Chapter 3

Pearl POV

The bass from the music vibrated through my chest as I stepped into the Viper's Den.

It's a rival club's bar.

I had no business being here. Vienna would lose her mind if she knew I came here to do the thing she warned me against.

And Zander? He would probably lock me in my room like some damsel in distress.

But I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for answers to fall into my lap.

My father was dead, gunned down like some criminal and I needed to know why.

The police had written it off as "gang violence". They always did if one of the bikers got hit. I wasn't going to settle for that.

Someone in this world knew what happened to my dad. And if Zander and the rest of the Iron Wolves weren't talking, maybe the Vipers would slip up.

I had dressed for the part: tight black jeans that hugged my curves, a leather crop top that showed just enough skin to be distracting and leather boots,the last gift from my dad on my birthday.

My long hair fell in loose waves down my back and a little makeup to hide the real me.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" A voice cut through my thoughts.

I turned to find a burly man with a salt-and-pepper beard.

His cut displayed the Viper patch. His eyes raked over me with obvious interest and I forced myself not to cringe.

"Just looking for a good time," I replied in a sultry voice that made me want to gag. But I smiled, letting my lips curve in what I hoped looked like flirtation.

The guy grinned, revealing a gold tooth. "I’m Brick. And you are?" He asked.

"Ruby," I lied smoothly. No way was I giving my real name. For all I knew, these bastards had pulled the trigger on my father.

"Ruby, huh? Never seen you around here before. Are you new to town?" He continued to probe and I knew I had to be smart with my answers.

I shrugged, leaning against the bar. "Just passing through. I heard this was the place to be if you wanted some excitement." I said, winking.

His grin widened. " You came to the right place,sweetheart. We got plenty of that.

What are you drinking?"

"Whiskey. Neat."

His eyebrows shot up, seemingly impressed. "A woman after my own heart."

As he flagged down the bartender, I took the opportunity to scan the room. The place was packed with Vipers and their women, entertaining themselves the biker way.

It is not new to me having grown up in this kind of environment.

However, what caught my attention was the back hallway, where several patched members disappeared periodically. With one glance, I could tell that that's where the real business happened. That's where I needed to be.

Brick handed me my drink and I took a sip, letting the burn of the whiskey steady my nerves.

“ You seem like a man who knows things." I said, turning to look at the guy besides me and giving him a small smile.

He puffed, like I just stroked his ego which I probably did.

"I know plenty of stuff. What do you want to know?"

I leaned in closer, dropping my voice to something more intimate. "I heard there was some trouble recently. Something involving the Iron Wolves?"

His expression shifted immediately.

"Where did you hear that?"

Shit.

That was too fast.

“ It has been the talk of the town.” I leaned over, whispering.

“ The cops said it was gang war so I thought things might be heating up around here.

I figured that could be... exciting." I said, adding a shrug to not appear too concerned.

The guy whose name I already forgot studied me for a long moment.

I held my breath, praying I hadn't just blown my cover.

"You like danger, Ruby?" He finally asked.

"Maybe," I replied, taking another sip of whiskey. "It depends on the kind of danger."

He laughed, the tension finally dissipating.

"You came to the right place, though I'd be careful asking too many questions about the Wolves. Some of the boys here are still wound up tight about all that."

"All what?" I pressed, keeping my tone light and curious rather than interrogative.

"Their Enforcer got himself killed last week.” Brick shook his head. "Stupid bastard should've known better than to…"

"Than to what?" My heart was pounding, but I kept my expression neutral.

Before Brick could answer, a hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Brick, boss wants to see you. Now."

I looked up to find another Viper, younger, with cold eyes that assessed me with far more suspicion than Brick's had.

I could tell that he was smarter and more dangerous.

"I'm a little busy here, Reaper," Brick protested.

"Wasn't a request." Reaper's eyes never left me. "Who's your friend?"

"Ruby. She's cool, just passing through."

"That right?" Reaper stepped closer, invading my space. "Funny timing, don't you think? Pretty little thing shows up asking questions about the Wolves right after we had that mess with Johnston?"

My blood ran cold but I forced myself to hold his gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was just making conversation."

"Were you now?" His hand shot out, gripping my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to be a warning.

“ You see Cupcake, we don't like people who stick their noses where they don't belong."

"Let her go, Reaper. She's just some chick looking for fun," Brick interjected. Even he sounded unsure as he defended me.

The music suddenly went off and the room fell into an eerie silence. I could feel every eye turning toward us and flight or fight kicked in.

"I think Ruby here needs to have a chat with the Boss." Reaper announced, loud enough for the whole bar to hear.

Before I could protest, Reaper was pulling me toward that back hallway I'd been eyeing earlier. Brick followed. He looked apologetic but not nearly concerned enough to help me.

My mind raced. I'd come here for information, but I hadn't expected to get caught so quickly. I needed to think fast and figure out how to turn this situation to my advantage before it spiraled out of control.

The hallway was dimmer, lined with doors that probably led to rooms I didn't want to think about. Reaper stopped in front of the last one and knocked twice.

"Come in," a deep voice commanded.

He pushed the door open and shoved me inside. I stumbled but caught myself, straightening to face the man behind the desk.

The guy was exactly what I expected: mid-forties, heavily tattooed, with a presence that demanded respect and instilled fear. His eyes were calculating as they appraised me.

"Found her asking questions about Johnston," Reaper reported.

Venom leaned back in his chair, fingers intertwined.

"Is that so? And what's your interest in dead bikers, sweetheart?"

I lifted my chin, refusing to show fear even though my heart was trying to beat out of my chest. "I already told them. I was just making conversation. I didn't mean anything by it." I lied and hoped that shitty lie sounded convincing.

The Boss nodded then stood, moving around the desk with predatory grace.

"I don't buy that.” He declared.

“You're too... put together.This isn't your scene."

Shit. He was good.

"What's your real name?" he demanded.

"Ruby."

"Bullshit." He was close enough now that I could smell his cologne and the testosterone

"Try again."

I weighed my options. I could keep lying, but something told me this man would see right through it. Or I could use the truth strategically.

"Pearl," I finally admitted. "Pearl Johnston."