My blood is pumping so hard I feel the throb of my heartbeat coursing through the veins in my neck. I should have known my past would come back to haunt me in real life and not just in my dreams. I was young and blinded by revenge at the time. I didn’t give two fucks about the repercussions. I never expected it to be used against me and my club seven years later. This shit right here is just the type of reason I needed—no—had to push Alba away. My past and my lifestyle has already put my sister in harm’s way, I can’t put Alba in the same path of destruction.

The sooner we can find out what the hell Santino wants from our club—the sooner I can be done with him. And by done, I mean I’m going to put a bullet in him. Unless he’s dead, he will always be a threat.

As soon as we pull onto Oak Street, which is about four blocks from Santino’s, two Black sedans fall in behind us following the rest of the way to the meet up point, until we come up on the long driveway that leads to a large brick home located a few houses down from where we passed the country club’s main entrance. No gates. No trees. A wide-open landscape with the East Bay as its backdrop. Looks can be deceiving. Someone of his caliber will have other security measures in place.

Just as we get about halfway down the driveway the cars following slow to a stop. Not pausing, we continue to ride until we pull around into a circular driveway. One by one we kill our bikes. Quinn lifts his chin, gesturing to the rooftop where four men walk into view holding rifles and peer down at us over the edge. The front door to the home opens and two motherfuckers wearing matching black suits and slicked back hair step out. Dismounting our bikes, we walk towards the goons.

"Leave your weapons here." The one to my right says.

"Not gonna happen." Prez challenges, which causes the other guy to step forward. Jake who isn’t the least bit fazed by the guy, stands with his arms crossed in a stare off.

"Let them in, I don’t think they would be stupid enough to try anything," Santino’s voice calls out from just inside the door before appearing in the doorway. He still looks the same as he did seven years ago. Except for the peppered gray mixed in his dark hair.

We walk into the house, Prez leading the way behind Santino. Looking around, I see no signs of Daniel. Fucking pussy is probably too much of a coward to show his face.

"Come in, sit down." Santino says spreading his arms in a grand gesture as we enter what appears to be a large office that’s decked out in rich mahogany wood shelves and cabinets that are filled with books from floor to ceiling.

Alba would love this room… Shit. Focus.

The four of us continue to stand as he walks towards a round glass table and picks up a bottle of scotch, casually pouring himself a drink into a short glass.

"Can I offer you men a drink?"

"Cut through all this bullshit. What do you want with MY club?" Prez barks.

A flash of anger crosses over Santino’s face as soon as the harsh words are spoken, but only for a second before regaining his composer.

"Mr. Martinez owes me a debt. Several years ago, he killed one of my men—”

"He killed—you had him kill my father," I step forward with my fists clenched and nose flaring from the angry breaths leaving my body. Quinn grabs me by the shoulder to keep me from moving any further.

"Rein that shit in, man. Think about your sister right now." he says to me in a hushed tone. Stepping back, I keep my eyes trained on Santino’s face. The face I’m gonna beat to a bloody pulp the first chance I get.

"I always see the bigger picture, Gabriel." He tells me as he walks over to the desk in the room, reaching into a humidor box sitting on top and pulling out a cigar. Sitting down in the large black leather chair behind the desk he clips the tip and lights it, taking a toke. The smoke billows around his head as he releases his breath.

"Where’s Leyna?" I question through gritted teeth.

Santino leans back in his desk chair, "In due time…"

Having had about enough of this shit, I walk forward towards his desk. From the corner of my eye I see the suit that stepped up in Prez’s personal space earlier is now moving towards me. My hand shoots out on instinct, connecting with his thick meaty neck.

"You wanna die, motherfucker," I growl.

"Stand down men," both Prez and Santino’s voices boom. The prick still in my grasp puts his hands up. I can’t find it in me to release my hold.

"Let him go, Gabriel," Jake says from behind me.

Dropping my hand, the asshole backs away and stands beside his boss.

"I’m aware of your current operations and that you hold some clout with the local law enforcement around here. So, I need you and your club to escort my men and their load across the state line. It’s currently being loaded and will be on its way soon. Possibly in about four weeks."

I watch as Prez and Logan exchange looks. They don’t look happy that someone has been nosin’ around in club business. Logan crosses his arms and speaks.

"What kind of merchandise are we dealing with here?"

"That’s none of your concern. I only need you on escort detail to make sure they get where they need to go. As soon as this is done I’ll hand over the girl." he informs us all.

"You gave your word Gabriel could see his sister today. I expect you to hold up your end of the deal before I agree to do a damn thing that involves my club," Prez states.

"I did." Reaching over Santino picks up the phone sitting on his desk to his right and speaking into the receiver he tells the person on the other end, "Bring the girl downstairs to my office." He places the phone back on its dock.

A few minutes later I watch as an exact carbon copy of my mother walks through the door. Raven dark hair that frames a heart shaped face, with almond shaped eyes the lightest shade of green. She’s not much taller than our mother was either, maybe five feet four inches.

"Hermano brother," Leyna cries, tears springing from her eyes as she runs to me and wraps her arms around my waist. My hard exterior cracks a little with her embrace. I lift her chin with my finger.

"Have they touched you or hurt you in any way?"

"No, they have been good to me. Did you come to take me home with you?"

"No, hermana sister, not today but soon. I have to handle some business for Santino first. Until then you have to stay here," I tell her and watch as her shoulders slump in disappointment.

I look to Prez, Logan, and Quinn, then Prez turns to Santino.

"My men will make sure the shipment gets where it needs to go. You make sure NOTHING happens to this girl and that she is allowed to stay in contact with myself or her brother every day."

The fucker that escorted Leyna into the office goes to grab her by the arm but stops short the moment I lift my eyes to his. I dare him with my stare to lay one finger on her. Cutting his eyes to his boss he waits for his instructions. Looking down at my sister, "I promise I’ll be back to get you soon."

Santino nods his head and I watch his man lead Leyna out of the room.

"You have my word she will have access to call you anytime she wishes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other business to attend to. I’ll be in touch soon with a date and time for our little arrangement," he says dismissing us as he adjusts the watch on his wrist looking at the time.

Walking out of his office I turn around and look at him straight in the eyes, "If you or any of your men touch my sister. I will kill you." His lips turn up in a deviant smile, making my blood boil even more. It takes both Quinn and Logan to lead me out of the house. My gut is churning at the thought of having to leave Leyna in the hands of this asshole.

"Let’s head back to the club. I have some calls to make." Prez announces.

Throwing my leg over my bike, I decide I need to be alone for a little while. "I’m going for a ride. See ya first thing in the morning."

Turning the engine over, I peel down the driveway. It was not my intention—at first—to go there. The urge to quiet the voices in my head lead me in the only direction I might find a little peace amongst all the chaos.

It’s late by the time I make it to Bozeman. I pull into the parking lot of a small hotel and park my bike and pay for a one-night stay. It’s not the cleanest of places, but it not the worst either. Walking into the room I slip off my cut, placing it on the back of the chair.

Sitting back on the bed I rest my head against the wooden headboard and pull a small blunt from my pocket, lighting it. Needing to take the edge off, I take three hits back to back, each time holding the smoke in my lungs as long as possible. I’m not chasing sleep—I’m attempting to calm the storm.

* * *

I’ve been sitting on my bike for an hour and a half.

Watching. Waiting.

Until I notice her walking out of the building. Fuckin’ breathtaking.

Seeing her walking towards some guy has my ass up off my bike in less than a second. I watch the goddamn thing play out several yards away in front of me. The way he wraps his arms around her. The way she throws her head back laughing.

Just as I take a step, I feel a hand firmly grip my upper arm and I come around swinging and watch as Quinn skillfully dodges the would be blow to his jaw.

"What the fuck? What the hell are you doin’ here? You following me, brother?" I growl.

"Yeah, I followed you. Had a feeling you might do something stupid. And I was right, because here you are. You’re the one that sent her away. You told her—”

"I know what the fuck I told her," I interrupt him.

"Then you know you broke her heart, man. I saw and heard the tears and the heartbreak in that girl’s voice that morning, and I watched as she skillfully avoided ever having to be around you every day after that." He tells me.

Diggin’ the knife deeper into the wound I created in my own fuckin’ chest, Quinn keeps talkin’.

"I get it. I know why you did what you did. You marchin’ over there, kicking that boy’s ass and saying me Tarzan you Jane is not going to get her back. You want a girl like her back—you need to earn it, brother. You need to show her you love her."

Shit, he’s right. If I did that, it would push her away more. Alba doesn’t deserve to have me like this. She deserves better. The question is can I be better for her? Can I prove to her I’m worthy of a second chance?

I peer over at her. I want her to laugh like that with me. I want to be the reason she is happy. The reason she smiles every day. I want her to be mine.

"Come on, brother, let’s go home," Quinn says as he lights up a cigarette and starts to walk across the street in the opposite direction, where I see his bike parked. That explains why I didn’t hear his ass before.

Getting back on my bike, I allow myself to glance back one last time before following Quinn back home.

Alba is my home.