“I know,” I bite out the words, trying not to freak the fuck out because my woman needs me and I’m not there. “I’m coming.”
I storm into the reception area and Hank sits up straighter when he sees the look on my face. He opens his mouth, but I shake my head and snarl, “I’m headed out. My woman needs me.”
“If you need help with something, you let me know,” his voice is fierce. “I’ve met Graycie and she’s a peach. The whole town will rally if she needs something.”
Even though I’m raging inside and wishing I could just beam myself to the clubhouse, I take a second and give Hank a chin lift. “Appreciate it,” my words are gruff and on edge.
And then I’m out the door and stomping toward my bike. I don’t look back as I swing my leg over and roar out of the parking lot.
All I can think about the entire ride is that she needed me and she went looking for me at the clubhouse. It settles something in my chest, even as I’m plagued with fear over not knowing what is going on.
Maybe she’s learning that she can trust me. Maybe she believes that I’ll protect her.
I fucking hope so.
Everything is a blur until I’m parking my bike and storming into the clubhouse. I shove the door open with far too much force, but that can’t be helped right now. When I step into the main room, Graycie is sitting on one of the couches with Opal next to her. My sister has an arm wrapped around my woman while her lips move with words of comfort which I’m too far away to hear.
When I meet Ryker’s eyes, he visibly relaxes while shooting a worried look toward Graycie. I’m glad he was here. Fuck, I’m glad my sister was here.
Graycie’s eyes come up and meet mine and I hate how her hazel eyes are shining this time because of unshed tears. My woman should only shed tears of happiness, not whatever this is.
Everything in me is screaming to go to her because she needs me and I don’t hesitate. I’m dropping to my knees in front of her before I even realize what I’m doing. My hands find her legs, needing to touch her and ground myself in this moment.
She needed help and she came to the clubhouse; she came to me.
I share a loaded look with Ryker and give him a chin lift. Opal kisses my woman’s cheek and gives her shoulder a squeeze before standing and going back to whatever it was that she was doing. Ryker has already faded away by the time I can tear my gaze away from her fear and pain filled hazel eyes.
“Angel,” I rasp the word like a prayer.
“I didn’t even think,” she mutters the words in a daze. “I got the card and then I was in the car and driving over here before I even realized what I was doing.”
“What card?” My jaw is clenched so tight I can barely force the words past my teeth.
Her hands are shaky as she holds out a card, now wrinkled slightly from her clutching it so tightly. When I take it from her, my gut drops and I already know it’s going to be bad.
The front is beautiful, a simple card celebrating spring and renewal. But then I open it.
The sentences, only two of them, are written with slanted handwriting. They aren’t outwardly ominous, but I still feel the danger wrapping around every letter.
When I look back up at Graycie, she’s locked in on the card, on the words, on the threat which must mean something to her. There’s fear in her eyes and she’s pale.
“Graycie?” I fold the card and stick it in my back pocket. The moment it’s out of sight, her gaze lifts and meets mine. Then the first tear falls. “Oh, fuck,” I growl, hating her tears with a burning passion.
She launches herself into my arms and I catch her easily. Her tears are coming fast and hot now, the sound of her sobs shred my soul and make me want to track down whoever sent her this card. I’ll make him bleed out very fucking slowly.
It takes a little effort, but I manage to stand with her in my arms. I stride down the hallway toward Ryker’s office. While I might not know what her story is, I have a feeling he’s going to need to hear it just as much as I do.
Not only to keep the town safe.
Not only to keep the club safe.
But to help me keep my woman safe.
It’s moments like these when I’m thankful as fuck for the men I call brothers. They’ll have my back, but more importantly, they’ll haveherback.
No questions asked.
No expectations or need to be paid back.