Annie nodded, but her eyes stayed on the hallway until Leigh disappeared into it.
He needed to leave.Kodiak wanted him back at the clubhouse to pack the shipment.
Hunter was halfway to the door when he paused, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the charging cord for the burner phone.
He turned back and held it out."For the cell."
Annie took it, her fingers brushing his."Thanks."
"You gonna be okay?"he asked.
She inhaled deeply, then met his gaze."I feel better..."
He cupped her chin, tilting her head so he could read her lips."Again."
"I feel better in the day.The nights are bad."
Hunter hesitated."I'll come back."
He should stay away.The club needed him.The girls would be fine.They were safe.
Relief softened her face.He cupped her cheek, still warm from his chest.She looked at him, waiting, longing.He stepped away, lowered his chin, and went out the door.If he stayed any longer, he'd pull her into his arms again.
He surveyed the street before getting on his bike.He didn't take the shortest route home.Instead, he rode around the block twice.He frequently checked his mirrors to make sure no one was tailing him and that there were no parked cars with drivers hanging around.
The precautions were necessary.Annie hadn't spoken about her brother-in-law and his connection with the police.But thanks to Kodiak, he now knew who he was dealing with.Jason Stevens was a powerful threat.
Baddy saw him approaching the clubhouse and pushed the gate open.He rode through and parked in the long line of motorcycles.It wasn't even eight o'clock yet, and the place was packed with members.Most of the time, they didn't roll in until the afternoon.
Inside the clubhouse, the air was thick with grease, coffee, and tension.He stepped forward, needing a shower and a change of clothes before he checked in with Kodiak.
Baker pushed through the kitchen door and set down a platter of pancakes.By his facial expression, he yelled something to the crowd.
Rusty waved at Hunter, motioning to the plate and his mouth.He shook his head.If he ate now, he'd be asleep for the rest of the day.He had shit to do.
Spotting Kodiak on the other side of the room near the pool table with Cruz, Rocco, and Duke, he cut a path through the room and approached his president.
Kodiak turned toward him."We're behind on shipment."
Hunter said, "I'll shower and be ready."
"No time."Kodiak motioned him to follow."We..."
Everything else that was said was lost on him.They all talked, but he couldn't read their lips.
He followed them to the garage, already bracing for the long day ahead.But even as he stepped into the grind of club life, his mind stayed back at the house with Annie.
With the girl who'd fallen asleep in his arms.
