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"Knew all along," Giant rumbles, reaching over the bar to grab a beer. He hands one to Lynch too. Lynch immediately pops the top and takes a pull, opting not to get involved in this argument. He chooses his battles wisely.
"Bender met her a week ago," I say.
"He wasn't hiding it, Cowboy," Cash murmurs, playing peacekeeper.
I appreciate the hell out of him for backing me up even though I didn't tell him myself. And I don't blame Cowboy for being pissed that I haven't said anything to him either. It was a dick a move, but I wasn't trying to keep her a secret from him.
"Her brother doesn't know she's with me," I explain. "And we're not sure if she's going to be scooped up in this bust or not. She's scared, and all she knows of us is the bullshit she's heard from them. I'm trying to juggle fifteen different balls to undo the damage they've done to her. She's been my priority. Until she's safe, she'll be my priority. That's where my head is. That's what I was thinking about. It wasn't about you, brother."
Cowboy pulls his hat off and rakes a hand through his hair. He expels a sharp breath and then shakes his head. "Fuck," he finally says, his rigid stance loosening. "I'm not mad at you, brother. Just surprised. Secrets don't make friends, motherfucker."
"Noted," I say, a ghost of a smile on my lips.
He smirks at me and then sobers. "She's scared of us, huh?"
"Nah, she likes me," Giant says, grinning. "It's the rest of you shady assholes she doesn't trust."
"Man, fuck you." Fifth flips him off. "You're the worst out of all of us."
"True story," Hacker agrees from his spot against the wall near the bar.
Lynch and Cowboy chime in with their agreement.
"Would you all shut the fuck up?" Cash growls, shaking his dark head. "Jesus. We haven't even been here an hour and I'm already hating my fucking life. Playboy, get back to your girl. We'll take turns helping you keep an eye on her until this shit blows over. It'll give her a chance to get used to us one on one, and it'll give her a little more protection in case they've figured out she's here." He eyes each of my brothers, his expression serious. "She's one of us now. If they come for her, they aren't leaving with her unless it's her choice."
"Agreed," Giant says without hesitation.
"Agreed," Fifth echoes.
One by one, every single one of my brothers in the room echoes their agreement, throwing their allegiance behind Catriona. They'll fight for her. They'll bleed for her if that's what it takes. She's mine now, and that makes her one of theirs too.
"Thank you," I rasp, gratitude coursing through me.
Cash smacks me on the back.
I say my goodbyes and head out, eager to get back to Catriona and Autumn. I don't want them home alone any longer than necessary until this shit blows over. If the Vipers are coming for our families, they aren't going to get them. Not today or any other day. Not without a fight. We may not be outlaws or criminals, but we protect what's ours.
"I'm on my way," I say fifteen minutes later, pulling my bike to the side of the road when Autumn calls. "I'll be there in ten."
"Is Catriona with you?" she asks.
"What do you mean is she with me?" I growl, my blood running cold.
"It took me longer to get here than I thought it would," she rushes to say. "I checked the entire house, but I couldn't find her anywhere. So I looked in the garage. Her car isn't here, Andreas. Did she go with you to the clubhouse?"
My heart stops beating. It just fucking…stops.
"No," I rasp, my hand numb around the phone. "No, she didn't go with me."
"Andreas," Autumn whispers, genuine fear in her voice.
"I know," I grit out, the same emotion running through me in a current. If she isn't with me and she isn't at the house, there are only so many places she could be. After finding out not even two hours ago that the Vipers are threatening to come after Hadley, Samara, and Kyra, that list of options narrows significantly.
She went back to Copper Creek.
She went to see her brother.
Fuck, little one. What are you doing?
