Page 44 of Gatsby's Starlet
“I’ll take my chances,” he said, but there was something thinner under the humor now, something that didn’t quite land right.
Before I could push it, laughter cut through the kitchen as Chain and Lark walked in, dragging a different kind of energy with them, lighter, easier, like the world hadn’t gotten complicated yet.
Chain headed straight for us. “Either of you got a spare helmet?”
“For who?” I asked.
“Briar,” he said. “Ash is takin’ out his new ride, and Briar’s ridin’ with him.”
Gearhead muttered, “Fuckin’ hell,” under his breath, pushing back from the table like he needed out of the conversation more than he needed coffee.
“I don’t got one,” he said quickly, already on his feet. “And I gotta get goin’.”
He didn’t wait for a response, just moved past Chain and headed straight for the door.
I watched him go, frowning slightly.
That was… off.
“Josie’s got one,” Lark called from the counter, stepping in before Chain could turn and chase Gearhead down with questions. “Come on, let’s grab it and hit the road.”
Chain hesitated for half a second, like he was thinking the same thing I was, then nodded.
“I’ll catch you later,” he said, falling into step beside Lark as they headed out.
The kitchen settled again after they left, quieter this time.
I finished my coffee, then whatever Josie had thrown on a plate, pancakes, greasy and perfect, and pulled my phone out, shooting Evie a quick text to lock in tonight.
Just the thought of seeing her again was enough to shift everything back into place.
After that, I dumped my plate, grabbed my keys, and headed out.
Got work to knock out so I can get to Evie.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MY STOMACH TURNEDthe second the Fire Dragons clubhousecame into view, something sharp and instinctive twisting low in my gut like my body already knew this was a mistake before my mind caught up.
The music hit next, loud, violent, the kind that didn’t just fill the air but rattled through the car, through my bones, until my head started to pound with it.
I swallowed hard and looked at Ruby and said, “Please rethink this.”
“Let it go, Evie,” she snapped, already reaching for the door like I hadn’t said a damn thing.
“Ruby—”
The door slammed. I sat there for half a second longer, gripping the armrest, my pulse climbing. I need to find a way out of this. A hard smack against my window made me jump.
“Come on!” she snapped, yanking the door open before I could argue again.
I moved slower getting out, every instinct in my body screaming at me to get back in the car, lock the doors, and drive until this place disappeared in the rearview and if I had the keys I’m pretty sure that’s what I would have done.
Instead, I followed her knowing this was a bad decision.
The closer we got, the worse it hit, too many people, too close together, the smell of sweat, alcohol, cheap perfume thick enough to choke on. By the time we pushed inside, it was suffocating.
Ruby grabbed my hand, dragging me deeper before I could stop her. “Let’s find Drago,” she shouted in my ear.
