“Have you heard anything about Teddy this morning?”
I nodded. “Lila texted when you were in the shower. He’s still a little groggy, but he had a good appetite and ate a full breakfast.”
Keely smiled. “That’s a relief. I was thinking maybe I could drop off some pie later. Do you know what flavor he would like?”
Jealousy prickled up my spine.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” I replied.
Reaching over, I grabbed the leg of her chair and slid her closer, just like I did on our interrupted first date. Keely flushed and bit her lip, but she couldn’t hide the faint giggle that escaped her. I slid my hand inside her bathrobe, caressing her soft, thick thighs.
“He likes cherry, same as me,” I said. “And that little bastard is not gettinganypie from you. Is that clear?”
She laughed as I nuzzled into her neck, nipping and biting at her skin.
***
While Keely got dressed for work, I called Ironside and talked him into assigning a biker to her for protection. Since I was the original target for the Filthy Rebels, there was a very good chance they already had eyes on her, too.
Thankfully, Ironside wasted no time in fulfilling my request. By the time I dropped Keely off at the diner for her shift, Recoil was already waiting in a corner of the parking lot. He briefly lifted his hand in acknowledgement as I pulled to a stop near the diner’s front door.
“That guy over there,” I said, pointing at Recoil. “He will be your personal bodyguard as long as I’m not around to do it myself. It’s just a precaution. If you get any bad vibes from anyone, you go straight to him. Or you call me. Got it?”
Keely nodded solemnly. I brushed my knuckles against her cheek. Then I cupped her chin and pulled her close for areassuring kiss. If it was up to me, I would keep Keely in bed all day, wrapped up in my arms, so nothing and no one could ever get near her, let alone touch her.
But I couldn’t do that. If the Filthy Rebels retaliated, this conflict would be just getting started. Keely needed to be able to live her life. I didn’t want her cowering in fear, afraid. I wanted her confident in the knowledge that I would ensure she was safe.
“Say hi to Teddy for me,” Keely chirped as she jumped out of my truck. “Love you!”
I watched her disappear into the diner with an ache in my chest. She said those two little words so easily, but they meant the fucking world to me.
It took every ounce of willpower to tear myself away from her side, driving to the clubhouse. When I stepped inside, I found Teddy at the bar, flicking pretzels like miniature footballs down the length of the counter, while Psycho held up his fingers in a field goal.
“You’re clearly feeling better, little brother,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder.
He sent a pretzel careening down the bar, whizzing through Psycho’s makeshift field goal. He cheered at his victory, then winced and swore softly, clutching his side.
“Never mind,” I said. “I spoke too soon.”
“It’s no big deal,” Teddy said. “I’ve had worse. Besides, I hate just sitting around. Makes me squirrely.”
“I’m surprised you’re not milking this for all it’s worth. You could be holding it over my head. Playing the invalid. Insisting that I have to give you fucking footrubs or some shit. You’re passing up a prime opportunity, you know.”
Teddy smirked. “That’s a good point. I should change my tune. Fetch me coffee and a donut, big brother. With extra sprinkles and chocolate cream filling. And it better be fresh. No stale, day-old, discounted donuts either.”
I snorted. “When pigs fly, kid. Get your own damn donuts.”
He laughed. “Hey. A little sympathy here. I took a bullet for you!”
My reply died on my lips when the front door opened and a biker stepped in. With a Filthy Rebel patch on his chest.
And missing a finger.
For a split second, silence filled the clubhouse.
My smile dropped. A red haze blurred my vision. Before I realized what I was doing, I started forward. Teddy and Psycho scrambled to grab my arms and hold me back.
“Get out,” Psycho barked at the Rebel. “Get out or we let the big guy rip you to fucking pieces. Your call.”
