Vilas – 5 miles.

The highway marker was a sign of salvation as I followed Ryder’s truck down the road.

“Almost there, darlin’,” I whispered to Scarlett as her tired eyes fluttered awake.

We pulled off at the familiar exit and made our way to The Unacceptables Bar and Pool Hall, the déjà vu settling in deep from the last time I’d made this drive with my girl. Her ex was really starting to piss me off. I hated running, hated the idea that I was going to have to leave Scarlett in North Carolina while I dealt with our little problem back in Atlanta. I hated everything about the entire situation, but being adaptable was the best defense with a looming threat hot on our tail.

Jasper was smart and had innumerable resources at his disposal; I needed to be smarter, with more cunning and desire to never let something like this happen again.

As we walked into the old, wood-covered saloon, a little of my worry lifted from my shoulders. All the Vilas guys were waiting for us, scattered around tables and at the bar.

“Scarlett!” Raine waddled over, looking like she was about to burst.

Ryder kissed his wife’s cheek before the girls could hug.

“Look at you!” Scarlett exclaimed. “When’s he due?”

Beaming with pride, Raine rubbed her baby bump. “Just about four weeks now.”

“Have y’all picked out a name yet?” I asked, taking a glass of Old Crow from Crickett before hugging their queen.

Crickett snickered. “These two won’t tell anyone what my grandson is going to be named. It’s a secret.” She theatrically rolled her eyes but a smile spread on her lips.

“Y’all will find out soon enough.” Ryder put his hand on his mother-in-law’s shoulder before turning to me. “Church?”

I sucked on my teeth before throwing my drink back. “It’s about that time.”

Ryder whistled and all of his men filed into the back room to take their seats.

I sat at the head of the table next to Ryder as he gripped his gavel.

“I know this is a lot to ask of you guys, but I didn’t know where else Scarlett would be safe. I have to get back to my guys and deal with our little problem, but Scarlett needs to be protected.” I leaned back in my chair, lighting a cigarette from a fresh pack. I had lost count of how many cowboy killers I had sucked down after leaving Atlanta.

“Anything you need, brother,” Holt said as he looked around the table.

“I’m worried her crazy as fuck ex will be able to track her down up here since we have already used Vilas as a safe haven in the past,” I admitted.

Red cleared his throat. “Why don’t we put a call in to the guys up in Sweetwater? They have a cabin up in the mountains that they use as a safe house from time to time, and she’d be safe there.”

“I’d appreciate that.” I clenched my jaw as I mulled over the suggestion. Why didn’t I think of that?

“I can head up there with Collin, and we can bring Crickett and Raine along to help keep Scarlett comfortable. I’m sure Crickett wouldn’t mind seeing some of the old guys and their women anyway. She’s been talking about paying Abigail a visit. Seems like as good a time as any, don’t ya thinkg?” Ryder blew smoke out as his words sank in. It made me feel better that Raine and Crickett would be there; it was our best option.

A lightbulb went off in my head. “Red? Are you still a notary?”

His eyebrow rose as he answered, “Yeah, actually, I am. Why?”

“There’s something I have to take care of before we set this plan in motion. Call Blaz, get his okay for them to head that way, and meet me back here in a couple of hours.”

Ryder cocked his head to the side. “What do you have up your sleeve, Bear?”

“Something that should have been done already,” I replied, shoving away from the table.

Ryder slammed the gavel onto the oval table. “Let’s get to work, gents.”

I walked back out into the bar, grabbing Raine’s hand and whispering softly in her ear so Scarlett wouldn’t hear me. “I’m going to marry Scarlett before y’all take a little trip. Can you and Crickett get her a dress and some flowers? I’m going to take her to the courthouse and get marriage licenses.”

Her face turned strawberry pink as she stifled a squeal and nodded. “Sure thing, Bear. Anything you need.”

Scarlett pursed her lips as she gave me a sideways glance. “No one likes secrets.”

I grabbed her hand. “Come with me. There’s something we have to do really quick.”

She followed me out to my truck. Grabbing her hips, I put her up on the edge of the tailgate.

“Scarlett, you know I love you, and you know I want nothing more than to be with you for the rest of my life. This is terrible timing, and I am so bad at all this shit, but I can’t leave here in the morning and send you off to Tennessee with the guys without making it official.”

Her hand landed on my cheek. “What’s going on, Bear? You’re talking in circles.”

“Marry me—right now, today, here. Let’s do it. I don’t want to go another day without you being my wife.”

Tears filled her eyes as her slender arms wrapped around my neck. “Fuck it. Let’s do it!”