Things have still been quiet with Los Demonios, so Reid and I are riding out to Dixon to see if we can get an idea of what the bastards are up to. I can’t take the waiting around anymore.

Reid and I park our bikes in the brush off the side of the road about half a mile from their compound. We make the trek through the woods until we spot their clubhouse.

As we get closer I notice everything is quiet, and I don’t see so much as a bike—in fact, it looks abandoned. I can tell Reid has made the same observation.

Still being cautious, I draw my piece from my cut as I slowly make my way around the side of the building. Reid stays back, covering me, as I walk towards the front of the clubhouse.

Peering around the corner I see the front door is wide open, exposing an empty room. I give Reid a signal all is clear as I walk into the clubhouse.

“Damn, brother, I wasn’t expecting this. You think those pussies got scared and ran after stealing from us? Maybe they got wind the Russians are in town.”

“I don’t know, man. Let’s look around, see if we find anything, then head back.” I pull my phone from my cut and call Jake.

He answers, “What you got?”

“Nothing Prez. Their clubhouse is empty, fucker’s just up and left.”

“Son of a bitch,” He hisses. “You two get your asses back, I’m calling church.”

“You got it, Prez. See you in thirty.”

“Logan,” he stops me before I hang up. “I want to bring Demetri in on this, you going to have a problem with that?”

Sighing, “No Prez, I think bringing him in is a good idea. I want to be done with this shit.”

“Alright son, I’ll make the call.”

When Reid and I return to the clubhouse I see my father’s black SUV parked out front. I agree with Jake, bringing the Russians in on this is smart. First Lee disappears, and now with Los Demonios in the wind, there will be no more waiting around. My woman and her sister’s life are at stake.

It’s time to end this shit.

Walking into church I see Jake, my father, and my brother, Nikolai, waiting for us. Reid walks in behind me taking his seat while I walk around the table, taking my place next to Prez.

With Quinn at the shop with Bella, Gabriel on watch at the school, and the other brothers out trying to find Lee, it’s only the five of us.

I turn to my right to acknowledge my father and brother. “I appreciate you two coming to meet with us.”

“Anything for you, son,” Demetri replies.

Over the next forty-five minutes, I give them a rundown of the situation. Los Demonios taking our shipment, the arrangement Bella’s stepfather made with them to cover his debt—all of it.

“When was the last time anyone has seen Lee?” Nikolai asks.

“Weeks,” I tell him. “that motherfucker disappeared after the girls’ mom kicked his ass to the curb. We’ve torn this town apart looking for him. He’s the only reason we’ve not made a move on Los Demonios. We were hoping they would lead us to him.”

“Does Bella know of the threat against her and her sister?” Demetri asks.

Shaking my head. “No, I decided against telling her. I didn’t want to put that kind of stress on her. Bella already has enough bullshit to deal with.”

“I understand, but I believe it would be wise to inform her. If she knows of the danger she and her sister are in, it would help her in being more vigilant.”

“I agree,” Jake cuts in.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, I nod. I didn’t want it to come down to me having to tell Bella the whole truth, but my father and Jake make a very good point. If she knew everything, she would understand why I always have a brother with her and Alba. I also agree she needs to be more cautious.

“I’ll talk with her this weekend after the family BBQ. Bella’s been looking forward to it, and I don’t want to ruin it for her. I’ll tell her after the party.”

By the time our meeting is over my father has vowed to use his contacts and whatever resources needed to bring every one of those motherfuckers down.

* * *

I woke up this morning to cold and empty sheets. It’s after eight according to the clock on the table beside the bed and I know exactly where my girl is at. Normally I’d be pissed she left our bed before I got my morning fix, but seeing how excited she has been about the party I can’t be mad. It’s all she’s talked about this week. Rolling out of bed I head to the bathroom to take care of business before heading downstairs to seek out my woman. As expected I find her in the kitchen with Lisa and her sister.

“Mornin’, Angel,” I say walking up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her neck.

“Good morning, Logan. You hungry?”

“I’m good, just some coffee for now,” I tell her before slapping her on her ass. Causing her to shriek.

“I’ll be out back helping the brothers set up if you need anything, beautiful,” I tell her as I head out of the kitchen.

Outside the weather is a little cool, but we’re going to have an above average temperature today of sixty. Perfect for a BBQ, and later tonight we’ll light some bonfires.

I see the prospects setting up tables and chairs, while Quinn is busy arguing with Reid about whose grilling skills are better. Those two have the same disagreement every time we have a cookout.

It’s become some sort of tradition. First, they will argue over using gas or charcoal, then who has the best sauce. Eventually, the whole thing will turn into a cook off, where the brothers will be forced to choose a winner between the two. I don’t think the idiots realize we swap winner’s title back and forth.

Last time Quinn won the title, so today the winner will be Reid. Hell, maybe they do know how we vote and are keeping up the facade like the rest of us, because like I said, it’s tradition.

Scanning the yard, I spot Gabriel sitting on a patio chair surveying the yard while drinking coffee. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Bella and her sister walking towards Blake carrying bags of ice. Blake jogs over to them taking the bags from their hands. Bella turns, making her way over to me while Alba continues to chat up the prospect.

“Baby, you could’ve had one of the brothers carry that ice for you.”

“Logan, I’m perfectly capable of doing things myself.” She tells me with her usual sass.

“Prospect,” Gabriel gravelly voice hollers from across the yard, causing Bella and me to snap our heads in his direction.

“Get your ass back to work,” he orders Blake.

I watch as the prospect puts his hand on Alba, giving her shoulder a light squeeze before returning to work. Fucking kid has no idea he’s stirring the damn pot. He just gave Gabriel a reason to ride his ass. Bella and I watch as her sister walks back inside.

“Well, I better get back in there. You boys play nice.”

“Hey, it’s not me you need to worry about,” I tell her.

“I know, but do me a favor, don’t let big guy over there be too hard on Blake.”

“Sorry, babe, I’m not getting in the middle of that shit,” I say chuckling.

“Fine, I guess I’ll pray for him, I’m sure he’s going to need it.”

The sun is shining and the brothers and their families are beginning to show up. My brother Nikolai sent me a text about twenty minutes ago telling me he and my father were on their way as well.

Bella is anxious to officially meet them. Having her by my side through this whole fucked up ordeal has made things easier. Word has gotten around about Demetri being my father and the club has been nothing but supportive.

Jake has been the only father figure in my life, and no matter what happens between me and Demetri, Jake will always be that for me.

I’ve been sitting here bullshitting with Bennett awhile when my girl nudges me. I look at her then in the direction she’s pointing. My father and brother have arrived and make their way across the yard in my direction. Standing up I grab Bella’s hand.

“Come on, Beautiful, I want to introduce you.”

I end up meeting them halfway across the yard, “Demetri, Nikolai, I’d like you to meet, Bella.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Bella. Logan has told me much about you.” Demetri says, shaking Bella’s offered hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

She then turns her attention to my brother. “Good to see you again, Nikolai.”

“You as well, Myshka.” He replies. I’m about to ask him what the hell Myshka means when Bella beats me to it.

“What does Myshka mean?”

“It’s a term of endearment meaning little mouse.” Nikolai turns to me, “I’m sorry, I should have explained that to you the first time I said it-my apologies, Logan. I would never disrespect your lady.”

“We’re good, brother,” I say with a chin lift and slap on the back, “Come on, I’d like to introduce you guys to the rest of the members.”

Bella excuses herself when she sees her friend approaching. “I’ll be back in a minute, Logan.”

We make our rounds, giving introductions to the rest of the brothers and their families. I was wondering how they were going to fit in. My father and brother are designer clothes and reek of money. As for the Kings, we’re ripped jeans and motorcycle boots. They shock the hell out of me when they sit down at the table with a plate piled with ribs, and dig in using their hands to eat.

The sun is starting to set, painting the sky with a yellow and orange glow. Feeling a chill in the air we decide it’s time to light a fire.

“Anybody got any matches?” I yell.

“I saw some inside earlier,” Bella tells me, getting up from her chair. “I’ll go get them, I want to check on Alba anyway. She went in a few minutes ago but hasn’t come back out.”

I watch my woman’s perfect fuckin’ ass sway as she makes her way inside.

“She’s very beautiful, Logan, you’re a lucky man.” My brother says, coming up beside me.

“You’ll get no arguments from me, I know how lucky I am to have Bella.”

“What about you, Nikolai? You got a woman back home?”

“Hell no, I’m too young to be tied down.”

“Famous last words, brother,” I mumble with a head shake. “I was saying the same thing a short time ago, but Bella changed my mind.”

My conversation with Nikolai is cut short when I notice Bella running across the yard towards the front of the compound near the gate, screaming her sister’s name.

Everything happens in slow motion.

The beer bottle I have halfway to my mouth drops to the ground when I see two men fighting with a struggling Alba, trying to force her into a white van, and Bella running straight for them. A second van pulls up with the side door open, as shots begin to ring out. Men and women scramble to take cover. Women shielding their children, and husbands covering their women while returning fire.

“Bella!” I roar while running towards her.

“Logan!” Bennett hollers from my left, “Get down,” he warns me just as I see one of the men throw something in my direction. I’m suddenly thrown to the ground, then blinded by a flash of light, followed by a loud bang. A minute later, I come to feeling disoriented, and realize it was my father who knocked me to the ground, shielding me.

“Bella!” I shout out, getting to my feet. My brothers come running up behind me, as we rush through the dust and fog, but I already know it’s too late. I feel it in the pit of my stomach. Those motherfuckers got Bella and Alba. They took my woman and her sister. Looking over at my brothers, my family, there’s only one thing to say. “Time for war.”