze, and Ryder," he said, pointing up to a picture above the bar.

Glancing up, I spotted a large photo of four guys, Drake included standing in front of this same bar. One guy wore a plaid shirt that was tight on his large muscular arms. He had a thick head of dark hair and serious eyes. Another guy, who looked much younger than the others, had on loose fitted jeans that hung low on his hips. He held a large trophy. He had long, brown hair that hung dangerously close to his eyes. His naughty smirk screamed sex appeal. Finally, my eyes landed on another brother with jet black hair, tight jeans, a leather jacket, and smoldering dark eyes. His sharp jaw was set tight and he was eyeing the camera like he either wanted to fuck it or kill it; either way something about him mesmerized me.

"Damn, Ivy. You are practically drooling over that picture," Lacy laughed.

"Shut up," I snapped. "I am just looking."

My eyes focused on the neon sign above the bar that read, Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse. That name made me curious.

Without thinking, I blurted out, "Why the name, Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse?"

I wanted to smack myself. I wanted out of here, not to start up a conversation with this guy. Lacy only smiled over at me, beaming with excitement as she knew I was mortified.

Drake smiled as he began to talk. "My name is Drake Raven and my dad and grandfather owned this biker bar before… well before my brothers and I were born. It started out as a small clubhouse for the bikers in town, but after my dad and grandfather died, my brothers and I turned it into a bar," he finished talking and glanced up at the photo again.

"So, you own this bar and you are a biker, that is so hot," Lacy practically moaned.

Just as I was about to tell Lacy it was time to go, the entrance door opened again and three guys walked into the bar. Instantly, my eyes were drawn to one guy in particular. The light streaming in from the parking lot seemed to illuminate his strong face, like a spotlight had been cast upon him. He looked like a dark angel. He ran a hand through his messy dark hair and his dark eyes looked around until they landed on mine. Giving me a slight smirk, the man had sex appeal pouring off him in waves. I swear I felt my knees go weak.

I knew I was staring, probably even drooling as my mouth fell open looking at him, but I was too drunk by his aurora to even care.

Carefully, he glided further into the bar, his black leather jacket perfectly moving with his strides. He had on a tight white shirt that stuck to his perfect abs and his jeans fit in all of the right places. He held a black helmet in his left arm and I knew instantly he was a Raven boy. He looked a lot like Drake, only younger.

The other two guys must have been Raven boys too, they all had similar dark hair and tight jawlines. Walking past me, I continued to stare until he reached the far end of the bar. He greeted Drake and they slapped hands.

"Damn girl, I have never seen you look at any guy like that before," Lacy yelled into my ear .

Shaking my head, I tried to knock some sense back into myself. This wasn't my scene. This wasn't the type of guy I typically dated. This wasn't the place for me.

But, the problem was, something was stirring deep down inside of me, ignoring all rational thoughts. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to know about the Raven Boy in front of me.

Grabbing Lacy's drink, I chugged the remainder of the contents and then motioned for another bartender, this time a heavy-set balding guy with a nose ring, to bring me the same thing as Lacy had been drinking.

Shit, I like this," Lacy laughed. "What has gotten into you?" she asked as she continued to laugh.

I honestly had no idea, but my world was starting to spin. "Lacy, after I finish my drink, we have to go. Something about this place makes me feel weird," I said, my eyes still locked on the guy at the end of the bar.

"Hell yeah you feel weird, girl you are coming alive. That guy is sexy as hell. It's about time you loosened up a little," Lacy said as she paid the bartender for my drink and then handed me the cold glass.

I took a large drink and then placed the glass back onto the bar with a light thud. I could already feel the tequila beginning to work its magic. Suddenly, a tall, blonde girl wearing black leather pants and a blood red shirt strutted over to the bar and her hand began to caress the guy who I had been ogling over ever since he stepped through the door. My stomach dropped and I wasn't sure why. I didn't even know this guy's name. I had no claim to him, but watching her slender fingers touch that Raven boy's skin made something angry inside of me stir. This must be a sign, logic finally making its way to my mind telling me it was time to go. Seeing what I was now staring at, Lacy tensed.

"Ignore that hussy. Ivy, go over there and talk to him," she urged.

"No, I just want to go," I said, gulping down the remaining alcohol before turning and attempting to leave.

However, in my hurry to get away from the scene before me, I didn't see the large man rushing toward the bar. It wasn't until I collided straight into his helmet, my head hitting the metal hard, that I realized I was falling. I'd like to say I fell with grace, but luck wasn't on my side tonight.

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