Chapter 15

Backdraft

Thorn leads us into Royal Road, and the scene playing out in front of our eyes is the same as it was the last time I was here. Only I'm not the same man. Half-naked women clinging onto any warm body they can attach to, their bodies swaying to the loud music blasting through the halls. The air is thick with the smell of sweat, alcohol, and sex.

"This way." Thorn leads us through the ornately decorated halls of Royal Road to where Kingpin, the Nashville Chapter President, is waiting.

There, in the center of the room, commanding the attention of those around him sits Kingpin on a throne of red velvet. His reputation precedes him. He's shirtless, covered in intricate, black-inked tattoos, wearing nothing but his cut and black leather pants. His long dark hair falls in straight strands, and a full beard frames his jawline. Black mascara lines his lashes and matches the black polish on his hands and tattooed feet. He stands out in the crowd, not fitting the bill of Nashville by a long shot.

"Welcome to Royal Road." Even from across the room, I can feel the way his eyes roam over Zoey. I pull her in closer with a firm grip around her waist, making my position clear. I don't miss the way Aero sneers and grumbles under his breath, but I plan on keeping her close. Our chapters may be part of the same club, but that doesn't mean I have to trust him.

"Looks like you recovered more than just your man." Kingpin's smirk makes me want to knock it off his face, but I know better. His chapter is bigger than ours and I'd have them all on my ass in a New York minute if I tried. And when they were through, Aero would have what's left.

Aero nods, "Appreciate you lending me your men. I got what I came here for."

Kingpin jumps down from his throne. "What about the girl? She's a Cassedy, isn't she?"

Aero steps between us and I appreciate his display of protection. "This is Zoey."

"The Cassedy Clan is a bunch of idiots, but we've done business a time or two. What do you want with Dominic's daughter?"

"That's our club's business, but I will say, she is extremely important to us."

Kingpin's head cocks to the side, ignoring my hold on her. "Are you here willingly?"

My body tenses, unsure how she'll answer. She left with me willingly. Didn't she? She gave herself to me willingly. Didn't she? As if she can sense what I'm thinking, Zoey's grip tightens around my hand. She clears her throat, and answers without an ounce of wavering, her voice loud and her desire clear, "Yes."

I exhale the breath caught in my lungs. Kingpin and Aero lock eyes in a standoff before he concedes and offers a singular nod. "Then she's welcome to stay. I'll have someone show her to a room and then we can discuss business."

"Appreciated." Aero acknowledges him but doesn't back down from his stance between us.

With his arm raised in the air, Kingpin snaps his fingers, and out of nowhere appears a woman. "Follow me, darlin'. I'll show you to a room with a hot shower. I can arrange for some food if you're hungry."

Zoey turns towards me, her amber eyes burning into my soul. "You're not coming with me?"

Draping the duffel bag on her shoulder, I lean in close and lower my voice so only she can hear. "I can't, Little Lamb, but you're safe here. Just remember what I said. Stay in your room until one of us comes to get you."

She nods her head, keeping her eyes lowered away from mine, and doesn't say a word. I wonder if it's because she's afraid her voice will break while fighting back unshed tears. If she looks at me, she'll see that the look of rejection on her face is gutting me to my core. I never want her to feel the way I'm making her feel right now. I want to tell her that there's nothing I want more than to keep her by my side but right now we have business to deal with and it shouldn't be done with her in the room. Besides the fact, I'm still feeling out how Aero will react to us together.

My hand lingers on Zoey's for too long. The last thing I want to do is let her go. I don't know when I'll get to hold her again. Aero clears his throat and the reaction jerks me back to reality with a hard snap. She isn't supposed to be mine. I was only supposed to find her and bring her back to Atlantic City so she could learn the truth about who she was. Someone who's not meant to be with a biker with scars as deep as mine. I let my hand slip from hers and watch as she walks away taking a splinter of my heart with her. Something shifts inside of me and there's no longer any doubt in my mind. She's mine.

When the women are out of the room, the tension eases.

"Is there anything I should know?" Kingpin asks.

"Left a lot of Cassedy's men face down in the dirt," Aero answers curtly with a shrug.

"Not good for my dealings," Kingpin states, pacing back and forth.

"Neither's the fact they were selling explosives to the Asphalt Gods," I speak up. Kingpin and Aero both snap their heads in my direction.

"How do you know this?" Kingpin questions.

"Cause I blew a few up."

"Well, shit." Kingpin erupts into a laugh, patting me on the shoulder. "Enjoy your stay, fellas. Royal Road is the playground of the Royal Bastards and you've been granted admission. Pussy over there," Kingpin swings his arm out wide in one direction and then the other, "gambling over there. Anything else you fancy you can find in these walls too."

"Get some sleep too. We're pulling out in the morning." Aero orders as we all filter out of the throne room and into the massive establishment known as Royal Road. The men's eyes glaze over with lust, drool practically puddling from their mouths thinking about free pussy for the taking. Aero and Surge try to discreetly slip away but it doesn't go unnoticed.

"You're not coming with us?" Crank asks.

"Thought I'd leave some for you," Aero quips. "Gonna hit the tables."

The guys burst into laughter, slapping each other on the back and tapping fists like a punch of adolescent boys at the first encounter of snatch. I'm starting to understand why Surge wouldn't be interested in strippers and club girls. He's the only one of us with an actual Ol' Lady back at the clubhouse. When Emery came to stay, she brought her friend Lacey along. She's taken up residence with us temporarily but seems to be a permanent fixture warming Aero's bed even though he hasn't officially claimed her yet. I wonder if that has more bearing on why he's not indulging in what Kingpin's club has to offer more than the fact that he's our President and still trying to get his bearings and earn our respect. Being a new chapter made up of nomads, we're all still finding our footing. We may not have known each other as long as the members of other chapters or be as big as this one, but we've connected instantly and I have no doubt we all take our newfound brotherhood seriously. Regardless of his reasons, I'm right there with Aero and Surge. The thought of those women are not affecting my cock whatsoever. There's only one woman my cock is responding to and I slip away silently in search of her.