This Time, The Serpent is Mine

Within two days, the welcome party for Gideon and me was ready. The club members were surprisingly efficient, arranging everything perfectly.

Gideon's parents had passed away years ago. As for my family—I didn't dare invite them. Eleanor would probably skin me alive, and I wasn't ready for that fight yet. So, the hall was packed with patched members of the club and their partners.

"I'm so jealous of Blake," Cassie said, suddenly appearing at my side. "She gets to marry Gideon. She's so lucky."

"Unlike me..." She lowered her head and began to sob, and the entire hall fell quiet.

I strode right up to Gideon, rose onto my toes, hooked my arms around his neck, and planted a hard, possessive kiss on his lips.

After releasing him, I shot Cassie a triumphant look. "Yeah, I am pretty lucky, aren't I? Gideon's got a business, power, a powerful build... Not every woman can handle a man like him. A delicate little hothouse flower would probably wilt under his gaze." I slid my hand to his waist, gave him a sharp pinch, and then offered a threatening smile. "Right, my dear fiancé?"

The tips of his ears flushed red, but before he could answer, Cassie's eyes welled with tears.

"Gideon, Blake, please don't misunderstand. I'm truly happy for you both. If Blake doesn't want me here, I'll leave right now. But..."

A single tear traced a path down her cheek. "Just remember to pick me up tomorrow. We've spent that day together every year for so long."

Gideon nodded. "I'll pick you up tomorrow."

A cold fury coiled in my gut. In front of everyone, I took a step forward and locked eyes with him. "Gideon, is this how you handle things when your woman gets challenged on your own turf? Or can't you even keep your own people in line?"

The clubhouse went dead silent. Every eye was on me, a mixture of shock and disbelief on their faces. I sneered. What a joke. They had the nerve to humiliate me at my own welcome party, and now they were pulling this "anniversary" crap?

In our past life, it was this very anniversary that turned Paige and Gideon's marriage into a lifelong cold war. Paige might have tolerated it, but I wouldn't. He wanted to go celebrate his precious anniversary? Fine. If he dared to leave, I'd pack my bags and be gone by morning. A daughter of the Maverick family had no shortage of suitors.

"Gideon, are you alright? Don't be angry."

"How could she talk to you like that? You're the President, and she just—"

Cassie's delicate face was flushed with indignation as she looked at Gideon with concern. But Gideon quickly composed himself, studying me with an unreadable expression before clearing his throat. "I'm fine."

He walked over and reached for my hand. "You'll come with me tomorrow."

I shot him a surprised look, while Cassie's face twisted in disbelief. "Gideon, how could you do this to me? I never want to speak to you again!"

She covered her face and ran off, sobbing. Just then, I felt a warm breath near my ear. "Just get through tonight. I'll explain later. Behave."

With Cassie gone and me clearly in no mood for games, the other members knew better than to cause more trouble. The party ended quickly. Before I knew it, I was sitting in our bedroom, punching the mattress in frustration.

What was Gideon playing at? Did he really think that tone would work on me? Was he insane?

The door clicked open, and Gideon walked in. I immediately shot him a glare and let out a sharp huff. "Let me make one thing clear—I can't stand a man who won't take a clear stance. If you're going to be ambiguous with this person today and entangled with that one tomorrow, then we can end this pact right now. I'll go back home; I won't have any trouble finding another man."