by K E Osborn
Izzy adores Grace and would love for her to be there. Honestly, she’s my twin. I can’t imagine getting married without her there either. I want all my family with us, but I understand if you can’t comprehend why I’m doing this.
I love you all.
Hopefully, Izzy and I will see you in Vegas.
Vex
I rub my forehead, glancing at Trax. “Do we think he’s gone manic, or have we misjudged how much he truly cares about Isabella?”
Trax exhales. “I hope it’s the latter. I don’t know what time he left, but it must have been sometime today. He’s probably already on a flight to Vegas by now.”
“We have three days to stop this wedding. Three days to get Isabella back to Nio before he detonates.”
Dad rolls his shoulders. “I’ll have a quiet word with Bianca. Let me test the waters, see where it all sits at their end. We might be able to find some version of a happy medium where this doesn’t blow up in our damn faces.”
“Do it! You work on it from this end. I need to hop on a plane and get my ass to Vegas. Make sure Vex is covered if any of the Andrettis decide to pay him a visit.”
“Take some guys with you, Pres. If Nio catches on, you’re gonna need backup,” Dad warns.
“Already have the guys in mind.”
Dad reaches out gripping my arm. “Be careful. Understand your limits.”
“Always.” I nod.
With quick steps, I make my way over to Kampai, Socket, Atomic, and Highway. They’re at the bar playing some stupid drinking game with Kaden and Ash. Of course, the prospects are losing because the game’s rigged with the prospects always forced to drink more. I walk up and slap Kampai on the back. His short black hair a stark contrast to his father’s dreadlocks. “Boys, we’re goin’ on a road trip.”
The prospects stop drinking, their eyes shifting up, shining full of hope. “Not you two, just patched brothers.”
Highway snickers, throwing another ping pong ball in Ash’s cup. He groans, taking the plastic cup and downing it. “Where we riding to, Pres?” Highway asks.
I tilt my head. “Not riding as such, we’ll need to fly where we’re going.”
Kampai raises his brow. “International?”
“Vegas.”
Atomic rubs his hands together. “Fuck, yeah! I can finally put my card-counting skills to the test.”
I roll my eyes. “We’ll be in a casino for a day before attending a wedding. But, in all honesty, we’re going to try and stop said wedding.”
Socket narrows his eyes on me. “Where’s Vex?”
His suspicions are warranted.
I grit my teeth as the other guys observe the room. “Nooo! Fuck, he didn’t?” Socket blurts out. He’s so switched on, my blood brother.
I rub the back of my neck, my stomach beginning to churn. “He damn well did. He took Isabella and shot through to Vegas to marry her on Friday night. His idea… they get married before her and Nio, and somehow that shit will end the brewing war.”
“End it? A match lit under it more likely. This will be like a nuke detonating,” Kampai grumbles.
“So, that’s why we’re going.”
Socket shakes his head. “We have to stop him.”
“Pack some shit. We’re leaving as soon as I can get Jada or Mish to book us a flight.”
“Got it,” Atomic affirms, then throws one more ball in Kaden’s cup. The idiot downs the drink, and we all walk off leaving the two prospects too drunk to care about anything right now.
I walk to the sleeping quarters, my stomach twisting in on itself as I head for my room to pack. My palms coat in a layer of sweat as fatigue hits me full force. My breathing is labored. I try to take in a deep breath, but I can’t catch it. I rush inside my room, shutting and locking my door behind me. My fingers tremble on the lock. My stomach rolls again, threatening to empty itself as I close my eyes trying to calm myself.
This shit’s nothing new. I know this feeling. I’m used to it. I simply need to deal. Walking past the mirror, I’m pale and pasty, my skin shiny from the sweat gleaming across my skin.
I felt the telltale signs—the need for my hit. When I get stressed, this can happen quicker. So I reach for the little black bag, and walk over to my bed, sitting down. I unzip it, grabbing the needle from inside and take in a long, deep breath. I don’t understand why I still hate the fact that I must do this. I shouldn’t be ashamed of it. But this stinking needle is the reason I was kicked out of the Army.
My hand trembles as I lift my shirt looking down at my churning stomach seeing the marks from previous injection sites. Taking a deep inhale, I press the injection to my stomach, the needle pierces my skin quickly. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Dropping the syringe to the mattress, I feel a little less like a man for having to do this shit. I shouldn’t need it like I do. But without it, it’s like I can’t function, like I will inevitably fail at being the president I’m born to be.
Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t.
I’m sluggish, but the hit is working its way through my system. I wish it worked faster, but it usually takes about thirty minutes for me to feel the full effects. But I can’t sit around waiting for it to take hold. I have shit to do.
So I’ll force myself to do whatever I need to.
Even though it’s like I’ve been hit by a fucking bus.
First thing I need to pack are enough needles to get me by on this trip to Vegas.
The Next Day
Riding a bike always sets my mind at ease, no matter what shit I’m going through. The wind whipping at my face while riding in formation with my brothers at my back—yeah, there’s nothing like it, even when I’m on a rented bike. Riding along the Vegas strip at night, I have to admit, there’s something about Sin City that instantly has my adrenaline pumping.
We’re making our way through the crowded streets. For a Wednesday night, it surprises me how packed the nightlife is downtown. I guess that’s why Vegas is the city that never sleeps. Jada made a reservation for us at the same hotel Vex is supposed to be holding this stupid damn wedding.
Just in case, his parents and sister have flown down as well. Because if by some miracle, this wedding does go ahead, they want to be here for it. They’re driving in a Cadillac behind the convoy of bikes. We let the Las Vegas Defiance Chapter know we’re in town, in case we need backup at any point, and of course, to be polite that we’re on their turf. Their president, Trick, knows he’s on call and has our back if we need him.
We pull into the Westgate Resort & Casino, the high-rise is taller than I imagined, but then again, everything’s big in Vegas. The ‘I heart Westgate’ sign sits loud and proud at the front with visitors taking photographs in front of it like the tourists they are. We park our rides, handing the keys to the valet.
Trax pulls in behind us, and we all move about pulling our luggage out of the Cadillac. Sparx and Grace’s eyes light up. Seems they’re starstruck with this magical city. I understand why, the lights, the atmosphere, there’s something about this place that everyone loves.
“Okay, let’s check into our rooms. Then we can try to figure out where to find Vex,” I suggest.
“What? No going to the casino and having a bet on the tables?” Atomic asks with a smirk.
I narrow my eyes at his eagerness. “We find Vex. Then and only then will we have the night to unwind.”
“Fuck, yes. Okay, let’s find the asshole.” Atomic turns, then heads inside making us all chuckle. He’s on a damn mission.
As my uncle exhales, I walk beside him. “You think we’re going to convince Vex not to marry her?” he asks.
I crack my neck to the side. “Honestly, I don’t know.”
Sparx looks our way. “I don’t think anything will change his mind. He has his father’s stubbornness and my heart. He loves fiercely. He won’t budge when he’s made his mind up. Viper, I’m not sure how we’re going to fix this.”
Grace flips her hair over her shoulder a
nd exhales. “Guys, he loves her. I’ve never seen Vex so worked up over any woman like this before. I’m playing the devil’s advocate here, but maybe we should let him have his happily ever after. It’ll change him. He’ll be a better man if he gets to claim the woman he’s been so desperately trying to have.”
We approach the reception desk as I narrow my eyes on my cousin. “You know him better than anyone, Grace. You honestly think we should let him do this? Even with the shit that will rain down on the club?”
“There will always be another option, another way out. We need to find it. Just because Isabella was promised to Nio, doesn’t mean Nio loves her. He wants her to marry into his family, which will bring power to the merger of the Andretti and Caparelli families. That’s all. It’s simply business for him.”
I furrow my brows. “You seem to know a lot about this, Grace.”
She shrugs. “Just because I’m not a part of the brotherhood, doesn’t mean I don’t take notice of the shit that’s happening around me. I’ve been a part of Defiance as long as you have, Beau. Don’t underestimate me.”
All our eyes bulge at her sassiness. I have to admit, Grace normally sits in the background, reserved and quiet. Maybe she does that on purpose because she’s watching, listening, and taking everything in.
“Noted. I’ll keep that in mind.”
We check-in then head up to our rooms. They’re fucking over-the-top, especially for bikers. Luckily, we’re all on the same floor and pretty much next to each other, which is damn convenient. So, after I put my bag away and freshen up, I call everyone out into the hall with a loud whistle. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s not the ‘done’ thing, but fuck if I care.
“Okay, I think the best way to go about this is for Grace to call Vex and tell him she’s here for the wedding, for him to tell her where he is, and then we’ll go visit and assess where his head’s at.”
Everyone nods as Grace pulls out her cell, dialing his number. She puts it on speaker, so we all hear, and he answers soon after.
“Hey, twin, you coming to Vegas?”
“Actually, I’m here. I’m in my hotel room ready to come find you and Izzy.”
He exhales. “Knew you of all people would understand. You don’t know how much this means to me, Gracie.” He takes in a large, deep breath. “We’re at the pool. Can’t wait to see you.”
“Love you, twin,” Grace offers, her eyes closing.
She feels guilty.
I can see it in her expression.
I get it.
“Love you, too.” Grace ends the call.
Sparx pulls her in for a hug. “You’ve done the right thing, honey.”
“He’s going to hate me…” She sighs loudly. “And I don’t blame him.”
“Hey, he loves you, Grace. He could never hate you,” Trax insists.
Grace gnaws on her bottom lip, and I signal to everyone to head down to the pool area. We enter the elevator, and it stops on a floor halfway down to let more people in.
The doors open.
My heart thumps in my chest.
A waft of fruity-smelling perfume invades my senses as a woman wearing a dealer’s uniform enters. Her brown hair is tied back with a red bandana, her plump lips painted bright red to match. Her eyelashes are curled to frame her big brown doe eyes as she stares aimlessly at her cell.
She steps in carelessly and bumps into my side. “My bad,” she mumbles under her breath.
Her voice is silky smooth and utterly enchanting. Her fruity perfume overwhelms the elevator as she stands beside me still staring at her cell. She has no idea she’s in an elevator full of bikers. This woman is oblivious to the world around her, but fuck if she isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve seen in as long as I can remember. Her frivolous attitude and the whole vibe she has going on right now is such a turn on.
My cock jerks against the seam of my jeans as I stare, taking all of her in. I want to reach out and touch. I want to talk to her, find out everything about her. But in a confined space with all my brothers—my family—in here with me, it’s more than a little awkward. The elevator halts on our floor. I hate to leave without saying anything to her, but the doors open, and my brothers all start filing out of the small space.
I hesitate.
Dammit! I have more important shit to do right now and have no choice but to leave her. So I turn walking toward the exit, but as I stroll out, I spin around taking one last look, glancing down at her name badge—Ember.
I pause, staring at her badge letting it sink in. Her name literally means heat. That’s what she’s done from the moment she walked into the elevator, she’s ignited my body. My eyes wander up to take in her face. As if to sense me watching, her attention shifts from her cell to me. Her eyes widen while taking me in. Then they wander up and down my body while the doors start closing. I take a step forward, and our eyes connect. Tension filters through the small space between us. We stare at each other, neither of us saying a word. My heart rapid fires. A slow smirk crosses her lips just as the doors completely close taking her away from me.
What the hell just happened?
Did we have a moment?
Or am I imagining shit?
“Viper, c’mon, man,” Socket calls out.
I turn, and they’re all headed toward the door for the pool deck.
I take a deep, centering breath getting my head back in the game.
Ember is a dealer.
If I want to find her, at least I know she’ll be in the casino.
But for now, I need to deal with Vex.
So, I spin on my heels, taking off to catch up with my brothers.
VIPER
The pool looks every part like I thought a Vegas hotel pool would, even at night. The city lights are sparkling, lighting up the sky in the background. The music from the street echoes around filling the atmosphere with a buzz. The weather is hot for this time of year, it’s 81°F in Vegas tonight, so needless to say the pool is an excellent choice.
People are lying around the edge sipping on their cocktails as women in scantily clad bikinis float in the pool. It’s a paradise, if I’m honest, but that’s not why we’re here. We need to search for Vex.
“Okay, let’s find them,” I instruct, moving out together to go in search of the couple we need to find right now. As we walk, people take notice. I guess a group of bikers casually strolling around the pool deck searching for someone is a little on the suspect side, but we can’t help that.
“Found him,” Grace announces. “Over there…” She points. “By the bar.”
“Of course, he is,” I scoff.
We all march over. He’s sitting shirtless wearing board shorts, while Isabella is relaxing in the shallows sporting a black and diamante encrusted bikini. Her eyes are closed, and she’s wearing a ridiculously oversized sunhat. It’s close to nine at night. She doesn’t even need a hat.
Trax grips my shoulder narrowing his eyes on me, so I gesture for him to proceed. He steps forward cautiously. “Vex,” Trax calls to his son from behind him.
Vex chuckles, taking a sip of his beer. “I knew you’d be here, too, Dad.” He spins on his stool, a cocky smirk lining his face, but then when he spots all of us, his cheery expression falls.
“Fuck!”
Isabella opens her eyes, focusing directly on Vex. He flares his nostrils as she gnaws on her bottom lip.
“I told you they’d come,” she murmurs.
Vex rubs the back of his neck, stands, and moves to get in the pool next to Isabella. He wraps his arms around her pulling her to him. “We’re not leaving until after the wedding.”
I step forward, anxiety creeping through me like a whirling tornado. If we don’t find a way to rectify this situation, there will be hell to pay. I hate that I have to ask, but know I must. “Vex, are you taking your meds?”
He glares at me. “Fuck you, Viper. I’m not having a damn episode, and for you to even think that is insulting as shit.”
I raise my hands in sur
render, taking a deep breath. “Vex, Isabella—”
“Izzy! Nio calls me Isabella. It’s so formal, I hate it. I might appear prissy. I understand I come from money and a tight-ass family, but honestly, Viper, I’m not as stuck-up as I look.”
Okay then.
Letting out an exhale, I grimace. “Izzy, I know you and Vex care for each other—”
“Do you? Do you really know what it’s like to be in love? A love no one understands or is rooting for? Because the only man I will ever want is Vex…” She trails off and takes a deep breath. “I swear I don’t want any part of marrying Nio. It’s my father who wants me tied to his family, and while you might think I’m not a good fit for your cousin…” she gleams at Vex with nothing but adoration and love oozing from her, “… I’m utterly in love with Vex. Have been for longer than I’ve even known Nio Andretti. Vex and I getting married is a natural progression for us. We’re not rushing into this because there’s a deadline attached to it, we’re doing it because the time is right for us. I don’t care that he is bipolar, I don’t care that you guys see it as a flaw in him. To me, it’s simply a part of him that makes him even more caring and amazing. Vex is nothing like Nio. I love Vex, and I will do everything in my power to make him the happiest he’s ever been.”
Fuck.
I glance at Trax.
He shrugs.
What in the hell do I say to that?
Grace steps forward, standing taller. “I support you. You know I do. I’ve known about you guys since the beginning of your relationship. I see how much you love each other, and I, for one, think this wedding should go ahead. I think we need to wait and see if Uncle Torque can come up with anything when he discusses this with Nio’s mother, Bianca.”
Vex’s hopeful eyes meet mine.
I grit my teeth, close my eyes, and count to ten. I guess we have time. I don’t need to make any rash decisions just yet. “Fine! I’ll wait to hear from Torque, but until then, keep your head down, Vex. I fucking mean it.”
Vex leans in planting a kiss on Izzy’s cheek. “I’m going to be spending all my time with my fiancée.”