Her eyes held mine for another long, searching moment before she finally nodded, accepting my words without pushing further. “Okay.”
It was clear she wanted to know more, but she trusted me enough not to push. Something eased in my chest, even as my protectiveness heightened further. Whatever threat was hovering would never touch her or Isa.
I'd make damn sure of it.
Later that night, the quiet hum of the house felt louder than usual as I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, unable to stop my racing mind. I glanced down at Hannah beside me. She was lying on her side, sound asleep, her hair spread across her pillow like a silky waterfall. The sheet was tangled low around her waist, leaving her back and shoulders bathed in soft moonlight. My cock stirred instantly at the sight, my body craving hers all over again even though I’d already taken her twice tonight.
I moved in closer, wrapping an arm firmly around her waist and drawing her lush curves snug against me. She stirred slightly, releasing a soft, breathy sigh that tightened every muscle in my body. With a fierce effort, I reined in my desire, gently brushing her hair back so I could press a lingering kiss to her temple.
Closing my eyes, I tried to let sleep pull me under again, but my mind was a chaotic storm, spinning with Wizard’s words and the unknown threats that lingered far too close to what was mine. Protectiveness surged inside me, and I tightened my grip on Hannah. She was safe in my arms, exactly where she belonged. Whoever these assholes were, they’d find out real fast how badly they’d fucked up.
My pulse steadied, tension easing slightly as Hannah shifted in her sleep, melting even deeper into my chest. Tomorrow would bring more answers. Tonight, I held her tighter and let her quiet breathing soothe me, reminding me exactly what I was fighting to protect.
The following morning, I woke to the faint buzz of my phone vibrating against the bedside table. Carefully untangling myself from Hannah’s soft, warm curves, I grabbed the device, my gaze landing on a text from Wizard saying that he needed to meet me in his office as soon as possible. A sharp surge of anticipation and caution tightened in my chest. Wizard wouldn’t be calling me in unless he had something substantial.
I glanced back at Hannah, still sleeping peacefully with her hair spilled across the pillow, golden lashes against her cheeks, her lips parted softly. Despite the security that was watching the house, I didn’t want to leave her and Isa alone, even for a quick meeting. Deciding to bring them along, I quietly got up and moved toward the bathroom to get ready.
By the time I was done, Isa was fussing on the monitor, but I’d turned it down low to avoid waking Hannah. I grabbed Isaand changed her, dressed her, then made her a bottle. Cradling her in one arm, I went back to the bedroom and padded over to the bed.
I kissed Hannah awake, smirking at her sexy, disheveled state. She rolled her eyes at my obvious leering but blushed adorably.
“Need to go in for a meeting. I’d like my girls to come with me. Maybe meet some of my brothers and their families. Got Isa taken care of, so we’ll go whenever you're ready, sweetheart.”
Then I brushed my lips over hers again and left the room before we traumatized our little girl by seeing something X-rated.
An hour later, after carefully bundling Isa in her car seat and helping Hannah get her things together, we drove to the clubhouse. She shifted nervously in the passenger seat, twisting her fingers together in her lap as she stared out the window. But beneath the nerves, I caught glimpses of excitement. I reached across the console, resting my hand firmly on her thigh and squeezing gently in reassurance.
When we arrived at the clubhouse, it was bustling with activity. A few brothers stood around their bikes, joking loudly as they polished chrome and wiped down leather. Hannah hesitated, clutching my arm tightly, then shot me a grateful look when I wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her inside.
The main area was filled with warm laughter and the chatter of feminine voices. Several old ladies were gathered around the couches and bar in the lounge, and they immediately lit up as soon as they spotted us. Elena, Onyx’s woman, moved toward Hannah first, cradling her four-month-old son, Kayde, in one arm. Stella followed with her son, Cadell, balanced on her hip, and her free hand resting on her small baby bump.
Blaze’s old lady, Courtney, had their son, Arlen, on her hip, the toddler’s chubby fists gripping her shirt as she smiledwarmly. Another one whose pregnancy was unmistakable despite her loose, comfortable clothing. Thea, Wizard’s wife, held Skye in her arms, the eleven-month-old watching the gathering with curious eyes, chewing on her fist and drooling as only a teething baby does.
I gently squeezed Hannah’s waist, then leaned down to whisper against her ear, my lips brushing her skin. “You’re safe here, Hannah. This is your family now.”
Her eyes softened, and a smile tugged at her lips as Elena reached out and gently touched Isa’s cheek. I nodded to the women, silently expressing my thanks as I reluctantly stepped away and turned to walk down the hall toward Wizard’s office.
My boots echoed as I approached, already hearing the muffled rumble of male voices from inside the room. I pushed open the door without hesitation, stepping into the familiar space. Wizard sat behind his cluttered desk, his dark eyes narrowed in concentration as he studied one of his computer screens. Blaze leaned against the wall to my right, his expression hard and alert. Rebel was on the couch on the far side of the room, feet up on another chair, and a laptop balanced on his thighs.
My gaze landed on the monitor positioned on Wizard’s desk that had his attention, and I froze briefly in surprise. Kane Beckett was on a video call, his sharp green eyes and rugged features filling the screen. He was the president of the Redline Kings MC—a group headquartered in a small beach town in Florida. They were entrenched in the world of racing, both legal and underground. They were also friends and allies, so it wasn’t exactly unusual to see him. But his expression told me this shit was serious and probably bigger than we’d initially anticipated.
Wizard glanced up, giving me a nod in greeting before diving right into the update. “Facial recognition finally pinged. Thosemen watching you and Hannah are patches or known associates of the Division Nine MC out of Atlanta.”
My jaw tightened, the name ringing only faintly familiar. Growing up in Atlanta, I’d heard whispers of their club. Nothing concrete, but enough to know they were dangerous fuckers to cross. Still, my knowledge was vague, limited by the fact that I’d only come into the MC world after patching with the Hounds in Riverstone. I glanced at Kane on the screen, acknowledging him silently before he spoke.
“Division Nine’s trouble.” Kane’s tone was grim as he leaned back slightly in his chair. “They have chapters scattered around Florida, including one too fucking close to Crossbend. Had our eyes on them for a while.”
“What do you know?” I asked, keeping my voice even despite the tension coiling tighter inside me.
“They’re into drug transport and distribution, mostly moving product for bigger players. But it’s not just their business practices that make them bad news.” Kane’s eyes darkened, his expression turning deadly serious. “They’re known for extreme violence and disappearances. No fucking code of conduct. These are merciless, evil motherfuckers, Cross.”
I worked to keep calm, my fists clenching at my sides until my knuckles whitened. Rage simmered beneath my skin, dangerously close to erupting, but I forced myself to breathe deep, steady breaths. Losing control wasn’t an option.
Wizard leaned forward, his dark eyes meeting mine. There was a seriousness in his expression that immediately set me on edge. “There’s more, Cross.”
Fuck.I braced myself, mentally ordering myself to stay composed. Losing my shit wouldn’t help my family. It would only hinder our efforts, and I wasn’t about to allow that.
“We traced the hack into Hannah’s files back to Division Nine as well,” Wizard continued, the tightness around his eyes betraying his own anger at the situation.
