CHAPTER FOUR: THE BIKER KING CALLS

THE BIKER KING CALLS

Despite how dangerous the atmosphere of the room felt, dinner was… quiet. 

Arthur stretched subtly in his seat, looking over at the plates set neatly on the long wooden table stretching through the center of the room. A single overhead light glinted off the rim of his glass as he sipped on his wine. 

Slowly, he looked around at the plain walls and the men standing at the dark corners of the room. 

A few had their arms folded, others rested their hands behind their backs. Every time they moved, their leather jackets would lift, revealing guns tucked into waistbands and knives strapped to their thighs. None of them spoke. None moved unless Victor told them to. 

Arthur’s throat tightened as he picked at the food on his plate, his fork scraping lightly against the ceramic. At this point, he wasn't sure he was eating anymore as his attention just kept on slipping–surprisingly not to the armed men, but to Victor. 

On the other side of the table, Victor ate his food in silence. His hands were steady as he lifted his fork and even the way his jaw worked as he chewed was controlled. 

Arthur noticed the flex of his jaw, the slight tightening of his muscles as he switched utensils, the way his pierced nipples caught the light whenever he leaned forward. 

Focus. 

Arthur pulled his attention back down to his plate, forcing himself to keep on eating. Ogling at his fiancée's father was… not normal. 

But no matter how much he tried, his mind just wouldn't listen. It kept on drifting back to all that happened at the back of the building, to way Victor had stood so close to him and the feeling of his fingers on his chin as he tilted his head up. 

He could still feel the heat of his breath right before he–

His lips pressed together unconsciously and his eyes closed as his heart picked up again. 

It didn’t make sense. Yeah, that was all it was–nonsense. 

Arthur exhaled slowly and opened his eyes. He lifted his gaze again and froze, his spoon hanging halfway to his mouth. 

Victor was staring at him.

Arthur’s chest tightened and for a long moment, neither of them looked away. The room suddenly felt smaller and the silence heavier. He didn’t even realize he’d stopped breathing until–

“Stop staring at him, dad.”

Lila’s voice cut through the tension sharply.

Arthur blinked and immediately dropped his gaze, his pulse still racing as he tried to steady his breathing. 

“Just because he’s jobless doesn’t mean he’s…” She paused, her tone edged with irritation. “Whatever you’re trying to figure out.”

Victor huffed quietly, breaking the moment as he returned his attention to his plate. He didn’t argue and he didn’t defend himself. He simply continued eating like nothing had happened.

A few seconds passed before he spoke.

“You guys settled in?” Victor asked, his voice even.

“Yes,” Lila replied without looking up. “We’re fine.”

She paused, then dropped her spoon back on her plate. 

“When you left with my dad, what did you two talk about?”

Arthur’s head snapped up slightly at that and for a split second, his mind went blank. Then he grunted and answered too quickly, “nothing." 

Victor’s hand paused mid-motion, his gaze shifting toward Arthur again, slower this time.

Lila turned to her fiancé fully now, her brows pulling together. “What?”

Arthur shifted in his seat, suddenly aware of both their attention on him.

“I mean–” he stammered lightly, forcing a shrug. “It was just… nothing serious." He hesitated, giving an almost awkward smile. “Just… men talk." 

The words sounded off even to him.

Lila’s face tightened with irritation but she didn't push any further. Instead, she let out a sigh and looked down at her watch. Her eyes widened and she suddenly set her fork down. 

“That’s enough,” she said, looking away from her watch. “It’s getting late already.”

Arthur frowned slightly, looking up at her. “But… we’re not done eating yet.”

“Yes, we are,” she replied, already pushing her chair back. “It’s time for bed.”

Something in him snapped.

“Why?” he asked, his voice still calm, but tighter now. “Why does everything have to run on your schedule?”

Lila froze for a second before slowly turning back to him as he leaned forward slightly, his grip tightening on the edge of the table.

“We’re here. We’re having dinner. Why can’t you just… stay?” he continued, his tone controlled but edged with frustration. “Just for once. We could actually enjoy something.”

The room immediately went silent and even the men seemed tense now. Lila looked around at them before turning to Arthur. Her gaze hardened as she frowned. 

“Bed,” she said coldly. “Now.”

Arthur stared at her, his jaw tightening. For a brief second, he looked like he was about to defy her. But then he swallowed, leaned back in his chair and slowly pushed it out. 

“Thank you for the meal,” he muttered, glancing briefly at Victor.

Victor didn’t respond and Arthur didn’t wait for him to. He simply turned and followed Lila out of the room. 

Stepping out into the quiet hallway, Lila took the lead, walking ahead with sharp, steady steps. Arthur followed slowly behind, his mind still racing and the tension from dinner sitting heavily in his chest. 

After many turns, they finally reached the room. Lila walked in and he followed too, closing the door behind them. 

Still, no words.

Lila headed to the bathroom, washed up and moved straight to the bed. She pulled back the covers, slipped in, and turned onto her side, facing away from him. 

Arthur just stood by the door the entire time before finally moving. He stripped down to his boxers quietly and got into bed beside her. 

Left for the rumble of bikes outside and Lila's steady breathing, the place was silent. 

Arthur turned his head toward her, staring at her back and the distance between them. After a moment, he shifted closer, stretched his hand out and rested it lightly on her waist. 

“Lila…” he murmured softly as he leaned in, his lips brushing over her shoulder. 

But she stiffened immediately.

“Get off.”

Arthur paused. “Come on, I just–”

“I said get the fuck off.”

Her voice was sharper, louder this time. 

Arthur froze before slowly putting his hand back and rolling onto his back. He stared up at the ceiling as the room fell into silence again. 

Minutes stretched into hours and Lila's breathing beside him deepened, turning into a steady rhythm. He called her name once and she just snored lightly. 

She was asleep.

Arthur sighed, biting down on his lips as he turned to the other side. He rubbed his fingers nervously as his thoughts refused to quiet. 

They kept on traveling to the back of the building, to Victor's hand on his chin… and those words–

‘After dinner… meet me at my study.’

Arthur’s jaw flexed as he turned his head to the side, looking at Lila again. She still hadn't moved. After waiting a little longer, he quietly pushed the covers up and sat up. 

He grabbed his shirt, but then changed his mind before heading for the door. He hesitated for a second, then pulled it open and stepped out.