“You’d be right,” I agreed.
“How do you want to play this?” he wanted to know.
“Sort the state of play and then figure out how to lock that asshole up for the rest of his life, or he goes missing—and telling you, Gun, not really caring which solution it ends up being,” I grunted.
I’d never been part of the MC back home, but when it came to Ellie and her safety, I wasn’t about to shy away from the darker reality that may be required to keep my woman safe.
“Gotcha,” Gunner replied matter-of-factly. “Your pop and Cole know about this?” he asked, referring to my father and eldest brother, the president of the Knights MC.
“Not yet,” I admitted.
“I’m feeling a road trip coming on,” Gunner noted dryly.
I grumbled, knowing my family wouldn’t be held off for long, particularly when it came to meeting the only woman I’d ever loved.
“Gotta head over to her old place. I’ll check in with you in the morning.”
“You armed?” he wanted to know.
“May not be in the MC, but I am my father’s son,” I replied by way of answer.
He rumbled a noise of approval. “Good enough. Talk tomorrow.”
“Yep,” I agreed, hanging up and turning an eye toward Ryan. “Need you to stay here with the girls.”
“You got it.” He nodded, and I appreciated that he didn’t question me further.
We found Ellie and Lily in the kitchen laughing over cocktails. The last thing I wanted to do was wipe that smile off her face, to reintroduce the wariness and fear she’d just begun to let go of.
“I have to run out for a few. Ryan’s gonna stay here with you both, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I watched her face go white, her fists clench as realization dawned. She knew there was only one thing that would have me leaving her side at this hour.
I moved to her, crouching down in front of her and cupping her face in my palm. The questions glittering in her green eyes had me needing to give an explanation. As much as I wanted to shield her, after everything she’d been through, I knew she needed the truth. “I’m headed over to your old place. Gunner got him on camera. He fucked up, baby. This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”
She put her hand over mine, squeezing. “Why do you have to go? Can’t we just call the cops?”
“I need to see what we’re dealing with first,” I explained. “I don’t want you to worry—I’ll be back soon.” I kissed her softly before standing and exchanging a look with Ryan, without words asking him to look out for my girl. He nodded, his hand clasping Lily’s shoulder as she eyed her friend in concern before visibly lightening her expression.
“Come on, girl, let’s bake something fattening and make another cocktail,” she declared.
As I strode out toward the garage, I heard Lily coax a small laugh out of Ellie, and gratitude coursed through me that Ellie had such a loyal friend.
When I pulled up to Ellie’s old loft, eyeing the men loitering on the corner before beginning the walk up the inner stairwell, relief coursed through me that I had her under my roof, secure and safe.
That relief was soon replaced with fury as I crested the stairs and set eyes on her door where a bouquet of flowers sat with an envelope.
I took a few photos before snatching up the envelope and tearing it open. I scanned the words, red haze clouding my vision as I took in the disgusting letter. I barely restrained from tearing it to shreds and instead shoved it in my back pocket.
My nostrils flared as I scanned the hallway, ensuring nothing else was amiss before I let myself into the loft. Gunner didn’t think Brian had come inside, but I wanted to be sure.
I walked through the now empty space, that in such a short time had held so many memories. Satisfied that there was no evidence he’d been in the loft, I turned on a heel and left, anxious to get back to Ellie.
When I walked in, I found Lily and Ryan in the kitchen murmuring to each other.
“She went up to bed a little while ago,” Lily explained. “She’s trying to be strong, but I can tell she’s completely freaked. She wanted to be alone.”
I nodded. “I’ll go up. Thanks for staying. You two can take off.”
