I get it... but it doesn’t change things. “That was a once-off. No one has come to the clubhouse before. I’m sorry you saw that.”
She frowns and looks out the window. “It doesn’t mean it won’t be the last. Everyone knows where you live. Why risk it at all?”
I’ve got no answer for her. I’ve never had anyone to worry about but myself. I put a hand on her leg. “I’m sorry.” It’s a copout.
She briefly shakes her head. “You didn’t hesitate. You slammed the man against the car without even finding out if he’d done or said anything to me.”
Ouch! The disappointment in her eyes slices through me.
I watch Viper get onto his bike and put his helmet on, so I reverse the truck and watch him follow us as we drive away from the clubhouse.
Annoyance eats at me. “I’m still me, Rose.” I glimpse at her, then return my eyes to the road. “I saw your body language. Something had happened or was said. I’ll never hesitate to protect you...ever. I don’t want to scare you. It’s the last thing I want, but I’ll never put up with disrespect. I’m a biker. It’s in our blood to protect.”
She’s silent for the rest of the trip. I keep looking in the rearview mirror. Viper’s still following. The trip over gives me a bit more time to cool down and prepare myself. I can’t scare her again today, and Reaper is right, I can’t end up in jail. I’m better off fighting tonight and winning, and hopefully Reaper says the Russians are not welcome back.
I see her house and pull into the driveway, relieved that there’s no other car here. “Do you own a car?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “It’s only a short walk to the main road with all the stores. Usually, if I needed to, I could use Tyler’s car, or he would take me.” She cringes. “If I need to, would I be able to use the club van or truck?”
“Yes, sure. It shouldn’t be an issue.”
I get out of the truck. Viper pulls up behind us, and I meet Rose at the front, putting my hand in hers to remind her I’m here for her. Rose’s expression softens as we approach the front door. Her trembling hand struggles to fit the key into the lock, so Igently place my hand over hers, guiding the key until it slides in and the door unlocks.
I pull her hand back and step in front of her, taking slow steps inside. My eyes roam over everything, searching for her ex, but there’s silence.
Viper steps in beside me, checking too. “He’s not here.” He looks over his shoulder at Rose. “Are you okay? You can just point to the rooms we need to get your things from, and you can wait in the car.”
“Thank you, but it’s okay.” She brushes past me. “Follow me to my office and I’ll show you what needs to go, and I’ll go pack all my clothes.”
We do just that and stand in shock by the bedroom door when she points out all her business things. There’s machinery, a table, equipment, and tools.
Viper chuckles. “We should have brought the van as well.”
Rose’s eyes widen. “Oh, won’t it fit?”
It will be close. “He’s only teasing,” I say to Rose, which makes her shoulders drop with relief.
We fit three suitcases and all her machinery and equipment but have to tie it all down for the trip home. Rose puts the key under the mat. She blows out a heavy breath. He was a jerk, but I can understand how hard it must have been for her to walk away from years of her life like that.
A small car pulls up behind us in the driveway and I tense.
A woman gets out. Rose’s face falls. I don’t get a good feeling about it, so I make my way over to stand by Rose’s side.
The woman approaches cautiously, her movements hesitant, almost unsure. Her eyes flicker nervously between Viper and me as he secures the final strap on the truck.
“What do you want, Kayla?” Rose’s acidic tone has me standing up straight.
I peek at Rose. The look of bitterness she has as she looks at the woman is crazy.
The woman shuffles her feet, peering down before looking up. “I miss you. I know I have no right to because I’m a terrible friend.”
It clicks. She’s the friend who slept with Rose’s ex. I frown.
Rose’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it. “We’re done,” she says. “You showed me exactly who you are, and I refuse to be around someone like that. You and Tyler are perfect for each other.” She takes a steady breath, her gaze unwavering. “Leave, and don’t ever contact me again.”
Tears fall down the woman’s face and her lip trembles.
I puff out a breath of air. The nerve of her. “You heard Rose,” I say sternly. “Leave.”
