I stood beside the bed, my entire body quivering in anger as I watched Rae bolt through the door. She had such a temper, and sometimes it seemed to add to my own rage and frustration. I picked up a robe and chased after her since she was half naked. Ignoring the looks of surprise around the room as she skidded to a halt in front of R.J., she tossed a defiant glare over her shoulder and planted a seductive kiss right on his lips.

Stupid. She didn’t understand her actions at all.

R.J. wasn’t going to go for that. He wouldn’t be led away by her sensual kiss . . .

Until that was exactly what happened.

She grabbed R.J.’s leather jacket and zipped it up, reaching for his hand and flipped me off in anger.

“That’s far enough!” I yelled, my mind panicking as my heart raced.

What the hell was happening!?

Before I could react R.J. and Rae were on the back of Jake’s Harley. Seconds later I stood at the front door watching the love of my life ride off with my best friend, again, my heart shattering into a million different pieces. The second time I had to watch my girl leave me with R.J.

“Fuck!” I yelled, my face lowering into my hands. What the hell did I just do?

Now my baby was gone, unprotected by the group, and vulnerable. Worse, R.J. was going to use this situation to his advantage and monopolize every second she was with him. I saw the look of surprise and delight on R.J.’s face when her lips met his. He might try to seduce her and as much as I loved my best friend like a brother if he tried to do anything more than press a chaste kiss against her lips I was going to kick his ass.

My lungs ached with exertion as I launched a roar from my chest, rage filling my body to the point of combustion. Rational thought fled my brain. Pissed off and spoiling for a fight, I looked up as Jake approached, hands up in the air.

“Calm down man. This is some serious bullshit, but we gotta handle it the right way. Alright?”

I sneered in his face, “He has Rae.” The words were forced through my locked jaw.

Jake nodded, “Yes, and you need to remember that R.J. is your best friend. He’s not going to sleep with your girl so take a deep breath and handle your fucking shit bro.”

I almost snarled a reply, but Hay interrupted.

“Pete, remember that Rae is in love with you. She cares for R.J., but she wouldn’t betray you. Trust me.” Hayley placed a hand on my arm, but I wasn’t even close to calm.

My chest was heaving. With great effort I managed to calm my breathing enough so that I could speak, “I’m getting her back. Now.”

Feeling the anger, frustration, and hurt that seemed to cling to Rae through our connection, I was becoming increasingly agitated. If I stayed here I would tear this fucking cabin apart.

“She left without anything to wear. She won’t get far,” Hay promised.

My heart started to beat faster again, “Exactly, my baby needs me.”

Hay grinned, “She does Pete. Only love makes you act so irrationally and foolishly. She’s head over heels for you. Never seen my bestie like that before.”

I sighed, “How the hell do I find them?”

“I’ve got to stay here with Hay. Why don’t you text Beckett and see if he’ll follow you? We’ve got this place secure,” Jake’s eyes roamed Hay’s face as he placed a kiss on her lips. “We could use some privacy.”

“Jake!” she screeched, outraged.

Jake kissed her sloppily as she swatted at him and he smacked her on the ass, “Come on baby. Give me some love.”

She giggled as her arms slid up his chest.

I had enough and left the two of them undressing each other as the door shut behind me. I sped away in the Nova and dialed Beckett’s number, determined not to let another minute pass without Rae by my side.

“I need your help.”

***

“WHAT HAPPENED?” BECKETT asked as he slid his stocky frame from the bed of the red Ford.

“Rae’s gone.”

“Gone? What the hell Pete?”

An hour and twenty minutes had passed before Beckett pulled into the abandoned parking lot where we agreed to meet. Long enough for my thoughts to cause extended chaos in my mind. I paced in front of him and tried to keep my shit together, but Beckett seemed to figure it out much sooner than I expected, “She left –”

“With R.J.” a statement, not a question. “Sorry bro,” he sighed and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

I winced and nodded, kicking at a rock with my shoe, “We had an argument.”

“Does she know about R.J.’s feelings?”

I sighed, “Before today, no.”

He paused thoughtfully, “Well, any idea where they would have gone?”

“No, but shit has calmed down enough for me to try and text him now. Not sure I can handle this Beck. Rae’s fucking pissed at me . . .”

“So? Rae’s got a temper. We all know that. She isn’t going to run off with your best friend. Get a clue bro.”

I tried to smile, but it came across as a grimace. I knew Rae and R.J. wouldn’t cross the line. If I was honest, that wasn’t what was really bothering me. Running my fingers through my dark hair I admitted the source of my anger and mistrust, “I’m afraid he’s going to tell her the truth.”

“About?”

“Everything,” I whispered.

“She deserves to know.”

I turned to him with a snarl, “No, she doesn’t!”

“If you don’t tell her someone else will. What then? When she hears the truth about the RRMC and her father, Mack and your involvement, and the rivalry between the MC’s she’ll never forgive you if you aren’t the one to tell her.”

“And the accident,” I acknowledged, shoving my hands deep into my pockets. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Shit,” he grinned, pulling out a cigarette and a gunmetal lighter with the RRMC logo embedded into the cool surface, “I’m always fucking right brother.”

I laughed, my chest lightening just a bit, “You’re as much a brother to me as the others.” Beck was the shit. I could always count on him. Same as the others, I could sense his intentions and he’d never betray me. We were like blood. Family. Beck was a part of that too.

“I know Pete.”

A look past between the two of us before my cell phone buzzed in my hand.

Rae’s with me. Safe. Great Hills Lodge. Fifth and Summit.

On my way!

“Let’s go,” I shouted after I hit send for my return text and ran for the Nova.

The trip took us ten minutes, and I expected to see Rae the moment we arrived.

Never happened. I think life or the fates or some bullshit hates me.

Outlaw hogs gathered in the Great Hills Lodge parking lot. Moments before I was spotted I managed to swerve my car back on to the road. Beckett slammed his brakes behind me and we nearly collided. Fuck. Only the loud roar of so many bikes all at once camouflaged the sweet purr of my Nova. Forced to remain in the shadows until the MC left the hotel I waited impatiently to see Rae.

We pulled into a safe location as close as I could allow.

A quick text to R.J. was my only consolation.

Outlaws in lot. You good?

R.J. replied quickly. Yes. Rae asleep early. She was tired.

You keeping watch?

Yes, always.

There was nothing to say to that, and nothing to do but wait.

I pulled out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling to calm my frazzled nerves. Tonight I might as well smoke the whole damn pack. Stress was gonna fucking kill me one day if the cigarettes didn’t first.

Fuck, I hated waiting.