If they had watched her or waited for her—
Brick’s vision went red around the edges.He shoved the fury down, but it fought him.Teeth and claws scraping for release.If he let it out now, he’d be hunting bodies before sunrise.
He forced a breath in, slow and controlled.Then he kicked down the stand, got off the Harley, and strode toward her.
Tessa turned toward him, relief and fear mixing in her eyes and Brick knew with a certainty that rooted itself in his bones that whoever had done this was already living on borrowed time.
Tessa’s breath hitched when she saw him.“Brick...”
The panic in her voice hit him harder than any blow.
He closed the distance and gently took her hands.“You’re not hurt?”
She shook her head quickly.“No.I wasn’t even driving today.My friend Erica dropped me off after dinner.This was already here.I didn’t know who else to call.”
Good.She had called him.
“You did the right thing,” he said, voice low and certain.He scanned the street, every shadow, every parked car, every window.No immediate danger, but his instincts were snarling.
“Come on.You’re not staying here tonight,” he told her.
Her eyes widened.“But my place...”Tessa began.
“Not up for debate.”His tone left no room for argument.“Pack a bag.I’ll handle the car later.”
Tessa hesitated only a second before nodding.“Okay.”
Damn if that tiny show of trust didn’t settle something deep inside him.She returned with a small overnight bag.
Brick took it from her without a word and guided her to the bike.She had never ridden on a motorcycle before, so she clung tighter to him.Her fingers dug into his jacket, and every tremble shivered straight down into his bones.
By the time they pulled into the Devil’s Crown clubhouse, Brick was vibrating with a cold, focused fury.Inside, brothers paused, curious gazes flicking to the woman at his side.
Brick ignored them all.He brought her straight to King’s office.King had been waiting, arms crossed, expression already dark.
“What happened?”King asked.
Brick kept his voice level.“Serpents tagged her car.Threats.”
Tessa swallowed hard.“I didn’t see anyone.I’m sorry if this causes problems.”
King cut her off with a shake of his head.“You didn’t cause anything, sweetheart.We’ll handle the Serpents.”
Brick stepped forward.“She’s not going home.”
“No,” King agreed.“She’s staying here.We’ll rotate watchers.”
Brick’s jaw tightened.“I’ll take first shift.”
King’s eyebrow arched, amused.“Thought you’d say that.”He pointed toward the hallway.“Set her up in the room across from yours.”
Brick stiffened.
Across from his?God help him, but he didn’t argue.
Brick led her down the hall, aware of every step she took.
The room wasn’t fancy as clubhouse rooms rarely were, but it was clean, quiet, and safe.That last part mattered most.Tessa stepped inside and let out a shaky exhale.”
