Rolling over, I blinked as I realized I had let go of Rae. Scooting closer, I pulled her into my chest and placed a gentle kiss on her pale cheek, thinking of that day in the treehouse when I told her I loved her for the first time. I’ll never forget the look of surprise on her face, but it was the joy I saw at that moment, the unmistakable spark that proved she loved me too.

Rae whimpered a few soft sounds that made my heart leap inside my chest. God, she was so perfect. So innocent and beautiful. So vulnerable . . .

And in danger.

My jaw clenched tight.

How much time did I have left? How long before it all fell apart, and the secrets of the past were revealed?

When would the truth become more frightening than the lies?

“She slept all night,” R.J.’s whisper finally forced me to tear my eyes away from her slightly parted lips.

“She needed it.”

R.J. nodded, rolling on his back. I didn’t miss the way his fingers still clutched her hand. Jealousy reared its ugly head for a moment before I reined it in. Rae wanted R.J. here. She asked him to stay. I could handle my shit.

For now.

“I have to talk to Mack,” I informed him, knowing he wouldn’t like the idea.

“What?”

I sighed, placing a gentle kiss on Rae’s forehead, “I need to talk to my dad.”

“But he said –”

“I know what he said,” I interrupted him, “but it’s getting fucked up now. Rae’s in too much danger. This can’t continue.”

R.J. slid from the bed and began to pace, “This is serious Pete. We can’t screw this up.”

“Exactly. My dad can help us.”

R.J. shook his head, “Getting Mack involved only complicates matters further. The Riders will have your head for going rogue. Rafe won’t hesitate to make an example of you. There’s too much tension between Satan’s Outlaws and the RRMC right now.”

My head lowered as my eyes roamed over the love of my life, my fingertips brushing across the smooth contour and soft skin of her cheek so carefully I wouldn’t wake her, “To keep her safe I would do anything.”

“Dammit Pete, this could cost you everything. They’ll own you.”

I shrugged, making the sacrifice I knew was the only way, “I can’t change the inevitable.”

“That’s not what we agreed on.”

“Things were always going to end up with my choice,” I pointed out, “and you know it.”

“You don’t have to patch with that asshole and his club.”

“If I don’t, I can’t keep her safe. Don’t you get that?”

“You’re playing right into his hands!” R.J. yelled, waking up Rae. “Shit.”

Rae yawned and sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, “What’s the matter?”

R.J. grumbled under his breath and refused to reply, glaring right in my direction.

“Nothing baby. A small disagreement,” I answered and kissed her softly. “Morning. How are you feeling?”

“Like I don’t want to face reality,” she admitted and moaned, covering her eyes. She squinted at the bright light filtering through the open window. “Did you both sleep?”

I nodded, “Yeah.”

R.J. grumbled under his breath, “A little.”

“Have either of you seen my mom yet?” she slid from the bed and padded across the floor to her bathroom, pausing beside the door. “Well?”

R.J. shook his head.

I shrugged, “I just woke up.”

She frowned, tossing her tangled dark hair over her shoulder, “I’ll check on her after I shower.”

Once the bathroom door was shut and I heard the water running, I stood and pulled my cell phone from my pocket. Dialing the number that was only supposed to be used in an emergency, I let out a long slow breath and braced myself.

Mack picked up on the third ring, “Pete?”

“Hi, Mack.”

Silence.

“What the fuck are you calling me for kid?”

Damn.

“Rae’s in trouble,” I answered quietly.

Silence, but I thought I heard my dad partially cover the phone and cuss a string of curse words before he barked into the phone, “Meet me at the diner at two pm.” All that followed was the click that confirmed Mack had hung up.

“What did he say?” R.J. looked nervous.

“Diner at two. Alone,” I repeated, knowing the drill.

R.J. shook his head, “I should go with you.”

“You have to stay with Rae. Don’t let her out of your sight for even a second. I mean it.”

R.J. flopped on the bed but nodded, “What’s the plan?”

“Keep her occupied. Distract her thoughts and watch over the three of them. She’s going to be anxious while I’m gone, but you can’t tell her where I went.”

“What if they come back?”

My voice hardened like steel, “Whatever you do, stay with her. Don’t let them take her. It’s your life over hers. Got it?”

“Like we haven’t been over this a hundred times. I know Pete.”

“Text Jake. We need him as a lookout,” I ordered as I scanned the driveway and as much of the yard as I could see out of Rae’s bedroom windows. Lost in thought, I tapped my fingers on the top of Rae’s dresser. “Text Beckett too and keep him on standby.”

R.J. nodded, “Agreed.”

“I’ll be as quick as I can.”

***

“TELL ME EVERYTHING.”

I sat across from my father, perched on the edge of the red leather seat that squeaked as I slid in place. On the outskirts of Providence, an old trucker hangout, Aunt Mae’s Diner was one of few places Mack would agree to meet me. The restaurant had large glass windows and a 50’s vibe, but the best part was the way you could see the whole property from where we currently sat. A detail I knew was crucial.

Mack never took chances unless it was for Rae or his son.

Clearing my throat, slightly nervous now that I was here, I began, “Striker has an issue with Charles. They broke into the house at gunpoint.” Mack’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t interrupt. “Devlin tried to force himself on Rae and hit her when she mouthed him off. I nearly jumped and killed his ass right there.” I took a deep breath and released it. Mack never said a word, but the dark, thunderous look on his face said plenty. “Striker was called and they took Charles, but we both know it won’t stop there. I don’t know how deep he’s in with them, but it must be a lot. They threatened to take Rae . . . and said she’d never come back. Striker’s words. You know what Devlin would do and I can’t allow that.”

I could feel the tension rolling over him in waves and combining with agitation and anger.

“No,” Mack agreed in his gruff voice. “What about her mom and sister? They alright?”

“For now.”

“The whole family is a target. Striker takes that shit personal. He’s going to want retribution.”

I nodded. No surprise there, “Yes, where should I go? I need to take Rae somewhere until this all blows over, and I don’t want to involve Rafe.”

“There’s no choice. You aren’t involving the RRMC. Got it?”

“Yeah, but –”

“You think she will leave her family?” Mack interrupted, cutting me off. He sat back with his arms folded across his chest, a look of doubt spreading over his rugged features. There was a time when I was afraid of all those tattoos and the biker persona, but I had been a kid then. Mack still wore his leathers, the Ravage Riders MC Logo with the familiar skull worn proudly despite the past.

He was always a stubborn son of a bitch.

“No, which is why I’m not giving her a choice. R.J. and I will make sure she’s safe. Jake too if needed.”

He smirked, “She’s gonna be pissed at you son.”

Startled I nearly dropped the glass of water in my hand. Mack never called me son. It was usually kid or words I wouldn’t repeat in polite company, “Maybe, but I can get her to forgive me.”

Mack chuckled softly, then sobered, “You’re the only chance she’s got. I promised her dad. Don’t let me or Ron down.” His tone never wavered, but I knew how deep that brotherhood ran between the two men. Even death didn’t sever the bond. It was a blood oath. Time didn’t matter.

Once a brother, always a brother.

“And if things go to shit?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“You get her to the police. They’ll protect her. Most likely witness protection so if that shit goes down, you need to be far away. You hear?”

I opened my mouth to argue when Mack cut me off, “I said far away. If you get picked up, they’ll throw you in gen pop and I won’t be able to help you. Prison ain’t a fun place, boy.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Then you’re stupider than I thought. Protect Rae and don’t get your ‘pretty boy’ ass killed.”

I laughed, hard, “I’m not going down without a fight, and neither are my boys. Nothing will happen to Rae. If I have to, I’ll turn her over to the sheriff. He owes me a favor.”

Mack looked doubtful, “He owes everyone favors.”

“Yeah, but his son Beckett and I are tight. I got this Dad,” I assured him. The words left my mouth before I could stop them and I almost winced. Dad. When was the last time I said the word aloud?

Mack seemed not to notice my slip. “If you had this you wouldn’t have called me for help,” he pointed out, “now tell me what you’re planning.”

“A safe house for Rae and supplies. I’ve got a little money saved but not what we may need.”

Mack slid a backpack over the table and took a sip of his black coffee. “There’s a map to a secure location, money, and a burner cell that’s been loaded with enough minutes to get you through. Call me only on that cell. Smash yours and make sure it’s wiped when you leave here.”

“I will.”

I looked inside briefly and zipped the pack up again, “thanks. I’ll be better prepared now.”

“There’s also a key to a locker at World Fitness, about forty miles away. I know the owner and he promised no one would touch it. Inside you’ll find a bag with extra guns and ammo. Go when you know you can’t be followed.”

“Yes, sir.”

We both sat there a little awkwardly for a moment.

“You still driving the Nova?” A smirk rode his hardened features. It wasn’t his age but rather the life he had led that gave him such a weathered look.

“Always.”

Mack nodded thoughtfully, “You stay safe Pete, and if shit goes down I’ll come, not before. You understand?”

I did. Mack had a price on his head. The only reason he was still alive is that he never showed his face around Satan’s Outlaws MC or his old MC – Ravage Riders. Neither motorcycle club would hesitate on putting out the hit. A lot of the Riders were still loyal to good ole dad though, and so I was not only protected but offered a place when I was ready. Family tradition.

My blood was invested, the same as Rae’s. Mack and Ron had been the children of two of the founders. The RRMC wouldn’t have survived if not for their contribution.

Not that I ever planned on living that life. Mack had done everything he could to keep his promise to his best friend and fellow Rider, Ron. Neither man wanted their kids to grow up in the clubhouse or get sucked into the booze, guns, drugs, and constant pussy. Mack sacrificed everything and nearly lost his life in the process. Rae’s father sacrificed everything and lost his life anyway. Rae didn’t know the truth about Ron’s death, and I hoped she would never find out.

She still didn’t understand my involvement in the MC or what it meant.

“I know Mack.”

Mack slapped a twenty down on the table and rose, his eyes looking directly into mine, “Take care of yourself and Rae. I’ll be in contact.”

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. The last time I saw my father, I was in middle school. The seriousness of the situation wasn’t lost on me. Mack paid the bills, but he was never home. Not the one I grew up in anyway. Seeing my dad again was a reminder of what I lost and how dangerous things had become. To protect Rae, I needed to move, fast.

Mack drove off on his Harley as I leaned against the hood of the Nova, the same car that used to take me and Rae to the drive-in all those years ago. As the silence engulfed me, I promised myself that my kids would have a different future. They would be free of the club, the Outlaws, my father’s past, and the tragedy that Rae’s family suffered. When I married Rae, I would take her far away and spend every moment loving her to the best of my ability.

Just like I promised Ron the day he died . . .

And promised Rae the day of Ron’s funeral.

The same way I promised Mack the last time I saw him and once again repeated that promise today. I lit a cigarette and puffed a few long drags, flicking the ashes onto the gravel. Rae didn’t like me to smoke, so I never did around her but once in a while I needed the extra hit of nicotine. Stress was usually the cause. Go figure.

Yanked from my thoughts by the loud hum of my cell phone vibrating in my pocket, I grabbed the phone and swiped across the screen, read the frantic text from R.J. and jumped into the Nova, peeling out of the driveway of the restaurant, my tires throwing up gravel in my haste.

I’d have to destroy the cell later.