But what the fuck am I supposed to do? We can’t let this go. This was just another warning. He knows where she is, and he wants her back. It’s only a matter of time before he comes for her, or the place that means the world to her. I can’t pretend that my club, my family, didn’t just receive a crushing blow, either.
The handlebars tremble underneath my grip, rage pulling me one way, the love of my life pulling me in another. I’ve never felt so torn before, but I also know the choices have been made for me.
The clubhouse gates come into view, and my patch brothers and I ride through like a storm, building to a colossal strength. I let myself go to it, doing what I know is right, what I’ve always done. I’m Sin, a Hell’s Heathen, and I’ll do whatever needs to be done to protect my family. Getting revenge will be the easy part. Holding onto that humane part of me for her? That’s the fight that might break me if I’m not careful.
Once we’re inside the clubhouse, the ranked members head to church, the double doors falling closed behind us. The energy is palpable as we take our seats, Malice antsy, his leg bouncing as he picks at his chipped fingernails, Wrath gripping his knife, flipping it in his hand, Rogue pacing back and forthbehind his chair, Noose grinding his molars. I clock each of them, letting myself feel all of it. Letting it build, letting it all take over.
“What do we know?” Chaos finally says, breaking the silence stretching between the walls.
“We’ve got his addresses, but he’s been quiet, hasn’t made any movement,” Malice answers.
“I can call Bristol, see if she has any known addresses or places he might be hiding.”
“Get it. Now.”
“Anything else?”
“I’ll call Otto, see if we can get into his personal banking now that we know his information and anything else helpful we might get from Bristol.”
“Do it. Anything you all can think of, I don’t care how small. Find him. Bring him in.”
“Alive,” I add, looking at everyone as I pull out my phone to text my mom, knowing Bristol didn’t bring hers with her when she left his house. I send the text, asking my mom to show Bristol the message. My sweet woman gives it all up, knowing what that could mean for him. Then she sends one more, and my heart practically breaks from happiness behind my ribs.
I understand now. I love you.
I don’t knowwhat my mom said to her, or what helped her get to this point, but I’m thankful for it. Knowing I have Bristol’sunderstanding is everything; it means I don’t have to skirt these two lives, it means I can just be me. All I’ve ever really wanted to be.
“Alright, boys, here we go. We got names, addresses, and phone numbers. Where are we starting to look?”
Chapter Thirty-Five
RHYS
It’s past three in the morning before I make it back to my mom’s house. We spent the entire night making a plan, sending Malice and Wrath out to scout. Now that we’ve got a strategy, it shouldn’t be too much longer before we’re able to hunt his ass down and bring him in.
I use my key, knowing my mom would have seen me coming on her security cameras and won’t shoot me in the head. I take off my boots at the door as quietly as I can, navigating to the guest bedroom on autopilot. I slip into the room, finding a small nightlight in the corner, illuminating the space in a slight warm glow.
Bristol immediately sits up, her hand flying to her heart as I strip off my jeans, vest, and shirt.
“Shh, my love, it’s me, it’s okay.” I hang my cut on the back of the door and move toward the bed. She reaches for me, and I don’t hesitate to climb into bed with her, pulling down my boxer briefs as I go. She holds back the blankets as I nearlycollapse into the bed next to her, wrapping her in my arms and dragging her body flush against mine. She’s so warm, and my heart immediately settles. My lips find her temple, breathing in her sweet floral scent as I kiss her.
“Are you alright?” she asks, her fingers gliding over my cheeks, rubbing into my scruffy beard. My eyes close involuntarily, her touch soothing every cell in my body.
“I am now, baby. Are you?”
“Same. I missed you.”
“I miss you every moment I don’t have my eyes on you. How was it with my mom and Kate?”
“They’re incredible women, Rhys. I adore them already. Your mom helped me work through a lot of things and see some clarity. I’m still not okay with handling things with violence, but I understand that some things aren’t black and white. I knowyou, and I trust that you would never hurt someone who was truly innocent. It’s going to take me a while. I am definitely Saige’s opposite,” she laughs.
“I happen to love that you’re Saige’s opposite. Saige is perfect for Chaos for a reason. He needed someone to put him in his place in a violent way, to challenge him on every front, who could hold her own against the evil we face from time to time. None of that appeals to me. You are perfect for me. Your tender, compassionate heart, your appetite for helping and healing others and animals, how your heart and soul are untainted by the darkness I’ve seen.” I kiss her lips gently before continuing. “The way you let me love on you in the way that comes naturally to me, the way you let that soft side of me come out and flourish.Youare exactly what I need, my love. I love you exactlyas you are.”
How I ever thought I would lose that humane, soft part of me is beyond me. She sees me clearly, and she’d never let me disappear.
“Can I make love to my woman now?”
“Please, I’m aching for you, Rhys.”
