16. Luna

16

Luna

Scrolling through my texts, I open the one I received in the middle of the night from Ghost. He messaged me the video recording of us in the VIP room at the strip club, confirming what I hoped when I teased him that he could watch it back.

It might be twisted, but I like the idea of him remembering me like this. It’s proof he wants me, no matter how much he tries to resist.

I found myself watching it on repeat while I fingered myself this morning, but my hand couldn’t do what his did. I came twice before giving up on the idea that anything could come close to the feel of Ghost inside me.

Frustrated and still on edge, I climbed out of bed and got dressed.

It’s embarrassing I let him affect me like this. Especially when Ghost was an asshole after what happened. He sent me home with Venom, and even when he came to our rescue, he didn’t bother asking how I was doing. Somehow, us getting closer drove us farther apart.

I should hate him.

So why can’t I?

I’m obsessed with this man, and the more he resists, the more determined I am to break him.

I secure my ponytail and roll my shoulders back. The lavender is growing out, leaving more blonde at the roots, but the tips are still solid purple. Smoothing my hair, I stare in the mirror and try to find my confidence beneath the blanket of doubt that’s been weighing heavily on me.

Tonight is a big deal for the club. They’re throwing a chapter mixer to celebrate Chaos getting out of prison. It was originally scheduled for right after he was released, but after the Iron Sinners took Tempe, celebrations were postponed.

But now it’s finally happening, and it’s going to be wild. If there’s one time the club goes completely off the rails, it’s when Twisted Kings from different chapters converge in one place. I can’t wait. I’m counting on the madness.

Ghost has been shutting me out for over a year, and I’m done accepting it. I’m going to use this opportunity to show him what he’s missing out on, and just like at the strip club, I’m going to make it impossible for him to deny me.

I smooth my hands over my T-shirt, brushing my fingers over the logo in the center—a black skull wearing a gamer headset. My shirt shows off a sliver of my stomach, which is just enough to tease the man I’ve got my sights on this evening .

I considered dressing up but decided against it. It doesn’t take a short dress to tempt this man, and that’s one of the things I like about him. My jeans hug my ass and legs, so if anything, this shows off my figure as much as any skirt.

Wren walks into the bedroom wearing a towel, and she pauses in the doorway, looking at me. “You look hot tonight. Understated… but hot.”

“Thanks.” I glance over at her. “I thought you were already out there with Reina. But you’re not even close to ready for the party.”

“I got a little distracted halfway through doing my makeup.” She walks over to her closet, dropping the towel when she finds the dress she’s looking for. “Chaos came to ask me a question, and then one thing led to another…”

“And you started over?” I smirk. “I thought you were over Chaos because of his stripper obsession?”

“I thought I was. But good lord, that man can do incredible things with his hands.” She flutters her eyelashes. “Not to mention his cock.”

“I’m pretty sure the Lord wants nothing to do with any of that.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. That man can make a girl see heaven.” Wren laughs. “What about you? Why are you all dressed up?”

“I’m in jeans and a T-shirt.”

Wren’s eyebrow hitches. “An itty-bitty T-shirt and very tight, very sexy jeans. Don’t think I don’t see you, Luna. Let me guess… you’re trying to get the attention of one ve ry tall, very tatted biker who is also pretending not to notice a certain purple-haired vixen.”

“Fine. So what if I am?” I turn back to the mirror, smoothing my fingers down my shirt. “Wish me luck.”

“Like you need it.” Wren slips her dress on. “That man can’t take his eyes off you. Tonight won’t be any different.”

I’m counting on it.

Tightening my ponytail a final time, I spin to face Wren. “See you out there.”

I leave her to finish up as I step out of our room. The entire clubhouse is thundering with music. Twisted Kings from a number of different chapters are here tonight, so there’s barely any room to move around.

The club from Seattle was first to arrive, followed by a group from LA. More must have filtered in since I disappeared to get ready because I can barely move through the clubhouse with all the bodies crammed into it.

The back doors to the clubhouse are open, and Twisted Kings fill every corner, spilling out onto the back patio.

No locals or outsiders are welcome tonight, so the guys are relaxed, cutting loose completely. Some are already wasted, while others talk and catch up.

Patch bunnies from all different chapters circle the room while prospects serve drinks.

The few old ladies who came with their men have their jackets on, showing off their property patches and making it clear they’re taken.

Steel is sitting on his usual barstool, with Tempe standing between his legs .

While some old ladies avoid these kinds of parties because they don’t want to witness what their men will do in the name of celebration, others show up proudly. Not many of the guys are known for being loyal, but the few who are want to show off their women. Steel is one of them, holding Tempe at his side. I get the impression he would never do anything to break her trust, and neither would she.

Beside Steel, Chaos is downing shots with Reaper, the president of the Reno chapter. I’ve met him a few times as he’s taken trips through Vegas, and his antics make Soul seem tame. When he spots me walking up, he winks. He’s got the whole tall-dark-and-handsome thing going for him, but he’ll flirt with anything in a skirt, so I’ve never bothered taking him up on his many offers to celebrate one-on-one.

When I finally get to Tempe, she reaches out to squeeze my hand. Steel isn’t going to let her go with everything going on around us, so I don’t bother going in for a hug.

“Luna, you’re here.” Tempe smiles; her voice is pitchy because she’s clearly buzzed. “I was just telling Lyla about you.”

Tempe motions to a girl standing in front of her, who has the most purple eyes I’ve ever seen. Her dark hair makes them stand out even more, and they’re as bright as her smile. A biker from the LA chapter has his tattooed arm wrapped around her shoulders.

“I like your hair.” Lyla smiles, pointing at my purple ponytail .

“Thanks. I like your eyes.”

“Purple hair, purple eyes.” Tempe laughs. “What a coincidence, right? Lyla, Luna. You guys are practically twins.”

We’re not even close, but I smile, appreciating seeing Tempe letting loose for once.

“You guys are from LA?”

“Yep.” Lyla nods. “Steel’s done so much to help the club rebuild after everything that went down there. Blaze wanted to be here himself, but with Candy nine months pregnant, he couldn’t risk it. So Sage and I made sure we came to represent.”

I’m guessing Blaze is the president, but I’ve never met him.

Lyla tucks herself closer to Sage’s side, and he kisses the top of her head.

I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s old lady because I don’t need validation from a man, but as I watch Sage with Lyla and Steel with Tempe, there’s a pang of jealousy in my chest.

What’s it like to have that kind of companionship?

Someone who cares about you enough to want to tell the world you belong to them—that they’d do anything to keep you.

Sage tips Lyla’s chin up, pulling her attention. “I promised Chaos we’d do shots. Ready, butterfly?”

“Of course.” She smiles before turning back to me and Tempe. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Sage and Lyla disappear, and I slip onto an empty stool as I watch them walk over to Chaos, who is taking another shot .

“I give him an hour before he’s too drunk to walk.”

Steel laughs. “I doubt he’ll last that long. He started drinking at one, and his tolerance is shit since he got out of prison. Speaking of, I better join them while Chaos is still responsive.”

“You coming, Luna?” Tempe asks as Steel snags her hand.

“I’m good. I’m going to get a drink, but I’ll find you later.”

She smiles, disappearing into the crowd, and I know that’s probably the last I’ll talk to her tonight.

I’ve made my appearance.

I’ve put on my show.

Soon, everyone here will be too wasted to know what’s up and what’s down, and they won’t be worried about what I’m doing.

I’m on a mission, and nothing is distracting me from that tonight.

Ghost steps into the room, and for a man who stays in the shadows, his presence is deafening. He stands in the doorway between the main bar and the hallway that leads to the ranked members’ rooms. His height has him towering over almost everyone here, giving me a clear view of him above everyone else.

As if he senses me, his eyes find mine across the room, and a shiver runs the length of my spine.

He holds my gaze for a moment, and I wonder if I’m imagining the silent challenge in them. But the second I blink, he looks away, moving through the crowd to meet up with the rest of the Vegas Twisted Kings, who are taking a shot and cheering to Chaos’s freedom .

Ghost doesn’t usually drink, but given the circumstances, he downs one. The room erupts, and it’s so loud that they drown out whatever speech Steel is giving.

It’s parties like this that scare most people away from club life, but to me, it’s home.

My life has never been quiet or comforting. Between the revolving door of foster families and the constant uncertainty that brought, I’ve experienced more loneliness than stability in my life. And I’ve seen more bad than good.

But here, in the eye of this Twisted Kings storm, I belong. I’ve found people who don’t judge me. People who make me feel like I can be whoever I want.

Unapologetically.

Spinning around on my barstool, I face the bar, and Venom is already sliding a drink across it for me. It’s a gin and tonic—my favorite.

Usually, this is when he would flirt or ask me to meet up with him later, but instead, he continues down the bar. He must have noticed something between me and Ghost at Sapphire Rise because he’s been quieter since then.

Glancing over my shoulder, I find Ghost through the crowd. His back is to me, and even that is breathtaking. His broad shoulders are strong, and his tattooed arms are on display in his tight T-shirt and Twisted Kings cut.

I think about how Tempe and Lyla are walking around with their men’s names on their backs tonight. I never wanted that, so why do I feel bare all of a sudden?

“Hiding from me? ”

I look over to see Reaper walking up with a smile. He stops between me and Ghost, and I spin on the barstool to face him.

“If I am, I didn’t do that great of a job, did I?”

“Guess not.” He plants his hand on the bar, caging me in.

Last time he was in town, I made the mistake of kissing him, and when he looks me over, I’m pretty sure this time he’s after more.

“You’re looking lovely as always.” Reaper’s blue eyes scan my outfit. “Are you gonna finally let me get you that drink this time?”

“Already got one, sorry.” I tip my glass up.

“Something else, maybe?”

I could say yes.

If Ghost refuses to claim me, I’m free to do whatever I want. But as I look past Reaper and see Ghost staring at me over his shoulder, I know there’s no point pretending. There’s only one man who has my attention, and I’m going all in, even if all he does is break my heart.

“Not this time, sorry.” I fake a frown.

“Oh shit.” Reaper follows my gaze to Ghost. “It’s always the quiet ones. Guess I missed my chance.”

The truth is, he never had one. If I’m honest with myself, I’ve been Ghost’s from the beginning.