I could hear the faint roar of a motorcycle engine outside in the small dimly lit parking lot of the hotel. At first I thought one of the RRMC was here, maybe with Pete and then I realized he probably didn’t know where I was yet.

More hogs joined the first one.

I immediately stiffened, afraid to wake up Rae after she fallen asleep but knew I had to check. If Pete was outside, I would have heard the Nova or Beckett’s truck, unless these were Outlaw bikes. Several more motorcycles revved their engines as they rode past. The noise was deafening. Rae must have been really tired to sleep through it.

Sensing her fatigue, I knew she was especially tired of all the bullshit lately and the chaos that surrounded her on a daily basis. At least the rest of us knew what was happening and we had each other to vent our frustrations to if we needed to talk to someone. Pete and Jake had my six on anything. That was MC life, but Rae was on her own. We couldn’t bring her into our lives and put her at greater risk.

My brothers and I shared a connection. We were close, more than best friends or brothers, we shared a link that was . . . special, if you could call it that. Fuck, we were like the same damn brain most of the time.

I approached the window and hid out of sight, moving the curtain just enough that I saw the group of Outlaws huddled on the blacktop in a wide circle, talking and drinking.

Shit.

Good thing I hid Jake’s bike.

Tucked into the surrounding forest, the private property behind the inn was sectioned off and gated. I managed to find a hole in the fencing big enough to stash the bike out of view, even if someone was searching for it. Now I could only hope that the Outlaws didn’t find out Rae and I were here.

I turned to check on Rae and smiled completely in awe of her, as I always was and probably always would be. She was out, sleeping deeply and unaware of any danger. I longed to crawl back into bed with her, but I knew that denial and longing would once again be my daily companion, so I thought it best to stand guard as long as possible.

Texting Pete, I let him know the situation and where we were located. The Outlaws didn’t leave for several hours, but none looked in my direction even once. The only thing I could surmise was that they were clueless that Rae had left the safe house.

Someone had tailed us from the highway though, and I was curious to find out who followed us to the hotel. Not the Outlaws. Not Beckett or Shane. Too soon for Peter or any of the RRMC.

Mack? It was possible.

Maybe he sent someone to tail our group. For safety? Hell no, probably because he was a nosy fucker. Mack made a habit of knowing everyone’s business.

Close to dawn I climbed back into bed and slipped my arm around Rae. As my eyes fluttered and closed, I smiled, hugging her body tighter as I relaxed. All too soon I had to take her back to the safe house, but for the next few hours I would enjoy the feel of her in my arms and hope that it was enough to sustain me for a long time to come.

“R.J., wake up.”

I felt a soft little nose nuzzle my own.

“Wake up sleepyhead.”

My eyes shot open as she laughed. “I’m starving. You need to feed me,” she giggled, slapping my arm, “and you snore too much.”

“Sorry my love,” I answered groggily, pulling her in for a kiss. She turned her head as my mouth pressed against her cheek instead of her lips. I wasn’t surprised. Her reaction was one I expected, but I wanted to tease her anyway. “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

She smiled, shaking her head, “Nope.”

I laughed, “You’re so beautiful I can’t take my eyes off of you for any real length of time if you’re in the room.”

How did Rae never notice?

“I don’t know how I missed that,” she admitted.

“I was just thinking the same thing. Silly girl.”

The sleek purr of a Nova rumbled gently outside, and I knew our time was up. Selfishly I wanted to refuse Pete, but I couldn’t do that. Rae was his girl. Not mine.

Goddamn that was painful.

“Pete,” we both said at the same time.

Neither of us moved as a hard knock sounded on the door.

“I’m tempted to strip you down, lay you in the bed, and leave the bathroom in only a towel as he enters,” I growled. I hated how possessive Pete could be about Rae. I never minded sharing her, but Pete wouldn’t have it.

“You wouldn’t,” she giggled, covering her mouth.

Oh, I would.

“Open up R.J.”

Peter’s voice sounded anguished, but I could feel his anxiety and fear. He probably thought I said too much, but I wasn’t stupid. Rae had a limit to the amount of shit I could tell her about our lives and the MC. No way would I let our girl be in any danger I could prevent. Pete needed to remember that.

I scowled as Rae sighed. It was too early in the morning for an argument, yet I knew it was unavoidable.

“This is my fault, I’ll take the brunt of it.”

“Don’t be a martyr Rae. I left with you, and I’ll have to answer to Pete,” I reminded her. She didn’t know it, but I was beholden to Peter “Edge” Harding. I answered to him and my actions affected not only our trio of best friends but the entire MC.

Fuck all the politics. I was tired of taking orders and getting nothing in return. Just once I wanted to stake a claim on something I wanted. But Rafe dictated how shit went down, and even Pete knew better than to press his luck.

Mack’s protection only went so far.

“Open up!”

This was going to be awkward.

I opened the door and stepped back as Peter walked in the room. He didn’t say a word but went straight to Rae and fell on his knees before her, “Baby, I’m sorry.”

She folded her arms across her chest and I knew she wasn’t going to forgive him easily.

Good for her. Make him sweat it out a little.

“Why don’t I give you both some privacy?”

“Fine,” they spoke at the same time.

With a small chuckle I left and went to retrieve Jake’s bike.

Noticing the clear lot, I hoped we weren’t being watched or followed anymore but I couldn’t be sure. Something felt off. The rivalry between the MC’s was an old feud, but shit was a lot crazier than I would have thought. Pete wasn’t in the mood to hear my opinions right now, but he’d have to get over his shit soon enough.

There wasn’t any other choice.