Conner’s smirk faltered.His eyes darted around the room, calculating.
There was a brief, ugly scuffle near the side entrance as three more of Conner’s men were escorted in—none too gently—by additional Rebels.One of them took a knee to the gut and doubled over, gasping.
Mason’s voice stayed calm, almost conversational.“Looks like I’ve got a bigger army than you.”
“Fuck you, old man,” Conner spat, stepping forward, voice rising with desperation.“Cowards stand behind their cult.Seems what you’re doing is just showing me how weak you really are.”
Bones stepped forwards without hesitation.In one smooth motion, he pulled a sawed-off shotgun from inside his vest and leveled the weapon at Conner’s chest.The metallicclickof the action being racked cut through the room like a clap of thunder.
“Give me one reason I should not pull this trigger,” Bones growled, voice low and deadly.
Conner’s face blanched, turning a sickly gray that made him look suddenly unwell.His hands came up slightly, palms out.“My brother’s part of your crew.Would you really kill family?”
Without looking around, Bones answered, “Would I?Hell yes, I would.I am going to need a better reason before I get tired of holding up this gun.You should hurry.I am subject to sudden fatigue.”
Mason’s gaze never left Conner.“Vic, you vouch for this asshole?”
Vic stepped forward, voice ringing clear and decisive across the tense space.“Fuck no.Not a chance.”
Mason lifted his chin.“Sounds like you’re running out of reasons.”He motioned to Bones.“Go on.Take twelve, roll heavy, and escort this asshat out of the state.”
Conner immediately started to bluster, stammering as he tried to make an argument Mason would accept.“You can’t— This is bullshit— You don’t know who you’re fucking with—”
Vic could’ve told him that ship had sailed the second Conner threatened Bonnie.Now his only chance was to shut his mouth and go quietly.
He watched as a dozen Rebels stepped up without being told, checked their weapons with practiced efficiency, and lined up their motorcycles outside like a funeral procession waiting to begin.
Conner was hustled out, still protesting, his backup men trailing behind with hands raised.The doors closed behind them, and the bar fell into a heavy, satisfied silence.
Vic stayed where he was, breathing through the adrenaline still buzzing in his veins, hopeful—for the first time in weeks—that this would be the last time he’d have to deal with his brother.
***
They were lying inBonnie’s bed, the sheets twisted around their legs, the room still warm from the slow, intense way they’d come together an hour earlier.The lamp on the nightstand cast a soft glow across her bare shoulder as she traced idle patterns on his chest.For once, there was no rush to leave.No walls slamming back up.Just the quiet rhythm of their breathing and the occasional brush of her fingers against his skin.
Vic stared at the ceiling, the peace of the moment warring with the weight that had been sitting on his chest for days.
“Conner showed up again,” he said quietly.
Bonnie’s fingers stilled.She lifted her head, propping her chin on his sternum so she could look at him.“Your brother?”
“Yeah.”Vic let out a slow breath.“The one who used to be my brother, anyway.He’s been causing trouble.Threatening people.Threateningyou.The club had to step in.Mason laid it out for him pretty clear—leave or face consequences.”
Bonnie’s expression darkened.“He threatened me?”
Vic nodded, jaw tight.“Anonymous texts, but one mentioned you.I took it to the Rebels.Traced them straight back to him.”
She was quiet for a moment, processing.Then she shifted closer, draping one leg over his.“What are you going to do?”
“I already did what I could.Backed the club when they confronted him.Told Mason I don’t vouch for him—not even a little.”Vic swallowed hard, the next words harder to get out.“But I keep thinking...this is my blood.My mess.And now it’s spilling onto the club.Onto you.Onto everything I’ve been trying to build here.”
He turned his head to look at her fully, eyes searching hers.
“I’m scared the Rebels are gonna get tired of it.Tired of my family drama following me around like a bad smell.They’ve been good to me.Better than I probably deserve.Bear gave me a place to stay.Chase is like a little brother.Mason’s starting to trust me.But if Conner keeps pushing...how long before they decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth?”
Bonnie was quiet for a long moment, her hand resting over his heart like she could feel the fear beating beneath it.When she finally spoke, her voice was low but fierce.
“You’re not your brother, Vic.You’re not your dad either.You’ve proven that every single day since you got here.You show up.You stand up for people.You fight for the ones who matter to you.”She pressed a kiss to the center of his chest, right over his heart.“The club sees that.I see that.If Conner wants to keep digging his own grave, that’s on him.Not you.”
