Haley POV:
The next morning, I opened my apartment door, dark circles under my eyes, and found my mother standing there. She held a pot of soup and wore a smile that said, I've already forgiven you.
I let her in with a sigh. "Mom, I'm going to be late for work."
She set the soup on my small kitchen table, ignoring my comment. "I've arranged it with Warren. Friday night, at Luigi's. Don't you dare be late or leave early this time."
The anger I'd been suppressing all night finally erupted. "I'm not going! Mom, don't you get it? I don't like him! He's an arrogant, selfish, condescending jerk!"
Carol's face fell. "How can you say that about a respectable lawyer? Haley, don't be so idealistic! Perfect men don't exist. Warren has a stable income and social standing. That's what matters!"
"Respect and understanding matter to me!" I shot back. "He didn't ask me a single thing about myself. He only cared if I would be a suitable 'wife'!"
Our voices grew louder until I finally grabbed my keys and bag. "I'm done talking about this! I'm going to work!"
"You'll go whether you like it or not!" she yelled after me. "I already gave my word! The Parkers do not break their promises!"
I slammed the door, cutting off her voice. The entire drive to the clinic, I felt like I was about to explode.
When I arrived, Ripper was still standing guard outside the Prospect's room, a human statue in leather. He gave me a curt nod as I passed.
Inside, the young Prospect was awake. He looked up at me with shy eyes.
I checked his wound and changed the dressing. "Thanks," he mumbled. It was a small thing, but it slightly softened my opinion of these bikers. At least this one had manners.
At lunch, Kierra cornered me in the break room, carrying two trays. She shut the door and lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"So, Prez Knight himself assigned you as the nurse? How was it? Isn't he just radiating power?"
I took a large, angry bite of my sandwich. "It felt like working with a gun to my head. He's an asshole, Kierra."
Her eyes lit up, completely missing my negative tone. "A super hot asshole! Do you know how many girls at the club try to get his attention? He never even looks at them. You're the first!"
I rolled my eyes. "I'm so 'honored'."
She nudged me with her elbow. "Hey, seriously, what do you think of him? Up close, isn't he handsome enough to make your knees weak?"
"I just think he's cold enough to make my heart freeze." I remembered his icy blue eyes and shivered involuntarily.
Kierra pouted, then pulled out her phone. "Next time you see him, could you sneak a picture for me? Just one! I swear I won't share it. I was so nervous when he was in the room that I barely dared to look at his face—and now I'm kicking myself for not memorizing every detail. Please?"
I stared at her like she was insane. "Are you crazy? You want me to secretly take a picture of a ruthless biker boss? I'd like to live a few more years, thanks!"
"Fine, fine, you're no fun," she grumbled. "But seriously, Haley, being noticed by the Prez, for whatever reason, means you have the Serpents of Retribution MC as your backup. No one will dare mess with you now."
Her words gave me pause. Backup? It sounded more like tying myself to a time bomb. But then I thought of my mother's nagging and Warren's smug face, and for a split second, I wavered.
I shook my head, pushing the dangerous thought away. "Don't be ridiculous. I just want to work quietly and pay off my student loans."
"Sometimes," Kierra said with a sigh, "trouble just finds you." She glanced meaningfully toward the patient's room.
That afternoon, I continued to care for the Prospect. He told me his name was Leo, but he preferred his road name, "Joker." I asked him why, but he just smiled and didn't answer, reminding me again of the uncrossable divide between his world and mine.
As my shift was ending, I felt that familiar, oppressive presence. I turned my head.
Knight was standing at the door of the room, watching me through the glass window.
He didn't come in. He just stood there, his gaze dark and intense. I had no idea how long he'd been there, watching.
I felt like a frog being stared down by a snake, my entire body frozen.
He must have sensed my stiffness. He crooked a finger, beckoning me to come out.
I forced myself to walk out of the room and stand before him. "Is there something you need?" I asked, my voice tight.
He said nothing. He just handed me a paper bag.
I opened it, confused. Inside was the signature lasagna and a side salad from Luigi's.
