Page 29 of Rook
Rook
One second, he was staring at Avery like she was the only thing in the damn building, and the next, he was outside, the cold air hitting him like a slap. His pulse was still hammering. His jaw ached from clenching it. His hands shook with leftover adrenaline.
He’d told another man she wasn’t interested.
He’d stepped in like he had any right.
He hated himself for it.
He hated how natural it felt.
He hated how much he cared.
By the time he reached the clubhouse, he was a storm barely held together by leather and willpower.
He shoved the door open.
The familiar scent hit him first; motor oil, leather, cigarette smoke, and the faint sweetness of whatever cheap air freshener the sweetbutts had hung up this week. Music thumped low from the speakers. Pool balls clacked. Laughter echoed from the back hallway.
All of it stopped the second he walked in.
Stone stood near the bar, expression unreadable. Grim leaned against the wall, smirk fading when he saw Rook’s face. Havoc paused mid-throw at the dart target. Ledger set down his book, eyes narrowing behind his glasses.
Prospects froze like they’d been caught stealing.
And Fish, sitting in his usual chair, whiskey glass in hand, lifted his gaze first.
Rook didn’t look at any of them. He headed straight for the bar. Grabbing a beer from the ice bucket on the bar top.
Stone followed.
Stone didn’t look up from the table. “Start talking.”
Rook’s jaw flexed. “Not happening.”
Stone finally lifted his eyes, lethal in their calm. “I wasn’t asking.”
Rook slammed the bottle down, glass rattling against wood. “She doesn’t get to walk in and flip my whole damn world upside down.”
Havoc let out a low whistle. “Oh yeah. He’s spiraling.”
Grim bumped into him. “Shut it. Man’s about to detonate.”
Ledger didn’t even blink. “Correction: he already did.”
Stone ignored all of them, gaze locked on Rook. “What went down?”
Rook dragged a hand through his hair. “Some asshole hit on her.”
Havoc’s eyebrows shot up. “And you… what? Growled at him?”
Rook glared, picking up his beer again. “I told him she wasn’t interested.”
Havoc whooped. “Oh, he’s gone. He’ssogone.”
Ledger nodded. “You don’t get that possessive over someone you’re done with.”
Rook snapped, “Shut up, all of you.”
