The line disconnected abruptly, and I lowered the phone slowly, forcing a calming breath through my lungs. My heart hammered against my ribs, adrenaline surging through my veins at the implications of what we were about to face.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I climbed off my bike and strode quickly toward the store. Clara stood behind the counter, organizing some jars of apple butter, her brow furrowed in quiet concentration. She glanced up when the bell above the door jingled. Her face instantly brightened, until she saw the tension etched into every line of my body.
Her smile faltered, her eyes narrowing with concern as she quickly rounded the counter. “Ronan? What’s wrong?”
I reached her in two long strides, my hands cupping her face firmly as I gazed down into her wide, worried amber eyes. “Club business, baby. We’ve got some shit going down tonight, and I need you safe and far away from the danger until it’s handled.”
She swallowed hard, searching my face carefully as her hands moved to grip my wrists. “You’re doing something really dangerous, aren’t you?”
I clenched my jaw, torn between shielding her from the details and needing her to understand the seriousness of the situation.
“Not for us,” I assured her. “But I want you at the clubhouse where I know you’ll be safe, and I don’t have to worry.”
Her expression softened, but the worry in her eyes remained. “Okay. Whatever you need.”
The easy acceptance in her voice, her trust and willingness to follow my lead, twisted something deep in my chest. I exhaled slowly, leaning down to press a firm, lingering kiss against her forehead. “Thank you.”
Clara’s gaze never left my face, her eyes full of quiet strength and concern. “You promise you’ll be okay?”
My thumb traced the curve of her cheek gently, but my voice gruff. “Baby, I’ve faced a lot of shit before. And sometimes I was a little reckless. But I didn’t have the other half of my soul to worry about. I wouldn’t fucking risk not coming back to you.”
Her breath hitched softly, eyes brightening with unshed tears, but she blinked them back quickly, offering me a small, brave smile. “Good. Because I’m expecting you back in one piece.”
“You’ve got my word.” I kissed her again, harder this time, lingering for a long moment to savor the taste and warmth of her. The familiar protective urge surged stronger, fierce and uncompromising. “Go grab some of your stuff. We need to get moving.”
She nodded quickly, pulling away to grab her purse and jacket from behind the counter. Her siblings were watching us curiously, clearly sensing the tension in the air. Clara spoke calmly, reassuring them that everything was fine and she just needed to step away for the night. Harper nodded once, her eyes serious as she assured her she’d cover things here. It felt good knowing Clara’s family had her back.
I guided her firmly toward the door, one hand on her waist as I led her to my bike. When she climbed on behind me, and her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, I felt the knot of tension ease slightly. I knew exactly what was waiting for me tonight—violence, danger, and blood. But like Wizard said, knowing Clara would be safely tucked away, protected by the best security we had, would allow me to focus fully on what needed to be done.
Before I started the engine, I glanced back over my shoulder, locking eyes with her. “You good?”
She smiled and leaned forward to press her lips gently to mine in quiet reassurance. “I’m good. I told you before. I’m hereif there is anything you need. That includes hiding away when you tell me it’s the best thing for both of us.”
My chest tightened again, fierce possessiveness flaring as I nodded. “Fucking adore you, baby.”
Her smile widened, her eyes shining with quiet, unwavering strength. “Same.”
I fired up the engine, the powerful rumble beneath us filling the quiet air. With Clara securely at my back, I pointed the bike toward the clubhouse, determination settling deep and unshakable within me.
Tonight, we would end this threat. Nothing—and no one—was going to stand in my fucking way.
16
REBEL
Darkness pressed down like a physical weight as we gathered just outside the perimeter of the property, silently moving as we spread out into position. The facility loomed ahead, lights burning in a few strategic places like it had nothing to hide. But that was bullshit. This place was rotten to its core, and tonight we were going to tear it apart.
Tension tightened my muscles, adrenaline simmering beneath the surface, sharpening every instinct. Each breath came steady and measured, the familiar prelude to controlled violence.
We spread out, moving seamlessly into our assigned positions, the silence broken only by the low whisper of boots on gravel. My gaze tracked the patrol nearest to our location, watching the guard’s disciplined movements, his rifle held low but ready. His eyes scanned methodically, but he was oblivious to the lethal threat closing in around him.
My fingers flexed, the familiar anticipation settling into my bones. This wasn’t chaos. Every man here knew his role, his mark, and exactly how this op would go down.
King’s voice came low through the comms. “On my mark.”
I shifted slightly, adjusting my stance as my gaze flicked once to the far edge of the perimeter where Blaze and Kevlar were already in position, shadows among shadows. Ink and Cross had split off toward the back access point, Fallon practically vibrating with the promise of violence, while Tomcat held the angle near the secondary entrance, silent and watchful. Shadow and his crew were farther out, ready to move in once the job was done.
When the order came, the world narrowed, and my body reacted without hesitation. I surged forward from my concealed position, each step calculated. The guard barely registered my presence before my arm locked around his neck, cutting off any chance of an alarm. I felt his body go limp and eased him silently to the ground—a quick end to a problem that never should’ve existed in our territory in the first place.
