President Brutus was making his way through the crowd toward me. It didn’t seem like he had noticed me yet as many eager people tried to catch his attention.
I tried to take a step forward, but it felt like my shoes were suddenly filled with lead.
I took a deep breath and forced one foot in front of the other. I was nervous he’d be a jerk again.
Suddenly our eyes locked and he got closer to me.
“Hi,” I said, softly.
“It’s you,” President Brutus said, his eyes narrowing. A sense of uncertainty wormed its way into my mind. He didn’t exactly sound happy…
Before we could continue, a man clapped his hand on the president’s shoulder. When Brutus turned, I could have sworn I saw the tattoo again.
“Brutus! There you are!” The large man smiled, his cheeks rosy from the alcohol. He turned his gaze to me and I realized who he was. The president of the Winterborn club. “Ah, perfect. Get me another drink, house chick.”
He handed me an empty champagne flute and I took a step back as he brushed me off.
“Now, my daughter tells me you’ve been ignoring her, Brutus,” he went on. “I was told often of the Blood Riders club’s amazing hospitality! Don’t disappoint us now!”
Taylor stepped forward, looking dazzling in her dress. I saw her smile seductively at Brutus.
President Brutus smiled at her, but it looked forced to me.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Brutus said. He bowed slightly and offered his hand to Taylor.
“U-um,” I stammered, catching their attention.
“You’re still here, girl?” The Winterborn president scoffed. “What kind of people do you employ, Brutus?”
“Actually, that’s not why I’m here…” I began.
“So you’re wearing that outfit just for fun?” Taylor asked, rolling her eyes.
My face burned with embarrassment. I looked at Brutus, but his face was impassive, his eyes emotionless.
“Do you know this girl, Brutus?” Taylor asked, placing her hand on his chest.
I was seeing red. This girl was pushing it. Taylor smiled at me, and I knew exactly what I could say to wipe that smirk off her face.
“I actually, maybe, think I might be his—”
“Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to get his drink?” Brutus asked.
They didn’t even wait for me to answer. They spun away to enjoy the party like I was some creature not even worth dismissing.
Leaving me in complete shock.
Tears threatened to spill. I felt like everyone was looking at me. They’d seen the whole scene.
I was ashamed. I turned and ran as fast as I could.
Away from the room…
Away from the whispers…
Away from the shame…
I kept running until I was out the front door and in the open garden that led to the gates, but I didn’t stop there.
I kept going until I reached my home, not caring about my work anymore, or the fact that I was still wearing a uniform.
“Andi? Is that you?” I heard my stepmother call from the living room.
I dashed up the stairs and into my bedroom, then slammed the door and threw myself on my bed, hugging my pillow for dear life as I cried my heart out.
The room door opened not long after, and Tallahassee came in.
“I thought the party would’ve been longer. What happened?”
I didn’t answer her. I just kept crying.
“Andi, what’s the matter?” she asked, concern in her voice.
“Just leave me alone,” I said through the pillow that was pressed to my face.
But as usual she ignored my wishes, and I felt the bed sag as she sat next to me. I felt her hand patting my head.
“There, there,” she said. “You shouldn’t be crying now, dearie. Not on your birthday.”
Then she held me tightly. I was so grateful for her.
Maybe it wasn’t President Brutus. Maybe I had seen something else. Anyway, would I want that? I couldn’t ignore the butterflies, but maybe that was just because he was so powerful. He could also be a jerk.
I would just have to be patient and wait to find my Ride or Die.
“I think I saw something, Matt.”
“What?” he asked, sobering up.
“My tattoo.” I kept my eyes closed as I hung my head low, trying to make sense of everything. The party was finally over, and I was sitting in my office in the dark. I had to get away from the noise before I broke something.
“You looked in the mirror?”
“No. On someone else. I first saw it when I saved her from a freerider in the woods. The new girl. But it was dark so I couldn’t tell for sure. But I think, maybe…I don’t know, maybe I should forget it. I have more important things to worry about.”
“Oh no you don’t, Brute. We’ve been waiting for our Ride or Die to appear. And now that she’s finally here, you run away like a coward?” Matt snapped. “Go after her.”
A flash of the girl’s innocent gray eyes, filled with shock and tears, came into my mind. I suddenly felt ashamed.
Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken to her that way.
I shook my head.
“And what do you think happens to our fledgling alliance with Winterborn? It’s obvious that Taylor wants to become my Old Lady,” I explained.
“Who the fuck cares?” Matt demanded.
“WE SHOULD!” I shouted, losing my temper. I slammed my fists down onto my desk, cracking the mahogany. “No alliance means fewer riders. Fewer riders means the freeriders get through our borders. And do you know what that means?”
He didn’t respond.
“It means we all fucking die, Matt. Everyone.”
“You’re assuming that having our Ride or Die by our side won’t help at all,” Matt said. “What if she makes you a better man? A better president?”
“Better than a Winterborn Army?” I asked.
I sighed. Matt wasn’t going to drop this. And if I was being honest…of course I wanted a Ride or Die. The second I saw her I wanted to take her in my arms and claim her. She was beautiful.
But she had to be good enough. Not for me. For the club.
“Well, one way to find out,” I said. “I need to confirm the tattoo is the same.”
I woke up to a weird tapping noise.
I groaned and checked my phone, the light blinding me for half a second. It was four in the morning. What the heck was that?
I wandered sleepily to the door and then…
All traces of sleepiness disappeared.
President Brutus was at my door…and it looked like he wanted to come in.
