Chapter Seven
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Hannah
Blade doesn’t talkmuch on the way to the bar, and I don’t push for conversation.His silence isn’t uncomfortable—it’s just him.The low rumble of the truck’s engine fills the space between us as I watch the trees blur past the window.
When we pull up to The Rusty Nail, Blade eases the truck into reverse and parks neatly in a space right out front.His precision is impressive, and I’m half-smiling when he shifts the truck into park and turns to me.
“Wait there,” he says, his voice low but firm, with no room for argument.
Before I can respond, he’s already out, the crunch of his boots on the ground echoing as he strides around the front of the truck.The chill seeps in when he opens my door, but it’s quickly replaced by the warmth of his presence.
Grinning up at him, I tease, “Such a gentleman.”
His brow furrows, a faint scowl pulling at his lips.“No,” he says simply, his tone leaving no doubt that he’s not interested in the label.
He holds out his hand to me, the roughness of his palm grazing mine as he helps me out of the truck.
When my feet hit the ground, his hand doesn’t let go.His grip is steady, warm, and commanding, and I’m not sure if it’s the cold air or the way he’s looking at me, but my pulse skips.
I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze.“Thanks,” I say softly, my breath visible in the frosty air.
He doesn’t respond, not verbally, anyway.His thumb brushes against the back of my hand—just once, barely there, and I’m left wondering if it was intentional or just an accident.Either way, it sends a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature.
Blade releases my hand, moving his to the small of my back, guiding me toward the bar’s entrance.His touch is protective, possessive, and entirely unspoken, but I feel it all the same.
This is going to be an interesting night.
He swings the door open, the wood creaking under his firm grip, and gestures for me to step inside first.I hesitate, briefly taking in the dimly lit interior and the low hum of conversations blending into a steady thrum.Gathering my courage, I inhale deeply and cross the threshold.The bar is a bustling sea of bodies, mostly men whose eyes flicker with curiosity as we make our way through.Blade’s touch lingers reassuringly on the small of my back, guiding me through the maze of patrons to a secluded table tucked in a corner.
Around the table, a circle of men in Kings of Anarchy MC jackets sit, their gazes assessing yet guarded as they size me up.The air around them crackles with an unspoken intensity.I feel some of the tension in my chest ease as Blade pulls out a chair for me.His presence calms my nerves, grounding me under their scrutiny.
The man I met in the diner, Vex, stands with a grin and extends his hand.“I remember you.”
“Hello, Vex,” I say, shaking his hand.
I catch Blade out of the corner of my eye, his arm twitching as if he’s about to step between us, but he stops and lets his hand fall back to his side.
Vex’s grin widens as he pulls me into a casual side hug.“Guys, this is Hannah.Hannah, meet...”He gestures to the men around the table.“Hollywood, Ranger, Prophet, Stash, and Kyler.”
Each man nods or offers me a quick two-finger wave.Their eyes linger long enough to make me feel as though they’re sizing me up, but there’s no hostility, just curiosity and perhaps a little hint of amusement.I swallow hard, aware of Blade’s presence behind me.
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”I glance over my shoulder at Blade, raising an eyebrow.“Did you pick the largest men in town to be friends with?”
