Chapter 8

GRIZZ

We enter the bar that's mainly frequented by the Kings. Axel gives a nod to their President, Reaper, who's at the bar waiting for us. We head over, and Axel shakes hands, taking a seat. "It's been a while," says Reaper. "What can I do for you?"

Axel nods at me to continue. "There's a guy working for you, Nate."

"Nathaniel?" he asks, pulling out his mobile and bringing up a picture. I give a nod. "What about him?"

"What's his story?"

He gives a shrug. "He's a runner for us, covering that estate. Brings in a lot of money, owes me a lot more. Why?"

"So, if I was to end him, that wouldn't be helpful?" I ask with hope in my voice.

He gives a laugh. "What's he done?"

"He's a piece of shit. I'm helping his sister out, and he's got her paying his debts."

"How is she paying for them?"

"By fucking whoever he owes."

"Luna works at your whorehouse, no?" Reaper asks, arching a brow.

"So, you know her?" I ask.

He gives a nod. "We know her. She hung around here until you took her."

His words sink in, and I bristle. The Demons had taken some of Reaper's club girls when Axel first took over, saving us from having to look for new girls. Suddenly, I don't like the idea of him knowing Luna intimately. "You know she's got a kid?" I ask.

He gives a nod. "Yeah, surprising really, thought social would've been in to take it."

"She's a good mum," I mutter, annoyed he'd think different.

"In answer to your question, I need Nate. He owes me too much."

"Does he get Luna to pay his debts to you?" I snap, and the mood changes.

He sniggers. "I've been there, done that, several times. Lu knows I have no issues with her. He pays my debt by working for free."

"How much is the debt?" I ask.

"Five grand."

"I'll have it cleared by morning."

I can feel my own Pres staring at me in confusion as Reaper laughs. "You're paying his debt? You know he owes all over the damn city, you'll be bankrupt."

"Whatever happens to him once the debt is paid is none of your business, right?"

He gives a slight nod, and Axel slaps him on the back and says, "I'll be in touch."

We get outside, and Axel grabs my arm to stop me walking ahead. "I don't get it," he says, looking concerned.

"I don't like the guy," I spit. "He's a prick."

"If you like Luna, just say it."

"I don't," I snap. "Not like that. This is all your fault," I add, arching a brow. "You forced me to get involved, and now, I can't walk away."

"Because you like her," he says clearly, like he's trying to convince me.

"No, because I see my mum in her."

Axel's arm drops to his side, and now, his expression has changed to one of pity. I turn my back and head for my bike. "I don't need you analysing," I throw over my shoulder as I get on my bike.

It's latewhen we get back to the clubhouse, but I can't deny the buzz I get when I see Luna is still up. The fact Fletch is talking to her bothers me more than it should, so I head straight for the bar and grab a whiskey.

"So, you pay her debts," Axel begins as he takes the stool beside me.

"Not her debts," I bite back.

"So, you pay her family's debts. You move her in next to your room. You treat her kid like it's your own. Where's this ending, brother?" I remain silent because I have no idea. "Cos let me tell yah, if this is all cos you wanna rescue a damsel, fine. But if you're trying to ignore your feelings for her, that shit's gonna eat you away inside."

"I've got it under control."

"Really? You don't look like you do. You're sitting here all pissed cos she's talking to Fletch."

"I don't give a shit who she talks to," I snap.

"That little baby haul you got her cost a pretty penny, and now, you're just gonna give five grand away so you can end her brother? You heard what Reaper said, he's got debts all over the place. More people will come looking, then what? Are you gonna pay them all? Fight them all?"

"While she's here, she's safe."

"And what if she decides to leave?"

"She won't."

He scoffs. "You haven't thought this through. You're playing happy families with her for now, so she's happy sticking around, but if you're not interested in her like that, what's gonna happen when you bring someone back? What if you and that Danii work out?"

"Luna knows her place in this club," I tell him. "I asked the guys to lay off her while she looks after her newborn baby, not for any other reason."

"So, when she's ready, she can go back to fucking the brothers?"

I stand, annoyed he's quizzing me. I don't want to think about Luna with anyone else, but I don't tell him that. "Of course," I say firmly, making sure to look him in the eye. "She's a good fuck. And tomorrow, when you meet Danii at the opening, you'll see why Luna isn't on my radar like that."

I head upstairs to my room, get the five grand from my safe, and ride back to the same bar I just met Reaper in. I hand over the money, and he confirms the debt is paid. Nate is all mine.

When I get back to the clubhouse, Luna and Fletch have disappeared. Axel gives me a knowing smile, but I ignore him and walk casually to the stairs. He can't know how pissed I am, but the second I'm out of his view, I take the stairs two at a time and head right for her old room. If she was gonna fuck him, it would be there. When I find it empty, I'm even angrier, knowing that if I find them in her new room, with Ivy right there, I'll kill them both.

I shove her door open and it smacks back against the wall. Luna sits up in surprise, dropping the book she was reading, and Ivy wakes, screaming like an alarm. "Christ," hisses Luna, "where's the damn fire?"

I glance around her room casually while heading over to Ivy's basket and lifting her out. I like that she instantly calms against my chest. "If you're looking for Fletch, he isn't here," she says, narrowing her eyes.

"Did you two—" My words are cut off by her steely glare. "It's none of my business," I quickly say, even though I'm pleased.

"I don't know why you're so bothered who I spend my time with," she casually mutters, grabbing her book and opening it.

I lay Ivy back into her basket and cover her with a blanket. "Tell me about the debts."

She sighs heavily, placing the book on her bedside table. "Why?"

I shrug from my kutte and place it on the hook by the door. "You said you're paying your mum's and Nate's debts?"

I kick off my boots and slip from my jeans, throwing them over a chair before sliding into bed beside her. I don't plan on staying with her, but I want her to open up, so I wrap an arm around her and pull her to lay against my chest. When she throws her leg over mine, I run my other hand up and down her thigh. "After Dad left us, we realised he'd run up loads of gambling and drug debts. Mum was already selling herself. She'd worked on the streets. It's how she met Dad."

"He was a customer?" I ask.

"Yeah, and then he became her pimp. Anyway, after he left, there were always debt collectors at the door. They took whatever we had worth anything and it still wasn't enough. Mum made a deal and sold herself to them. And there were a lot of men calling. Then Nate started working for some dealers. It got us some good money in and we'd almost paid the debts, until he started taking the gear. He'd take what little money Mum earned and spend it on drink and drugs. When I turned eleven, he said it was time I earned my keep." The words sound bitter, and I place a gentle kiss on her head. "You'd be surprised how many men pay to have sex with an underage girl."

"Sick fuckers," I mutter.

"And it's been the same thing ever since. I give them half my earnings from Zen, and they stay off my back. But lately, Nate's been getting in too deep. He owes the Kings money, and they want cash, so he's working for free right now to sell their gear. Which means he's turning to others to supply him, and those men are happy to exchange it for sex."

"Jesus, Luna. Why didn't you tell anyone this? Axel would've helped."

"Do you know how embarrassing it is to talk about this stuff? Family is meant to support and help, not use and abuse. I was coping fine until I had Ivy."

"You didn't tell any of us about her. You just stopped coming here." I pause before adding, "Yet the Kings know."

She bristles. "You spoke to someone there?"

"I spoke to Reaper himself."

She drags her leg from over mine and pushes to sit. "Why?"

"Club business. Why did he get to know but not us?"

"Because out of everyone in my life, the Demons are like my family," she snaps, "and I couldn't stand to be kicked out."

"Kicked out?" I repeat.

"What good is a club whore if she can't have sex?" She turns to look at me. "I'm not stupid, Grizz. I know we're not seen as part of the club and I get why, but to me, you were the closest thing to family. It hurt less for me to make a choice and walk away than be kicked out."

Her words are like a punch to the stomach, but she's right. Until Lexi came along to force us to take notice of the club girls, we would have treated her exactly like that and replaced her. "Things are different now."

"Why? Because Lex forced you all to pick a girl and show some interest?"

"You slept with Reaper," I say, and the words pull at the jealousy I'm trying to keep hidden. "Is he Ivy's dad?" She gives her head a shake but avoids my eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

"No. He was . . . nice."

Nice. Her response pisses me off. "If he was so nice, why did you come to the Demons?"

She rolls her eyes. "If you're gonna get all pissy about it, don't ask."

I take a fistful of her hair and gently pull her to lie down beside me. I stare down at her. "He was nice?" I ask, arching a brow. "I don't wanna know if he was nice."

She smirks. "Then don't ask."

"If he was so nice, why didn't he help you with the Nate situation?"

"I don't think he knew. Well, not everything. But, at the end of the day, he's a club president, he's not going to rescue a whore."

"Jesus, Luna, stop referring to yourself like that. Those days are behind you."

"No, Grizz. I'm taking a break, but let's not pretend those days are gone because, eventually, you'll get bored of babysitting me and your life will go on. But Ivy and I will still be stuck in this shitty life."

I don't want to think about that too much, so I kiss her. When I pull back, her cheeks are flushed pink. "Bread," I say, and she frowns. "Why don't you open up your own place and bake bread?"

She laughs. "It must be nice to be in there," she whispers, running her fingers through my beard and tapping my temple. "Your head is so full of wild ideas."

"It's a good idea," I defend.

"An impossible one. Do you think I'll get a business loan when I have no real address and no proof of income?"

LUNA

It feelsdifferent this time as Grizz slides into me. We're both completely naked, which is a first because sex with us is usually rushed or more urgent, resulting in only half our clothes being stripped. Tonight, he took time to remove each layer, placing soft, gentle kisses on my skin. And even now, as he fucks me slow, his face is buried into the crook of my neck and he occasionally kisses me there or on the mouth. I'm not used to this kind of sex. Not with anyone.

When I eventually come apart, he places a hand over my mouth so as not to wake Ivy, but he whispers obscene words in my ear, dragging out my orgasm. And when it's his turn to climax, he spins us so I'm on top but keeps his hands on my hips to make sure I continue to move slow. Our bodies are slick with sweat, and when he comes hard, I follow with a second orgasm.

And then he pulls me into his arms, only shifting to remove the condom and drop it in the bin beside the bed. We fall asleep wrapped in each other.

When the morning comes, I can't pretend I'm not disappointed to find his side of the bed empty again. There's no note, but then I guess he doesn't need to leave me one now. I already know I'll see him later, and I smile to myself at the thought.

Lexi is the only one in the kitchen when I get downstairs. She moves to pour me a coffee, insisting I sit. Ivy is snuggled in my arms, so I don't argue. "You look all . . ." she pauses before shrugging and adding, "glowy." I press my lips together to try and stop the huge smile from spreading, but she spots it immediately and takes her seat again, sliding the coffee in front of me. "Spill," she orders.

"I guess I'm just happy," I say.

"Because?" she pushes.

"I'm here, where I feel safe."

She reaches across and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "You should never have left. Any idea what you want to do with your time once you're healed from Ivy?" I smile again, remembering what Grizz suggested last night, and I relay it to her. "That's not a bad idea," she tells me.

"It's a dream is what it is. How the hell would I get funding for it?"

"Ask Axel?"

I shake my head. There's no way I'm going to ask him for money. I've done my best to avoid him pretty much since I returned. "Maybe I'll find something in a supermarket if Duchess can help with childcare. Or a bar?"

"Speaking of bars, have you found an outfit for tonight's opening?"

"I'm not going," I tell her. "I don't have anyone to watch Ivy, and he hasn't mentioned it."

"He probably just forgot. I'll ask Duchess to babysit."

"No, she's done so much for me already, and I don't want to push into his life. When I say he hasn't mentioned it, I mean any of it, not even the bar."

"Luna, you are a part of this club and you are coming tonight. All the girls are going. So, let's find you something to wear."

I've never beenone for girly chats and sharing makeup. I never had the time as a teenager, and it didn't come naturally as an adult. I'd learned young to keep my life private to avoid people judging me, but something about Lexi and her demeanour has me spilling about last night with Grizz as she watches me apply my makeup.

"That sounds like you made love," she says, looking excited.

"Only when I woke, he was gone."

"These men are busy. Maybe he had shit to do with the bar to get ready for tonight."

I shrug. "He doesn't treat me like a whore," I admit. "It's nice."

"Maybe you just need to ask him. Talk to him tonight."

I shake my head. I'm already sick with nerves even though Lexi's spent the day trying to convince me he'll want me there and his lack of invite is purely an oversight. By the time we arrive with the other girls, I'm practically shaking.

Axel takes Lexi under his arm and kisses her on the head. When his eyes reach mine, he frowns. "Does Grizz know you're coming?"

It only unsettles me more, but Lexi laughs, grabbing my arm and tugging me toward the bar. "Ignore him, he's joking."

When I look back over my shoulder, I spot Axel looking around wildly and I can't help but think he wants to warn Grizz. And then my eyes land on him. He's wearing black—a long-sleeved black shirt with black jeans and his usual heavy boots. His kutte is firmly in place, and I can't help but admire how hot he looks.

I don't immediately see the woman he's hand-in-hand with, but as my eyes focus and my mind plays catchup, he looks my way and I realise Axel has spoken to him. I know there's devastation playing out on my face, but it's far too late to back out now and pretend I was never here. So, I take a deep breath and force a smile before turning back to Lexi, who is now holding two drinks.

"You okay?" she asks, frowning.

"Don't look but Grizz is here with someone."

Of course, her eyes search him out and her mouth falls open. "Oh fuck. I swear, I didn't know, Luna," she rushes to add.

"It's fine," I say, my voice coming out as a squeak.

She winces. "What do you want to do?"

"Just act normal."

"I mean, that's gonna be hard when you look like you want to cry."

I take a drink of the blue cocktail she handed me and cough. "Christ," I gasp, "what the hell is this?"

She laughs, patting me on the back. "Good cover. Now, you can say your eyes are watering because you choked on the blue monkey."

I join in her laughter, momentarily forgetting about Grizz.