“Four. The… the… Sheriff’s department. The guys say he didn’t even fight it, Bex. He just…” Her voice cracks. “He just let them cuff him. Two of the prospects took off to collect his bike…”
Four doesn’t “let” things happen. That man is controlled violence wrapped in discipline. He doesn’t posture, doesn’t panic and he definitely doesn’t surrender.
Something’s wrong.
“When?” I ask.
“A few hours ago. Angel’s trying to get him out.”
I press my hand to the cool wall, grounding myself. Clutch is on the road and Angel is likely scrambling. Blood Reapers are sniffing around.
Now this…
“Stay in your house,” I tell her quietly. “Lock your doors.”
She laughs weakly. “Angel told me I need to get behind the gates… I don’t know Bex. I thought we were untouchable.”
That line sticks with me long after I hang up.
Untouchable.
Nothing about tonight feels untouchable.
Mara shows up the next morning sneaking in through the staff entrance.
I know it’s her before she lifts her head. But I am not prepared for what I see when she does, her lip is swollen and split. Her collarbone bruised a ugly purple and there are finger-shaped marks just under the sleeve of her sweater when she shifts.
She doesn’t sit this time. When she finds me, she paces. Her energy is chaotic, like she isn’t sure what to do with herself. But she came back, she came for me. So I wait.
Her boots scuff the tile. Her breathing is measured but shallow, like she’s bracing for impact that hasn’t come yet.
“I need you to do it,” she says.
“Do what?” I ask.
“Help me leave.” There’s no fear in her voice this time, no tears in her eyes. She is making this decision to save herself.
“What happened?” I ask knowing that I will help her no matter what.
She shakes her head. “Doesn’t matter. He won’t stop. And Gabe… Gabe won’t see it. He is barely hanging on right now… and I… If I tell him… I can’t lay this on him. Not with everything going on at the club.”
Because, her brother Gabe isn’t just family… he is also Angel the club president. The man who is supposed to be her protector in every way… except the one that matters right now.
“I can’t stay.” She whispers, softer now.
The weight of that feels impossibly heavy, because leaving the Dawnbreakers isn’t just leaving a boyfriend. It’s leaving protection, identity, the status she’s had her entire life and the illusion of safety. And for Mara, the only family she has left.
“You understand what that means,” I ask quietly.
“Yes.” Her voice doesn’t waver. “I need a few things first. I have to go back one more time.”
The words hang between us.
I nod and we make a plan to get her out of the clubhouse before my next shift.
We try our best not to make a scene or draw attention. She doesn’t pack all her things, just grabs the few essentials she needs, ID, cash she’s been hiding, a change of clothes stuffed into a gym bag that’s seen better days.
Razor is passed out in his room, drunk and heavy with the kind of rage that should burn itself out by morning. I’ve seen him up close enough to know what that rage looks like.