“That makes sense.”
“Does it?”
“You’re worried about him getting hurt.”
“Why, though? He’s been in danger since he patched into the council and I’ve never been so scared before.”
“You have never acknowledged that you are in love with him before,” I countered and felt Cam roll his eyes in response before he sighed.
“I know you’re right, but I have this feeling in my gut that it ain’t over, you know? That something fucking awful is going to happen and everything we’ve been through to get to this point isn’t gonna mean shit.”
“Feelings are not fact.”
“Shame.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah, cos I feel like throwing you down and banging your brains out, but I haven’t got the fucking time.”
There were no words for the thrill that spread through me. “Later, biker boy. I’ll keep.”
5
Cam
Saint didn’t come back for two days. I was alone in my compound bedroom, still wet from the shower, when he finally roared through the gates.
I watched him park and dismount. Pull his helmet off and hang it from his handlebars.
Nash came out to meet him. They murmured to each other before they went their separate ways again.
Decoy was the next to approach him, Ivy, as ever, glued to his side.
Saint picked her up. She cuddled into him, tucking her head under his chin, and he carried on as if he had no fucking idea how random that shit was. How kids should’ve been like men and feared him on instinct, but instead they adored him.
When Decoy and Ivy moved on, Saint took his time moving through the compound, sweeping up litter and closing gates. He wasn’t a neat freak like Alexei, but he didn’t like prospects clearing up after brothers who were old and ugly enough to pick up their own shit.
Alexei appeared out of nowhere, surprising everyone in the vicinity except Saint. I tensed as I watched them talk, Alexei’s gaze flitting to the window where I stood. Would he leave now Saint was here? Was that how it was gonna be? Them taking fucking shifts?
He’d stay if you asked.
But I didn’t want that. I wanted Alexei to stay because there was nowhere he’d rather be.
I moved back from the window and sat on the edge of the bed. If he was gonna go, I didn’t want to watch. I wanted him to work in Cracker’s office permanently, so I could laugh at the fact that no one dared disturb him and revel in the fact that he wasright thereany time I needed to cleanse my fucking soul by looking at him.
On the bedside table, my phone buzzed. I swiped a towel over my face and reached for it, seeing Mateo’s name flash up.
Mateo:discharging him. gonna bring him home
Finally, some good news. Relief filled the emotional void the violence of the last few days, weeks, and months had left behind. I took a breath and it actually filled my lungs. The club wasn’t home without Embry. Hadn’t been since he’d patched in as a prospect.
Cam:we’ll be waiting.
I threw some clothes on, chucked the sling I’d been wearing in the bin, and left the room.
Downstairs, I found Nash and Rubi in the bar, Nash pouring himself a pint while Rubi scowled at the lemonade in his own glass, doctor’s orders.
I jabbed a finger at each of them. “Mateo’s bringing Embry home. Meet them on the road.”