STEADFAST

by Shirleen Davies

  Unlike when Greg died, she knew what to expect this time. Days full of work, nights reading or watching old movies, weekends spent on her bike. She’d do anything and everything she could to forget Wrath.

  Pulling into a small place she’d passed several times, she registered at the front desk, then hauled her belongings to the assigned room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stared at the floor, the pain from earlier returning.

  It wasn’t just the bruises and cuts that ached. Her entire body throbbed, then quaked when the sobs came. This time, Cara didn’t try to stop the flow of tears.

  Betrayal, fear, and anger crashed through her, pouring out in wracking waves of agony. For years, she’d held the worst of it inside, refusing to be seen as a victim. After the events of today, Cara no longer cared about breaking down. To her surprise, it felt good to finally let it all out.

  She didn’t know how much time had passed. No light streamed through the opening in the curtains, indicating the sun had disappeared at some point while she’d slept. The sound of the phone had her blinking.

  Cara automatically reached for it, pulling her hand away when Wrath’s name appeared. Falling back onto the bed, she let the call go to voicemail, doing the same with the next four calls.

  Every ounce of energy she had fled after the events of the day. Placing a bent arm over her eyes, she forced herself to remember every word Glory spoke, tried to recall Wrath’s expression when the woman introduced herself as his fiancée.

  Something bothered her about the exchange. His rigid stance, the anger pulsing off him, resignation flashing across his face, and his pleading for Cara to let him explain.

  Wrath had planned to take her somewhere, but he’d never divulged where. She wondered what excuse he’d offer. Now she might never know. Maybe someday, when the hurt subsided, she’d be able to listen with a mind clear of emotion.

  Her phone rang once more. This time it was Tessa.

  “Hi.”

  “Wrath’s worried about you, Cara. He’s called, left a bunch of messages. Did you get them?”

  “I ignored his calls and haven’t checked the messages. You should be able to understand I don’t want to speak with him.” She heard Tessa let out a breath.

  “Look, I know you’re hurt about what happened, but something isn’t right. When Wrath returned after you drove off, he and Glory argued for a long time. I heard part of what they said, and have to say, he certainly didn’t sound like a man in love. At least not with her. She doesn’t have an engagement ring and has never been to his house before today. Nothing about her claim of being engaged makes sense, Cara.”

  “Where is Glory now?”

  “All I know is she’s not here.” Tessa chuckled, then sobered. “I understand this is hard for you after what happened with Greg, but consider letting Wrath explain.”

  Rubbing her forehead, Cara felt a heavy wave of exhaustion. “I’ll think about it, Tessa.” She had to talk about something else. “What are your plans this week?”

  “Ethan called to say an attorney friend of my ex’s is planning a memorial service on Tuesday.”

  “Are you planning to attend?”

  “No. It would be hypocritical of me to pretend feelings I no longer have. Ethan also said his will was found in an office safe. He suggested I call the judge tasked with sorting it out. I don’t know why I would. After all, he would’ve made his wife the beneficiary of whatever he had.”

  Cara knew little of estate law. Still, it wouldn’t hurt for Tessa to contact the judge. “I think you should do as Ethan suggests. There’s no harm in calling.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Tessa returned, parroting what Cara had said about Wrath. “You sound as exhausted as me. Do you have time for lunch this week?”

  “I’ll make time. How about I call you tomorrow?”

  “Sounds good. Have a good night, Cara. And think about what I said.” Tessa hung up, leaving Cara with more questions than answers.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Wrath shoved the stack of papers away. He’d read through the latest intelligence from Grayson twice, each time with a critical eye, searching for holes or discrepancies when compared with the data Raider had uncovered with Glory’s help.

  Since their argument Sunday night, she’d stayed out of his way, focusing her time working with Raider in the dungeon. They’d come to an uneasy truce of sorts. What she’d done at his house had been out of line.

  Wrath hadn’t liked the plan to publicly present Glory as his fiancée, forcing Cara from his life in order to distance her from the danger.

  He’d argued, presenting the alternative to move Cara to a safe house. The summer break would start in a week. Her teaching commitment wouldn’t start again until September, and her few law clients could be serviced through phone calls, mail, and email. Raider would set her up with secure accounts and a series of burner phones.

  Wrath’s suggestion had fallen on deaf ears. Grayson had already made up his mind. After all their successes, the Brethren couldn’t afford to put civilians, such as Cara, at risk.

  The Night Devils and Demons Blood had to believe she meant nothing to Wrath, that Glory was his woman. After their encounter with Poison and the Devils, Wrath didn’t know if the bikers had bought the lie, but he knew Cara had. Every time he thought of her, the pain on her face, the look of betrayal, Wrath wanted to bellow his rage. The fact Glory had been the one to shove the lie in Cara’s face, humiliate her in front of his men and Tessa, severed any feelings he might still hold for his ex-lover.

  It didn’t help that Glory was a stunning woman. Taller than Cara with silky black hair, turquoise eyes, and olive skin, most men jolted with lust when she walked into a room. He’d been one of them, falling under her spell. Believing he’d been in love, a younger and foolish Wrath had asked her to marry him. She’d refused with a wave of her hand and nervous laugh. Until Cara, he’d never been able to push his ex-lover from his heart.

  Now, every second of his time focused on dealing with threats made by the Devils. Once he did, he’d pack Glory off, sending her back to Grayson before she knew what hit her.

  When that day came, he prayed Cara would let him explain, forgive what he’d done, and maybe even allow him back into her life. He doubted the last, but a man could dream.

  It hadn’t surprised him when he’d returned home to find her gone. He’d left numerous messages and sent texts. None had been returned.

  Thanks to the chips he’d inserted into her phone, motorcycle, and truck, Wrath knew Cara’s location at all times, had two of his men watching her. He hadn’t shared this information with Grayson.

  “She’s on the go, Prez. The boys are following her.”

  Wrath looked up to see Raider standing in the doorway of the dungeon. “What direction?”

  “The same place as every day at this time. Appears she’s headed to her office. What do you want to do?”

  Leaning back in his chair, Wrath let out a weary breath. “Watch and report, nothing more unless the Bloods or Devils show up. If either club appears, let us know and alert Ethan.” He’d repeated the same each of the days she’d been out of his life. No matter what happened between them, he’d never leave her unprotected.

  “Got it, Prez.” Raider closed the door, triggering the electronic lock.

  The main office door opened, Rock joining him by the desk. “The bikes are ready, man. It’s showtime.”

  Wrath grimaced, hitching his thumb toward the dungeon entrance. “Let Glory know. I’ll be outside.”

  He walked through the main room, ignoring the stares from his men. They knew how difficult this mission had become, what it cost Wrath. “Team One is going with us. The rest of you stay vigilant.”

  Shoving open the front door, he walked to his bike and looked around. The clear sky and warm, early summer breeze made it a perfect day for a ride. Cara would love taking her bike out on a day like this. The thought burned in his chest.

  Instead, he’d be taking a
nother woman on the back of his bike, hoping the Devils would see them, underscoring the fact Glory was his woman, not Cara. They’d gone on a similar ride each day since Sunday’s debacle. He hated each one, but his duty came first. Protecting citizens from criminals like Poison and Drago had become his life’s work, and the personal cost had been high.

  “Looks like you’re ready for me, Caiden.” Glory sauntered toward him, hips swaying, her striking runway model looks garnering quick looks from each of his men before their expressions changed to disgust and they turned away.

  Crossing his arms, he glared down at her. “We’ve been over this before. You are to call me Wrath, nothing else. This is your fourth warning. If it happens again, you’ll be on the first helo out of here.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, slamming it shut at the revulsion she saw on his face.

  “And if you think Grayson will protect you, I assure you, you’re quite wrong. You can decide to finish this assignment or choose to continue your insubordination and lose this opportunity. Frankly, I don’t care.” His firm, heartless words had the desired effect.

  Glory’s assured expression fell. Nothing she did or said would melt the chill he felt at being this close to her. On more than one occasion, she’d made clear her desire to start where they’d left off years before. Wrath crushed each of her attempts with a harsh retort and venomous glare.

  There was one woman who held his heart, and because of Grayson’s order, he might never have her back in his life. He’d lost Glory due to her choice to pursue a career rather than marry him. He may now have lost Cara because of Glory’s dramatic and unprincipled arrival at their gathering.

  Wrath looked at his men. “Go time, gentlemen.” Mounting his bike, he nodded behind him. “Get on.” Starting his bike, he waited until she tapped him on the shoulder.

  Riding away from the clubhouse, he sucked in a cleansing breath, determined to enjoy the time away from his desk and the ever-growing stack of paperwork. Taking a different route than the other days, he took several turns, heading toward one of the town’s back streets. The plan called for the Brethren to visit a Mexican restaurant catering to bikers and locals. So far off the main road, few tourists patronized the eatery.

  Ten minutes after leaving the clubhouse, Wrath pulled into the gravel lot, his gaze landing on another group of bikes he guessed belonged to the Bloods. Continuing his perusal of the area, his chest squeezed when he spotted an all too familiar truck.

  “Do you want me to go in first, Prez? I’ll try to get Cara out the back door.” Rock stood next to him, his expression grim.

  Wrath climbed off the bike, shaking his head. “No. We’ll go in as planned. If I’m not mistaken, the Bloods are inside and I don’t want to do anything which may rouse their suspicions about Glory.” He turned to look at her. “Cara may be inside. You’ll play your part, but don’t even consider approaching her. Am I clear?”

  “I’ve apologized for Sunday, Wrath. Rest assured, I’ll do nothing to endanger her or this assignment.”

  He studied her, seeing no regret at her previous actions, but also no sign of deceit. She’d worked hard to build her career. A mistake here could cost lives and ruin everything she’d labored to achieve. Narrowing his gaze, Wrath nodded.

  “All right.” He looked at Rock. “You’ll go in with Glory and me. The rest of the men will follow. Let the others know not to approach Cara.”

  Rock gave an abrupt nod, returning to the others.

  Wrath gripped Glory’s hand, his other hand clenched at his side as they entered the restaurant. Seeing Cara sitting alone at a table near the back, he tensed the instant she looked up and spotted them, her gaze immediately landing on their clasped hands.

  Face paling, she stared down at her food. He forced his gaze away, stepping to the counter and ordering.

  Finding a table, he nodded at a group of Bloods he recognized from a gathering the two clubs had at a remote ranch a few weeks before. It had been decided only patched members would attend. No women, no prospects. The casual barbeque helped ease the tension between the two clubs, paving the way for another run for Drago.

  Settling Glory into a booth, her back to Cara, Wrath returned to the Bloods’ table. Pacho and Snake sat with two other men.

  “Wrath,” Pacho said. “Is that your woman?”

  Wrath glanced over his shoulder, turning back with a hard glare. “Yes.” He shrugged. “I promised to get her out. You know how it is with women.”

  Snake laughed, his gaze moving to Glory, a malicious grin tipping the corners of his mouth. “You are a lucky man, Wrath.” His voice carried throughout the small space.

  Looking past Snake, Wrath saw Cara hadn’t missed the biker’s comment. Forcing a grin, he nodded. “Yes, I am.”

  Pacho took a sip of beer. “Drago is ready for another conversation.”

  Wrath nodded. “Good. Let Ghost know when and where. I’d better get back to my woman.”

  Raucous laughter followed him back to his booth. He sat down opposite Glory, facing Cara. Coming here had already turned into a win for the Brethren. The Bloods had seen him with Glory and requested another meeting, meaning another run would be made soon. Watching Cara, neither success gave him any pleasure.

  Cara’s stomach churned, the food she’d consumed threatening to resurface. Lifting a hand, she blew out a disgusted breath as her trembling fingers wrapped around the drink. Bringing it to her lips, she took a long draw through the straw.

  Ignoring the intense ache in her heart, she refused to cower before his display of affection for Glory. No matter how much it hurt, they were together. Nothing she did or said would change it.

  Taking her time, she gathered what was left of her food and dumped it into a nearby receptacle. Lifting her chin, Cara straightened her shoulders, determined to show a dignified front as she walked between the tables of bikers. Refusing to spare another glance at Wrath, she pushed through the door, relief flooding her. It was short-lived.

  A moment later, a rough hand grasped her arm, pulling her around. Believing it was Wrath, she yelped at the sight of a rough, hulking biker. A member of the Bloods.

  “Hey, pretty lady. Leaving already?”

  Trying to shake off his grip, she nodded. “Yes. I need to get back to the office.”

  The sound of the restaurant door opening had her looking up to see Ghost and Gunner walk outside. Several feet behind, his face a mixture of anger and concern, stood Wrath. His stormy gray eyes scanned her, jaw tightening.

  Ghost stepped next to the biker. “Pacho, man. Wrath said you want to set up another meeting. Let’s get it done now.”

  Cara let out a pent-up breath when Pacho loosened his grasp enough for her to step away. Sending Ghost and Gunner an appreciative nod, she cast a short, ashen look at Wrath before whipping around, hurrying to get inside her truck. A moment later, she pulled out of the lot, not looking back.

  Crossing his arms, Wrath watched her disappear down the road, a sharp pang of regret stabbing through him. Stepping aside to let the three men walk past, he cast a quick look at Glory, seeing her stare at him through the restaurant’s window.

  It still surprised Wrath how the beautiful woman, the sole recipient of his passion at one time, had no effect on him. No stir of desire or stiffening of his body. Yet one look at Cara after almost a week had him fighting for breath, everything in him responding to an almost painful degree.

  Sensations twisted inside Wrath. A tense desire to right the wrong committed against Cara, ease her pain, drove him to consider a decision he knew could end his career.

  He’d been able to shove the disquieting thoughts aside the last few days. Today, being so close to Cara, knowing how much he had to lose, the errant idea could no longer be so easily dismissed without serious consideration.

  Walking back inside, he signaled to his men to get back to their bikes. He’d make another turn around town, hoping to be spotted by one or more of the Devils before returning to the clubhouse.r />
  They’d received another assignment from Grayson, and even with the troubles between the rival outlaw gangs, he’d make it happen.

  Wrath wished he had as much confidence about how to handle the distance between him and Cara.

  Unable to face the rest of her day sequestered inside her office, Cara packed her computer and drove back to the motel. Seeing Wrath had been a shock. His attention to Glory, the comments he’d made to the Devils about her being his woman, caused such a sharp stab of pain, Cara wasn’t certain she could stand. By sheer will, she’d steeled her resolve, determination overcoming the renewed sense of betrayal.

  Storing the computer in a dresser drawer, Cara changed into jeans, t-shirt, and boots. Grabbing her helmet and jacket, she picked up her phone, ordering a taxi. Just because she’d already paid for three more nights at the motel didn’t mean she couldn’t stop at her apartment long enough to get her bike. A quick in and out.

  When she saw the taxi pull up, she rushed outside, sliding into the back seat. Fifteen minutes later, Cara exited on the block behind her apartment, slipping between buildings to enter her garage by the side door.

  Settling onto the seat, she started the engine and pressed the opener, waiting as the large door rolled up. Her anticipation built, excitement helping to soothe the pain of earlier.

  Scanning the drive and the street in front of her place, Cara pulled onto the road, closing the door before streaking away. Checking her mirrors, turning several times to make certain no one followed, she felt the tension slip away. Circling the strip mall three times, she pulled through the sandwich shop drive-through, stuffing the bag into her jacket before roaring away.

  Cara already knew her destination. It wasn’t far, maybe thirty minutes, and it was open until nine at night. She could settle in, watch the sunset, and stroll the water’s edge. More than anything, going to the lake she and Wrath had shared when together might be her first step toward purging him from her mind and heart.