Affliction

“Why would you go and see Zane?” I ask first, shocked she would want to see the man who destroyed her only a few years ago.

“He threatened you, Holly. Threatened our place.” She motions to our small apartment to add emphasis.

“I don’t care if that asshole threatened me, Kadence. I’m not scared of Zane, besides, what’s the point in having a badass biker daddy if you’re not going to use him to your advantage?” I ask, still not understanding her. The man tried to kill her for Christ’s sake.

“This isn’t funny, Holly. You heard what Nix just said to me.” She cries into her tissue again, feeling sorry for herself. She’s right. I did hear what Nix said to her. I also heard what he didn’t say, and going by the look on his face when he realized how they were connected, he didn’t look too happy.

“I’m not laughing. I’m serious. Zane tried to kill you. Did you hear what Nix said? Yes, sexy biker daddy was a douche talking about your oral abilities, but you have to give it to him, he held back for a while, and you were kinda bitchy,” I admit, trying to get her to see it from his side.

“He was the one who was out of line. Don’t side with him,” she snaps, but I can see her mind ticking over what just happened.

“You both were out of line,” I correct her.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she huffs when there’s nothing left to say. She knows I’m right and in time she’ll admit it.

“So what do you want to do?” I ask, moving over to sit next to her on our comfy sofa. I know she’s upset. The best course of action would be to fill her with junk food and let her cry it out.

“I want movies, ice cream, and chocolate,” she orders, and like any good best friend, I leave her sitting there to search for supplies.

“Cookies and cream or peppermint,” I call out, checking our stash from the freezer.

“Both,” she cries and I hold in my laugh.

“You know you owe me for this,” I say, throwing the spoon at her. “I want all the juicy details on your first night in the clubhouse,” I demand before handing over the tub.

“Holly, don’t make me relive it,” she complains, thinking her pout will sway me.

“Girl, you have a real-life sexy-ass biker. Let me live vicariously through you,” I beg, watching her roll her eyes. If only she knew just how lucky she is.

“Fine, but I want details about what Sy said to you when he dropped you off last night,” she replies, taking the peppermint tub out of my hands

“Ha, I told you, the man said two words—‘see ya’.” I repeat what I told her on the phone this morning.

“You weren’t kidding?”

“No. Total asshole too, but seriously, did you see the ink on him?” I ask, remembering how sexy he looked in his dark jeans, Henley, and cut.

“I’ve seen him. I wonder what his deal is?” she asks, heaping a large spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

“Don’t you know?” I ask, shocked she has no inside scoop for me.

“Nope, he’s a mystery. He doesn’t talk much and if he did, it wouldn’t be gossip, that’s for sure.” She reaches for the cookies and cream. Mystery, hey? I can handle mystery. I can’t help but hope I see the mysterious Sy again. I know I didn’t have a good first shot at him, but I know if I get another chance, I’ll have him eating out of my hand.

“What are you smiling at?” Kadence asks, watching me closely.

“Nothing, just remembering something from earlier.” I don’t want her to know I’m thinking about one sexy, broody biker. We already have one of us messed up with the Knights Rebels.

“Well, let’s stop talking about Nix, or any of the men associated with the Knights Rebels. I’m done with them.” She swallows down another heaped spoon of cookies and cream.

“Calm down woman. You can’t dump him until I get inside their club. You hear me?” I ask, only half joking. I’m more concerned for her. She’s only just coming back to herself and I won’t let one fight bring her down.

“I’m serious. I’m done with him,” she says, crying again, but I don’t correct her. She will work her shit out with Nix, and by the end of the week, she’ll be back at the clubhouse in his bed while I’m stuck thinking about a cranky, sexy Sy.

Ain’t that the truth.

Fuck my life.

CHAPTER THREE

Sy

“Fuck me,” I whisper to myself as I watch her move her ass up against yet another guy for the night. God has to be playing some kind of cruel joke on me. Her blonde hair hangs loose, wavier than last week, and the short dress and heels she’s wearing tonight are even sexier—if that’s even possible. I haven’t been able to get the fiery blonde out of my head since I dropped her off at her place last week. Of course I was an asshole, not even helping her on the bike. I was pissed Nix left me with her. I knew having her close would be too much. I tried not to give in to the temptation of having her behind me, but as soon as she asked where her feet should go, I just had to touch. I knew the move was stupid and dangerous as my hand ran down her silky smooth leg, but it didn’t stop me from repeating the action on the other leg. It was reckless, and now I can’t stop thinking about the feel of her skin under my fingers.

Shifting in my booth along the far wall of Liquid, I watch as she smiles up at the asshole who hasn’t taken his eyes off her. The motherfucker is pissing me off with his smug look. Hell, everyone is pissing me off. I never wanted to come tonight, but with Nix and Kadence having some bullshit fight over her ex and his connection with Gunner Jamieson, we’ve been watching Kadence at a distance. And everywhere Kadence goes, Holly goes.