Chapter Two

Danielle POV

The bar is only a five-minute walk from my place, but I still try to book a cab. None are accepting the job though, probably because it’s so close that it’s not worth their time.

That surge of power and motivation I had earlier? It’s gone now. My body’s shaking, and sweat is clinging to my skin as I sit here wondering why I’m even doing this in the first place.

But then I remember. I’m doing it because he wanted this. He doesn’t believe I’ll go through with it. No, he thinks I’ll just sit at home like I always do, locked away in silence while he fucks other women without a second thought.

Damn it. I have to walk.

I look out at the darkness. I can do this, right? It’s not far. Just five minutes. If I walk quickly, maybe three.

Opening the door feels like slamming into a wall. The air is cold and thick, and my chest tightens, but I force myself to move. I tell myself this is just like walking to work. I’ve done that before. I can do this now. But as soon as I step outside, that little lie crumbles. It’s late, and everything feels different.

I never go out this late. My feet move fast, faster than I intended, and I try to keep the shaking under control. I follow the directions on my phone, keeping my eyes on the glowing screen like it might keep the dark away. After a few minutes, I stop in front of a large metal gate.

“What the fuck?”

“Can I help you, Miss?” a voice says behind the gate, and I jump hard. I spin to see a man leaning casually against the iron bars, watching me.

“I… What the actual fuck? I finally force myself to come out, and G****e sends me to a garage?” I shout, the frustration bubbling up before I can stop it.

He chuckles and winks at me. “What were you looking for?”

His eyes scan my body and I tense. I try not to react, but it makes me feel exposed. I should’ve worn jeans. Maybe something less… inviting.

“A bar. The Fallen Gods,” I say flatly.

He points behind him, and I follow his gesture to a building set a little farther back. Sure enough, in bold letters across the brick, I see the name The Fallen Gods.

“So this is the bar. How do I get in?” I ask.

“You don’t, little miss. Private bar. Members only, unfortunately.”

Is this a fucking joke? “Oh, come on! You have no idea what it took for me to get here. If I have to turn around now, I’ll just go home, sit in this damn dress, and admit defeat,” I snap.

“Miss, it’s members only.”

“Yeah? Well shove your members-only crap up your ass,” I bite out, crossing my arms tightly across my chest.

He raises an eyebrow and pulls out his phone. “Give me a minute,” he says, then taps a few buttons and lifts the phone to his ear. “Hey, Prez. Got a lady out here demanding entry. She’s alone.”

There’s a long pause before he nods. “Will do,” he says, then slips the phone back into his pocket.

“Guess the Prez is feeling generous. He said to let you in.”

He moves to open the gates, and I step through, not looking around, not caring what this place is. I just walk straight toward the bar, focused on the sound of music and voices spilling out from inside.

All I have to do is stay long enough to prove a point. When Sam comes home, he’ll realise I meant what I said. I came here. I did it. I followed through.

Stepping inside, I stop dead.

Shit. Oh, double the fucking shit.

I was so focused on proving him wrong that I didn’t pay attention to anything. This isn’t just some casual pub. There’s a full-sized motorbike in the center of the room, parked like it’s a trophy, and every single guy is wearing a leather jacket. The energy in here is heavy, loud, and all wrong.

Fucking hell. What the fuck have I walked into?

I keep my head down and move quickly toward the bar, hoping to disappear, though that’s pointless. I’m wearing a bright red dress in a room full of black leather and testosterone, and I swear I can feel every pair of eyes on me.

“What can I get you, sugar?” the guy behind the bar asks with a wink.

“Erm…” My voice catches. What the hell do I even want? I can feel the panic rising in my chest. Why did I do this? I don’t know what to order, I don’t know how to act, and I sure as hell don’t belong here.

“Give her my fav, Giggles,” a voice says smoothly.

I turn toward it and see a woman smiling as she slides onto the stool beside me.

“I’m Hex,” she says, holding out her hand with a crooked grin.

“Danielle,” I whisper, reaching out to shake it.

“You’re doomed,” the guy behind the bar chimes in as he slides a glass in front of me. “Now that Hex has picked your drink, you’re doomed.”

He laughs, and I swear it’s the weirdest sound I’ve ever heard. It’s not deep or hearty, but sharp and high like a child’s giggle, and it sends a strange chill down my spine.

“As you can probably tell, that’s Giggles,” Hex says, jerking her thumb toward him.

“And she’s Hex because everyone around here thinks she’s cursed,” he adds with a wink.

“I’ll curse you for real, Giggles, if you don’t give us two seats and a little breathing room,” she threatens playfully.

He chuckles again, that bizarre laugh echoing around the bar, and strolls off to give us space.

I lift the drink with trembling fingers and take a cautious sip. It’s sweet. Shockingly sweet. And somehow perfect. I blink and take another, surprised by how easily it slips down my throat.

“So,” she says, tilting her head as she eyes me, “what are you doing here?”

I let out a breath and roll my eyes. “I thought this was just a normal bar.”

Hex grins. “Oh, Darling, this place is far from normal. But if Prez let you in, he must’ve seen something he liked.”

“Yeah, well… I may have verbally abused the guy at the gate before he called anyone,” I admit.

“Knox? He’s fine. Secretly, he probably loved that you didn’t take his shit. He respects women who bite back,” she says, brushing it off with a wave. “Are your friends meeting you here, then?”

“What friends?” I laugh, shaking my head. “No, I’m alone. This was just meant to prove a point, and honestly, it’s already backfired. I had no clue this place was connected to bikers.”

Hex raises an eyebrow. “What kind of point are you trying to prove?”

I drain the rest of the drink, and before I can even set the glass down, Giggles places another one in front of me.

“Don’t I need to pay for this?” I ask, glancing at the drink and then at him.

“Drinks are free, sweetness. No one in this club pays,” he says with a grin before walking away.

Hex leans closer. “Come on. What point?”

I sigh, fingers tightening around the glass. “My boyfriend’s pissed at me because I don’t go out anymore. So, he suddenly decides we’re in an open relationship. The asshole thinks I’ll just sit at home while he runs around doing whatever the hell he’s doing.”

Hex stares at me for a long second, then stands up.

“You need something,” she says.

“What?” I blink at her, confused.

She doesn’t answer. She just gestures for me to follow her. I hesitate, then rise from my seat and trail behind her across the room. She stops beside a long table where several men are seated, and before I can ask what’s happening, she pushes me forward.

I stumble and catch myself on the bench behind one of them, my hands slapping against the wood as I lean over him. He turns to look at me, smirking like he was expecting it.

“Danielle, this is Ghost,” Hex says, completely unbothered. “Ghost, this is Danielle. Do me a favor, explain to her why her boyfriend really wants an open relationship. Because she’s trying to tell herself it’ll somehow help them reconnect.”

My cheeks blaze with heat, and embarrassment sinks into my skin like fire. But for some reason, I don’t move.

I just stare at him, and he smiles like he already knows exactly how this night’s going to end.