“What? Hecausedyour accident?”
“Led me into an oil slick on purpose.”
“He said you were trying to kill him.” Her voice is quieter now.
“I wasn’t intending to kill him. I was trying to get the bag he stole, so I could negotiate with the cartel. Blade’s as good as dead if he doesn’t give it back. They might kill him anyway, even if he does.”
Kaia doesn’t say anything but once we draw up outside the club and she takes off her helmet, her face is streaked with tears. I can’t bear for my angel to be upset. I gather her in my arms.
“I can’t lose him, Saxon. I know he’s out of control. He was wild after our parents died, but his girlfriend’s death pushed him over the edge. It’s all screwed up. And I can’t make it right.” Her voice hitches and I stroke her hair, breathing her soft daisy scent. It mixes with the brutal smell of gasoline and leather that permeates the clubhouse parking lot.
"He's my brother, Saxon," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the low bass rumble of music and the distant laughter from inside the club. "I've always been there for him,always, even when things got tough. But now...I don't know how to help him anymore."
“I want you to trust me. I’m going to fix this. One way or another. I’m here to protect you. You’re not going to have to look over your shoulder or worry. I promise. And I never break my promises.”
ChapterSix
KAIA
Saxon holds the door of the clubhouse open.
A warm wave of air pushes out, along with animated voices and loud music. It's friendly, but also more than a little intimidating. As we walk in together, most of the guys turn to look at us. There are other women here, some of them very skimpily dressed in miniskirts and sky-high heels that would have my aunt tutting and shaking her head.
The clubhouse is dimly lit, with strings of colored lights hanging from the ceiling and neon signs flickering on the walls. The walls are covered in posters and memorabilia, giving the impression of a well-loved and lived-in space. There’s a husky dog perched on a beanbag and a big jukebox playing old rock and roll songs. Blade’s sitting near the back, drinking a beer, two huge guys flanking him on either side.
“You want to talk to your brother?” Saxon asks, squeezing my hand.
I nod.
“I’ll take your bag upstairs. When you’re done talking to him, come find me and I’ll show you around.” He smiles and I get that fizzing sensation between my thighs.
Saxon lets go of my hand and I walk over to the table Blade’s sitting at. Heads turn as I pass through the space. One of the guys stands up and lets me sit down next to my brother.
I lean closer. “Are you okay?”
“What do you think?”
I shake my head. “No. That’s what I think. This has to stop.”
He looks away from me. “What has to stop?”
“All of this. Trying to block out the past. You’re going to drag me down with you.”
Blade’s expression is surly. “And where’s that?”
“Hell. Because you’re going to kill yourself doing something stupid and that’s where you’re going to go.”
He shrugs. “What if I don’t care?”
“Well, I care. And you don’t give a damn that you’ve put me in danger? And Aunt Ellie?”
He meets my stare. “I would have been out of here with that bag if I didn’t care. But I thought the Prez might come after you and Aunt Ellie.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not the one you need to worry about. It’s the cartel you stole the drugs from that’s the big problem.”
“I can handle them.”
“No, you can’t. Saxon can help you. If you listen to what he’s saying–”
