Page 75 of Logan
Unlike the Rebels, the Hellions’ meeting room is at the very back of the clubhouse. It’s dark inside, the walls adorned with motorcycle memorabilia and photoframes of Harley Davidsons. It has deep, rich mahogany floors, a long bar, pool tables, couches, tables and chairs as well as booth seats like a diner. Off to one side of the room there’s a spiral staircase that must lead upstairs to the bedrooms above. I wonder if we’ll be staying up there. I mean, I did suggest an Airbnb but Logan just gave me an exasperated look.
It’s surprisingly clean inside, and though there is the unmistakable smell of bourbon in the air, it isn’t half bad, considering—not that I’ve been in any other club houses other than the Rebels’.
Mid-afternoon is clearly quiet time, because there’s nobody to be seen, but then Dec stops at the double doors at the end of a long hallway and turns to us.
“You ready?”
I roll my eyes. “What, are we walking the plank?”
Logan scoffs, leans to my ear and whispers. “Behave.”
I glare up at him. “Already taking your old man privileges a little far?”
“You know you say that like I’m an actual old man, not an ol’ man in the way you’re an ol’ lady.”
“There is literally no difference,” I huff.
“There is. One is a man hobbled over with a walking stick ready to take his teeth out, the other is a man who’s mid-forties,runs a bar, trying to keep his fake girlfriend safe.” He bends down to pick up Dozer.
“I’m glad you said ‘fake,’ because that’s exactly what I am.”
“Will you two quit it?” Declan asks. “Jesus, just bang already.”
“Dec!” I chastise, my cheeks flushing.
Clearly, he has no clue we’ve already done just that.
“Let’s get this over with,” Logan sighs, ignoring us both.
A muffled sound comes from behind the doors and Declan turns back to push them open.
My eyes widen when I see a long, wooden table with the same dark wood as the floors, and a low hanging candelabra with candle-like lights. It’s gothic, almost ethereal, and exactly what I would expect from Bane Adler who’s pretty blue eyes assess me as we stand before him.
Okay. He’s easy on the eyes. When I first went to the clubhouse I didn’t believe it when Luna said all the guys were hot. In all of the years I’d pictured bikers, I’d fantasized about the guys from Sons of Anarchy, or Myans MC, but I didn’t think they’d be hot. That’s just a TV show, after all. But there’s no sign of any beer-bellied, un-fit men walking around anywhere. Nope, not around these parts, or New Orleans. Goddamn.
Another man sits to his left, and three others. Not all the members, but the main ones, I’m guessing.
He shifts his eyes to Logan, then stands. “Brother.” They clasp and shake hands as Declan high tails it before I get the chance to drag him back. Declan isn’t a committee member, so he isn’t allowed to be in this room.
I feel a little anxiety wash over me. It’s not that I don’t trust Logan, but having Declan here is comforting because we’re kindred spirits. Yes, he may have gone a little off the rails, and pulling a stunt like this is just like him, but I love him to bits.
“And you must be Payden,” Bane says, a smirk playing on his lips. “The club’s pretty lawyer?”
Of course, he had to add the ‘pretty’ in there.
I feel Logan instantly bristle, earning him a once over from Bane.
I clear my throat, sticking my arm out to shake his hand as a couple of guys seated at the table muffle their laughter. “Nice to finally meet you, Bane, though, your reputation precedes you.”
“For all the wrong reasons, I hope.” His hand is big, warm, and adorned with rings. It envelopes mine, and I know he’s grinning for all the wrong reasons.
He is most definitely easy on the eyes. There’s no doubt about it. He’s tall. Dark. Handsome. But there’s something about him that has a danger lurking under those pretty eyes. A dark cloud almost. Call it instinct, something I’m good with and rely on for my job, but Bane Adler isn’t a man to be fucked with. As accommodating as he’s being right now, it’s only because he knows Cash. I’m not expecting a welcoming committee, nor do I expect anyone to bend over backwards to accommodate me.
Then I remember my manners. No matter the circumstances, Mom always made sure we minded our Ps and Qs, even if it feels off thanking him for something that I know Cash will owe him for now. Or maybe even me. “Thank you for accommodating us at such short notice.” It feels like the right thing to do, even though I had no choice in the matter. There are people out there trying to kill me, after all.
His eyebrows shoot up ever so slightly. “Cash didn’t mention I’d have to put a damn call out to keep all the single guys away from you, sweetheart.” Oh, he’s smooth, too. “Makin’ my life a livin’ hell and you’ve only just stepped foot in my clubhouse.”
Logan almost sounds menacing when he butts in. “Did he mention she’s taken?”
