9. Luna

9

Luna

I was a troublemaker in high school. I partied and experimented. I thought I’d seen it all until I met the Twisted Kings. But if anyone knows how to throw a party that will go completely off the rails, it’s them. And when they celebrate, they do it to make a statement.

Music is already hammering through the clubhouse by the time I’m dressed. Reina and Wren are long gone, working on who they’re going to claim for the night before any locals arrive. They get territorial on nights like this. Always worried that the guys will brush them aside. And it got worse when Tempe came in and stole Steel’s heart.

It wasn’t intentional, but now all the patch bunnies are on edge, wondering who will fall next, wishing it could be them. They live with a constant fear of being temporary.

Something I can relate to .

While I’m not a patch bunny, I could be replaced. The only security found between these walls is with a cut or a property patch on your back, and I don’t have either. Anyone else who lives here serves their purpose but eventually moves on.

I weave my way to the bar at the front of the clubhouse, spotting prospects guarding every door and hallway. Just because the Twisted Kings are throwing a party doesn’t mean they’re letting down their defenses. And after a direct attack on the club, I don’t blame Steel for being cautious.

If anything, it makes me feel safe.

I spot Tempe through the crowd as I walk into the bar. She’s glued to Steel’s side, smiling up at him while he says something. Steel has his arm wrapped around her waist, and as much as I’d like to pull her aside to vent about the tension between me and Ghost, I know Steel won’t let her out of his sight tonight with outsiders roaming around.

Kristen and Venom, the newest prospect, are working behind the bar, serving drinks. Venom spots me the second I walk into the room and meets me at the end of the bar. His lopsided smile grows at his approach.

Venom is attractive in the way most guys who join the club are. He’s tattooed, looks good on a bike, and he’s trouble. His brown hair is a shade darker than his eyes, and from what the girls have been whispering about him, he’s pierced in places that should make me even more curious to give him a shot.

After all, there’s something appealing about a walking red flag .

Still, I can’t help that I have no interest when I look past Venom and see Ghost sitting at the other end of the bar, staring at his phone. My frown deepens, and I wish that just once, he would look up and see me. That he’d storm over here and pick me up in his strong, tatted arms and prove I didn’t imagine what sparked between us when we met.

Like he senses me staring, Ghost’s gaze lifts to mine. His pale-blue eyes meet me from across the room, and goosebumps prickle my skin. We hold the stare for a fraction of a second, and I swear the room silences.

Time stops.

My heart thumps.

His attention is palpable.

This man is pure gravity pulling me in.

But just as quickly as I’m flooded, the dam breaks, and he glances down again.

“Luna Cassidy.” Venom stops at the end of the bar, grinning.

Everything from his smile to the way he says my full name is flirty. But I don’t know if he actually likes me or if he’s just shooting his shot after hearing a rumor that I don’t give any of the guys a chance.

“What can I get ya, babe?”

I scan the bottles behind the bar. “Gin and tonic?”

“You got it.” He winks. “Anything else? Maybe a nightcap later?”

I laugh at the ridiculously lame attempt to hit on me. “Just the drink. ”

“You break my heart.” He slaps his hand over his chest, taking a step back like he’s been hit and stumbling a step.

“I’m sure.” I roll my eyes. “Can you bring it over there?”

I point to the other end of the bar, where Tempe is still standing.

Venom nods. “Sure thing.”

He turns to start my drink, and I cut through the crowd toward Tempe. It’s not my fault she happens to also be standing next to Ghost, who’s showing Steel something on his phone.

“Luna, you’re here,” Tempe cheers, moving to hug me, but Steel won’t let her go, so it’s sideways and awkward.

My body bumps against Ghost, and the small bit of contact heats my cheeks.

“Sorry.” I step back.

Ghost doesn’t bother looking up. “You’re fine.”

Fine .

There’s that word again.

Everything is fine with Ghost. I’m burning up from the slightest bit of contact, and he’s utterly unaffected.

Turning to Tempe, I try to ignore the fact that every person added to this packed room pushes me closer to Ghost.

“You don’t have a drink.” I look at her empty hand. “Want me to ask Venom to add another one to my order?”

“No, I promised Austin we’d make waffles first thing in the morning, and that’s easier when I’m not hung over.” She plants her hand on Steel’s chest, and her new engagement ring flashes under the lights. “But if you’re up early and want breakfast, you’re welcome to come by. ”

“If all goes well tonight, that won’t be happening.” I laugh.

“Well, have fun for both of us.”

“Will do.” I grab my drink from Venom and take a sip.

I’m not a heavy drinker. Even when I take shots, I stop after the first one and switch to something lighter. But tonight, I could use something to take the edge off, especially with Ghost ignoring me.

I’m on my second drink by the time Steel and Tempe disappear to meet up with Soul and Havoc, so I slide onto the empty stool next to Ghost. One of the perks of his constant frown and fuck-off glare is that people usually give him space, leaving an empty seat for me to sit down in the packed room.

I glance over at his phone, but he has it angled so I can’t see what’s on the screen.

“For you, beautiful.” Venom slides me a shot. “You look like you could use it.”

“You have no idea,” I mumble, lifting it to my lips and draining the glass.

From the corner of my eye, I feel Ghost watching me—judging me.

“Thanks.” I slide the empty shot glass back to Venom, but he doesn’t walk away.

He leans on the bar, bringing himself closer to me. “I’m almost done back here. Ricky’s taking over when he gets back from the strip club, so do you wanna hang in a few?”

Venom’s gaze skates down my body, making his intentions clear .

“Steel needs you on Shack cleaning duty,” Ghost says, still staring at his phone.

“I don’t remember—”

“Didn’t ask if you remembered,” Ghost cuts him off. “If you’ve got free time, might as well put it to use.”

Venom looks between me and Ghost, taking a step back. When he doesn’t say anything, Ghost looks up.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, sir.” Venom disappears to the other end of the bar, and I turn toward Ghost.

“He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Did I say he did?”

“You scared him off.” I narrow my eyes. “You don’t want him hanging out with me or something?”

“Never said that.”

“Of course you didn’t. God forbid you pretend to give a shit.”

“What are you doing, Luna?” Ghost sets his phone on the bar, angling his body toward me.

His knee knocks mine, and I hate that the simple, accidental moment of contact rattles me.

“Drinking.”

“That’s your second drink, and now you’re taking shots.”

“You’re counting my drinks now?”

“Just looking out.”

“Maybe I don’t need you to look out for me, Ghost.” I lean forward, realizing I’m too close, but I refuse to let him think I’m weak by backing down. “I can take care of myself. ”

“I know you can.” His glare hardens. “But until we figure out who hired you— who is looking for you —I’m just doing my job.”

“Your job? Is that what I am?”

We’re so close now that I can feel the heat radiating from him. Ghost’s knees are kicked open, and mine are between them. Our fingers nearly brush where they’re resting on the bar top. My skin prickles with static.

I’m breathing harder than I need to be, but I can’t catch my breath. He towers over me in his seat, and his eyes are blue pits I’m lost in.

Swallowing, I shift back and hold my breath.

I can’t look at him.

I can’t smell him.

I can’t have him.

It’s all too much.

Ghost doesn’t answer my question, which is answer enough.

“Never mind.” I shake my head, hopping off the stool.

“Where are you going?”

I force a smile, looking back at him. “To my room. Wouldn’t want to make your job harder.”

I push through the crowd, and the number of people in the room has easily doubled in the last twenty minutes. I can’t breathe through the pot and cigarette smoke, and now that I’m walking, the alcohol is swimming through my bloodstream.

My head spins as I slip past the prospects guarding the hallway that leads deeper into the clubhouse.

I need water .

Air.

Space.

The compound has never felt so small until this moment.

“Luna.” Ghost’s voice makes me jump.

I didn’t hear him following me with the music blaring, and when I spin around, he’s right behind me.

“You’re following me now?” I glare at him.

“I didn’t say you had to leave.”

“That’s the problem. You don’t say much of anything.”

He steps closer, and I tip my head back to look up at him. His blue eyes burn with something fierce I’ve never seen.

“What?” My voice stutters, and I hate it.

“You shouldn’t be wandering around alone tonight. It’s not safe.”

“Not safe.” I laugh. “And whose fault is that? You’re the one who brought me here, remember? You’re the one who didn’t tell me the shit I’d gotten myself into a year ago so that I could fix it back then. You’re the reason I’m in this mess.”

He dips his hands in his pockets, looking down at me. He’s standing close enough that I can smell his leather cut. I can feel his body heat. I can hear the deep sigh as he looks me over.

“You’re right. And now I’m fixing it.”

“By keeping every guy in a five-foot radius away from me? We both know I’m not doing shit with Venom, or any of the guys here for that matter. So, I don’t need you scaring them off.” I cross my arms over my chest, getting the urge to push back to see what he’ll do about it. “Or maybe I should…”

His jaw ticks. It’s so slight that I almost miss it.

But I don’t miss the slow, rough grinding of his teeth as he processes my comment.

Stepping closer, I tip my chin up to face off with him.

Ghost is the one who’s been lying to me. He’s the one who brought me here because he just couldn’t help himself. He might not want to admit why he did it, but every second that passes, it becomes clearer.

He lied to his club to protect me.

He won’t let me work with anyone but him.

He scared off Venom at the bar.

He might not want to admit what’s changing, but I need answers. And I’m going to get them even if it takes me pissing him off to do it.

Squaring off with him, I narrow my eyes. “I can’t just fuck anyone, can I, Ghost? It’s not safe . So maybe I’ll give Venom a chance after all.”

“Luna.” My name is a threat, rumbling in his chest.

“That’s not against the rules, is it?” My voice pitches as I continue to double down. “A girl has needs. And there are plenty of options walking around.”

Ghost tips his face to the ceiling. Tension radiates from him, and I’ve never been so desperate to snap it.

“What do you think?” I take another step closer, officially toeing the line now. “Are you going to continue sitting back and watching? Or are you going to do something about it?”

With a final step, I freeze, and he looks down at me .

Body heat rolls off him, and the muscles in his neck pop with his clenched jaw. There’s so much tension; it’s palpable. I catch my breath, and my chest brushes against him with my inhale.

I’m too close.

This might be pushing it too far.

I’m on the verge of detonating.

My threats are useless when I know he’s the only man who lights me up, but I hold my stance, hoping he’ll do something about it.

He doesn’t move. He doesn’t flinch. His eyes are the ice that makes my skin prickle and my nipples peak.

Shivering, I wish I had the strength to stand under his attention unaffected like he is, but I can’t.

I’m not sure what I was thinking trying to play a game of chicken with a man who has resisted all temptation for longer than I’ve known him, but it’s clearly no use.

“Fine, you win.” My shoulders deflate.

Wanting him does nothing but eat me up inside, and I can’t do it forever.

But when I start to turn, Ghost grabs my arm and spins me, pinning my back to the wall. One hand holds my wrist while the other grabs my jaw. He’s so close his lips nearly tease mine. A breath away while his hard body anchors me in place.

His hips hold me to the wall, revealing the proof he’s as desperate for me as I am for him, but he doesn’t close the distance.

“Marcus.” I never use his legal name, but it slips out.

Something about the look in his eyes makes me weak .

“I can’t fucking do this, Luna. Don’t you get it?”

There’s pain in his voice. A cold chill that makes his words crack.

“Why?” Tears sting my eyes with my question.

I’m not sure where they’re coming from, but being this close to Ghost breaks me open. He slides through my defenses and reminds me of the things I want, that I’ve been smart enough to avoid up until now.

Ghost drags his thumb up over my mouth, and I press my lips together. My skin prickles beneath his touch, and my heart races.

When he doesn’t answer my question, I dare to reach for him. To plant my hands on his sides and explore him. He might be resisting, but I feel the proof that he doesn’t want to as I rock my hips forward.

“Why did you really lie for me?” I tip my chin up so we’re almost mouth to mouth. “Please tell me why.”

His cool eyes focus on mine as he drags his tattooed fingers into the back of my hair. “Because I’ll do anything to protect you.”

He leans in, and I lift up on my toes, trying to meet him. But the moment before our lips connect, he pulls back, letting me go. My body deflates against the wall, and the chill of the space between us feels so wide it’s infinite. His hands tethered me here, and now he’s gone.

“Ghost—”

“I can’t.” He pops his knuckles, taking another step back. “ We can’t.”

But his words are no longer angry, and I swear there’s sadness in his eyes as he walks away.