Page 13 of Bikers & Bars

“No,” I murmured. “Just that they’d be back soon.”

“Let’s get some breakfast then. They can join us when they’re done,” he suggested.

I nodded, stomach growling at the mere mention of food. Another few kisses and then we rolled out of bed, getting dressed and not bothering with a shower. I knew that Loki would get super growly and jealous smelling Romeo all over me.

The fact that the beta didn’t push me to talk about feelings and the pack arrangement just gave him bonus points in my mind. I at least needed some coffee and food in my system before any big discussions. Including the fact that the changes recently meant I needed to talk to all of them about my past that they didn’t know about.

Damien.

A pang twisted my heart recalling my ex-fiancé that I had left behind. His rumbling laughter and possessiveness when it came to me. He was there for every race I was in, cheering me on even though he hated that I raced. We were so good together and I had left when I realized that my heats would never be coming. The family he talked about having with me in the middle of thenight with reverent tones would never exist. That’s why I had left.

“Eliza?”

“Sorry. Just lost in thought. I think you all fucked every functioning cell in my brain out last night... and this morning,” I blushed and laughed awkwardly as I focused again and slipped on my flipflops. I had put on one of Bane’s sweats and Loki’s black shirts, wanting to feel comfortable and surrounded by the scents of all of my pack.

“Waffles?” Romeo asked after a moment, letting my thoughts sit for now.

“That sounds amazing,” I smiled then my brow furrowed in confusion as he tugged me closer and slipped one of his leather bracelets from his wrist and put it on mine.

“You were missing something of mine,” he told me softly. “That’s better. Now let’s go.”

He threaded his fingers through mine and tugged me along after him toward Beetlejuice.

The moment we stepped outside, though, I knew something was going on and Romeo did, too. Tension was so damn thick that I could almost physically feel it.

Loki and Bane were talking to Kraken across the compound. Beyond them was another group of bikers talking amongst themselves. I could just make out that the newcomers were wearing the same patch as Loki and Bane.

Maybe another chapter of the Reapers?

But then the world halted. Oxygen left my lungs as my body froze when I recognized one of the new men. He still looked just how I remembered him, yet at the same time there were small differences I couldn’t help but notice. Even from a distance I could tell he was hardened. The bright spark of humor that I associated with him was missing.

As if he sensed me, too, he turned slowly to face me and his entire body stilled.

No, this can’t be happening.

I was going to tell them about him today! How could life be this cruel?

He was taller, more muscular. His light-brown skin was covered with ink everywhere that I could see. His black, curly hair was longer and he had a long, full-grown beard that made him look so much older. Dark-brown eyes were zeroed in on me and he didn’t bother to look away.

God he looked amazing.

“Well, isn’t this interesting,” he drawled, voice loud and rumbling as he sauntered toward me. The swagger in every movement filled me with heat and trepidation.

“Get the fuck away from our omega,” Loki growled harshly, he and Bane instantly between the two of us.

“Youromega?” the new alpha asked with amusement as Romeo tried to move me closer to him. The alpha burst out laughing but didn’t sound as if he was amused.

At all.

Reaching behind his neck he undid a necklace he had around his throat and held up a ring that was attached to it. My heart pounded in my chest, still speechless as if I was caught in the trap of a predator.

He took the ring off and pushed past Loki and Bane to get to me, grabbing my hand and shoving the ring on my finger hard enough I hissed.

“You left this behind, Eliza,” he pressed his lips to the band as he glared at me. “If you ever take this off again, I’ll tattoo it on you so you’ll get the fucking message that you aren’t ever going to be free of me.”

“Eliza?” Romeo asked, sounding unsure and shocked while Bane fought to keep Loki in check. “What is going on?”

“We knew each other a long time ago—” I started.