“I’ll keep watch.” I tried for a smile, but it didn’t land. Sleep had been a stranger since Caleb vanished, a ghost that taunted me from the edges.
“You need sleep too, Jay.”
“I’m used to it,” I said, turning to the window and watching the dead streets like they might speak if I stared long enough.
Her voice quiet and hesitant, she started, “Would you...”
I looked back at her. “Would I what, princess?”
Her arms wrapped around herself, eyes darting away. “Nothing. Doesn’t matter. Night, Jay.” Her voice cracked, the words thin and breaking.
I crouched in front of her, refusing to let her hide. “Tell me.”
Her grey eyes met mine, words spilling out fast, like if she didn’t say them now, she never would. “Would you lie with me? Just for a little while?”
Every part of me screamed no. Distance was the only safe choice, but my body didn’t listen.
Boots hit the floor. Kutte and T-shirt peeled off. I slid into the bed behind her, pulling her flush to my chest. She tensed, for a breath, then turned and melted back into me, nestling closer.
Her head rested over my heartbeat, and for one stolen moment, I let myself believe nothing else existed. No ghosts, no betrayals. Just her.
But I knew the storm was coming. It always came.
She stirred when I shifted but didn’t wake. I brushed her hair back, breathing her in, memorizing the rise and fall of her chest against me. My mind replayed the scene from earlier, her needy and wanting me. I allowed myself an hour of sleep, until my phone buzzed against the nightstand. Riot.
Riot:You coming or not?
Me:Be there first thing.
I looked down at her one last time, untangled myself, and took my post at the window. My head spun circles around Lucy—the way she’d curled into me like she belonged there, the weight of her trust pressing down on me. I wasn’t built for it, for holding, for keeping. Normally, I’d walk away before dawn and let the night fade into memory. But with her, the idea of leaving seemed harder than staying. It was the best hour’s sleep I’d hadin years, and I fought hard to ignore the need to climb back into bed with her.
When the light finally broke, she stirred. Her eyes caught on me, shirtless, still standing guard like the night hadn’t ended. For a heartbeat, she stared, her eyes darkening as she took in my hard chest before she tore her gaze away. She grabbed her bag, hurried to the bathroom, and when she came back out, she was armoured again, donning an ankle-length boho dress and scuffed biker boots, her chin high like nothing had happened.
We met Riot and Link outside the clubhouse. Riot vouched for him, and I trusted him too. He was the one who first confirmed there was a rat in our ranks, and when shit got dark, Link was the only one who hadn’t flinched.
We spread the evidence across the hood of Riot’s truck. Their reactions mirrored mine—shock, anger and grim certainty.
“Let’s get it over with,” Riot said, pushing off the wall.
Link nodded. “Got your back, Pres.” His voice didn’t shake, not even a little. That’s how I knew I’d been right to trust him.
Back inside, I stood at the edge of the barroom, eyes locked on Gage as he grabbed himself a beer. Lucy stayed close at my side, her spine stiff, ready to bolt if things went bad.
I signalled Riot with a chin lift. He shifted, body coiled, waiting.
“Morning, Pres,” Gage said when he finally noticed me.
“Where were you a month ago?” I asked, sliding onto the stool beside him, Lucy perched on his other side. The room hushed.
“Which day?”
“The night Diesel met with the Fangs.” My voice was a growl, barely containing my anger. “The night Diesel died.”
His jaw worked. “I wasn’t there. I was running security for the Arizona run. Ask Link.”
Link stepped forward, face hard. “You weren’t on that run, brother. I was.”
Gage froze for a second, but it was enough.
