I don't know how long I rode before I finally reached Gideon's clubhouse.

My leather jacket was coated in dust, and my hair was a tangled mess. I looked like a lone rider who had spent days tearing up the highway.

The new prospects guarding the entrance clearly thought so too. The moment they saw me, they swarmed, their expressions hostile.

But I was a former Marine. These rookies were no match for me.

Within seconds, I had them on the ground, my movements practiced and efficient.

I stood at the entrance of the clubhouse and yelled, "Where's your president, Gideon? Tell him to get his ass out here."

Before long, a sickly-sweet voice cooed from nearby. "Ugh, look at this stray. She's filthy. Gideon, get rid of her."

I looked up to see a delicate-looking woman wrinkling her nose in my direction as she whined to the man beside her. The man was tall and imposing, his expression a mask of cold indifference. It took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

"You must be Gideon," I said. "I'm Blake Maverick, your fiancée. This is the family token. Proof of our pact. Now, show me to a room where I can crash."

I tossed my backpack at him without a second glance at Cassie and strode straight past them.

"Gideon!" the cloying voice cried out again. "She has to be an imposter! How could a Maverick heiress be so coarse? Look at her—covered in dirt, hair like a bird's nest, and she reeks of motor oil... She looks like some fraud who stole the token."

"And you are?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Me?" She smiled, draping herself over Gideon's arm. "I'm Cassie. Gideon and I grew up together. I'm his childhood sweetheart. You'd better get lost before you embarrass yourself any further, you fake."

I snorted. "Oh? Childhood sweetheart?"

I raked my eyes over her, my gaze landing on the hand clinging to Gideon's arm. "Then why does the marriage pact name a Maverick and not you?"

"Well..." Cassie's face froze.

"Am I wrong?" I shrugged. "Or maybe you just think he cares, when he obviously couldn't give a damn?"

"You!" Tears welled in Cassie's eyes as she turned to Gideon. "Gideon, did you hear her? She's bullying me!"

Gideon finally spoke. "Enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an authority that tolerated no argument. Everyone around us instinctively lowered their heads.

Everyone but me. I straightened my spine and met his gaze head-on.

His intimidating presence didn't work on me. It never had.

Gideon's gaze flickered to the prospects I'd taken down, then returned to my unflinching stare. Something shifted in his expression—surprise, maybe even a flicker of interest.

He pulled his arm free from Cassie's grasp, examined the family token I'd brought, and then spoke. "I received news of the marriage pact a few days ago. I expected to make the trip to pick you up. I didn't think you'd come on your own."

I grinned. "I couldn't wait."

The corner of his mouth twitched, the barest hint of a smile. "Then we'll hold a welcome party in three days."

"But Gideon—" Cassie protested.

I cut her off, my voice flat. "Shut your mouth, or I'll sew it shut for you."

Cassie bit her lip, shot me a venomous glare, and stormed off.

As she walked away, she muttered just loud enough for us to hear, "You'll regret this, Gideon. This woman doesn't deserve you."

After she left, Gideon turned to me.

"Follow me."

He picked up my backpack and helmet and started walking toward the back of the clubhouse in silence. I followed, knowing this quiet, reserved man would never voluntarily explain what had just transpired. No wonder Paige's life had been so miserable. With a manipulative bitch like Cassie around and Gideon's refusal to explain himself, of course she would suffer.

Too bad for them. I wasn't the type to suffer in silence. If I was happy, great. If I wasn't, I'd drag everyone down into the mud with me.

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."