Chapter Twelve

Adira opened her eyes, hoping the world had stopped spinning. Thankfully, the nausea had receded and she didn't have the urgency to run to vomit in the toilet. It still felt like she'd been hit by a Mack truck.

She sat up slowly, making sure she wasn't dizzy before rising to pee. After washing her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror. Dark circled her eyes, offset by the pallor of her face. Hair resembled a bird's nest. She looked like she was part of the undead. Yawning, she went back into the bedroom to find her clothes. When she was dressed, she left the bedroom and made her way downstairs.

The remnants of the party lingered. The prospects were cleaning up and Buddy waved at her. She smiled at him and wandered further to find Hunter or Ares. She headed into the kitchen, but no one was in there.

"If you're looking for Ares, he's not here."

Adira turned and saw one of the club women in the doorway. An unlit cigarette dangled from her lips. Her smeared eye makeup had her resembling a raccoon. A denim skirt barely covered her ass. She thought the woman was named Lori.

"Sorry?"

"Ares isn't here."

"Oh. What about Hunter?"

The woman eyed her up and down, her lips compressing into a line. Then she nodded toward the window and Adira saw a large garage open.

"Thanks," she said, and used the back door to exit.

Several men gave her a polite nod, and some others leered. She tried to ignore it, but was glad when she stepped into the cool interior of the garage and spotted Hunter. He sat next to his motorcycle with some type of engine part in his hand. Not many can pull off a man bun, but he was the exception. He was a lethal weapon to pussy.

"Hey," she said.

He looked up, grinning. "Good afternoon. How do you feel?"

"Better, but still like I threw up."

"Yeah," he mused. "Alcohol is definitely a bad influence."

"Did we, um…"

He shook his head. "No. Neither Ares nor myself like fucking a corpse, and that's basically what you were. Tomorrow you'll feel one hundred percent back to normal."

"Drinking was fun while I was doing it. Not so fun after."

Hunter stood and snapped whatever he had in hand back onto his bike, then grabbed a socket wrench to tighten it. When it was done, he reached for a rag to wipe his hands.

"What would you like to do today?" he asked her.

"If you can drop me off at Livia's, I have to go transportation shopping."

"You need a car?"

She nodded. "I can't be a mooch off Livia forever. I have some money so I plan to get something cheap."

"Then I'm going with you."

"What?" Her brow furrowed in confusion. "You don't have to. That's not what this is about."

He placed his hands on her shoulders. "This? As in … the three of us? Did you expect us to fuck you and forget about you?"

"Yes," she answered truthfully.

"That's a little cold, don't you think?"

"No, but that reminds me, when this is over, I want to make sure I keep my job."

"You think we're that petty?"

"I don't know because I don't know you," she replied. "I'm just trying to make sure I don't lose everything for a second time."

He placed a hand over his heart, right on top of the Death Riders' patch. "I give you my word on my patch. You'd never lose your job because of me or Ares."

A weight slid off her. "Thank you."

"Now, about this car, Ares and I will help you pick out a decent car and make sure you're not buying a lemon."

"Only if you're sure."

"Let me wash up, and text Ares." He winked. "Wanna come help me in the shower?"

Suddenly, she became hyperaware of several things. The fluttering in her belly. Of her breath. How her nipples pebbled and her core clenched. She may not be too experienced, but she recognized arousal.

"If I do that, we'll never leave the bedroom."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"

She grinned. "It is when I need to buy a car. But we'll have next Friday."

"I'll hold you to that. Okay. Give me ten minutes." He pulled his cell from this back pocket and unlocked it before handing it to her. "Call Ares and tell him to meet us at George's."

"Who's George?"

"A sleazy car salesman, but he owes the Death Riders a few favors. Ares and I will make sure you get a decent car for a decent price."

"Oh, okay."

He headed toward the house. "Stop looking at my ass!"

She laughed. "Not a chance."