Everest's .POV.

"We got those assholes good, didn't we, Sin?" Austin shouts, and the entire bar erupts in chaotic cheers, their energy wild and untamed. They might as well be animals—their behavior is no different.

I raise my bottle in the air, toasting to our success. Tonight, we hit a Devil's Club and took their vice president. It's funny how the trouble always seems to show up right when Avery comes back into the picture.

I order another drink and let the music and the madness around me numb my mind, drowning out the reality I'm trying to forget.

"THE GIRLS HAVE ARRIVED!" Sticks yells, eager as always to take advantage of the situation. It's not long before the women are swept away, pulled into the frenzy.

I glance towards the door and see a new face. I smirk, approaching her with the intent to distract myself from the thoughts that keep haunting me.

"Are you new here?" I ask, my voice low as I pull her into the crowd, spinning her with the rhythm of the music.

We move together, our bodies swaying, and I feel the heat of her pressing against me. Her hips grind against mine, and I can feel the effect she's having on me.

Her back leans into my chest. "I guess you could say that," she responds, her voice smooth like velvet.

"What's your name, gorgeous?" I ask, my hands instinctively finding her waist as she spins away from me and back into my chest.

The moment feels fleeting, too brief to savor. She looks up at me, eyes full of mystery. "I don't know. You tell me?"

My hands fall from her waist, and a chill runs down my spine. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. "Fuck you, Avery." I push her away, not with enough force to make her fall, but enough to send her stumbling into the crowd.

Without a second glance, I turn and stomp away. I thought she left. I thought she knew what was best and stayed away. But here she is again, like a ghost from my past I can't escape.

I know she was with the Sapphires, especially Tequila. That girl has a way of making anyone look different, even Avery.

"Sin!" The shout yanks me from my thoughts, and I snap my head to find the source. I quickly clear my throat.

"Ghost," I mutter, following his gesture to his office. I step inside without hesitation.

"So, what's got that stick up your ass this time, Sin?" Ghost asks, taking a swig of his beer.

"Who do you think," I reply, my lip twitching as Avery's image invades my mind again.

"Our lovely Avery. I thought you'd be happier she's back. She's the lo—" I cut him off.

"No, she's not. She just doesn't know what's good for her." I take another drink, the bitter taste doing little to ease the frustration building inside me.

"She's alone. She trusts us. She knows she can come to us—she can come to you—and feel safe," Ghost continues, his voice steady but filled with concern.

I wave over Tequila to pour us some shots, not wasting a moment before I down mine.

"She met someone in New York. I don't know who he is, but she's got these scars all over her, and I know there's more to her pain than she's letting on."

"And I would never let anything happen to her, Ghost. But I'm not good for her, either. I hurt people, and I laugh when I'm tearing a man's fingers off while he cries for his mother. She can't handle that." I finish my beer and feel the weight of my words hanging in the air.

He takes his shot and places a hand on my shoulder, the weight of it almost too much to bear. "Maybe if you were nicer to her, you'd find out."

I sigh deeply, standing up. "I don't even know how to be nicer," I mutter, looking away.

"Do right by her, Sin. Be the man you know you can be." His voice is firm, resolute.

I nod in silence, leaving the office without a word.

As I walk down the hallway, I almost collide with Bonnie. I grab her arm before she can pass by. "Where is she?" I demand, my voice sharp.

She glares up at me, shrugging off my grip. "You're an asshole! I hope you know that!" She spits, storming past me without a second thought.

I keep walking, ignoring the sting of her words. I reach Austin's room—my old room, but I'm too old for the kind of chaos that comes with it.

I knock softly on the door.

"Avery?"

———————————

Avery's .POV.

"Avery?"

"I'll be out in a minute!" I call from the shower, my voice echoing against the tiles. The moment I heard Bonnie yell asshole, I knew it was Everest.

Out of all the rooms in this place, I ended up in his—because it was the only one I knew. I wasn't about to risk walking into a stranger's room and helping myself to their shower. That would be really awkward.

I had no idea I was dancing with Everest. The shock on his face matched my own. But he didn't have to react the way he did—shoving me like I was some kind of problem to be handled. And then, after storming off with a promise to return, he showed up looking for a good time, assuming I was gone.

Once I pulled myself together and realized what had happened, I ran straight here and locked myself in the bathroom.

I turn off the water and step out, wrapping a soft white towel around myself. You wouldn't think bikers would own such luxurious towels, but The Sons are surprisingly hygienic. If they don't have an old lady to handle things, they hire cleaning staff.

I crack the door open, peeking out to see if Everest is still in the room. He isn't. Good. But sitting on the bed is a pair of black sweatpants and an oversized white T-shirt.

I slip them on, then head to the closet. To my surprise—and slight amusement—my old brown moccasins are still tucked away in the same spot. I knew they would be. Everest hates them, which is exactly why I always had to hide them.

After pulling my damp hair into a high bun, I flip off the bathroom light and slip my shoes on. Just as I reach for the door handle, Everest beats me to it, stepping inside before I can react.

"Avery... I—I'm sorry about earlier."

My eyes widen. I'm more shocked now than I was back on the dance floor. Did he just apologize? This motherfucker is actually apologizing?

"I didn't know it was you," he says.

"I didn't know I was dancing with you. But then again, you left me and came back looking for a good time with someone else. I know we're not together or anything, but I think I deserve a little more respect than that, Everest." I lower my gaze, staring at my feet until he steps forward and tilts my chin up with his fingers.

His touch isn't rough—it's warm, grounding. And suddenly, I realize I'm not just mad at him. I'm hurt.

"I overreacted," he admits. "I didn't know it was you either, Avery. I just... I'm sorry."

His palm rests gently against my cheek, and for a moment, I just stand there, numb. When I finally nod, his hand drops away. I instantly miss the warmth.

"I wanna show you something," he says.

I hesitate, then nod again, slipping my hand into his as he leads me out of the room.

As we approach the club's exit, Bonnie grabs my wrist. "You're not going with him. I won't let you."

"Bonnie, it's okay, really—"

Her grip tightens. But before I can say anything else, Chains cuts in. "Bonnie, leave 'em be."

She releases me immediately but shoots Everest a look before walking away.

I exhale and give Everest a small smile before following him outside. The air is thick with humidity—the kind that lingers after a Florida rainstorm.

"Where are we going?" I ask as he stops abruptly, making me bump into his back.

I rub my nose, wincing. "Jesus, Everest, warn a girl before you pull the emergency brake."

He turns around, and I notice the endless mud puddles dotting the dirt road ahead.

"You do realize I'm wearing moccasins, not mud boots, right?"

His eyes flick to my feet, filled with pure hatred. "Maybe you should've thrown away those useless fucking shoes when I asked you to."

I smack his chest. "My moccasins are not useless fudging shoes. They provide comfort to my feet. And I didn't exactly get a memo that we'd be trekking through a swamp tonight."

He mutters something under his breath, then—before I can react—lifts me off the ground.

I squeal, crossing my arms as he cradles me in his enormous arms like I weigh nothing. He carries me the rest of the way up the dirt road before setting me down on his bike.

"Where are we going?" I ask as he hops on and starts the engine.

"You'll see." That's all he says before slapping his helmet onto my head.

We don't stay on the main road long before turning down a dirt path I don't recognize. The further we go, the darker it gets. When Everest finally stops, he shuts off the lights, leaving us in total darkness.

"Do you trust me?" he asks.

I scoff. "Now that is an eye-roller."

His expression hardens. "Avery." His voice is low, dangerous.

I sigh. "Yes, Everest, I trust you." This time, I actually roll my eyes.

He growls—a low, frustrated sound—but doesn't say anything else. Instead, he pulls a red bandana from his back pocket and gently covers my eyes, tying a knot behind my head.

With one hand on my back and the other gripping my hand, he leads me forward. And as much as I trust him, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.

"I know I said I trusted you, but please—I'm begging you—don't kill me. If I'm gonna die, I at least wanna see it happen."

He snorts. "Keep your eyes closed after I take this off. Got it?"

I nod, even though my heart is racing.

A moment later, he unties the bandana. "Now, when I tell you to open 'em, don't start cryin' and shit."

I nod again. Trust me—I'm done crying tonight. My tear ducts have failed me enough.

"Okay. Open."

And when I do, my breath catches in my throat.

"Oh. My. Fricken. God."

Blindsided

It's almost as if

He encouraged you

To feel something

And as soon as you caught

What you felt was love

You were blindsided

With pain

Facing the fact

That you allowed yourself to feel for someone

Who cares nothing for your heart