Page 32 of Always My Fate

The last trucks rumbled down the driveway as the sun finally disappeared behind the trees. Blackie locked every door and window, double-checked the prospects on watch, then climbed the stairs to the master bedroom.

Peaches was waiting for him, propped against the pillows she’d come to despise. With the lamp on low, curls framing her like an angel, and her gaze steady on him the second he walked in.

Blackie undressed, then slid into bed beside her. “Just us now, darlin’.”

He pulled her close and kissed her—slow at first, then deeper, hungrier. His hands moved with careful reverence, sliding under her nightshirt to caress the heavy, beautiful swell of her belly. “Goddamn, Peaches,” he growled against her mouth. “You look like pure sin and heaven all at once. Carryin’ my boy and still can make me lose my mind.”

Heeding the doctor’s directives that forbade sex, or even orgasms, he kept the kisses to the smoldering category, backing off whenever things threatened to turn fiery.

Their reconnection was tender and steamy, full of heat. Blackie worshipped every curve, every new inch pregnancy had given her, whispering raw, profane praise between kisses. “My perfect fuckin’ queen. I love you like this. Love you so damn much.”

“Today felt right,” he murmured, voice low and thick. “Seein’ the club family together, the kids runnin’ wild, you smilin’ on the porch. That’s the life I want for Daniel. For all of ’em. I spent too many years as a lone wolf. You changed that. You made me want this. Even the chaos, the noise, and god help me, the legacy. No matter what Roscoe or those MDMC ghosts throw at us, I’m choosin’ this every single day.”

Peaches turned her head and kissed him softly. “Back atcha, Kirk. We’ve built something strong. Daniel’s gonna know exactly who his daddy is.”

Blackie held her, letting the quiet moment settle over them.

His phone buzzed on the nightstand.

He reached for it, expecting an update from Rook or Horse. Instead, the message was from an unknown number.

A photo filled the screen—a clear, zoomed-in shot of their backyard from earlier that day. Peaches on the porch. The kids laughing and running. His hand resting on her belly. Below the image were the words:

*Nice little family gathering. Would be a shame if it all went up in smoke. Sleep tight, big brother. — R*

Blackie’s entire body went rigid. Cold fury flooded his veins.

“Motherfucking son of a bitch,” he snarled, low and lethal. He tensed his arm around Peaches, pulling her closer as the new threat stared back at him from the screen.

The bastards had been watching them today. In their own yard. With their kids right there.

The war wasn’t coming anymore.

It was already here.

Chapter Sixteen

Blackie’s phone exploded with calls just after midnight.

He was still wide awake, one arm wrapped around Peaches. The first ring had him bolting upright, reaching for the phone on the nightstand.

“Talk fast,” he snarled, voice low so he wouldn’t wake her fully.

“Prez, it’s Horse.” The words came through tight and clipped. “Major movement near Belle. At least twenty riders, some flying MDMC colors, others unmarked. They hit the southern fence line hard—gunfire, trying to breach the ranch. We’re holding our own, but it’s bad.”

“Motherfuckers!” Blackie roared, swinging his legs out of bed. He paced the bedroom in nothing but sweatpants, free hand clenched into a fist. “Roscoe’s fingerprints are all over this. How many of ours are down?”

“Two prospects hit, nonfatal. We’re returnin’ fire, but they’re organized. Looks like a coordinated push towards Longview too.”

“Boss, we’re dealing with the threat for now, but gonna need some ammo at some point.” Rook spoke, letting Blackie know he was already on the call. “We’ve got major movement on the outer routes of our runs.”

Peaches stirred behind him. “Blackie?”

He turned, crossing back to the bed in two strides and sitting beside her. “Stay right where you are, sweetness. I got this.”

Into the phone he barked orders, his voice filled with pure command. “Horse, you hold that ranch like it’s your last stand. Use every man you’ve got and the new perimeter defenses. Rook, pull everyone you can and set up a blocking line on the main route between Belle and Longview. Get our support groups involved. We should be able to field a hundred or more with a couple of calls. Iron Riggers comes to mind, and you’re as familiar with the others as I am.” He sucked in a deep breath, then gave the most important order, “Do not let them link up. Is Oaky on here too?”

“Yeah, boss.” Oaky sounded ready to rock and roll.