I laid there for a moment, completely spent, my body still tingling in the aftermath of everything Everest had just done to me. My head was clear—like ridiculously clear. The pounding hangover that had been dragging me down all day? Completely gone.

"Well damn," I mumbled, blinking up at the ceiling as I tried to catch my breath. "Who needs aspirin when I've got you?"

Everest's deep chuckle rumbled through his chest as he hovered over me, a cocky smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Told ya I'd take care of you, sweetheart." He brushed a strand of hair off my face, his touch softer now, a complete contrast to how he'd just had me moments ago.

"Yeah, well..." I tried to play it cool, but the satisfied grin I couldn't quite hide gave me away. "Consider me cured."

"Damn right you are." He pressed a soft kiss to my lips before leaning back, his eyes raking over me like he was debating on going for round two. "But if you keep lookin' at me like that, we're not leaving this room anytime soon."

I laughed, the sound light and carefree for the first time in what felt like days. "As tempting as that sounds, I think we've been gone long enough."

Everest let out a dramatic sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. "Fine, fine," he teased, sitting up and grabbing his shirt off the floor. "Let's get you back out there before Ghost thinks we've moved into his damn office."

I sat up slowly, feeling that post-orgasm glow making everything feel a little too easy. "You're lucky I can actually walk after that."

Everest shot me a wicked grin. "Barely."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the grin that tugged at my lips as I slipped back into my jeans and adjusted my top. By the time we were both put back together, I felt more like myself than I had in a while. Maybe it was him, maybe it was whatever the hell just happened between us, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel so damn heavy.

"Ready?" I asked, smoothing my hair down and slipping on my boots.

"Always." Everest reached for my hand, his grip firm and steady, like he was silently reminding me that he wasn't going anywhere.

We pushed open the door to Ghost's office and stepped back into the chaos of the bar. The music was still pounding, the crowd just as rowdy as when we left, but everything felt... different now. Easier. Lighter. And as Everest leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear while his hand stayed firmly on the small of my back.

When we walked back out into the bar, it wasn't hard for me to notice her. The same woman I'd seen at the coffee shop—the one who had caught my attention for reasons I couldn't quite explain—was standing by the bar, deep in conversation with Ghost.

Her ripped skinny jeans and worn leather jacket stood out even more under the dim lights of the clubhouse. Her long, graying brunette hair was pulled to one side, and even from across the room, I could tell she carried herself with an edge. But it wasn't just her appearance that had me frozen in place—it was the way she looked so damn comfortable talking to Ghost, like she'd been there a hundred times before.

"Babe?" Everest's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, his hand pressing gently on the small of my back as he guided me further into the room. "You good?"

"Yeah..." I murmured, but my eyes stayed locked on her. "That's... her."

"Her?" Everest followed my line of sight, his brow furrowing as he finally spotted the woman. "Who?"

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. "The woman from Starbucks," I said quietly. "The one who... I don't know. She just seemed familiar."

Everest's expression hardened almost instantly. His easy, carefree demeanor from moments ago was gone, replaced with something... protective. "You didn't mention that part."

"I didn't think it mattered," I murmured, tearing my eyes away from her and finally looking up at him. "I didn't even know who she was... I still don't."

Everest's jaw clenched, but he didn't say anything, his eyes narrowing as he watched Ghost and the woman closely.

"Do you know her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Everest didn't answer right away, but the look in his eyes told me enough.

"Come on." His tone was softer now, but there was no mistaking the tension in his body.

As Everest and I made our way toward the bar, I could feel the tension radiating off him with each step. His grip on my waist was firm, almost like he was holding me closer than necessary. I didn't say anything—I was too focused on the woman, who hadn't taken her eyes off me since I spotted her.

But the moment Everest's eyes locked on her, everything changed.

He froze mid-step, his entire body going rigid beside me. I felt it instantly—like the air had been sucked out of the room.

"Everest?" I murmured softly, glancing up at him, but he didn't respond. His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might shatter, and his breathing became uneven.

It wasn't until I looked back at the woman that I realized what had him so rattled.

She wasn't looking at me anymore.

Her eyes were locked on Everest, and there was something... unsettling in the way she stared at him. Recognition. Something deeper.

"Sin..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but I heard it clear as day.

Before I could even process what was happening, Everest took a step back, his hand falling away from me completely. His expression was unreadable—cold, guarded—but his eyes... I'd never seen that look in them before.

Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the bar, pushing past a few club members as he went.

"Everest!" I called after him, but he didn't stop.

And then, just as I was about to follow him, a voice behind me made me freeze.

"Mom?"

My head snapped around, and my eyes landed on Austin, standing just a few feet away, his expression filled with shock and confusion as he stared at the woman.

And that's when it all hit me, smack dab in the face. The realization came crashing down so hard I almost felt like I was going to be sick.

Her name.

Mary Ann.

It was like a fog had been lifted, and everything clicked into place all at once. I don't know how I didn't see it sooner—maybe because I hadn't let myself think about her in so long. But now, standing here, with Austin's voice still echoing in my ears, I couldn't deny it anymore.

I don't know if you remember, but I told you before... Everest and Austin's mom ran out on them after their dad died. She disappeared like a ghost, leaving them to fend for themselves. I was probably six or seven the last time I saw her, but some things you never forget. The way she used to look at Everest and Austin, the way she carried herself... it was all coming back now, flooding my mind like an avalanche I couldn't stop.

And she was standing right here.

She's their mom.

My heart pounded in my ears as I glanced back toward the door where Everest had disappeared.

No wonder he left.

The man who never backed down from anything had just walked away like he was running from a ghost. And in a way... he was.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as I turned to Austin. His face was pale, his eyes wide with disbelief, and I could tell he was just as shaken as I was.

"I told you that you probably knew me," she drawled, her tone dripping with something that made my skin crawl. "I just didn't recognize you with that black hair. You used to be practically albino back then." She let out a cold, humorless laugh that echoed through the bar.

"The second that kid said your name, I knew exactly who you were, honey," she added, her eyes narrowing slightly as her gaze lingered on me a little too long.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I stood frozen, my stomach twisting into knots. Ghost stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he kept his eyes on Austin. But Austin... he looked like he'd just seen a ghost. His face was pale, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap. His eyes were locked on her, filled with so much confusion and pain that it made my heart ache for him.

But her? She stood there like she didn't have a care in the world. Her body language screamed indifference—like she was here out of convenience, not because she gave a damn about seeing her sons after all these years.

No tears. No apologies.

She didn't come here to make amends. She didn't give a damn about Everest or Austin.

There was something more.

Something she wanted.

My stomach turned as I glanced between Austin and her, dread settling deep in my chest. Whatever she was after... it wasn't good.

We eventually made our way back into Ghost's office, the silence between us heavy as we all filed in. The air felt thick, like it was charged with tension, and for a moment, I couldn't shake the thought that I was standing in the same place where Everest and I had just been... well, much closer just a short while ago. The events in that room were fresh, the feeling of his hands on me still lingering. But I quickly forced myself to push those thoughts away, focusing on the present.

Now, standing across from Mary Ann, Austin, and Ghost, the mood was completely different. The door shut behind us with a soft click, and I could practically feel the walls closing in. Mary Ann, standing with that same carelessness in her stance, looked at Austin, her eyes sharp yet distant, as though she couldn't care less about the years of hurt she'd caused.

"Oh honey, I've missed you," she purred, her voice sickeningly sweet, dripping with a false nostalgia that I could see through immediately. She took a step closer to him, and for a moment, I could feel the room shrink, like everyone was holding their breath. "I've always thought about you, Austin. I wish I could've come back, but it just wasn't the right time." Her words hung in the air, hanging between us like a spider's web, delicate but dangerous.

Austin's face was a mix of shock and confusion, his eyes flicking between her and the floor, his fists clenched at his sides. I could see the internal battle going on behind his eyes—the part of him that wanted to believe her and the part that knew better. But what she said next made the knot in my stomach tighten.

"And your brother," she continued, turning her eyes toward Everest with a sort of smugness that made me want to slap her. "He's always been the more stubborn one... always so defensive. He'd never understand me the way you do, Austin." she said with a cigarette hanging outside of her mouth and she pauses as she likes it.

Mary Ann exhaled a thick puff of smoke, the air growing heavier in the small office. Her eyes were focused on Austin, the false affection in her voice evident as she spoke. "You've always been my baby boy," she cooed, her words sounding rehearsed. "Always the more caring and lovable one." She took another drag from her cigarette, blowing the smoke up towards the ceiling, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Everest, though... he's just like your father. Cold-hearted."

I could feel the tension building in the room as her words cut through the air. Austin's expression twisted slightly, his jaw clenched, but he didn't say anything at first. He just stared at her, as if trying to make sense of her twisted attempt at affection. I could feel my stomach turn in disgust, knowing how manipulative she was being, but I kept quiet, not wanting to get caught up in whatever game she was playing.

"Don't you think it's a little too late for you to be acting like this?" Austin's voice broke through my thoughts, low and steady as he spoke. "You've been gone for years. You don't get to waltz back in here and act like nothing's changed. And you don't get to make it sound like you've been the one who's been trying to help us." His words hung in the air, sharp and full of frustration.

Mary Ann's smirk didn't falter. "You think you've figured it all out, but you're both just like your father. You're too stubborn to see the bigger picture," she said dismissively, blowing out another cloud of smoke. "I didn't come back for any of this. I came back for my boys. You'll see."

Her words felt like a slap in the face. I wasn't sure if she was talking about her real intentions or if she was just playing us all. What was it that she wanted, after all these years? It seemed like there was something else to this reunion, something more than just showing up and pretending like everything could be patched up. But what?

I glanced over at Austin, who was visibly struggling to keep his composure. It was clear that all of this was stirring up emotions he wasn't ready to deal with yet.

Austin stormed out of the room, his footsteps heavy as he pushed open the door, his anger palpable in the tense air. Ghost followed closely behind, likely to try and calm him down, leaving me alone in the office with Mary Ann. I stayed rooted to the spot, not sure if I should follow them or stay where I was. The silence between us felt thick, suffocating. I had to fight the urge to leave and avoid whatever Mary Ann was about to say.

Mary Ann sat back in the worn chair, the one Ghost always seemed to favor, and took another long drag from her cigarette. Her eyes flicked over to me, studying me with a cool, almost calculating look. "I always knew you'd end up with one of my boys for some reason," she said, her voice low, almost casual. The words were strange, unsettling, and I didn't know what to make of them.

Her eyes never left me as she exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching me like I was some kind of puzzle she was trying to solve. "I always thought it was gonna be Austin, though," she continued, her lips curling up into a half-smile.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves before responding, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. "I'm not here to entertain your ideas of what's supposed to happen, Mary Ann," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "You don't get to decide who I'm with or how things go."

Mary Ann just stared at me, her lips still curled in that same smirk. "Oh, sweetheart," she drawled, flicking the cigarette into the ashtray. "I never said I was deciding anything. But you can't deny the chemistry between you and Everest. It's written all over your face."

I fought the urge to bristle, to snap back at her. There was something about her presence that made every nerve in my body feel on edge. She had a way of making everything seem like a game—her game.

I couldn't help but look at her with disgust. Mary Ann's presence was suffocating, like a thick fog I couldn't shake off. The way she sat there, so comfortable, so sure of herself—it was like she didn't care who she hurt or how deep she dug her claws into people. She was like a predator, sizing me up, trying to figure out how she could break me.

"Such a shame about your parents," she said suddenly, breaking the silence in a way that made my stomach churn. "You know, the stereotypical suburban family... everything's so perfect on the outside, but it all falls apart behind closed doors. How tragic." She took another long drag from her cigarette, blowing the smoke out slowly, her eyes never leaving me.

I clenched my jaw, trying not to let her words get to me. I had heard it all before—how my parents were murdered, how their deaths had shaken me to my core. Everyone had their theories, their whispers, but hearing it from her, coming from someone who clearly didn't care about anyone but herself, made me feel like my whole life had been reduced to some sick joke.

Mary Ann's voice dropped a little, softer now, almost like she was reminiscing. "It was different for me," she continued, her tone distant as she looked off into the air. "When Lincoln died... I couldn't bear to be there with him in his last moments. He was always so tied to the club, so obsessed with it. And that's when everything really started to change. He couldn't leave the club, not even for me, and that's when I realized something—he was never going to choose me over that life. And you know, I couldn't be part of it anymore, not after that."

I wasn't sure if she was talking about Lincoln or if she was just projecting her own guilt onto me, but it didn't matter. What did matter was the look in her eyes. It wasn't regret. It was bitterness. She had no love left for him. No loyalty. Not like Everest had for the club. And maybe that was what scared her.

"You know," Mary Ann continued, her eyes narrowing slightly, "I see it in my sons now. I look at Everest, I look at Austin, and I can't help but think they're just like their father. Lincoln never left the club. He chose it over everything, over me, over his family. And now look at them... they're going down the same path."

Her words stung more than I expected. It was like she was accusing Everest of something he couldn't control, like she was trying to paint him in a corner. He wasn't like his father, no matter how much she tried to twist it.

But I was starting to see what she was doing—she was trying to break him. Trying to plant those seeds of doubt in my mind about Everest, just like she had done with herself and Lincoln. But I wouldn't let her win. Not this time.

I stood up from my chair, my body tense, but I refused to let her see how much she had gotten under my skin. "You don't know Everest," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the rush of emotions inside me. "And you don't get to drag his name through the mud, not while I'm here."

Her lips curled into a small, almost pitying smile. "Oh, honey," she said, her voice oozing with false sweetness. "I'm not dragging anyone's name through the mud. I'm just telling it like it is. They're just like him. They'll never change."

I could feel the anger rise in my chest, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I forced myself to breathe, to stand my ground. "Well, if they're anything like him, then I guess they're going to prove you wrong."

Her smirk faltered just for a moment, and I saw a flash of something in her eyes—something close to fear. It was almost like she realized that I wasn't going to be the easy target she thought I was.

And in that moment, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn't going to let her tear apart what I had with Everest. Not now. Not ever.

I stepped out of the club, grateful for the cool night air hitting my face. It felt like a much-needed escape from the chaos inside, the noise, the tension, and the thick cloud of cigarette smoke that seemed to follow me everywhere I went. I pulled my phone from my pocket, my fingers quickly unlocking it to see a text from Everest.

"Headings to my grandparents' place. I'll be there for a bit. We'll talk when I get back."

I let out a quiet sigh, my heart doing this weird little flip in my chest. Despite everything that had happened tonight.

I didn't hesitate. I hopped into the truck, my fingers brushing against the steering wheel as I turned the key. The engine roared to life, and without wasting another second, I drove out of the parking lot, heading toward his grandparents' place.

As I made my way down the winding road that led to the farmhouse, the familiar sight of two motorcycles parked outside caught my attention. I slowed the truck and pulled up alongside the gravel driveway, immediately recognizing the bikes. One was Everest's, unmistakable with its dark chrome finish and black leather seat, and the other... well, that was Austin's. The two of them were here. No surprise there.

I parked the truck and cut the engine, the weight of everything settling back over me. It had been a long time since I'd been here, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different today. As I looked at the house, the old farmhouse that Everest's grandparents had lived in for as long as I could remember, I knew this was the place I had to be.

The last time I had visited, Everest's grandmother had been sick. She had seemed frail, weaker than I had ever seen her before, and it had weighed on Everest more than he ever let on. He'd always been quiet about his family's struggles.

I took a deep breath before stepping out of the truck, feeling the cool air on my skin. The farmhouse was still the same, the familiar smell of the land around it filling my senses. It felt oddly comforting.

When I stepped into the house, I moved quietly, my footsteps barely making a sound as I made my way past the kitchen. That's when I saw Mr. Johnson sitting at the table, a glass of something dark swirling in his hand. He looked tired, worn down, like the weight of everything was pressing hard on him.

The old wooden floor creaked beneath me as I took another step, catching his attention. He glanced up, his eyes softening when he saw me. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he motioned for me to come sit down.

"Hey, Ava," he greeted gently, his voice low and a little rough. "How you holdin' up?"

He didn't have to ask. I knew he already had a good idea. He and Mrs. Johnson had been close friends with my Nana and Poppy for years. I forced a small smile and slid into the chair across from him.

"I'm okay," I murmured, though I wasn't sure if that was entirely true. "Just... worried about Everest and Austin right now."

Mr. Johnson nodded, his expression growing more somber. "Yeah..." he said quietly, taking a sip from his glass. "MaryAnn came home. Mrs. Johnson wanted to see her only daughter... well, only child for that matter." He waved a hand toward the back of the house, where the hallway led to the back bedroom. "Doctors have her on hospice now..."

I felt a heaviness settle in my chest at his words. A part of me wondered if MaryAnn was really here to say goodbye or if there was something else driving her return. Knowing her, it was hard to believe she had good intentions.

"Austin's back there with her now," Mr. Johnson added, letting out a dry chuckle that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Everest... well, he rode off somewhere. Needed to clear his head, I reckon."

I could see the exhaustion etched into his face, and it made my heart ache for him. He was trying to hold everything together while watching the love of his life slip away.

"I'll take Selena out and go find Everest," I said softly, pushing myself up from the chair. "Make sure he's not getting into any trouble."

Mr. Johnson gave me a tired smile, his eyes filled with gratitude. "That'd be good," he murmured.

I leaned down, giving him a small hug before stepping away. As I headed toward the door, I took a steadying breath, already feeling the tension in the air thickening. I needed to find Everest.

And I had a pretty good idea where he'd be.