He glances over his shoulder, cocky smirk tugging his lips. "Can't wait. Gonna charm the shit out of them. They'll love me."
I roll my eyes but I'm smiling. "They'll grill you."
"Let 'em. I'll take it."
We plate up our scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and toast. Coffee in big mugs. We sit at the little table by the window, knees bumping under it.
While we're eating he sets his fork down, looks at me serious but still light. "Tonight. I want you to go hang out with Bella, Bri, and Brooke at the clubhouse. All the old ladies and kids are gonna be there. Some of the club is heading out, hopefully putting an end to this threat for good."
I pause mid-bite. "You're going?"
He nods once. "Yeah. But you're safe there. Locked down tight. I need to know you're good while I handle shit."
I reach across the table, lace my fingers through his. "I'll go. But you come back to me in one piece, Lucky. Promise."
He squeezes my hand hard. "Promise. Got too much waiting for me here now. Four kids worth of future. Ain't missing that."
I lean over, kiss him quick, tasting coffee and bacon on his lips. "Hurry back then. We've got plans."
He grins again, that happy, free grin. "Yes ma'am."
We finish breakfast like that, knees touching, hands brushing, talking about nothing and everything.
We pullup to the compound gates on Lucky's bike, the rumble of the engine cutting through the late afternoon quiet. Two guys in cuts stand at the fence, Prospect and Tank, I think, faces serious as hell. No jokes, no nods. They just swing the gate open without a word, eyes scanning the road behind us like trouble might roll up any second. I tighten my arms around Lucky's waist, cheek pressed to his back. Shit feels heavy today.
He rolls through, parks on the far side of Perdition, right by the clubhouse entrance. The lot's packed with bikes, chrome glinting under the sun. He kills the engine, plants his boots, and reaches back to help me off. My legs are still a little wobbly from the ride. He doesn't let go right away. Instead he slides his hand into mine, laces our fingers tight, thumb brushing over my knuckles like he's saying I've got you without opening his mouth.
We walk in together. The double doors creak open to that familiar smell, leather, beer, faint weed, and whatever they're cooking in the back. The place is huge, open concrete floors smoothed shiny from years of boots. To the left, the industrial kitchen with its long bar and stainless everything. To the right, the living room setup, mismatched couches circling a massive flat-screen that's usually blasting sports or some dumb action flick. Hallways branch off to the offices, meeting rooms, and that heavy door at the end where they hold church.
The girls are already sprawled out on the couches. Bella's got baby Jax on her lap, bouncing him while she rubs her rounded belly. Brooke and Bri are both showing now too, hands restingon their bumps like it's second nature. Sophie's legs are kicked up on the coffee table, scrolling her phone. Chloe's chasing her three-year-old around the edge of the carpet. Jenny and Carlie are on the floor with Carlie's twin boys, five-year-old terrors who look identical except one has a fresh Band-Aid on his forehead. Toys everywhere, kids shrieking and laughing.
Lucky stops just inside the door, turns me toward him. His free hand cups my jaw, tilts my face up. He kisses me deep, slow, tongue sliding in like he doesn't give a fuck who's watching. When he pulls back his eyes lock on mine.
"Love you," he says low, voice rough. "Stay with the girls. Don't wander. I'll be back soon as I can."
I nod, squeeze his hand once before he lets go. "Be careful."
"Always." He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip, then turns and heads down the hallway toward church. His shoulders are set, cut stretched tight across his back. I watch until the door swings shut behind him.
I take a breath, shake off the knot in my stomach, and walk over to the couches.
Bella spots me first. "There she is. Get over here, mama."
I drop onto the cushion next to her. Jax reaches out with chubby hands, grabs a fistful of my shirt. I let him tug.
Brooke leans forward, elbows on her knees. "You okay? You look like you just rode through a war zone."
"Feels like it," I say. "Gates were locked down tight. Guys weren't messing around."
Bri nods from the other couch. "Yeah. Church got called early. They're rolling out soon. Supposed to handle this shit once and for all."
Sophie snorts. "About damn time. I'm tired of looking over my shoulder every time I go to the grocery store."
Chloe scoops up her toddler before he face-plants into a pile of blocks. "At least we're all here. Kids are safe, we're safe. Let the boys do what they do."
Carlie's twins barrel over, one crashing into my legs. "Aunt Savannah! Play cars!"
I laugh despite everything, ruffle his hair. "In a minute, buddy. Let me catch my breath."
