Chapter 3 Tessa

TESSA.

My hands were still shaking on the handlebars, but I refused to let anyone see it. When I pulled off my helmet, silence fell like I had just slapped the whole damn club in the face.

I knew I was going to lose. He was faster, smoother, and everyone knew it. The thought of eating his dust in front of the whole Serpents crowd made my stomach twist. I couldn't let that happen.

So I baited him. I bent low, pushed my ass up, and threw one look over my shoulder. The kind of look no man like him could ignore. And I saw the tiny twitch in his grip, the way his focus cracked. That half-second of weakness was all I needed. While he stared, I took the win.

I let the rush of cold air hit my face, the taste of gasoline and smoke still clinging to my tongue. Then I smirked, lifting my chin just enough to make it sting.

"Didn't expect to lose to a girl, did you?"

A ripple tore through the crowd. Some laughed, some cursed under their breath. A couple of guys shouted, "No way in hell!" while others just stared at me like I had broken some sacred law.

Jaxson sat there on his bike, helmet still on, shoulders stiff. When he finally ripped it off, his jaw was tight, his eyes locked on me with that dangerous, pissed-off gleam that made most people fold. But I didn't.

"Holy shit," someone muttered behind me. "She actually beat him."

"Girl's crazy," another voice added, followed by rough laughter.

I swung one leg off my bike, planting my boots firmly on the pavement, pretending my knees weren't jelly from the adrenaline still crashing through me. My smirk didn't falter as I tilted my head at Jaxson.

"Guess that scratch on your face wasn't enough warning."

That got another roar from the crowd, half in disbelief, half hyped at the show.

Jaxson's brothers were there in seconds, Ryder, cold as ice, and Cole grinning like he had just found his favorite kind of trouble. And me? I stood tall, heart still racing, already knowing I'd just set fire to something I couldn't put out.

Ryder's eyes swept over me, slow and sharp, like he was deciding whether I was worth breathing the same air. "She beat you?" His tone wasn't like he was shocked. It was more like he'd just been handed a problem.

Cole, on the other hand, couldn't stop laughing. He doubled over, clutching his stomach. "Oh my God, Jax-she smoked you." His laugh carried across the lot. "This is the best night of my life. Looks like little brother's got a new problem."

Jaxson swung off his bike, tossing his helmet onto the seat so hard it rattled. He walked toward me, every step dripping with fury. The crowd pulled back just enough to give him space, like they knew something ugly was about to happen.

I didn't move. I just smirked wider.

"A deal's a deal," I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I won. I'm in."

"No," Jaxson snapped, voice low and sharp. "Not happening."

"Funny," I shot back. "Didn't sound like an option when you agreed."

That made the crowd stir again. A few bikers whistled. One guy shouted, "She's got more balls than you, Jax!" which made Cole laugh even harder.

Nova appeared at my side, eyes bright, grin wide. She looked like Christmas came early. "Damn, Tessa, you didn't just win, you buried him." She slapped my back and turned to her brother. "Jax, I never thought I'd see the day. Big brother, beaten by a girl in front of the whole club? That's history."

"Shut up, Nova," Jaxson growled.

She only leaned closer, still smiling. "What's wrong? Cat got your pride?"

Cole barked a laugh, pointing at her. "That's my sister. Savage."

Jaxson's glare cut to him. "You shut the hell up too."

But Cole just smirked. "What? Are you mad? You got cocky, she burned you. Own it, bro."

Ryder's hand lifted, silencing them all. His voice carried steady, calm, but with enough weight to press the air down. "The Serpents don't back out of bets. You said if she won, she'd join."

"She doesn't belong here," Jaxson snapped, eyes locked on me like he could set me on fire.

"Then maybe you should've ridden faster," Ryder said flatly.

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

Jaxson's jaw flexed, his fists clenching at his sides. For a second I thought he might swing at me just to prove a point.

Nova leaned against my shoulder, loud enough for him to hear. "Relax, Jax. She's not gonna steal your bike."

The crowd laughed again, and I could almost see the vein in his temple about to burst.

I folded my arms, matching his glare with a calm I didn't actually feel. "You lost, Jaxson. Don't be a sore loser. Or is that what you're known for?"

Cole whistled low. "Ooooh, she's got a bite."

Ryder stepped closer, eyes never leaving me. "You want in the Serpents? You're in. But understand this isn't a game. You bleed for this club. You fight for it. And if you can't handle that-" He tilted his head toward Jaxson. "He'll be the first one to run you out."

"I can handle it," I said, voice steady.

Nova grinned like a kid watching fireworks. "Told you she wasn't bluffing."

Jaxson's lip curled. "You won't last a week."

"Guess we'll see," I shot back.

The standoff stretched, the crowd buzzing like electricity. Then Ryder turned, walking back toward his bike without another word. Cole followed, still laughing under his breath. "Our baby brother's never gonna live this down," he sang.

The crowd slowly scattered, chatter rising again, but I felt Jaxson's eyes burning into me like knives. He stepped close enough that only I could hear, his breath hot against my ear.

"You think you made a point tonight? You didn't win shit. I'll make sure this club chews you up and spits you out."

I tilted my head, meeting his stare with a smirk I didn't feel. "You can try."

His eyes narrowed, jaw so tight I thought his teeth might crack. Then he turned, shoving through the crowd, barking orders for everyone to clear out.

Nova slipped her arm through mine, beaming. "I can't believe you just did that. You're officially my favorite person."

My knees still felt like they might give out, but I forced myself to walk steadily beside her. "Guess I'm a Serpent now."

"Hell yeah, you are," she said, grinning widely. Then she looked back at her brother storming off, and laughed so hard she almost doubled over. "Oh my God, Jax is never gonna recover."

I let out a breath, a smirk still plastered on my face even though my heart was still racing. "Good. Let him. I'm not leaving."