The next morning I asked to go home. The guys wanted to insist I stay but I was adamant. Pete admitted he was staying in contact with my mom and she wanted me to come home when I could. She was worried and thought I would be safer with her than off with Pete and R.J. in the middle of nowhere. She was kind of right about that. Peter’s stare was little too hungry at times, even if I liked it. Supposedly Charles was behaving better, and Leah was probably missing me. I missed her and my mom. All of this craziness wasn’t going to stop just because I went home to see my family.

Two weeks later the chaos seemed to be settling. No weird confrontations. No late night visits in my room from Charles. The house was civil and everything seemed under control. Noticing my mother’s stress, I decided to convince her to leave and go on a date night with Vader. Maybe he would actually show her a nice time. She needed it.

Step-Vader and mom went out for the afternoon, and I spent time with my little sister. A nice change of pace that left me home to enjoy R.J. and Peter’s company and forget the anxiety of the last weeks. After watching Beauty and the Beast with Leah, singing along to the movie, making her lunch, and tickling her until she couldn’t take anymore; I put Leah down for her afternoon nap.

She had stayed in my lap all day, and I knew she missed me when I was gone.

The guys were downstairs, hanging out in the kitchen. I smiled at the thought of the two of them raiding the fridge. Mom knew at least Pete would be over so she had stocked up on snacks. I was about to tease them when my doorbell rang.

“Can I help you?” I asked, opening the door.

Two men dressed in baggy jeans, black shirts, motorcycle jackets, and combat boots stood in front of me. They were older, maybe in their thirties. Huh, were they lost? This wasn’t quite the place for a motorcycle club or the neighborhood they’d be cruising. Covered in tattoos, chains hanging from their belt loops, they screamed trouble. An uneasy feeling worked its way into my stomach. This couldn’t be the Outlaws. I was certain of it.

Right?

So who were these guys?

“Is Charles here?”

I shook my head, “You want me to give him a message?”

One of them stepped forward, “You alone little girl?”

That uneasy feeling nearly became panic, “Uh, no.”

He smiled. A cruel look entered his eyes, “You lying to me?”

I backed up and bumped into a hard body.

“You doubting my girl?” Pete was behind me, “Vader’s not here.”

The tallest one laughed. He eyed Peter with humor and quickly dismissed him, “You give him that name?”

My chin rose in the air like I was defiant. So not true, “I did.”

Both men laughed. The one who stepped forward a moment ago let his eyes travel over the length of my body, “You like to play?”

Peter stiffened as his arm slid around my waist, “I think you should leave.”

“Or we can party,” R.J. was leaning against the doorjamb, sharpening his long hunting knife. His shirt was swept aside revealing the gun tucked into his waistband.

Tense silence stretched around us for more than a minute.

Finally the taller one laughed again and turned to leave, “Tell Charles the MC says hello.”

Peter and R.J. didn’t move until the motorcycles had pulled away and disappeared out of sight. I saw the logo on the back of their jackets. Satan’s Outlaws. What the hell could they want with Charles?

“Inside now.”

R.J. nodded, his eyes scanning the neighborhood as Peter yanked me into his arms.

Once the door was closed and locked behind us, I shoved him back, “What are you not telling me?”

“Baby, there’s no need to be upset.”

I glared at him, “Don’t call me baby. I’m not an infant. What the hell is going on?”

R.J. shrugged, “He’s right, no harm done Rae.”

“Don’t you lie to me too R.J.,” he received my cold stare. “Not you. We agreed at the hotel.”

He swallowed hard, “We did.”

“Why do you both have guns in my house? I thought I was safe.”

R.J. opened his mouth but Peter beat him to it, “To protect you.”

“From?”

“Danger,” Peter barked the word through clenched teeth. “I said we should have stayed back at Mack’s cabin, but you insisted on coming home.”

I sighed, exasperated with the entire situation, “No shit I’m in danger.” On a Sunday afternoon? In my house? From Satan’s Outlaws MC? Why?

I thought the issues were mostly resolved.

“Now Rae,” R.J. warned, holding up his hands, “don’t get pissed. We’re only looking out for you.”

Pete shook his head, “Life is dangerous. Let us protect you, Rae.”

“You had guns at the drive-in too,” I pointed out. “Then all that mess at the cabin. You said not to worry. Do you always carry them?”

R.J. nodded, “Yes.”

“Why are Satan’s Outlaws coming to my door?” I folded my arms across my chest. “Tell me. Now.”

Neither one answered.

“Start talking,” I stared down R.J. first and then Peter.

Silence.

Dammit. I wasn’t kidding, “Fine.” I walked to the door and opened it. “Leave.” If they weren’t talking, then they weren’t staying.

Peter shook his head, hard, “No, Rae.”

“I said leave.”

R.J. pulled Pete toward the door, “We’ll go Rae.”

Pete was beyond angry, “I’m not going far.”

He never did. I knew that now, “I know.”

Pete shook free from R.J.’s grip and crossed to me quickly. His lips met mine as he crushed me into his embrace, “You can’t be alone.”

“Peter.”

He kissed me again but gentler, “I’m coming back.”

“No, you aren’t.”

R.J. yanked on Peter’s arm, “C’mon. Give her some time.”

My eyes met R.J.’s sympathetic gaze. He winked at me and I found it hard to stay angry with him. Pete, I could stay angry with forever. Sighing, I blew out a breath, “Thanks.”

“Sure thing honey. Text if you need us.”

Peter’s jaw clenched. “I’m coming back,” he repeated.

I sighed, “Don’t.”

“Damn Rae. This isn’t the fucking time –”

R.J. placed his hand on Peter’s shoulder, “Pete.”

They exchanged a look. Peter stomped out of the house as R.J. followed.

What was up with the two of them lately? Best friends one moment and worst enemies the next.

I shut the door loudly, making sure it was locked. Sighing, I slid to the floor, drawing my knees up to my chest. Tears slipped down my cheeks, dropping onto the fabric of my jeans. I hated secrets. I wasn’t a child. Peter better stop treating me like one. Or else.

Why did everyone always act like I’m some helpless little girl who couldn’t defend herself or handle tough situations?

“I wish you were here,” I whispered, thinking of my father. “You always knew exactly what to say and do, and you never treated me like I was helpless. I miss you.”

The garage door began to open. Vader and mom were back.

Before I had to endure their company I ran upstairs to my room and shut the door. All I wanted was to close my eyes and forget this afternoon and my argument with Peter. Lately everything seemed to spiral out of control around him, and I hated the fact that I was unable to stop it.

“Shhh, don’t scream.”

I spun, my eyes widening at the gun pointed directly at my head.

“Don’t move, little girl.”