Primal Hunger - Piper Davenport
Violet
Two years ago(ish)…
I PEEKED OUT of my bedroom door and listened for signs of life. No one was supposed to be home, but with my dad and two brothers, they could show up unexpectedly at any time. It was annoying when I was the only girl in a family of overprotective biker men.
But tonight, was my twentieth birthday and my best friend, Everly, and I were heading out for a night on the town. My dad thought she and I were studying. And he thought we were studying because it’s what I’d told him when he’d wanted to plan a big birthday celebration. We’d compromised and celebrated with the club last night, so I’d have the whole night tonight to hit the books. What he didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt him.
Because I didn’t want to alert my nosy brother, Drake, the only non-biker male, of my plans, I decided to get ready at home rather than Everly’s. Drake and I shared a bathroom and he would notice all my ‘hair shit’ was missing, then he’d start questioning me. We’d been here before, so tonight, I wasn’t taking any chances. I got ready at home and packed a change of clothes in my backpack for when it was time to sneak back in.
With the coast clear, I snuck downstairs, shoes off just in case, and slid out the front door, locking up and making a run for my car.
I sped toward Everly’s as safely as I could, but admittedly, I was late. I usually was, and it drove Everly nuts. Drove my family nuts too, but, whatever, I am who I am. Plus, it was my birthday, damn it.
Pulling into her driveway, I grabbed my bag and jogged toward her townhome, but she slipped out before I could reach the door. “I called the car,” she said just as it drove up. “If we’re going to get there while Polly’s working, we need to go now.”
Our friend, Polly, was a server at the hottest club in Monument. Nocturn had just opened and she’d promised to get us in before the crowd arrived. Everly and I had IDs that may or may not be entirely legal, so we hoped no one else would notice and raise a red flag.
“Drop your bag inside the door,” Everly said, and cracked it open for me. I set it inside and she locked up again.
The car pulled up and we climbed in, securing our seatbelts before the driver took off toward our night of much-needed fun. Everly lived close to twenty minutes from the club, the downside of being rich, I suppose. Further away from debauchery.
We finally arrived and made our way to the door, showing our IDs to the bouncer, hoping to god he didn’t question them. We were given entrance and I tried hard not to squeal in triumph as we rushed inside as quickly as we could.
“There’s a table.” Everly took my hand and walked to our right. “Let’s grab it.”
We approached the table and sat down, avoiding the stickiness that hadn’t been wiped off yet.
“You made it,” Polly said as she rushed to our table. “Any trouble getting in?”
“Nope,” I said, grinning big.
“Let me get a rag and I’ll wipe off your table. What do you want me to bring you drinks-wise?”
“Patrón margarita, on the rocks, no salt, please,” I said.
“Same,” Everly replied. “Thanks, Poll.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
A young guy sporting a crisp, black apron arrived and wiped down the table just as Polly returned with our drinks and waters.
“Thanks, honey,” I said. “I never remember water.”
Polly grinned. “Tip your server well, babe, that’s all the thanks I need.”
“You got it,” I said, my eyes catching movement behind her.
The best looking man I’d ever seen was currently taking what appeared to be a very drunk man to the floor without even breaking a sweat. Lordy, I could climb that mountain. Dark blond hair, longish but shaved at the sides and a beard I wanted to touch, he looked like a modern-day Viking.
“Who is that?” I breathed out.
Polly turned, then faced me again with a wide smile. “That’s Jasper. He’s our new bouncer. He’s been here about a week. Just moved here from Portland.”
“You already know his life story?” Everly asked.
“Kind of,” Polly said. “My clitty cat needs some attention and wants to rub up against his scratching post.” She sighed. “He declined my very generous invitation.”
I nearly choked on my margarita, coughing to clear the liquid from my throat. “Oh my god, Polly.