Brook

Vin’s reddened face when he stepped into the kitchen this morning told me everything. Something had happened. My heart raced when he said Ari was in the hospital due to smoke inhalation from a fire set to Riders Wear. I had worked there for a total of three weeks before I decided to take off to Cali. “She’ll be fine. They are just keeping her there because of the pregnancy,” Vin explains as Ellie stands from the table to hug him.

“If I hadn’t killed him myself, I would think he came back from the dead to wreak havoc on all of us again.” I try not to listen in on their conversation, but they are too close for me not to hear.

“I know, Ells. But he’s gone. You saw for yourself. This is a whole ‘nother matter.”

“There’s something else, isn’t there?” she asks, getting a nod in return.

“Got to go to the club. Rock called lockdown. Go gather up the kids and whatever else you might need, baby. We’ll be there a while,” Vin tells Ellie with a kiss to her temple before glancing over at me. “Grace is still asleep. Would you mind checking on her? You can tell her what’s going on.”

“I heard.” Grace’s voice comes from the living room entering into the kitchen. “I'll go get Tanya ready,” she informs with a soft smile. She probably isn’t too sad about having to be at the clubhouse since she’ll be closer to Gin.  I inwardly shake off the knowledge of Gin being buried not too far from where I’ll have to stay for who knows how long. Maybe I can talk to Rock and see if I can go back to California. If someone is here tormenting the club, wouldn’t I be safer hundreds of miles away?

* * *

The clubhouse is like I’ve never seen it before—not even when I was little and had to be here for lockdown. I don’t even remember the reason for the lockdown, but I do remember the clubhouse not looking like a daycare. It has been completely transformed. The pool table isn’t even out here anymore. “Listen up,” someone calls out with a high-pitched whistle, then slams their hand onto the flat surface of the bar.

“No one leaves this club unless escorted by at least two men. No exceptions. There is someone out there who wants to hurt us, I will not lose another member of this family,” Rock declares in front of the crowd of Riders, along with their women and children. “You are all here because you are family, and we protect our family. Let us protect you and we will get through this shit.” Then he walks off, talking to Jake, who steps in stride as they head back toward the door leading to the rooms.  That’s when my eyes wander. They find him instantly. Standing by the door, holding it open for Rock and Jake to go through. Sage picks up his head and his eyes lock onto mine, as if a magnetic pull forces him to. It’s only for a split second, but I catch the hurt in his eyes, the guilt of what happened between us, and maybe even a little shame. Then he’s gone, following behind the president and vice president of this club.

I have never wanted to get out of here more.