“I love you, too, so much. Be good, and don’t take any crap from these bikers.”
She smiles. “FIM is looking after me. I’m sure I’m gonna be well looked after.”
I stand, and so does Skye. “Have the best time,” she chimes.
“I’m going to,” I reply honestly.
She leans in, hugging me, and I close my eyes to stop the tears that I know are forming.
Techie steps up behind me and pats my back. “I have all your stuff in the car when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
Skye sobs, letting me go, and I wince. I wish I had more time with her, but I know if I don’t leave, it gives Mad Dog more chance to keep me here.
I have to go.
Techie puts his hand on the small of my back, and we walk toward the exit.
It feels weird.
I know I will probably never come back here, and leaving without saying goodbye to everyone is strange, but this is how it needs to be done. So I turn, taking one last look around the clubhouse that was my home for so long, and a genuine smile crosses my face.
Letting out a long puff of air, I nod at Techie, and we turn, walking for the final time out of the Satan’s Savages’ clubhouse, and I know with absolute certainty that I am doing the right thing.
This is the beginning of the rest of my life, and it feels so fucking right.
Chapter Seventeen
LUNAR
Techie escorted me and helped bring my belongings to Danger’s hotel. And now, as we walk toward Danger’s room, a calmness washes over me. Despite my expectations to feel panic about leaving the clubhouse, my only home for years, I’m surprisingly relaxed.
I needed this, and I know Techie can sense that.
“You look happy,” he says as we reach Danger’s door.
Glancing up at one of my only biker friends at the clubhouse, I genuinely smile at him. “I think I am.”
He nods and knocks twice. I straighten up, taking a deep breath as Danger opens the door. Light spills from behind him, framing him in a halo-like glow, foreshadowing that he is my destiny, my guiding light. This is precisely where I’m meant to be. My heart races as he steps forward, his striking features coming into clear view. A smile spreads across my face, mirroring the devotion in his eyes. He reaches out and gently takes my hand in his.
I gasp slightly as his fingers touch mine when a spark slams straight into my chest. His eyes lock with mine, his brow furrowing as if he felt it too and is trying to figure out what it means. A slow smile crosses his face as he slowly turns to Techie. “Thanks for bringing her over.” Danger’s voice is deep, husky. He is affected. “And thank you for helping Lunar leave the club. It means a lot.” He reaches over, taking my luggage from Techie’s hands.
Techie nods and wraps his arm around my waist. “It’s gonna be quieter without her there, but man, you gotta promise to takecare of her,” he demands, and I roll my eyes, letting out a small laugh.
Danger glances back at me, our eyes meeting again. “I will,” he replies, and I can’t help but bite down on my bottom lip, holding back my smile. He turns back to Techie. “Thanks for everything, man. We couldn’t have started this journey without you.”
Techie shrugs. “My pleasure. I’m gonna keep working with Luke from the back seat and keep shit happening promotion-wise.”
I lean in, kissing Techie on the cheek. “Thank you…for everything.”
He kisses my forehead. “Have a good time. You’re free to be whoever you want now. So go, live your life, Annalise,” Techie says, letting go of me. He gives Danger a curt nod, something passing between them, then turns, walking down the hall.
“Finally, you gained the courage to leave.” Danger gestures for me to walk inside.
“It was hard and not without its problems, but I couldn’t have done it without you,” I say honestly, stopping in the middle of the bedroom and spinning around.
He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him. One hand slides up to my face, and he gently runs a hand over the mark Mad Dog left. “I can gather what happened. But if one of those assholes touches you again, I willnotbe held responsible for my actions…” His chest heaves with obvious anger, but he shakes his head and then weakly smiles. “Shower?” he asks, changing the subject, a level of understanding in his tone.
