by Nikki Landis
Pulling up, I spotted Rae and Cara standing by Rae’s car. Edge would take care of his woman. I was here for mine.
Yeah, fuck it. Cara was gonna be my ol’ lady. I didn’t give a fuck anymore.
Maxwell Forman had no idea how badly I was going to ruin his fucking life. As soon as Cara was settled at the clubhouse, I was leaving. That bastard had hurt her for the last time.
“Cara!” I was off my bike as soon as I kicked down the stand and turned off the ignition, running for her as her eyes filled with tears. My heart fuckin’ broke when I saw her pull the scarf away from her neck and the red marks and bruising could clearly be seen on her pale skin. “Fuck!”
Why didn’t she listen? I told her to stay away from that abusive asshole.
Scooping Cara up, I held her against my chest as the emotional turmoil overtook her trembling frame and she cried, clutching at my shirt while her face burrowed into my neck. “R.J.”
“Shhh, baby. You’re safe. I have you.”
She sniffled but didn’t move. “Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t, my sweet Cara. I promise.”
She barely let me put her in Rae’s car for the short drive to the clubhouse, but Cara wasn’t in the frame of mind to hold on and ride on the back of my bike. As soon as we arrived, I had her in my arms again, walking inside and right up to my room on the second floor. Most of the guys had rooms of their own. Since I was here so often, I had one of the nicer ones.
I unlocked the door and entered, leading Cara over to the bed. She was exhausted. I could see the fatigue, stress, and defeat on her face. Her makeup was smeared, and my heart stuttered at the broken and lost look in her pretty green eyes.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
In the bathroom, I pulled a clean washcloth from the stack and wet it with warm water, ringing the material out before I returned to her side. “Here, look up.”
She tilted her chin upward. I washed the tear stains from her face and set the cloth down, swallowing hard as I tried to push down the rage that was building deep inside.
“Thank you.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“I want to kill him.” The anger in my voice was so thick you could almost reach out and touch it. “There’s no fuckin’ way he’s going to live after this. I’ll –”
Cara placed a finger against my lips. “Hold me.”
I couldn’t refuse her request. We lay down on the bed as she kicked off her heels and lay on her side. My body hummed and buzzed with both desire and need, as well as a fierce urge to protect her at all costs. My arm wrapped around her waist and I pulled her into my body, hugging her tight against my chest. My head was just slightly above hers on the same shared pillow.
Cara’s fingers slid through my own as she cradled my hand against her breast. “R.J.?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“You were right.”
My heart nearly skipped a beat. “About?”
“Everything.” She sighed softly. “You and me. It’s real.”
“I know, honey. That’s why you’re staying here with me.”
She nodded.
“As long as you want.”
“And if I want more?”
“I’ll give you whatever you want. I’m yours,” I whispered, tightening my hold.
“Good. I’m yours too.”
It wasn’t a passionate declaration of love and it wasn’t a hasty decision made in a moment of lust. Somehow, those sweetly spoken words between us were so much more than either of those things.
“Sleep, Cara. I won’t leave your side.”
Her body relaxed a few minutes later and I knew she finally let it all go, safe and secure as long as I held her in my arms. My heart did a funny lurch and I knew that what I felt for Cara was more than a passing infatuation or desire.
She’d quickly become someone I couldn’t live without.
Maybe I was just a sinner and she was just a saint or maybe we were both sinners and saints.
The difference no longer mattered.
“MORNING,” CARA’S SOFT voice penetrated the fog of sleep and I blinked, caught off guard when I realized I was flat on my back and she was resting with her head over my chest, staring up through thick lashes.
“Hey, honey.”
“I can’t remember the last time I slept so soundly. Must have been your warmth.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “Yeah, that was probably it.”
“I should call Charlotte and make sure she’s okay.”
“One of the prospects watched the house all night but go ahead and call. Let her know someone is gonna ride over and bring them here to the compound.”
She arched a brow, instantly sensing something was up. “What’s going on?”
“You’re not safe at that house and neither is Charlotte and Sophie until everything is sorted with Maxwell.”
She opened her mouth to object and then closed it. “You’re right. She’d be safer someplace else.”
“And Rae will be here too with Leah. It’s perfect.”
Cara sat up and slid from the bed, reaching for her phone. Five minutes later she ended the call with her sister and flopped down on the edge of the bed. “She’s packing a couple of bags.”
“Good. Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll see what I can find for breakfast.”
I left Cara in the room and made my way into the club’s kitchen, surprised to find Rae already cooking up a big batch of pancakes. Rows of sausage links sizzled on two separate griddles. Sammie was standing next to Rae and whipping eggs in a bowl.
I caught Leah sitting at the table, swinging her legs back and forth. “Hey, munchkin.”
“Good morning, Uncle R.J.”
“Guess who’s coming to play and stay for a few days?”
She shrugged, reaching for a link as Rae placed a platter of the sausage down on the table. “Anna and Elsa?”
I had to resist laughing. It was adorable how she always wanted them to come back for a visit. “No, but something just as fun. Sophie is coming with her mom.”
Leah jumped up from her seat and gave me a hug. “You’re the best!”
I patted the top of her head and gestured to the table. “You better eat so you can get dressed and be ready by the time she comes.”
Leah grabbed a pancake and started chewing quickly as Rae poured syrup and clucked her tongue. “Not so fast. You’ll choke.”
Leah nodded but kept chewing, reaching for another bite.
“It’s a good idea.” Rae pulled me aside, her brow furrowed in concern. “I’ve been worried about Charlotte and Sophie.”
Valan walked into the kitchen, rubbing his stomach. “Is that pancakes?” He walked up to Leah, ruffled her hair, and picked up a link, stuffing it into his mouth as she giggled. Turning our way, he raised his chin in greeting. “Need me to pick them up or did ya send one of the prospects?”
“No one yet.”
“I’ll go,” he offered, a little too quickly. That wasn’t like Valan at all. Not that he wasn’t willing to help. It was just that he didn’t usually do things the prospects could handle. He was old school. The man was in his forties. Valan liked to keep to himself and lately he was always drunk. This sudden change was interesting. I hoped he was trying to enjoy life again. He knew enough heartache and it was time he found a little happiness.
“Alright. I’ll text you the address. Charlotte knows someone is coming. Cara already called her this morning.”
Valan nodded, stole another sausage link, and headed for the door. I swear I saw a little extra swagger thrown into his step. Today was turning into one surprise after another.
Cara joined us in the kitchen, and we ate, shared a few jokes, and the morning sped by quickly. As I pulled Cara into my embrace, she beamed a smile that nearly sparkled with happiness. I wanted the moment to last but once her sister arrived, she slipped away and headed off with Rae, Charlotte, and the two girls.
It was for the best. I ha
d plans and I wasn’t waiting around much longer.
Pulling out my cell, I texted Beckett. Sheriff Daly’s son might be the law, but we were tight, and he always had our back. Most of the RRMC grew up with Beckett and his best friend Shane. Those guys were as close as brothers. He returned the text a few minutes later. We were good.
When I arrived at the warehouse later, I had my back covered. Even if Maxwell Forman was able to get the jump on me, Ghost, GQ, and Valan it wouldn’t last long. He wasn’t the only with friends in high places. Sheriff Daly would know what was going down as soon as Beckett filled him in.
All that was left was confronting the crooked motherfucker that hurt my ol’ lady.
Chapter 13 – Rae
“Where’s R.J.?” I asked Pete, walking in on a game of pool between Jake, Tank, Mack, and my fiancé. I still wasn’t used to calling him Edge even if that’s the way everyone knew him now. To me, he was still the same guy I grew up and fell in love with.
The four brothers were joking about something inappropriate when I walked in and Pete slid his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in for a kiss as I approached.
“He’s out. Took Ghost, Valan, and GQ.”
Out where? “Cara was asking. She can’t reach him on his cell.”
“You know how it is, my Rae. Club business. He’ll text or call as soon as he can.”
I understood how things worked in the club but sometimes it was irritating. “She’s worried.”
He wasn’t making eye contact and I knew it was for a reason. Mack smirked, popping the top off a bottle of beer before he took a long pull. Jake left the room and I was sure he went to see Hayley and avoid any questions. That left Tank, the club’s Enforcer. He was a brutal, behemoth of a man and always had a scowl on his face. If I didn’t know him well, I’d think he was an ass.
None of this mattered right now. I needed to clarify where R.J. went before Cara freaked out.
“He left to confront Maxwell Forman, didn’t he?”
No one needed to tell me that R.J. was in love with Cara or that he would do anything to keep her safe, even if that meant threatening or taking down a dangerous man like Max.
“R.J. can handle himself.” Pete swooped in for a kiss, deliberating trying to distract me.
I placed a hand against his chest, stopping his advance. “That’s not going to work. Why didn’t he tell Cara the truth?”
“How do you think she’s gonna handle it, Rae? She’s already stressed enough. He’s trying to keep her as safe as possible. That means protecting her in all kinds of ways, just like I protect you.”
He was right but I didn’t like it. “I know.”
“Then don’t worry so much. Everything is gonna be fine, my Rae.”
He knew I melted every time he said my name like that. “Okay.”
Peter’s lips met mine and I sighed as he pulled away, still as much in love with him as I was at sixteen. Nearly eight years later and nothing had changed. Our passion was just as strong.
“Try not to let this stuff stress you out. It’s not good for you and the baby.” His hand slid to my stomach and he smiled. “My son is growing in there.”
“How do you know he’s a boy?”
“You just said so yourself. We have Leah. We just need my son to pass on the Harding name.”
Mack hollered an agreement, pounding the pool table with his fist along with Tank. “I want a grandson.”
“Well, if you’re both wrong I’m gonna raise my daughter to kick all of your asses.”
Tank guffawed, slapping his thigh. “That’s why it’s good to have you around, Rae. You don’t take shit from anyone.”
“Nope.” Beaming a grin, I blew Pete a kiss and left the men to their game.
I was almost back to Charlotte and Cara when a loud thud, followed by what sounded like an explosion came from the front entrance of the clubhouse. Without hesitation, I sprinted in the opposite direction and found the sisters as they emerged from the family room with Sophie and Leah. I grabbed Leah’s hand and shouted for everyone to follow as we made our way into the kitchen, around the corner from the pantry, and down the stairs into a cellar. There was a locked door that was only used for emergencies.
I yanked my keyring upward and found the key, unlocking it as I heard shouting and chaos in the main common room. No one needed to say it was the Feds. If it was the Outlaws, I would have only heard bullets.
Peter instructed me long ago what to do in case of any emergency. The first priority was getting out and to safety. If I wasn’t seen in the clubhouse then I couldn’t be hauled in for questioning. I closed the door behind us as we entered a tunnel, pulling one of the flashlights out and switching it on. Pete placed several along with other supplies in a tote right beside the door. He was always thinking ahead.
God, I loved that man.
The group of us stayed quiet as the tunnel led through a maze of passages and ended up at a set of stairs. At the top was a secret entrance into the garage where the MC had their motorcycle shop and kept all of the company vehicles. The bays were closed, and I was thankful the interior was dark and quiet. We would sneak through the offices and exit a back door that faced away from the property. There was a long path that led into the trees and a two-mile hike that ended up close to a park.
Once we arrived, I found the SUV that was gassed up and full of supplies, just in case we had to leave town. Things weren’t that desperate, but I had no way of knowing what was happening. The Feds were probably going to arrest Mack, Pete, Tank, and Jake along with the prospects. It was typical of their manipulative and conniving bullshit. Search and seizure. Ask questions later.
RICO Agents had wanted a piece of both the SOMC and RRMC for years.
We managed to reach my house without incident and pulled up, parking in the garage right before I closed the door. Even if we were under surveillance, the Feds would have to prove that we were at the RRMC clubhouse and there was no way it would happen. Cara and Charlotte helped to fix dinner and then we put on a movie for the girls as the three of us retreated into the kitchen. I kept the blinds in the windows closed so that our movements weren’t visible and made sure everything was locked up tight.
Putting on a kettle of water to boil for tea, I sank into an empty kitchen chair. “We’ll hear something as soon as its safe.”
Charlotte swallowed hard and gripped her sister’s hand. “That’s what I told Cara.”
Cara seemed a bit dazed. She was having a hard time focusing and kept staring out into the backyard through the sliding glass doors. “R.J.’s in danger. I can feel it.”
The unsettling feeling was like a rock in my own stomach, so I knew what she meant. “They’re strong, brave, and smart. I’m not worried. The RRMC can hold its own and that goes for all the members.”
“How long do we stay here?”
Shrugging, I lifted my chin in determination. “As long as needed. No one leaves this house, even to walk in the backyard alone or without letting me know where you are at all times. We keep all doors and windows locked. Cell phones on vibrate and with you every single minute, even if you’re just going to the bathroom. No outgoing calls or texts. We wait for one of the guys to reach us from either a burner cell or the jail.” I looked at them both dead in the eyes. “I’m serious. Rules are in place for a reason. No exceptions.”
“We can do that,” Charlotte agreed.
“I’m scared,” Cara admitted. “I don’t know what’s going to happen and I’m worried that being here risks you all. Maxwell won’t like that I disappeared. He’ll come looking for me. I should leave.”
No way! “No, you’re safer here with us than alone. As soon as R.J. finds out what’s going on, he’ll be here to make sure you’re safe. If you’ve run off, he’ll be pissed, and I won’t be able to hold him back.” Taking her hand, I squeezed it lightly. “R.J. is in love with you even if he hasn’t said the words yet. I’ve known him since I was a little kid. That man has a heart of gold and he’s a
fierce protector. You’re family now. We take care of our own.” Releasing her hand, I pulled her in for a hug. “You’re staying.”
“I think R.J. loves you too,” Charlotte whispered, hugging her sister next. “And I think you love him just as much. Who cares about Maxwell Forman? He’s an abusive asshole. I hope R.J. kicks his ass so badly he’s finished in this town. Providence is better off without Forman Industries.”
“Then it’s settled. We’re staying put until we hear otherwise.”
The plan decided, we poured tea and waited for news.
THE HUM AND VIBRATION of my cell phone was a welcome distraction. I was going to completely lose my sanity soon. Hours had lapsed. Cara and Charlotte were barely holding on. I tried to be the strong one, but I had no idea if Pete was being charged or if the RRMC would see the inside of a prison.
Terrible timing.
I needed Peter. This pregnancy had been difficult. Just the thought of not seeing him for months tore me up inside. Our baby needed his father.
No matter what the future held I could only live it with Peter by my side. The five years we were forced apart nearly destroyed us both. I couldn’t do it again. I refused to exist another minute without him. The thing was, at this point, he would be a part of my life – and me – forever. His DNA and mine were locked together in time. Our child would enter the world in just five short months.
If I didn’t hear from my fiancé soon, I’d be contacting Sheriff Daly and my Witness Protection liaison Detective Paul Sims. He owed me. They both did.
Peter and Mack gave up a lot to protect this club and my life. It wasn’t going to be a waste.
Staring at the caller I.D. I saw an unknown number and my heart nearly skipped a beat. I hastily swiped and heard the automated messaging system ask if I wanted to accept the call. I pressed 5 and anxiously waited to hear Pete’s voice.
“Baby? You there?”
“Peter!” I screeched, immediately bursting into tears. Damn pregnancy hormones.
“Don’t cry, my Rae. It’s gonna be fine. Promise.”
