CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sadie

The Next Day

While the club is at the convention, I am back in the hotel room with Clover, Rhyan, Ingrid, and little Louis working away. Clover is deep in her studies while I sit back, texting Maverick.

Mav: So there's this cute little blonde I have my eye on. You should see her. A real ten.

I smirk, glancing up from my cell to Clover to ensure she isn't watching me as I type back.

Me: I think if you're basing your opinion on a woman solely on her looks, then maybe that cute little blonde is better off your radar.

I watch the three bouncing dots appear while waiting for him to reply.

Mav: Thing is, I never said her LOOKS were a ten, I just said SHE'S a real ten. It was you who implied I meant her looks. Maybe I meant her charming personality and the way she fights for what she believes in is a ten.

Shaking my head, I continue to fight my smile.

Me: And if this cute little ten is so amazing, what does she think of you then?

Mav: I thought that was obvious?

Furrowing my brow, I figure I will bite.

Me:How so?

Mav: She really wants my co

My eyes widen as I let out a small gasp, grabbing the attention of the other girls. "You okay?" Ingrid asks.

"Yeah, sorry. Just saw something shitty on a news story online. People can be such dicks."

Rhyan nods. "Tell me about it. This world is going to hell in a handbasket."

Clover nods in agreement. "Amen to that, sister."

I see the three dots still typing, and another message appears quickly after the last.

Mav: company and to spend time with me. Sorry, the last message was accidentally sent before I finished typing.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, I bite my bottom lip and type back.

Me: Sure you did. Shouldn't you be concentrating on whatever it is you're meant to be doing there rather than chatting me up?

He types back really fast this time.

Mav:I'm not chatting you up. I'm just telling you about this cute little ten that I have been eyeing while here. Have you not been paying attention to this conversation at all, cupcake?

Typing back, I shake my head.

Me: I should have let you sleep on the wet sofa. lol

Mav:I enjoyed the wet patch in the bed instead *wink emoji*

Widening my eyes, I hold my cell closer so the others can't see and type back.

Me:Get back to work, or you can go spend the night with your cute little ten instead of in the wet patch with me.

Mav: I intend to do both. And just so there's absolutely no confusion, you're definitely my cute little ten.

A warmth floods over me as a large smile spreads across my face.

"You texting my brother?" Clover asks, her eyes lighting up in happiness.

I snap the cell to my chest with a gasp and swallow a nervous lump down my throat. "What? No. Why?"

The others chuckle as Clover grins. "You're all flushed, and you look guilty as hell. It's okay, Sadie. You make him happy, which makes me happy. That's all I care about."

My shoulders slump, and I sink into the chair, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "Thanks, Clo. That means a lot. I'll just send him one more text, and then I promise to focus on you."

She waves her hand through the air dismissively. "For real, though. You keep chatting with him, and I will finish up here and hang out with Rhy. We can call it a day."

I let out a snort. "Not so easy there, Missy. Get back to your schoolwork. I'll tell Mav I'm signing off to concentrate on you, and we're getting back to work."

"Urgh, dammit," she groans out.

Ingrid chuckles.

I turn back to my cell and type out one last text.

Me:BUSTED. Clover figured out we're texting. I have to actually go do my job like you should be doing yours. I'll talk to you soon. And FYI, I knew I was your ten, and just so there's absolutely no confusion… you're my ten too.

Shoving my cell into my bag, I make my way over to Ingrid before focusing on Clover. "Okay, sorry, I have had my mind elsewhere. Is there anything you need help with?"

Ingrid smiles and pats the seat beside her. "You know how I could tell you were texting Mav that entire conversation?"

Widening my eyes, I shake my head. "You knew?"

Ingrid tilts her head. "Of course, darling. Because you were making the same faces I make when I text South."

Letting out a long breath, I flop back against the chair. "This is all so new. I honestly never expected this to happen between us, especially after the first time we met. Honestly, we were like oil and water. I wanted to tear his head off."

Ingrid smiles. "Darling, the best couples are the ones who shouldn't work. Look at me and South. He's the son of my passed ex-husband's best friend. He's young enough to be my son, and yet, somehow, we work so well that we now have our own son together. And if our relationship doesn't convince you, look at Alpha and Haven. She was sent to kill him. And somehow, one way or another, he won her over, and now they're playing happy families with his daughter, who she was training as an assassin. I mean… shit's fucking complicated, Sadie. Just like you're Clover's tutor. Technically, you and Mav shouldn't be going there but fuck it! If you like someone, you have to take that leap. You have to because spending a life wondering what-if? That is no life at all."

Clover slides over, joining in the conversation. "And honestly, if you and my brother don't hurry up and make this thing completely official, I am going to literally explode."

I chuckle, giving Clover a cuddle, and then signal to her books. "Okay, Miss. Back to work."

She groans again as we make our way to the desk and get on with her study.

A Few Hours Later

We've been working hard for a while now, and it's getting close to dinner time. I have to admit, I am wondering how the guys are doing at the convention. Pulling out my cell to check and see if there is any news from them, a message instantly comes through from Maverick.

I let out a laugh at how we always manage to do that.

Mav: We're out of the convention for the day. You ladies wanna meet us on the strip for dinner?

Lifting my head from my cell, I glance at the others in the room. "The guys are finished at the convention. They want to know if we want to meet them on the strip for dinner?"

"Yeah, I'm freaking staaarving. Let's get out of this stuffy room." Clover groans, slamming her textbook shut.

Ingrid dips her head, moving to put Louis into his stroller as Rhyan gathers the things we need.

"Okay, I'll let them know we're coming now."

Me:On our way.

We exit our suite, spotting Noah and Hayes, the two prospects waiting outside our door as escorts. Alpha must have already sent them our way. Rhyan weakly smiles at Noah as they gesture for us to follow them.

"Ladies, we'll take you to the meeting point," Noah offers, and we all nod as we head to the elevators, making our way down and then out onto the strip.

Clover and Rhyan are bouncing around, happy as larks as they race ahead of the rest of us but still noticeably in view while they take in the city vibe.

Noah's focus is clearly on Rhyan.

Their connection is so freaking obvious.

One of them needs to make a move.

But I get that he is a prospect, restricted in what he can do at the club.

And she is club royalty.

It's complicated.

That much I understand.

We head to the Bellagio fountains, the club's meeting point. Ingrid is dealing with Louis. Clover and Rhyan are doing their teenager thing, taking pictures and videos for Clover's social media while I stand around, just staring and taking in the scene, watching the fountains spray in time with the music as the sun begins to set in luminous pink and orange hues while we wait for the guys.

The next spray goes high, and as I track the movement, my breath hitches when I notice the all-too-familiar leathers.

But it's not the Defiance cut I have quickly become comfortable with.

It's one solidly implanted in my memory.

From my past.

My breath stops.

My heart rate increases as I stare at the president of the Steel Serpent MC, Grave. A hot flush spreads over my body. My skin prickles in sweat while fear engulfs every single atom of my soul. An involuntary shaking takes over my body as Grave's eyes drop, meeting with mine.

I see it.

The second he notices me.

The recognition.

The realization.

The exact moment I was dreading by coming here.

I'm too paralyzed to move. The fear I was feeling before is nothing compared to the anguish racing through me at the intense look of conquest in his eyes.

This is the moment he has been waiting for.

Since I fled the club.

Since I went on the run.

Grave has been searching for me.

And now, that look in his eyes tells me he's not going to let me go this time.

My bottom lip trembles, and a single tear slides down my cheek as the rest of the Steel Serpent MC rush up to the hotel window, glancing down at me. Grave is clearly yelling orders at the brothers. My breathing begins to rush in and out fast when suddenly, another brother slams up against the window, his hands on the pane, a look of shock registering on his face as his eyes lock with mine.

"Wes," I whisper under my breath. His tormented eyes stare down at me. He shakes his head like he's disappointed in me for being here.

Honestly, at this point, I am too.

I should have stayed in the hotel.

Goddammit! I knew not to venture out onto the strip.

I became complacent.

Grave grabs Wes by his cut and pulls him as he goes to drag him away from the window, but before Wes turns, his eyes stare hard at me. Run, he mouths to me before Grave drags him away from the window. My heart sinks, but with one simple warning from my baby brother, I know he's right.

I have to go.

I can't wait.

Grave will find me.

Inhaling a deep breath, I spin on my heels, ready to hightail it out of here and slam straight into Haven. "Whoa there." She grips my shoulders, halting my escape and making me stop to look at her.

She grabs my chin, forcing my face up, and she scowls. "Have you been crying?" she growls out.

Shaking my head, I clear my throat. "I'm fine. Just not feeling well."

Haven huffs, standing back and folding her arms across her chest. "Don't lie to me, Sadie."

Glancing over my shoulder up to where Grave is still looking down on me, Haven follows my line of sight. "Ho-ly shit! Now I know why you were always so damn familiar to me. That's the Steel Serpent MC up there, right?"

I notice the other Defiance brothers arriving from the convention as a huge rush of panic overwhelms me the second Maverick steps up.

His brows scrunch when he looks at me. "Haven, what the fuck are you doing?"

Haven chuckles, shaking her head. "Oh no, little brother, this one's not me. This is on Sadie. I knew she was hiding something. Seems it's a big something because she's the princess from a rival club."

Alpha steps up. A harsh look crosses his face, but it is the clear look of confusion and hurt in Maverick's eyes that has my knees almost buckling. "What. The. Fuck?"

My breathing is hard and fast, and my heart rate is frantic as I glance back over my shoulder to see Grave and the others rushing for the exit. I turn back to Alpha and Maverick. "I don't have time to explain everything. I don't want any of you to get hurt. But most of all, I don't want them to find me. I can't go back to that life. I won't! I spent far too long running from him, from them. I won't go back there. Please," I beg. "We have to go. Now! They're going to come down from their hotel and start shit. Alpha, please. Listen to me!"

Alpha nods, but it is Maverick who steps forward, his face scrunching in what looks like anger. "I thought I meant something to you?"

I glance over my shoulder again to the hotel window, but they're no longer there.

That means they're on their way.

I don't have time for Maverick's anger or a temper tantrum, but I also don't want to hurt him any more than he is hurting. "You do, Mav. Of course, you do!"

"Then why the hell wouldn't you tell me something like this, Sadie? If you didn't feel comfortable telling me, at least tell Alpha so we could be prepared. You're supposed to be mentoring and protecting my sister, and you're the one putting her in severe danger by being around her?"

My bottom lip trembles upon hearing the truth in his words.

He's right.

He's so fucking right.

"If I'm too much trouble, I'll remove myself from the situation. I've been gone so long I thought that life was behind me. I was just trying to keep myself safe from those assholes. I knew they might be coming here, but I came because Clover needed me. I put myself at risk for you and your club. But I don't ever want anyone from Defiance to get involved in my shit. So…" I take a huge intake of air, "… I'll figure this out on my own. I won't drag any of you into it." Turning, I run because I've already given the Serpents too much of a head start on catching me.

Tears stream down my face as a mix of unadulterated fear and terror tear through me while I run, not really knowing where I'm going but trying as hard as I can to get as far as I can as quickly as I can.

My lungs feel like they're burning, and I can't breathe as I step in between The LINQ and the Flamingo hotels off the main strip when a hand reaches out and grabs me. I let out a small scream, turning to fight. My hands instinctively try to defend myself. I reach out, banging on the chest in front of me, and he grabs my wrists, halting my movements.

"Sadie, stop! It's me," Maverick roars.

Letting out a relieved wail, I drop my fists from his chest, hunching over, my hands on my knees to try to calm myself down. He places his palm on my back, trying to ease my anxiety, but I shrug him off, standing abruptly, and I glare at him. "Don't! Don't you dare try to make me feel better when you belittled me in front of everyone back there."

His shoulders slump, and he shakes his head. "I didn't belittle you."

"This is serious, Maverick! You don't know what Grave is capable of or what he will do to me if he finds me. And all you cared about is that I lied to you."

"Don't put words in my mouth. Of course, I care. Why do you think I ran after you?"

My head snaps around, looking in all directions, but people are everywhere.

I can't tell anyone apart.

I'm officially freaking out.

"I can't stand still. He'll find me. I have to keep moving." I take off again, my feet feeling like lead, my body betraying me, but I don't mistake the sound of Maverick following.

"Sadie… for fuck's sake. Do you think I wouldn't lay down my life to protect you," he yells, making everyone around us turn and look.

I stop running and spin. He is standing watching me, his arms out wide, his face torn like he has nothing left to give. My heart pounds furiously, and I nod, the tears trickling down my face. "That's the problem, Mav.I know you would, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you did. Because of Clover, because of Haven. They deserve to have you in their lives more than I do."

"That's bullshit! You are a part of my life, too, now. You're my ten. Remember?" he questions, his eyes sincere.

I burst out crying as I shake my head. "I can't do this, Mav. I can't put your family through this," I tell him, then spin, running toward the High Roller.

I need a breather.

A worker is distracted by someone yelling at the ticket agent, so I take the opportunity and duck past him, rushing to the open pod where people are filing off. Customers in the cue are yelling, but it's drowned out by the upset customer and those exiting from the ride. It all must take too long as the pod starts to move. A worker is just about to close the door when Maverick jumps the rope and slides in beside me just before the operator shuts the door.

My eyes widen as I stand and shake my head. "No, can you let him out? I just want some alone time," I order the operator.

He shrugs. "Can't help you, lady, doors already locked. Enjoy your ride," he drones in his breaking teenage voice, even though he's clearly in his twenties.

Letting out a frustrated huff, I spin, facing Maverick as he sits on the seat, his ankle on his knee, his arms folded while he stares at me. I pace the carriage, wiping tears from my face. "I didn't want to bring this shit down on you. On Clover. Why can't you just let me walk away?"

He shakes his head. "Can't do that."

"Why!"I yell at him.

"Because I don't know what the fuck you're involved in. But it's clear you do need to let us help. You need to let me help."

Groaning, I spin, facing out to the nightlife of Las Vegas, seeing the streets beautifully lit with glistening lights. It's so magical, and if I weren't having a panic attack right now, I would love this ride with Maverick.

But I can't enjoy it.

I'm so stressed.

"I need you to let me go. What we had… was great. But honestly, it's a good thing we never went further than we did last night because if we had, then it would make us official, and I can't… I can't be involved with you because—" I stop because my tears are coming hard and fast now. The only thing I can think of is I need to escape. It doesn't matter that our carriage is rising in the air. I rush for the door, yanking on it, trying to get it to open.

Maverick stands. "Jesus Christ, woman," he yells, reaching out for me, but I try to push him away. He yanks me to his chest as we both fall back onto the seat, and he pulls me to sit on his lap. "Cupcake, stop! Look at me." I refuse, but he grabs my chin, forcing my eyes up at him. I slowly blink my eyes to meet his. "I know you're scared. But I'm your home now. And I don't know what the hell gave you the impression that us fucking made us official. Baby, we were official the second I kissed you. You're mine, Sadie. So whoever this Grave asshole is, and no matter if he thinks you're Serpent property, he has another thing coming."

My eyes linger on Maverick's, and I see his sincerity shining back, my heart hammering in my chest as I stare at him. The electricity buzzes around us as I sit on his lap, feeling everything. My pussy presses against the crotch of his jeans, and I can't help but become swept up in the moment.

I race forward, slamming my lips to his, the adrenaline from fear spurring me on as I push his cut off, yanking his shirt over his head. My nails rake over his defined chest, and he groans, letting his hands slide up my back and into my hair. He reclaims my lips, bucking his hips up and into me, the move turning me desperate.

I need him.

All of him.

Fuck taking this slow.

I pull back, breaking our kiss to make quick work of his belt and jeans. He pushes up my dress, his fingers playing with the waistband of my panties. A distinct tear echoes through the small space, pausing my movements. I watch as he tucks the torn fabric into his pocket.

"Mav, you can't keep hoarding my torn panties like a weirdo."

"What? Would you rather me throw them away for a real weirdo to pick out of the trash?" he counters with a smirk, knowing I won't argue that point.

Without another word, I grip his length, guiding it toward my entrance. I'm soaked, and when the head glides over my clit, we both groan, his cock jerking in response.

"Fuck, cupcake. Are you su—"

I sink onto him, cutting his question off. "So damn good," I pant out, now fully seated on him.

Maverick groans, thrusting up as I grind into him like he can't get deep enough. He growls, gripping me by the waist and sliding me off him. "You need to understand something," he warns, lifting me up as he stands us both, then backs me to the glass wall behind me. Before I hit the glass, he turns me, placing my hands against it. He steps in behind, nipping at my neck as he flips my dress up and slams into me. "You are mine, Sadie. All those people down there, when they look up, they will see it's me who is claiming you. I dare anyone to try and take what's mine."

"Mav, I—"

"No, Sadie. You don't get it. This pussy is mine. Don't you feel how perfectly we fit together? How even now, you're clenching me, trying to pull me deeper while you attempt to protest."

He thrusts into me, grinding against my ass, sinking even deeper. And in this moment, he owns me. I look out over the city below us. The fear of them looking up and seeing what this man does to me is no longer there. "Yes…" I pant out, moaning as he pulls back and drives into me again and again.

He groans then backs us back, pulling me down with him as he sits, my back against his chest and my head on his shoulder. "I need to touch you, cupcake. I need to devour what is mine." With that, he pulls up my dress, his hand slipping between my legs. He rotates a finger over my clit, circling it, then dipping down to feel where his cock slides in and out of me, his thrusts slower. "Fuck, you feel incredible."

I turn my head to him, reaching up and pulling him in for a kiss. My tongue slides with his, and I find myself needing more. I want to be consumed by him, my earlier desperation reaching a new level.

Abruptly, I slide up, spinning to straddle him once more, taking no time to sink down onto him. My fingers thread through his hair, tightly gripping him to pull him back in for a kiss. I groan into his mouth when he grips my hips possessively, rocking me back and forth while grinding into me.

My orgasm builds, the intensity making it hard to breathe. But I don't care. I don't want to separate from him.

Instead, I press into him, seeking further friction and deepening the kiss.

Maverick groans, his cock pulsing deep inside me. He tries to shift me off him, reaching between us to grab the base of his cock, but I only press down harder, rotating my hips. "Sadie, fuck, I—"

"Come with me, Mav. Make me yours," I plead as the tension builds low in my belly.

His cock thickens, and I tilt my hips to where it presses in just the right spot, and with the added friction on my clit against his pelvis, the pressure builds inside me. My body begins to quiver. I clench my eyes shut as those stars come flashing back behind my eyes.

A fine sheen of sweat coats my skin while our slickened bodies move together. I pant so hard, my heart beating so incredibly fast I feel like it might burst. Then, a wave hits me like a rollercoaster. "Fuck, Mav!" I scream out his name as I climax, my entire body shaking with the adrenaline surging through me.

He groans, his cock jerking inside me when he thrusts, his hands pulling me down onto him one last time as I feel him explode inside me.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" He growls against my shoulder, completely breathless.

We still, his arms holding me to him while we pant frantically for breaths. My heart hammers in my chest when I rest my head on his shoulder, cuddling into him, just needing to be as close to him as possible.

It takes a few minutes for me to find my breath, but finally, I pull back, looking into his lust-filled eyes. He slowly smirks while I gingerly stand, wincing as his cock slides out of me. Somehow, even that feels good as I stand back from him, and the evidence of what we just did starts to drip down my legs. My eyes widen, and I reach down, trying to wipe it away. When I look up, Mav is watching, his gaze ablaze.

He silently pulls up his jeans, does up the zipper, and then buckles his belt, all while his focus never wavers. Then he tugs my torn panties from his jeans, his hand darting out to clean between my legs with said panties. "So… about that mess I just created?" He leaves the question hanging in the air.

Still trying to catch my breath when he places my panties back in his pocket, I let out a shocked laugh watching him do that, but then answer him, "You don't need to worry. I'm on birth control."

He picks up his shirt, nodding his head once. "That's very handy." He tugs his shirt over his head, followed by his cut, like cleaning up our mess with my ripped panties is the most normal thing in the world to do, and any of this does not faze him.

Shaking my head, I jut my hip out, place my hand on it, and smirk at him. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

Maverick simply smiles as he sits back down. "And you drive me fucking crazy. In every damn way. Now, we still have at least fifteen minutes left of this ride, so let me make you come at least two more times before we have to face reality."

Widening my eyes, I giggle and rush over to sit on his lap.

Who knew the High Roller could be this much fun?