As we rolled into the parking lot, several men waited for us, clustered together near a pair of parked SUVs. I scanned them quickly, assessing their positions, stances, and numbers, noting immediately that if things escalated, they’d be seriously outmatched. Even at a glance, they didn’t look prepared for a fight—at least not against the Redline Kings.
Kane led the way, his expression cold and utterly unreadable as he climbed off his Harley and stepped forward, with Edge and me flanking closely behind him. The three of us approached thetwo men who had separated themselves from their group, the leaders of this little crew.
The taller of the two men cleared his throat, visibly uneasy beneath Kane’s ruthless stare. He glanced briefly at me, eyes wary as he shifted his weight, clearly aware of the lethal reputation of the Redline Kings. The second man, shorter but broader, spoke first, his voice cautious, careful not to provoke more than necessary. “First off, let’s just get something clear—we had no idea the girl belonged to Gauge. If we’d known Riley was your woman, we wouldn’t have approached her.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest as I fixed the man with an unblinking stare. “Save the bullshit. It’s obvious Shawn whined about our visit with him. If you’re gonna start off this meeting by showing us we can’t trust your word, things are gonna get real uncomfortable real fast. Don’t lie to us again.”
The man opened his mouth as if to argue, then seemed to think better of it, exchanging a tense glance with his partner instead.
Kane shifted slightly, commanding their attention. He leveled them with a dangerous look, making it clear that this conversation wasn’t open to negotiation. “That’s the only warning you’re gonna get. We came here ready to make a deal. If you waste our time or bullshit us again, it’s gonna end badly for you. Let’s make sure we’re clear about that from the start.”
Both men swallowed visibly, shifting their gazes to the Kings standing behind us, who watched the exchange without expression. No threats were spoken, but the implicit message radiated clearly. Every brother there was fully prepared to back up Kane’s words, and these men knew exactly what would happen if they chose the wrong response. Tension thickened the air, and silence settled heavily between us as we waited for their next words, each of us fully aware that Riley’s safety rested firmly on the outcome of this meeting.
The two men exchanged quick, wary glances, weighing the severity of the consequences Kane had just spelled out. Neither of them appeared eager to risk retaliation from the Redline Kings, which was exactly the reaction we expected.
Finally, the taller one, took charge and nodded. Holding his hands up in a gesture of cautious agreement, his tone was still tense but respectful enough not to provoke us further. “Okay, we hear you loud and clear. Your woman is off limits. Whatever you need to do with the evidence, you go ahead. We’re out. You have our word.”
“Good. You’ll stay far away from Riley and anything to do with the Redline Kings’ territory or our races,” Kane reiterated, making sure every detail was understood clearly. “If we hear even a whisper about you or your people sniffing around our operations again, there won’t be a second conversation. Do you understand?”
The men nodded, visibly uncomfortable beneath Kane’s ruthless gaze.
“We understand,” the shorter man replied, speaking for the first time. “We’ll steer clear of your territory. You have our assurance that this issue won’t resurface.”
Kane's gaze hardened. “And one more thing, if Shawn decides running is a better option than taking responsibility, you’re gonna give us his location. Immediately. You don’t hide him, you don’t warn him, and you sure as fuck don’t help him disappear. If he runs, he belongs to us.”
They nodded in agreement again.
Kane’s eyes narrowed as he delivered a final warning. “Good. Because if you fuck this up, the next time you see Gauge will be the last time you see anything.”
The threat landed exactly as Kane intended, and the men swallowed hard, their faces fearful. I watched their reactions carefully, feeling a grim satisfaction in knowing they fullygrasped the seriousness of Kane’s promise. It might not have been the brutal resolution I preferred, but it was enough to secure Riley’s safety and freedom from the threat they’d posed. The urge to handle this permanently still simmered beneath the surface, but I knew my prez had made the right call.
With a final tense exchange of nods, Kane turned abruptly, signaling the rest of us to follow him out. Our business here was done. The low rumble of engines filled the air as we mounted up then rode out of the empty lot.
When we got back to the clubhouse, Kane gave me a chin lift. “Go take care of your woman, Gauge. Tell Riley it’s over, make sure she knows she’s safe now.”
I nodded gratefully, relief flooding through my chest at the thought of Riley finally being free from the burden she’d carried for so long. I wanted to give her everything she deserved, including the reassurance that this particular nightmare was finished. I didn’t hesitate any longer, turning quickly to stride out of the clubhouse and head straight back to where I’d left my woman.
All I could think about was getting her in my arms, feeling her warmth, and letting her finally relax into the safety she’d more than earned. Riley was mine, and nothing would ever threaten her again.
18
RILEY
Iwas wiping down the kitchen counter for the tenth time when I finally heard the familiar rumble of Ryot’s Harley pull into the driveway. He’d been gone most of the day, and I knew something big was happening with the club.
The garage door went up and down, then Ryot came through the door into the kitchen. As soon as his eyes found me, his expression softened. He crossed the room in three long strides and pulled me into his arms, kissing me like he needed the contact as much as I did.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. “It’s over, baby.”
I blinked up at him. “What do you mean?”
He cupped my face with both hands, thumbs stroking my cheeks. “The club business I was on was brokering a deal with the guys Shawn got mixed up with. They agreed to stay away from you. Raze is handling the legal side. The police will have everything they need by morning. The warrant’s going to be dropped, and your name cleared.”
Tears sprang to my eyes so fast I couldn’t stop them. I clutched his shirt, my voice shaking. “It’s really over?”
“Yeah, sweetheart.” He kissed my forehead, then my temple, and my lips again. “You’re safe. No more looking over your shoulder. It’s done.”
I buried my face in his chest, letting the relief crash over me. Although I trusted Ryot to keep me safe, I was now willing to admit I was a little more nervous once I found out I was pregnant because we had an innocent life to protect.
