Page 14 of Dutch

"You think?" Laced with uncertainty, her sass showed up sharp as ever.

I knew everything had changed, and my thoughts were a mess — keeping her safe, my duty to the club, and I couldn't sort them out.

"We should probably head back," I said, like I had my shit together.

Makari didn't move. "What happens now?" she asked with the vulnerability of a sucker punch to my throat.

Although I wished I had an answer for her, all I could do was shake my head. "I honestly don't know, but I'd better call the club and let them know we're okay. I told Saint to put them on lockdown."

I leanedagainst the wall of a building with my arms crossed as Dutch paced back and forth while he made the call. His tone had returned to all business as I caught snippets of the conversation.

"…the situation is handled. Yeah, she's good. I'm going to take a ride to clear my head. I'll keep you posted."

Dutch's neck muscles were tense, and his jaw was clenched tight enough to crack pecans. He was stressed, but it was classic of him not to show it.

He ended the call, his hazel eyes finding my gaze. "You cool?"

I smirked. "Almost getting stabbed was the highlight of my evening. It really got my blood pumping.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. "I see your humor is intact."

"Baby, it's all I have left. Are we going to go or stand here looking pretty all night?"

Dutch cleared his throat. "I need to clear my head, so I was hoping we could take a ride."

I arched an eyebrow. "Are you asking me out, Mr. President? Because this would make one hell of a first date." I laughed.

He chuckled. "You always could make me laugh."

"You know you love it." The words slipped out before I could stop myself, and my face heated up. Damn.

Dutch's dark eyes flickered, and I swear there was more than amusement, but the cool mask he wore quickly replaced it.

He nodded toward the bike. "Come on." He straddled the bike and revved the engine.

I hesitated. "Fine, but if this is a date, I at least expect a burger and fries. You could at least feed a girl."

Dutch threw his head back and laughed, and it warmed my insides. "Your wish is my command."

I hopped on behind him, and I couldn't help but feel exhilarated as we hit the freeway, wind whipping through my locs.

"You good?" Dutch asked, his deep voice carried over the wind.

"Yeah, but your driving is rusty. Old age is catching up to you," I teased.

I felt his chuckle more than I could hear it. "At least my feet can reach the pedals."

"What? I'll have you know, I'm vertically gifted," I countered, giving him a light swat on the shoulder.

"Is that what they're calling tall these days?"

I felt good, and for a moment, I almost forgot the real reason I was here with my arms wrapped around this man. Still, reality crept back in no matter how fast we rode.

"Are you going to tell me where we're headed, or is this some type of kidnapping situation?" I joked.

Dutch took a sharp turn, and our ankles were close to scrapping the ground. "I thought you trusted me, darling."

"Trust is a hell of a strong word," I joked with no heat behind my words. Despite everything I'd gone through, Dutch was probably the only person I trusted, well, besides Tiya.

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