Chapter Twenty-Two

This was a mistake and one she’d live to regret. She was sure of it. Quinn knew deep down that ducking out of the Bowery and sneaking off would come with severe consequences. But she was willing to take the risk.

This was a calculated plan with little room for error. She’d actually tried for the last two days to sneak away, but Rogue was tracking her like she was prey. Fortunately, he’d allowed her free rein at the club when he left for a meeting. According to Jared, they wouldn’t be back for a few hours. It was perfect timing. Still, it was risky.

What other choice did she have?

Quinn purposely left her phone at the club, so if her location was tracked, it would show her where she was supposed to be. If her calculations were correct, she’d have at least an hour and fifteen minutes to get across town and back before anyone knew she was gone.

She scheduled a driver and was watching at the door as it pulled up two businesses down from the club. She glanced over to the empty bar. Sloane had called a staff meeting in the breakroom, which left her a clean and discreet getaway. She slipped out, rounding the line of people. It wasn’t scheduled to open for another thirty minutes, but there was a huge crowd out front. Thankfully, she was completely ignored and rushed down the driveway.

“Quinn!”

She froze and then spun around. Keely was ten feet away, waving and rushing toward her. Caught! This was the last thing Quinn needed. I’m going to get in so much trouble. She forced a smile as Keely rushed up with an enthusiastic smile.

She drew in a breath, playfully squinting. “Are you ditching the staff meeting? And if so, can I come with you?” Keely burst out laughing, grasping Quinn’s arm. It was strange that after only meeting her twice, Keely had seemed to take their acquaintance as a full-blown friendship. Or maybe it wasn’t strange, and this was how girlfriends acted toward one another.

“I’m just, um…” Quinn hooked her thumb over her shoulder. Keely slapped her arm.

“I knew it. You are ditching!” Keely rolled her eyes. “I wish I was you right now. Killian’s gonna have my ass if I don’t show. I’m already on step two probation.”

“For what?”

Keely shrugged. “You know that bitch who works the balcony bar?”

“Yes.”

“She claims I messed up stocking the bar upstairs.”

Quinn had no idea what that meant. “Did you?”

Keely widened her eyes, and her hand shot out, holding up a finger. “Once! But she made a formal complaint, and Sloane had to document it. Then there was the other thing.”

While Quinn didn’t have time, she’d found herself so invested in the drama. “What’s the other thing?”

Keely squinted. “Can I trust you?”

Before Quinn could answer, Keely waved her off. “Of course I can.”

Blind trust, Quinn had never had that, but she was willing to take whatever secret she heard to her grave.

Keely held up her hands in an air quote motion. “Allegedly, I told a customer to fuck off. Allegedly .”

Quinn’s lips twitched. “Did you?”

Keely smirked. “Allegedly.”

Quinn chuckled but sobered up when she heard the horn honk.

“Is that your ride?” Keely asked.

Shit. She bit her lip and glanced up at Keely.

“Can I ask you for a favor?”

“Sure.”

“If anyone asks, can you say you didn’t see me?” She paused, then pleaded. “Please?”

Keely lost her smile and angled her head, looking past Quinn to the car. It was asking a lot, especially from someone who she barely knew and didn’t owe her anything.

“Are you gonna be safe?”

Quinn knitted her brow and cocked her head. “What?”

“I mean, you’re leaving with a car service, kinda secretive. If you promise me whatever you’re doing won’t get you hurt, then I’ll keep your secret.”

Quinn didn’t comprehend Keely’s rationale.

“Why does that matter?’

Keely widened her eyes. “Duhhhh. We’re friends. I’m not gonna back you up in something that might get you hurt. You tell me you’re good, then I’ll keep my mouth shut. Promise.”

Friends. This shouldn’t have been a new concept at twenty-six. But it is.

“Yeah, I just need to go see someone, and it’s kind of private.”

Keely nodded and turned her head rather dramatically, staring up at the sky. “In that case, I never saw you.”

Quinn chuckled. “Thank you.”

“And I don’t hear you.” Keely darted up the ramp to the entrance of the club, and Quinn rushed to the car, hopping in the backseat.

The ride only took about fifteen minutes, but by the time the driver pulled up in front of the building, the sun had set, and it was pretty dark. The building was located in the industrial section of town. Quinn rarely made it to this part of the city. There’d never been reason—until now.

Quinn got out of the car and checked her surroundings. She’d heard about this crew. Well, not crew. A motorcycle club. Ghosttown East MC had been mentioned a few times, but Dillon never interacted with them. Or if he had, she’d never been around. She walked up the pathway, smiling at the two men in leather cuts talking near the driveway. Neither man acknowledged her, but they did stare. She walked up to the open door where two younger guys seemed to be guarding the entrance.

“How’s it goin’?”

“Good.” Quinn smiled and cleared her throat. “Um, I don’t know if she’s here, but can I talk to Lil, please?”

“You a friend of hers?”

Were we friends? They’d spoken twice, and Lil gave her the business card. But did that constitute friendship? Quinn clamped her lips. She was making this much harder than it had to be.

“Kind of.”

The guy snorted. “Kind of? What does that mean?”

“Um, well, I work for Rogue. That’s how I met Lil.”

The guy nodded and turned. And suddenly, another guy appeared, smiling.

“Looking for Lil?”

Quinn nodded and stepped back when he walked out.

“Follow me.” He was around her age, handsome, tall, and muscular, though not as bulky as the other two men he was heading toward.

“Lil around?” he asked.

The two men she’d initially passed glanced over at her. They were a little rougher than the younger guy standing next to her. They didn’t share the same welcoming vibe, and she felt her anxiety heighten. She clasped her hands, twisting her fingers. It was a move that hadn’t gone unnoticed by the older of the two.

“You know Lil?”

“Yes, I’m Quinn.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “We met at the Bowery.”

When neither man showed a reaction, she dug in her bag, pulling out Lil’s business card. “She told me I could reach out to her anytime. Um, since it’s after business hours, I couldn’t reach her, but she mentioned her husband was a member here, so I thought I’d just stop by. Take a chance.”

None of the men said a word and stared down at her. Oh shit. This was a mistake from the beginning, and here was the proof.

“I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have just popped in. I’m gonna go now.”

Before she could make it a foot, the younger guy next to her gripped her arm so very gently. “You’re good, Quinn.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m Ryder, by the way.” He smiled with a nod and looked over at the other two men. “This is Blade and Gunner.”

Gunner? Her eyes widened, remembering his name. She pointed at him. “You’re Lil’s husband.”

There was a collective chuckle that had her face turning a bright shade of red.

“Yeah.” Gunner eyed her. “I’ll get Lil for you. Ry, take her out back.”

She watched as Gunner shared a look with Blade and Ryder and walked in through the front door of the clubhouse.

“So you work for Rogue?” Blade asked.

“Yes.”

“With Lil?”

“Um, no.”

“At the Bowery?” Blade asked.

“Not exactly.”

Blade grinned. “What is it you do for Rogue?”

Her face immediately heated, and he raised his brows. She could see where his mind was going. Luckily, Ryder tugged at her arm, escorting her down the long driveway to the backyard of the clubhouse. It was larger than she expected and very welcoming. There were tables lined around the open area, a cage that looked like it was used for fighting, and a makeshift bar at the back.

“This is nice.”

Ryder smiled and then lifted his chin. She followed his gaze to Lil, who was walking toward her with Gunner at her back.

“This is a surprise.” Lil said.

“I hope it’s okay that I just showed up.”

“You’re good, Quinn,” she said and looked at Ryder. “I got her.”

Ryder nodded, shared a look with Gunner, and smiled at Quinn before walking off.

“What are you doing here?”

It was a fair question to ask anyone who just appeared at someone’s doorstep uninvited, especially when it was basically a stranger.

“I’m sorry to come over unannounced.

“Quinn, sweetie, it’s totally fine you showing up.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” Lil said, leading her into the yard and to one of the picnic tables. “You want a drink?”

“Can I have a beer?”

Lil smiled and looked back at Gunner, holding up two fingers. “Can we get two beers?”

Gunner nodded, eyeing Quinn suspiciously. Then he turned and walked into the clubhouse. She sat across from Lil at the table and clasped her hands.

“So I’m going to ask, even though I’m pretty sure, I already know the answer.” Lil’s lips twitched. “Does Rogue know you’re here?”

Quinn bit her lip, stalling.

Lil arched her brow. “Quinn?”

“He wasn’t available when I left.”

Lil snickered. “What brings you here?”

“I need a favor. Since you know Rogue so well, I was hoping maybe, if you don’t mind…” Quinn paused. “Do you think you could talk to him about me coming and working for you? I tried, and he shut me down immediately.”

Lil smirked, cocking her brow. “And you think he’s going to listen to me?”

Not necessarily, but Lil had a connection that Quinn didn’t. She clasped her hands, resting her arms on the table.

“You seemed pretty tight with Trey.”

Lil nodded. “I am.”

“Well, maybe you can talk to Trey, and he can talk to Rogue.”

Lil’s lips twitched. “Plotting behind Rogue’s back to get what you want. I like it.”

Quinn felt the heat rush to her cheeks.

Lil chuckled, and her gaze drifted over Quinn’s shoulders. She lost her smile and straightened her back. “Well, that didn’t take long.”

Quinn furrowed her brows. “What didn’t?”

Lil lifted her chin, and Quinn looked over her shoulder and froze. Shit!

“Quinn.” Jared narrowed his gaze. “It’s time to go.”

She stood, and Lil grabbed her hand but addressed Jared. “We’re not done talking yet. Let me call Trey.”

Jared raised his brows and narrowed his gaze. “You should do that. I believe he has some words for you.”

The underlying threat was obvious.

“I’m sorry, Lil.”

Lil shook her head, smiling, though it seemed a bit forced. “Nothing to be sorry about. You have my numbers. You call me anytime, Quinn. Okay? And” –Lil paused— “what we talked about? Consider it done.”

“Thank you.”

She made her way to Jared. It was only now she realized the yard had been infiltrated with more bikers, and Jared was flanked by security. It looked like a showdown. She followed Jared to the SUV waiting at the end of the driveway. He opened the door and gestured for her to get in. Quinn stopped directly in front of him.

It was always good to be prepared.

“Level with me, Jared. On a scale of one to ten. How mad is Rogue?”

Jared arched his brow. “Thirty.”

Shit.

****

Rogue was beyond livid. He paced around his office like a caged animal. Trey had been smart in not telling Rogue about this incident until she was already on her way to the club He grasped his phone tightly in his hand, talking himself out of smashing it against the wall. It was a good thing he hadn’t. He was not only waiting on Quinn’s arrival but a phone call back. She’d conveniently let it go to voicemail the six times he’d tried Lil’s number.

Trey walked into his office without a word and sat in the chair across from his desk. It was perfect timing. Trey’s phone rang, and he glanced down. He shifted his gaze to Rogue.

“Lil.”

Rogue didn’t hesitate. He marched toward Trey, ripped the phone from his hand, and smashed his finger against the screen. Rogue fisted the phone, bringing it up to his ear.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” His voice echoed off the walls and could probably be heard down the hallway. I don’t give a fuck!

“Answer my goddamn question!”

“Rogue.” Lil sighed. He wasn’t sure if she was stalling, but clearly, she’d underestimated his patience.

“She fucking shows up, and you don’t call it in?”

“I wasn’t aware that Quinn needed permission. She came to the clubhouse wanting to—"

“I don’t give a fuck why she was there.”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“I guess this would be a bad time to ask if Quinn can come work at corporate with me?” Her muffled chuckle only incensed him more.

He clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on the phone. “You’re fucking fired.”

He shoved the phone toward Trey and walked around his desk. He was so fired up he was only half listening to Trey’s conversation. However, he did catch Trey’s response to something Lil must have said.

“Of course he is. Does that really surprise you?” Trey smirked. “Let me call you back.”

Rogue sat in his chair, scowling at Trey as he dragged his hand over his mouth. His adrenaline had the blood rushing through his veins. He wanted answers. Contrary to what he’d said to Lil, Rogue wanted to know what was discussed, why Quinn had gone to the East clubhouse, and most importantly, why she’d gone without letting anyone know.

“She’s not a prisoner, Rogue.”

Rogue glared at Trey, who was staring down at his phone.

“The fuck she isn’t. With everything going on, the last thing she should be doing is running around without security. And going to fucking East!” Rogue gripped the back of the chair. “I fucking told her to not leave alone. And what does she do?” Rogue was seething. “The fucking opposite!”

Trey stood with a small smile playing on his lips. He was heading to the door but stopped a few feet away.

“Do you remember that conversation we had a few months ago on the balcony? You expressed your aggravation that Dahlia was working the bar. You said, ‘Gotta put your foot down. Control your woman.’” Trey grinned. “If I remember correctly, you also said, ‘Any woman of mine would fall in line.’ How’s that working out for you?”

Rogue ground his teeth and balled his fists.

I’m going to fucking strangle her.