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“Not home where she should be.”
“Then I’ll track her phone.”
R.J. and I didn’t tell Rae we had spyware on her cell and could track her whenever there was a need. I didn’t want her to think of me as a stalker. I wasn’t trying to be controlling or manipulative, but I wanted, no needed, to keep her safe. This was one way to ensure she could be found quickly and easily in case of emergency.
“She’s at Java Joe’s coffee shop. Holy fuck,” R.J. cursed, “doesn’t she ever listen?”
I shook my head and ignored the impulse to answer. Rae was independent. She liked her freedom, and I liked the wild spirit that shone in her beautiful eyes. She was so like Ron in that respect. He was a wild soul too and it led him on some dangerous paths, but he never regretted his life. He wanted his little girl to have more, and so he didn’t chain her down or put preconceived ideas in her head. Ron always told her she could be whatever she wanted.
Rae believed that.
I wouldn’t change who she was for the world. It was her wild nature and wide-eyed innocence that drew me like a magnet. It was a rare thing, to see such a combination. She was as untamed and free as she was sweet and charming. I noticed from a young age how truly remarkable and beautiful she was and perhaps that’s why I fell in love with her so young.
There was always something about Rae that called to me, even from a distance.
Like now. I felt a tug in my heart and tried not to indulge any feelings of fear or doubt.
My baby would be fine. I was certain of it. I could sense anxiety from her, but it was minor.
No feeling of danger or fear seemed to be present. At least from her end.
“I hear motorcycles, Pete.”
R.J.’s words interrupted my musings as I floored the gas pedal in the Nova and fishtailed, the car making a sharp right turn. I could see R.J.’s fingers typing away furiously on his cell as he texted for back up. Jake was already right behind us on his bike. Beckett and Shane would come whenever I needed them. They were as loyal as brothers.
Beckett’s cousin Chris was also a friend. He went to a different school and lived outside of Providence, but I trusted him. The guy was a chick magnet too. A little too GQ.
I wouldn’t involve the RRMC unless I absolutely had to. There was no way I would beholden myself to Rafe. The guy was a power hungry prick, and if I got himself into debt with Rafe, then Mack would have my ass.
No, I would handle my shit on my own.
As soon as I parked the car, I ran to the front of the coffee shop and spotted Rae and Hayley laughing at one of the tables, totally oblivious to the danger that surrounded them. The moment I dreaded was coming. The past was finally catching up to the present. There’d be no more hiding the truth from Rae. She would find out tonight, and I could only hope she wouldn’t be angry.
I’d kept my secrets for far too long now.
“Rae!” I called to her, but she didn’t hear me. Hayley was speaking intently as all of Rae’s focus seemed to be on her words. I don’t remember what I said as I pulled her close, relief coursing through my veins as a flash of heat caused my body to break out into an anxious sweat. I nearly trembled with the strength of my emotions and anxiety, my hands gripping her tight enough to leave a mark. Hoping I didn’t come off as too rough or demanding I told her we had to leave.
Now.
She argued. We didn’t make it out the door fast enough.
Motorcycles surrounded the front of the coffee shop as I spun at the sound of revving engines and pushed Rae behind me. Seeing th
e bastard, I stared down the cold hard steel that radiated from Bryce’s eyes. A mutual hatred flashed in our expressions before Bryce flipped me off.
The cocky bastard.
I resisted the urge to chuckle at his obvious attempt to appear like a badass in front of his father’s men. Bryce was a pussy ass bitch. We both knew it.
Striker was the one in charge of the Outlaws MC.
Behind me, I felt Rae move closer, and her body tremble in fear. Fuck. I slid my hand into hers and squeezed tight for reassurance. For her sake, I squared my shoulders and taunted him back. I had this under control. Bryce wasn’t going to do anything with this many eyes around. Too public. Striker would take his head, even if it was his own son’s if he started shit in the middle of the afternoon on Main Street, full of happily naïve citizens.
Bloodshed would bring down the feds, and both MC’s didn’t need that kind of heat.
The past, at least, was a brutal teacher.
I hoped to God Rae never found out the truth or Ron’s connection to it.
