The Brikken members paid homage to Chief in the center of the main room of the clubhouse at his first party in a long time. Johanna picked up a margarita from Chano tending the bar and turned to take in everything that represented Chief.

He'd thrust himself back into running the MC, and the members hadn't held back bringing problems to him that kept him pre-occupied and away from her. She'd faded into the background, giving him that time with his men. She understood that he needed those moments to cement himself into what made him Chief.

She lifted the glass to her mouth and drank, licking the salt from her lips. The mouthwatering tingle on her tongue caused her stomach to flutter. Or, maybe it was watching Chief in his element.

He was her everything. His strong presence and persuasive personality that led hundreds of men and had every single one looking to him for protection was the same quality that had her clinging to him for a lifetime commitment and trusting him.

The bond they shared went deeper than him giving her security in a fragile existence. There was something about him, some indescribable confidence he had in her that no one else could see. He'd given her that self-assurance and made her the woman that was with him today.

Chief lifted his arm as he talked, probably giving orders. Her body flushed with warmth. God, he was sexy. A beast in bed — that man could do things to her that exceeded her imagination. In the next moment, he could hold her so tenderly it brought tears to her eyes.

He understood her desires before she voiced them. It was almost scary how dependent she'd become on him. Even his absence over the last four years never diminished her love.

Broken, lonely, and scared, she'd grown and reached for him, coming away more desperately in love with him than she ever thought possible.

He'd taken care of her from afar, keeping her from checking out of living. He'd given her a home, a family, and kept many eyes on her—and for how much she hated members following her, checking up on her at the house, and coming up with fake excuses to get her to the clubhouse, it hit her hard that Chief was behind it all.

He'd orchestrated the life she craved from inside the prison walls and never once let her know what it felt like to be without his presence.

Margo and Becker walked up to Johanna. She smiled at the older couple. Margo was the one responsible for fixing all the food for the men and running the kitchen, while her husband remained part of Brikken after a road crash took the lower part of his right leg.

"It's sure good to have Chief back, darling." Becker hobbled on his prosthetic leg beside her and looked out at the others. "I look at him, and I still see the punk kid who dogged Rollo's footsteps. If a fight broke out, I knew who was in the middle of the melee."

She smiled, gazing out at Chief. "A troublemaker?"

"No, darling. A leader, like Rollo." Becker sucked on his cigarette. "That boy did his daddy proud, may he rest in peace."

"Does Chief look like his dad or mom?" She glanced at Becker. "I don't think I've seen a picture of them before."

"There's a picture of Rollo in the meeting room. You'll have to ask Chief about seeing it. He's the mirror image of his father, the same way Thorn is a picture of his daddy." Becker whistled low. "But, his momma was the beauty in the family. She had more men panting after her during the time she lived on Brikken property than all the women here today."

She sipped her drink. "Chief's mom lived at the clubhouse?"

Becker's gaze hardened. "Rollo wouldn't allow it. He had a house on the other side of the creek built for his wife and son."

Surprised, because she'd never noticed a house on Brikken property, she asked, "Where is it?"

"Burnt, darling." Becker turned. "Best you ask Chief if you need to know more."

She gazed after Becker as he hobbled away from her with his wife at his side. Chief kept his past from everyone, including her. It was hard to imagine him having a childhood, parents, and a life before he was...so much bigger and in control of everything around him.

Wanting to be with Chief, she walked around the circle of people and approached him from behind. His hand reached behind him, and she warmed. Even without seeing her, he stayed aware of her coming to him.

She slipped her fingers into his hand. He continued listening to the men, and she let her gaze wander. Brikken men were a rough and scary group who stuck together through good times and bad. Her respect for Brikken had grown over the years, and she couldn't be happier to be a part of the family.

Bringing her gaze back around, she gasped. Skidd stood on the other side of Chief leering at her.

Chief let go of her and slid his hand under her hair and palmed her neck, bringing her to his side. Her heart raced, and the conversation in the room came to her garbled. She looked around Chief's chest at Skidd wanting to know what he planned when she caught the sight of the silver chain, so familiar to her, hanging around his neck.

Her gaze lowered, looking for the silver tag and took a quick breath when the chain hung under his T-shirt, hiding what she knew to be Chief's colors on the top side and his information on the back. Her pulse raced. Skidd flaunted her jewelry in front of Chief, challenging him or trying to hurt him.

Why would he do that?

Chief would kill Skidd in front of everyone if he knew who had her necklace.

"Bug?" Chief lowered his head, blocking her view of Skidd, and said, "What's wrong?"

"I have to tell you something," she whispered.

"What?"

She shifted to look at Skidd again, and he'd moved away. Needing to know where he'd gone, she searched the room without any luck.

"Johanna?" said Chief.

"Uh..." She leaned into him. "I'm going to step outside and cool off. I'll be back."

His mouth softened. "You need help catching a breeze?"

"No. Stay with your men." She kissed him. "I'll be right back."

Ten feet away, she realized he thought she was making an excuse to go have sex and turned around. He still gazed at her and lifted his brow. Muffling her moan, she hurried out of the room. She couldn't concentrate on sex when Skidd had her necklace.

All she had to do was get it back, and all conflict surrounding the damn piece of jewelry would go away, and Chief wouldn't end up killing anyone and leaving her again.

She took her empty glass into the kitchen and then walked outside. She had no idea where Skidd went, but she needed to find him and get the necklace back before Chief spotted him.

Walking the line of motorcycles, she tried to recall which one belonged to Skidd. Chief had the first spot, Keeffe had the second spot, she counted down the officers and stopped at the tenth bike, looking down the long line of bikes. Oh, my God, they all looked the same.

"Bug?"

She whirled around and found Chief walking straight toward her. An imprudent urge to run to him and explain the situation assailed her desire to run away and hide. She held her ground and waited for him to reach her, hoping during those extra five seconds, she'd come up with a way to tell him the truth without him killing anyone.

Chief stopped in front of her and grabbed her upper arms. "What are you doing by the motorcycles?"

"Just walking."

"Johanna..." He tilted his head. "What the hell is going on?"

"I'm cooling down. It's muggy and stinky in the clubhouse." She wrapped her arms around his waist and gazed up at him. "Are you having a good time?"

He grunted. Holding on to him, she tried to stop time from moving.

"I'll be riding out on Monday." He rubbed her back and widened his stance.

She groaned into his chest. "Already?"

"I'll be back before the sun comes up on Tuesday."

"I'll stay awake through the night then, and wait for you." She lifted her head. "Do you mind if I invite Lindsay and Ashley over that evening? They probably won't stay too late, because they both have to work the next day."

"Yeah, that's fine." He lowered his head and kissed her. "I'm going to talk to Keeffe, and then we can go. Why don't you grab another drink for yourself while you wait."

"Another margarita sounds good." She slid her hand into his back pocket and walked with him.

She'd expected him to let loose, but whatever was going on with the club kept all the men holding back. They'd used the time to talk with Chief and obviously, plan the next road trip.

"Hey, Chief," said a voice that made Johanna stumble.

Chief's arm tightened around her shoulders and stopped her. She held on to his vest, afraid to look behind them.

Her decision to avoid the situation ended when Chief turned her around with her at his side, and she faced Skidd, and of all people, Nene. She looked at Skidd's neck. If her necklace was there, his shirt and vest hid it from view.

"What do you need?" said Chief.

Skidd reached into his pocket, and when he brought out his hand, her necklace dangled from his finger. She gasped, pressing closer to Chief, knowing if he went after Skidd she wouldn't be able to stop him. But, she'd try.

Chief took her tag necklace and looked it over. "Where did you find it?"

Skidd hitched his thumb over his shoulder. "Out in the field. I was talking to Nene, and I don't know if the chain reflected the floodlight on the clubhouse or what, but there it was lying on the ground. Johanna must've lost it when she parked her car out there. I'm surprised it's not ruined for how many cars have driven through that area." Skidd shrugged. "I wanted to get that to you. Chano mentioned you were searching for it and I thought you were leaving and wanted to grab you before you go. I'll let you get on with your night."

She inhaled swiftly and said, "Thank you."

"Not a problem. Glad you got it back."

Skidd looped his arm around Nene's shoulders and pulled her away. "She's obviously not responsible enough to wear the Chief's tag," said Nene, her words carrying in the night.

Johanna closed her eyes, hurt over the comment. Opening her eyes, she contained the hate she had for Skidd. Giving back what he'd stolen didn't excuse his behavior toward her or make her forgive him for stealing a private gift in such a manner.

Chief handed his tag to Johanna.

Looking down at her necklace, she sensed tension in Chief after Skidd and Nene left. At least that part of her worries was over. All she had to do was stay away from Skidd, and there would be no trouble between him and Chief.

She held the necklace in her hand, not wanting to wear it after it'd touched Skidd's skin. As soon as she got home, she'd wash it. Glancing up at Chief, she found him frowning at her.

"Tell me again how long ago you lost it." Chief lifted her chin. "The truth."

"About four months ago." When he continued studying her, she added, "I'm glad I have it back."

"How did you lose it?" he asked, his thumb and finger tightening on her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"I-I told you, I wasn't sure."

"Bullshit." His mouth hardened. "That piece of jewelry hasn't been outside or laid in the dirt and grass for four months. It's clean, so either you tell me how in the fuck Skidd got your necklace or I'm going to find him and get my answers by removing one of his fingers every fucking time he hesitates."

"I..." She muffled her indignation.

Her hesitation sent Chief stalking toward the clubhouse. She ran to catch him, and he shook her off his arm and went through the door.

She paced outside, knowing she'd only make matters worse if she followed him inside and brought awareness of the real reason Skidd had her necklace in front of the other Brikken members.