"And then what?" Amelia asks quietly. "What happens when you intercept him?"
"We have options," I tell her. "None of which involve killing him, unless he forces our hand."
"What options?" Jenny presses.
I sigh, running a hand over my buzzed hair. "We can scare him off. Make it clear that continuing to pursue Amelia will haveconsequences he's not prepared to deal with. Or we can gather enough evidence of his abuse to force the issue through official channels."
"Official channels don't work," Amelia says bitterly. "I've tried. Multiple times. His fellow officers 'lost' my statements. Witnesses suddenly couldn't remember what they saw. Medical reports got misfiled."
"The Savage Riders have connections beyond Blackwater Falls," I tell her. "Including some in the FBI. Police corruption is exactly the kind of thing they love to sink their teeth into, especially when it involves domestic violence."
This is true, though I've never had to use that particular connection before.
"You'd do that?" Jenny asks, surprised. "Work with the FBI?"
"If necessary." I shrug. "Contrary to what you might think, we're not at war with all law enforcement. Just the corrupt ones."
A small, tired smile tugs at Amelia's lips. "Derek always said all bikers were criminal scum. That they'd never help the law."
"We have our own code," I tell her. "Sometimes it aligns with the law, sometimes it doesn't. In this case, bringing a dirty cop to justice serves both."
"And if he doesn't back down? If you can't gather enough evidence?" Amelia asks.
I meet her gaze steadily. "Then we make sure he understands that touching you or Anna again will be the last mistake he ever makes."
She holds my gaze for a long moment, then nods slowly. "Okay."
Just that. Okay. As if she's entrusting her entire future, her daughter's future, to a man she barely knows. The weightof that trust settles on my shoulders, uncomfortable but not unwelcome. It's been a long time since anyone has looked at me with such faith.
"You should get some rest," I tell her, breaking eye contact before I can dwell on that thought too long. "Tomorrow will be busy."
"I don't think I can sleep," she admits. "Not knowing he's on his way here."
"Try," I urge gently. "Beast and I will take turns keeping watch. Nothing's getting past us."
After a moment's hesitation, she nods and turns toward the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. Jenny follows, pausing only to give me a look I can't quite decipher, something between gratitude and warning.
Once they're gone, I move to the window, scanning the tree line out of habit. The moonlight creates deep shadows between the pines, perfect hiding places for anyone trying to approach undetected. But I know no one's out there. Not yet. Mitchell's text was a psychological tactic, meant to keep Amelia fearful and off-balance. He's probably still hours away, possibly even a day.
Beast returns, slipping back inside silently despite his massive frame. "King's sending Rage and Shadow at first light. Steel's already setting up monitoring stations on the main roads in."
"Good." I roll my shoulders, trying to release some of the tension that's settled there. "We need to know the moment Mitchell crosses into our territory."
"What's our play here, brother?" Beast asks, keeping his voice low. "Are we really thinking FBI involvement? Because that opens up a whole can of worms for the club."
I sigh, knowing he's right. Getting federal agents involved could shine a light on aspects of our operation we prefer to keep in the shadows. "It's a last resort. Ideally, we convince this bastard to walk away without outside intervention."
"And if he doesn't?"
I think of Amelia's bruised face, of Anna's wary eyes, of the way the little girl flinches at sudden movements. Something cold and resolute settles in my gut. "Then we make the decision permanent."
Beast nods, understanding the implication. "King on board with that?"
"King trusts my judgment." Though I make a mental note to call him privately later, just to confirm. We don't take a life without unanimous agreement from the inner circle, not unless it's immediate self-defense.
"You take first watch," I tell Beast. "I need to make a few calls. Wake me in four hours for my shift."
He nods and moves to position himself near the front window, where he has a clear view of the approach to the cabin. I head for the back bedroom that's been set up as a temporary office, closing the door behind me.
