Shots ringing out, I could tell Sky was completely disoriented. I was sure she’d never been in anything like this before. She’d experienced violence, having spent four years with Griller, but there was no way she been in anything like this.

I’d hoped we’d get out before Griller made it in. But the guy was fast. He’d gone for the bait, just like we figured he would. Seeing Sky proved irresistible, just like it had to me. Only I’d never wanted to kill her. Griller obviously had exactly that in mind. The murderous look in that shithead’s eyes? I’d seen a lot of crazy before, but he brought it to the next level.

The second the door opened behind us with a deafening bang, I sprang into hyper-speed. I’d already been running, staying behind Sky so I could protect her. If a bullet came our way, I wanted to take it. I was prepared to throw my body over hers, roll her to the ground and get her safely under cover. But then the door we’d come through opened, and I knew I had to take the lead.

“This way.” I grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the exit door at a faster pace, accelerating our speed. Shots fired all around us, Reapers emerging out from the shadows. I could see two overhead, one over in the corner. They’d staked the whole place out, had every angle covered.

But I was sure Griller was giving as good as he got. And if his reputation for violence was deserved, the man was capable of doing serious harm. Plus, he had motivation. Now he could not only see Sky, I was sure he could see me, holding her hand as we tried to get away.

With all the noise and smoke, I couldn’t tell if it was just him or if he’d brought back-up. I hadn’t seen anyone behind us on the freeway, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t had a moment of insight and called in some brothers. They might have been on their way, arriving fast on our heels to help him put an end to his cheating wife. But I couldn’t turn around to look. I had to get the two of us to safety.

It couldn’t have been more than ten seconds before my hand touched the handle of the exit door. But those ten seconds felt like ten hours. And all it took was an instant to get a fatal gunshot wound. Ripping the door open, I pulled Sky out first, thrusting her back out into the daylight before I followed, shutting it behind us.

“You hit?” I yelled, wrapping an arm around her lower back as I ran with her over to the SUV.

“I don’t think so.” She sounded terrified and close to losing it, but we were almost there. Eyes fixed on our target, I swept the area with my peripheral vision, looking for Skulls. I didn’t see anyone, but that didn’t mean we wouldn’t get a nasty surprise.

The SUV was still parked where we’d left it a minute ago. I fingered my set of keys in my pocket, opening all the doors.

“Passenger side,” I barked, urging her toward the right while I dove left toward the driver’s seat. She probably didn’t need the reminder of where to go, but it couldn’t hurt. Stress and adrenaline could make you fast—Sky was hustling just as swift as me, sprinting over the gravel and weeds to reach the car—but stress didn’t always support clear thinking. She might need a reminder, I was going to drive getaway to the next checkpoint.

In the car, I wrenched on the ignition and jammed us into drive, wheels scrabbling and screeching as we peeled out down the driveway and into the street. I wanted to put as much distance as I could between us and that warehouse. I wished I could erase it from Sky’s brain, too. But I had to go with the flow of traffic, stop at the red light. All it would take was a cop pulling us over for a minor violation to make this whole plan fall to pieces.

“You did so good, baby, so good. Are you OK?” I asked, panting, squeezing her hand. I didn’t see any blood, no evidence of an injury, but that was another thing about adrenaline. It could mask even a nasty wound in the heat of the moment.

She patted herself down, as if she were wondering the same thing. Legs, arms, torso. “I’m OK. Are you?”

I nodded, sure of it. Finally, the light changed and we merged onto the freeway where I could open it up. Again, I kept myself within five miles an hour of the speed limit, even though I craved as much distance as possible.

“It’s all right. It’s all going to be OK.” I kept holding Sky’s hand, enfolding her in my heat, offering her reassurance. But we’d both feel better once we got to the checkpoint. Twenty minutes later, I reached the exit. We didn’t say anything to each other as I drove, winding my way down and into town to an auto shop where Zeke knew a guy. But I knew we were both thinking the same thing. So close now, this was the last piece in the puzzle.

“You stay here.” I kissed her quick, leaving her in the passenger seat while I stepped out. Sure enough, right on cue, Zeke stepped out from the back of the shop.

“There you are.” He approached me looking calm and cool, but I didn’t take that as a guarantee that things had gone down the way we’d wanted at the warehouse. Zeke knew how to maintain a poker face in the middle of all kinds of crazy shit.

“What’s the story?” I stood next to him in the lot, nothing but cars in various states of repair all around us.

“All taken care of.”

“It’s done?” He nodded. Griller was dead. “And your guys?”

“They’re all good. Everyone got out. And you never were there.”

I took a moment, shaking my head at the news. Holy shit. It had gone down as planned. I believed it, but I couldn’t believe it at the same time.

“That’s your ride.” Zeke pointed to a sweet silver Denali, the type you could tell came fully automated with its own WiFi hotspot. A truck that tricked out probably cost over 70K.

“You couldn’t get us something good?” Tense as the moment was, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to give him some shit.

“It’s all I could scrape together.” He walked me over, the truck starting all on its own as we approached. “Keyless technology.” He pressed a set of keys into my hand.

“If this whole MC thing doesn’t pan out for you, you could always get a job selling cars.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He smiled, but glanced over at the street. “You two better get going. You got any idea where you’re headed?”

“Yeah, I got an idea. But I got to talk with Sky about it first.” I looked out at the cars moving by, knowing we’d be one of them in a minute. But before that I wanted to let him know how much it meant to me, the way he’d come through for us. “Zeke, I want you to know—”

“I know, man.” He clapped me on the back, giving me a one-armed hug. “Don’t go all mushy on me. It’s not like I’m a good guy or anything.”

I looked at him, understanding the complexity of that statement. He’d arranged to have someone killed. That was the solid he’d done me. He was no Mother Theresa. But he understood the meaning of loyalty. He would have helped me out even if he hadn’t gotten something out of it.

I settled for, “Thank you.”

“De nada.” He started walking over to the SUV. “Now let’s get your stuff and get you and your woman on the road.”

We moved our things, a few bags of clothes plus a box of mostly kitchen stuff for Sky, a couple of bags of things for me. We didn’t have much, but that felt about right. We were seeking a fresh start, after all. I helped Sky out of the car, and she held onto me with wobbly legs. She looked pale and like she might get sick.

“Take care of yourself.” Zeke gave her shoulder a squeeze, then looked up at me. “You, too. Now get the hell out of here.”

I didn’t need to be told again. I walked Sky over to the truck and helped her up. She looked shaken and I wanted to hold her, make her feel better, but I knew the best thing would be to put everything in the rear view mirror. Keyless engine on, we pulled out, leaving behind our SUV. Zeke would have the plates switched out within the hour. The guy was a pro. We had our stuff, our clean truck, and no one on our tail.

“They got him, Sky. It’s done,” I told her as soon as we were alone in the cab. She drew her hands up over her face and folded down over her lap. I rubbed her back, pained by her muffled sobs. “It’s all over,” I tried to reassure her. Even though I knew, lingering guilt could live on a hell of a long time.

I hadn’t wanted her to hear or see anything. I’d hoped we’d get out of the warehouse before he got in. But I guessed I couldn’t fuss over details now that everything was said and done. Plus, the way it had gone down, everything got tied up real nice and neat.

I let her feel it, whatever she was feeling. I wanted to whoop and celebrate, but her emotions would have to be more complicated. She’d been with the guy for four years.

“Do you think any Skulls know we’re involved?” she asked.

“Nope.” I’d gone over all the scenarios in my head. “Worst case, he called up a Skull and said he’d seen you. But none of them will know what happened after. The Reapers won’t leave a trace.”

“You don’t think they’ll try to track me down? Find out what happened?”

“Trust me, Griller was a liability. They’re going to let this lie.” I didn’t go into the rest of the fucked-up world of MC ethics. I knew the brotherhood would fight to the bloody death over a question of honor. An unfaithful wife was a low blow to their masculine code of ethics, no matter how much they might cross boundaries themselves. With Griller alive, he could mobilize others to help him inflict pain.

But dead? I felt pretty sure the Prez would be happy Griller had gone when he did. He must have known Griller caused more trouble than he saved. It was only a matter of time before something he did escalated conflict, sent the whole club spinning into a war with a rival gang. Now he could devote his resources elsewhere.

“Where are we headed?” she asked, sounding exhausted.

“I thought we could spend the night in Flagstaff. Get some sleep. Then we can talk about where to next.” We could get there around midnight, find some hotel where we could pay cash and crash.

Hand on her leg, I added, “You’re amazing, you know that? What you did today? You’re so brave.”

Tears on her face, she tried to give me a smile, but then turned and looked out the window as I drove. We were safe, free at last, the plan working exactly as we’d hoped. But it didn’t feel that way. It felt like she’d brought prison right along with her, trapping herself in a world of pain.

The next day, after a heavy sleep, we grabbed coffee and got on the road, driving until Albuquerque when I heard her stomach grumble. I pulled off at a diner, insisting we stop and have a proper meal. She was only going to get some fries, but I urged her toward a burger. She still seemed like she was sleepwalking.

We ate, and I ordered a slice of pie. “Try some.” I offered her some on my fork. Reluctant, she took a bite, then made a disgusted face.

“That’s from a can.”

“Nothing like Sky’s Pies,” I agreed. Slowly, I saw a smile creep into her face. “You know, I think we might need to set you up with a pie shop.”

“Jax.” She shook her head like I was talking crazy.

“Something to think about,” I insisted.

“I just want to be safe.” Sitting in the booth, she wrapped her arms around herself like she was cold. “Do you think we can be?”

“Absolutely.” It hadn’t sunk in for her yet, but no one was coming for us. It was all over.

“Where?”

I’d been thinking it over, talking about it with Liam, but I hadn’t discussed it with Sky yet. At first, it seemed like too much to assume that she’d want a future with me. As if once Griller was out of the picture, I would be, too. And then, when things heated up between us, we’d gone so fast into devising and executing our plan, we hadn’t stopped to talk about “what next.”

“I was thinking about Naugatuck.” I scratched my head, gauging her reaction.

“Where you got in the accident?” She seemed surprised.

“Yeah, you ever been?”

“No.” She said it like “of course not.” And it was true, Naugatuck was a rich people destination, like Martha’s Vineyard or the Hamptons. But I’d spent a couple summers there and one of my best friends was a local who said he had a lead on a place where we could stay. Plus, it couldn’t be more off the radar of a certain Southern California motorcycle club.

“It’s real pretty there. Right on the ocean. Kind of a small town feel. I think you’d like it.”

She nodded. “Sounds like a good place to lay low.”

“Not that we have to,” I added, agreeing but wanting to reassure her.

“Guess it’s as good a place as any,” she shrugged. Still not exactly the reaction I’d been hoping for, but it would have to do for now.

After another few hours of driving, we stopped for the night in Amarillo, Texas. She took a long, hot shower. I wanted to join her, but she still seemed a million miles away. Instead, I called Ace.

“Where you been?” he asked. I’d told him I was heading out of town, and of course he’d been the one to encourage me to do that on a permanent basis. But we’d gone about a week without contact and I rarely let that happen.

“I’m with Sky.” I decided to answer with what I could say, instead of trying to pussy-foot around what I couldn’t.

“No shit.” He whistled with amazement. “How ‘bout that.”

“She’s left her husband.”

“How about that,” he repeated. “I always knew the two of you made quite a pair. So, are you heading somewhere together?”

“I think we’re going to Naugatuck.” I told him about Liam, how he said he had a lead on a place.

“You sound happy, Jax.”

“I am, Ace.”

“Proud of you, son. You let me know when you get there.”

Sky went right to sleep when she got out of the shower, like she couldn’t keep her eyes open for another second. “Sorry,” she mumbled as she sank down on the pillow. “So tired.”

“That’s OK.” I rubbed her back, worried about her. She seemed like she was in a deep funk.

“Love you, Jax,” she mumbled, her voice heavy with fatigue. “You’re my hero.” And she was out, her ribs rising and falling with slow, deep breaths.

Hero. Huh. I’ve never had that name applied to me. In fact, I’d spent a good long time after the accident feeling the opposite. Ian had never blamed me for his injuries, but no one had gone so far as to call me a hero that night. Ace had always believed in me, seen a better path for me than just about anyone else around me. But even Ace, with all his grandfatherly love and faith, had never said I was a hero.

But Sky? She made me feel that way. Sure, she was passed out cold and probably only twenty percent coherent when she’d said it. But it was the way she looked at me, the way she trusted me. To her, I was a hero. I had to admit, she made me feel like one.

It was the next day that she finally started reviving, her true, effervescent self bubbling through. At lunch in Oklahoma City, she laughed and told me a story about one of the women she used to work with. During our afternoon driving shift, she apologized.

“Sorry I’ve been so out of it. I think I’ve been in shock. I can’t believe it all actually happened.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“Thanks, I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for your help

“Of course not”

“Or not excited to be with you. It’s just a lot to process. To think Mike’s dead.” She shook her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve wanted to be free for so long. I start feeling these moments of happiness, but then I feel guilty. Like there’s blood on my hands.”

“There would have been blood on his hands if he’d gotten the chance,” I had to remind her. She did need to come to her own conclusions, but I also couldn’t sit quiet and listen to her beat herself up. “He was cruel to you, Sky. The thought that he ever laid a hand on you.” I clutched the steering wheel, rage surging through me.

“I know, Jax. I know.” She reached out and touched me, running her hand along my arm. “I know we had to do it. And we’re lucky it worked. I think it’s just going to take some time to get used to it, this reality where I’m free of him. And I’m with you.” She smiled at me, leaning her head against my shoulder.

“Is that what you want, Sky?” I made myself ask. We’d had an intense connection leading up to the show-down in the warehouse, but that had also been filled with adrenaline. She’d needed my help. I knew I wanted to be with her now more than ever, but I didn’t want to take it for granted that she felt the same way.

“More than anything.” She spoke quietly but clearly, and suddenly Springfield, Missouri couldn’t come fast enough. We’d agreed we’d stay there overnight. The faster we got across the country, the more distance we’d put between us and the pain of the past. The quicker Sky and I could move on to the good stuff.

Finally pulling off for a hotel, she made a confession. “All that waiting in that car with you was hell.”

“You mean when we were downtown waiting to see Griller?” She nodded. “Yeah, that was hard, being patient and not knowing if he’d ever show. But all that time we put in paid off in the end. It worked.”

“What I mean is, I hated sitting so close to you and not touching. I knew we had to stay focused, but you were so distracting.”

I swallowed, turned to her and said, “Hold that thought.” I paid in cash, grabbed the room key card and got us checked in in record time. Finally holding her in my arms, kissing her the way I’d wanted to, finally free of all the anxiety and obstacles, we tumbled into the hotel room.

“Naked,” I panted pulling her T-shirt off her head, unbuttoning her jeans. “I want you naked.”

“You, too.” She worked on me as well, stripping me down. I sat back onto the bed, holding her to me as she straddled my knee. “I hated sitting so close to you and not being able to do this.”

She slipped down to her knees and took my cock into her mouth, her wet heat surrounding me all at once. I clutched the sheets, growling out a swear as she sucked me in smooth, gliding up and down.

She came off, licking her lips and looking up at me with a smile as she continued stroking me with her hand. “I wanted to lean down, unzip your jeans and take you in my mouth.” She dropped her head again, circling my crown with her tongue, moaning as she sucked me in.

“Sky,” I groaned, hand to the back of her head. Of course I’d wanted her to do that, too, been distracted and hard half the time we’d sat in that SUV waiting, but I’d told myself to focus. What if we missed our chance with Mike, or worse, blew our cover while she blew me?

Stroking, licking, she looked up at me with that devilish smile, sitting tall on her knees. “Do you know how much I used to fantasize about doing this? Going down on you? I used to touch myself and think about it all the time.” She moved closer, stroking my slick shaft and bringing it between her breasts. A drop of precum formed on the head. She cooed appreciatively when she saw it, smoothing it with her thumb along my shaft, then her breasts.

I watched, transfixed, as she nestled my cock in her cleavage, pushing her breasts together, caressing it between her mounds. I started thrusting, transfixed by how erotic it looked to see my dick nestled between her large breasts.

“That feels so good,” she purred, arching into me, shoving her tits together as I pushed between them.

“Fuck, Sky.” My balls clenched and I could feel it coming, already picturing how hot it was going to look cumming all over her.

“Every time I thought about you cumming,” she panted, “it made me cum.” Her nipples stood out so stiff and pink, her breasts jiggling with my thrusts. I spurted out onto her, taking my cock into my hand and jerking it onto her tits, coating her with my seed. She shuddered, her eyes closed, mouth open as she cried out.

“You’re so hot,” I panted. She sighed, rubbing my cum into her breasts, making them glisten, marking them as mine. Grabbing her around the waist, I pulled her up onto the bed and laid her down on the mattress. Spreading her legs, I dove down, wanting to taste her, needing to drink down an orgasm. I devoured her, licking, sucking, loving listening to her cries as she shivered and built up, then gave me exactly what I wanted.

“You’re mine now,” I growled, sliding her up the mattress, her head on the pillows. I was already hard again. She had an almost magical effect on me, driving me wild. Looking into her eyes, I brought one of her wrists over her head, then the other. I pinned them down, holding her there as I brought my cock to her entrance.

“I’m going to fuck you, Sky.”

“Yes,” she hissed, writhing under my grasp. Entering her felt like paradise, so tight and wet, but I went slow, savoring every inch of the push in, the friction of the pull out. She whimpered, twisting against my grip, biting her lip and looking up into my eyes. Bucking her hips into mine, she tried to drive us into a faster pace.

Watching her tits jiggle as I fucked her, I thought about her not washing them off. I always wanted her covered in a layer of my cum. I was a nasty beast of a man. I could feel her arousal build, her breathing growing faster, starting to get sweaty as she moaned.

“I’m never letting you go.” I moved faster, ramming into her as I pushed down on her wrists.

“Never let me go,” she cried, meeting my thrusts. I felt her start to contract, spasm, as her orgasm broke, and it pushed me into mine. With a roar, I buried myself to the hilt, my balls slapping against her ass as I came inside of her.

Dropping down to her side, I gathered her against me, the sheets a mess from our writhing bodies. “I’m going to fill you with my cum every day,” I told her as I kissed her.

“What about covering me with it, too?” she fake-pouted, then kissed me back.

“Oh, you like it on you as well as in you?”

“I do,” she admitted, snuggling into me. No doubt, I’d hit the jackpot.