I think about how to tell them about Marcus.
Luc needs to be here. He can’t be in the town where all his father’s members who escaped are. I’ve learnt over the last few weeks that the ACIC didn’t get all of them. It’s not safe for him there.
But if Drake’s telling me to leave…then Ihaveto leave. I know he didn’t tell me everything—he would have told me just enough for me to know that I can’t be here.
But I don’t want to leave them. Ican’t leave them.I’m attached. I tried not to but I am.
What do I do?
“You okay, Ro?” I look up, into Jace’s concern filled grey irises.
I realise through my panic that Jace’s worry is identical to the others’ as my eyes shift around the kitchen.
“I have to tell you something. What Drake told me.” I whisper.
The guys share a look. “We don’t have to do this tonight, baby,” Maverick reasons.
“Yes, I do.” My voice trembles.
Mason walks around the counter, turning my stool to face him. He braces his hands on the arm rests.
Staring straight into my eyes, he says, “You can’t go, Angel.”
“What?!” Dom booms. My eyes don’t stray from Mase’s.
He knows.
“I won’t let you, Rory.” Sadness bleeds through his words.
“I have to, Mase.” I curl my hands into fists in my lap when they threaten to reach for him. The pain in his face is soul hauntingly fierce.
“I. Won’t. Let. You.” Mason’s hands come up to gently hold my face between them. “We’ll figure something out, Rory. Please don’t leave,” he begs and I relent.
“I—I won’t leave. I’d never leave without saying anything. But Mase, I can’t stay here,” I whisper, hoarsely. I’m two seconds from breaking down.
“What are youtalking about?” Jace’s voice is stone cold. His face is blank, revealing no emotion but I can see the silent panic in his features—his jaw clenched.
“M—Marcus,” I stumble over my father’s name. “He has members of the Dark Riders looking for me.”
“Shit.” Luc sighs, bracing his hands on the counter. His head drops between his shoulders. “How many?”
“Drake didn’t say,” I tell him, resigned. “Half the kids at Cattle Creek are sons and daughters of MC members if they’re not in themselves. Someone will tell Marcus—if he doesn’t already know.”
“How was your father able to rally the help of one of the biggest gangs in the underworld?” Alec asks. Before I can answer, Luc jumps in.
“He couldn’t. Unless he got a seat at the table.” Luc stares at me. I nod. Luc swears.
“Why didn’t you tell us your father was a Dark Rider?” Maverick questions. “This shit doesn’t just happen.”
I look down, ashamed at my cowardice. “Because I thought I was done with him.”
“Bullshit.”
My eyes flick up at Jace’s outburst.
“Jace,” Alec warns but Jace waves him off.
He stalks around the island, anger burning in his eyes, wiping out the hurt I saw flickering in and out of his angry expression.
