Baddy stroked his beard."They went straight to her."
The screen changed to the next clip.Sonny sat behind the steering wheel of the car, heading east toward the I-5 onramp.Lydia's mom looked out the passenger window.
Baddy's stomach twisted.He hated to see fear on a woman's face.
Kodiak folded his arms."Coming into our territory without permission is an active threat to the club.And approaching your girl?"His gaze sharpened."That's personal."
"I know."Baddy met his president's stare head-on."I'm ready."
Kodiak nodded once."I'll call a meeting."
The room emptied slowly, brothers muttering under their breath, tension thick enough to choke on.When the last of them stepped out, Baddy turned toward the couch.
Lydia sat wrapped in one of Baker's blankets, her knees pulled to her chest.Her eyes were red, her face pale, but she didn't cry.She gazed at him with a look that gutted him.
She would've willingly gone with Sonny to save her mom.While he could understand her desire to help her mother, the thought of losing her destroyed him.He'd ridden down the block, breaking every law to get to her in time.Thank fuck he'd arrived before she got into the car.
He approached and knelt before her, gently rubbing her legs through the blanket before pulling her into his arms.She instantly melted into him.
"What does this mean?"she whispered."Can I...can I go back to Cusclan to see my mom?"
"No."His voice came out rougher than he meant.He softened his town which only made his voice go deeper."I'll find a way for you to talk to her.But you're not going anywhere near Sonny.Or into Cusclan territory.They're not playing around, Lydia.They came here, right outside our fucking compound.They threatened you.That's not something I'm letting slide."
She nodded against him."I never thought I'd see her again.Now that I have, I need to talk to her."
He tipped her chin up."I'll make sure that happens.You hear me?"
Her eyes filled, but she blinked the tears back."I'm afraid my mom is in too deep."
Baddy frowned."What do you mean?"
Lydia pulled back slightly, tightening the blanket around herself."My mom...she's always jumped from biker to biker.She's not chasing love.Mom wants security and someone to take care of her.It's how she survives.But I think she wants to get away from Sonny, and he isn't letting her go."
Baddy stayed quiet, letting her talk.
"She ran away from Sonny almost a year ago," Lydia continued."He started pushing her around.And when he drinks, he turns into an asshole, even cheating with other women.She left to get away from him.There was no reason for her to come back."
Baddy stilled."Wouldn't she come back for you?"
Lydia's breath hitched.
And the look of her raw, wounded expression told him his answer.He kept his arm around Lydia, feeling every tremor she tried to hide.She was holding herself together by threads, and he knew it.Hell, the whole damn club knew it.
Footsteps approached, and Baker filled the area at the end of the couch.The old man wiped his hands on a towel."I've got food for you two."
Lydia shook her head immediately."I'm not hungry."
Baker snorted."And I'm not Elvis."
"I really can't—"
"Don't argue with me, girl."Baker pointed a thick finger at her but his eyes softened."Food will make you feel better."
"Baker's right.You should eat," said Baddy."You've worked all day and then suffered a scare.Your body needs something warm in it."
She opened her mouth again, but Baker cut her off with a raised brow."I know what you need.Kids these days are starving themselves into bad decisions.Listen to someone older and more experienced than yourself."
Baddy watched him go, then looked down at Lydia."He's right."
