Edward stared over at the nightclub as he leaned against the wall of the warehouse on the other side of the street, a lit cigarette between his fingers. Inhaling the smoke into his lungs, he released his breath and watched dispassionately as the white smoke billowed out between his lips, drifting into the dark as, one by one, the lights flickered in the windows before going dark.

He usually didn’t bother himself with the surveillance, but this was different; this was personal. This was his wife, and someone was helping her. His eyes narrowed, and he flicked the burning butt into the air. She had obviously seen more than he had thought, knew more than he had figured, or they wouldn't have known about the drop that night.

They obviously didn’t know who the fuck they were dealing with, and if they did, then their blood would be a joy to spill.

Either way, they would pay, just like her brother had.

 

Nikki didn’t know how Bret had managed to convince Travis to let her stay at the apartment, but she was thankful. She had spoken the truth when she had said she was done letting her husband control her life, not to mention being treated like a child. Even Sam treated her like she was going to break, and she was sick of it.

Staring at the computer screen in front of her, she rubbed her tired eyes, the numbers blurring in front of her.

Glancing over at the clock above the door, she winced at the time. It was after midnight, but true to form, Bret hadn’t bothered her for the past few days. He was actually at the pack house that night, meeting with Travis. About what, she could only guess.

Me.

She knew Travis wasn't happy about her not going to the pack for protection, but she had to have some control over her life.

Zach was on the other side of the office door, and even though the man didn’t speak much, Nikki was comforted by his presence. Bret kept disappearing on her except for the work nights of the club, but even then, he kept his distance. In fact, the distance had started the night in the bar when she had discovered just how sick and twisted her husband truly is.

A knock came from the door, and she froze before relaxing.

Zach is on the other side of the door, so it’s either him or Bret. Quit being a damn coward!

“Come in!” she called, her fingers posed over the keyboard.

Bret opened the door and stepped inside.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“Holding up?”

He motioned to the desk and the piles of paperwork she still hadn’t managed to get through. She spied a dark flush stain his lean cheeks, and she actually chuckled.

“It’s not as bad as that,” she teased.

He chuckled before nodding at the clock. “Come on. That can wait. I know you have to be exhausted.”

Nikki shrugged and looked over at the computer and rows of columns she still had to complete. The numbers were blurring, but she hadn’t quite gotten to a stopping point yet.

“I’ll be done in about ten minutes,” she said, her fingers itching to finish.

Bret raised a brow. “Ten minutes, tops. I mean it, Nikki.”

She rolled her eyes and nodded. “Yes, Master,” she muttered, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Suddenly, what she had just said froze her, and her eyes shot up to an empty doorway. She breathed a massive sigh of relief. He hadn’t heard her.

She knew he wouldn’t have done anything about her lack of respect. He was part of the Crescent Ice Pack, and Travis, like his father before him, ran the pack with integrity and respect, but she was still shocked that she had let her guard down so completely. Her shoulders slumped, and she pulled her hands back. She was done for the night. She just wanted to sleep and forget, both hard to accomplish.

Sighing, she stood up and stretched before turning out the lights. Opening the door, she saw Zach’s tall frame leaning against the opposite wall in the hallway, his thick arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Thank you,” she said quietly as she turned and closed the door behind her.

He raised a dark brow as he straightened and dropped his arms.

“For what?” he asked, falling into step beside her as they walked out the back exit. She saw his dark eyes scan the back alley, and he nodded toward the direction of the apartment, quietly signaling her to move. It was now a habit to stop at the door and wait for that signal.

“For watching over my shoulder so I don't have to.”

He shrugged and didn't answer her, but she wasn't really surprised. She had come to realize early on that if Zach spoke, it wasn't wasted words.

They headed up the back stairs, the creak of the wood breaking the silence.

“So what do you do?” she asked, suddenly curious about the brooding man behind her. It wasn't that she was interested in him, but she had to admit the curiosity was there. For being her shadow for the past week, Nikki knew close to zilch about him, and that alone made her nervous.

“Work for Bret. Nothing more,” he answered shortly.

When she got to the top of the landing, she stopped as instructed and waited as Zach unlocked the door slowly, his eyes alert for any movement. She stayed where she was until he had searched the whole space, finally relaxing her tense muscles as he appeared from the bedroom.

“All clear.” He nodded toward the couch. “Like before, I'm just a few feet away, literally,” he added, a tiny spark of amusement in his eyes.

Bidding him a goodnight, she closed the bedroom door and stood there for a moment, suddenly unsure about anything.

What am I doing with my life? she wondered, her shoulders slumped.

Determined to get some sleep, or at least put in the attempt, Nikki quickly undressed, tossing her clothes on top of the chair by the bed, and slid beneath the sheet.

Sliding her arms underneath the pillow, she started to lay her head down but froze when her fingers touched something hard.

Heart pounding, she pulled the large manila envelope out and sat up, her eyes glued to what she held. Her hands shaking, she opened the top and let the contents fall in her lap.

Oh, God.

Paralyzed, Nikki stared down at the pictures that lay scattered on the covers. Pictures of Sam and Travis talking at the pack house. Pictures of Vanessa weeding the garden. Even a picture of Nikki walking up the back stairs with Zach. If that horror wasn't enough, the last picture contained that of a baby playing in the yard, the cheeky grin aimed at someone out of camera range.

The bile rose as she gazed down at those who were trying to help her, their safe lives in her lap, exposed and violated.

And it was her fault.