With his sharp jaw and rugged features, he’s too much man to be considered handsome. Panty-melting. I heard someone on TV use that once. I never understood the concept until now. His nose has been broken, judging from the bump at the bridge. Likely more than once. He has a small scar on the cleft of his chin and one above his left eyebrow, both of which have faded to silvery marks with age. He looks like the quintessential bad boy. Yet this man has been nothing but good to me, and I have no idea why. I think back to that day when I first saw him. Amid a sea of chaos and confusion filled with leather cuts and menacing scowls, his reassuring smile and soft words became a lifeline in the dark, urging me to hold on. And hold I did.
And here I am, many months later, still holding on—scared to let go, scared to embrace it. I am wildly out of my depth, with no clue how to swim. But the thought of walking away is almost as terrifying as trying to navigate this new life that everyone raves about.
“I’ve lost you again. It really is okay for you to wait here. I won’t think any less of you—nobody would. And if they did, I’d kill them. Simple.”
I laugh, laying my head on his arm as I fortify my nerves. “I’m good. My mind tends to drift when I’m processing. I’ve turned into a space cadet, but the therapist I was seeing said it was normal. She seemed pretty impressed with my coping skills.”
“She should be.”
I snort. “What skills, Ambros? I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’re the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met, Citi,” he says softly. There’s no mirth in his words. He’s completely serious.
I flush as I turn, dipping my head as I let him lead me out of the warehouse. “It never gets old.”
“What doesn’t?”
“Looking at this place. It’s like being on a movie set.” I nod to the path leading up to the saloon, my eyes flicking across the properties on either side of the path.
“Funny you should say that. Some of this place did feature in a movie.”
“That’s pretty cool.”
I take it all in as he leads me further into the lion’s den. I’ve been here before, twice in total. Once, when I was collecting Star from Havoc and Nevaeh, and once when Havoc hid me and Star before moving us into Kruger’s old place. How he managed to keep us a secret, I’ll never know.
When we reach the double doors, he looks at me. “You ready?”
“Yes.”
He pushes the door open and walks in, pulling me along behind him. I glance around, my heart thundering so loudly in my chest, I’m surprised Ambros can’t hear it.
Havoc and G clock me the moment I walk in. I offer them a small wave before I spot Probe, whom I met once before, and a couple of other bikers I don’t recognize.
Havoc walks over with G just behind him. “Citi? Everything okay?”
“Um, yeah, it’s fine. We just came to get the truck.”
Havoc looks at Ambros, who explains, “Going to pick up Star from school. It’s her first day.”
Havoc frowns and looks back at me. “How did you get her there?”
“I called a cab. Why?”
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have taken her or had a prospect take you.”
“Why go out of your way? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Star is my niece. Of course, it makes sense.”
I bite my lip, realizing belatedly that I might have hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
He groans before pulling me away from Ambros to hug me. “Ignore me. I’m being a dumbass. I just worry.”
I look up at him and smile. “How could I be mad about you loving my girl? You can come with us to pick her up if you want. We’re going early to wait because I’m a basket case.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
G laughs. “Seriously? You just gave her attitude for not calling you to take them this morning, and now she’s offering for you to go with them to pick her up, you’re unsure?”
