Page 51 of Tick Tock, Boom!

"He’s got your fire," she said, nodding toward my son.

I smiled faintly. "God help me when he hits teenage years."

The rumble of a bike cut through the air and Scarlett sat up straighter. We both knew that familiar sound.

Wolf.

Climbing off his bike, he looked like some GQ model or something. Dark jeans, worn boots, his cut clinging to his broad chest like a second skin. He climbed the steps slowly, eyes on me the entire time. Something twisted in my stomach. "What is it?"

"We got word," he said quietly.

Scarlett’s hand found mine instinctively.

"What kind of word?" I asked, heart thudding.

Wolf looked me dead in the eye. "Rancid’s dead."

I stood so fast the chair scraped backward. "What?"

He nodded. "I'm not gonna tell you how, just know it was a brutal killing. It was well-deserved, I suppose."

"Who did?"

Wolf paused for a second, glancing at Scarlett then back at me. "Elrik Jameson is the new President of the Royal Bastards now."

My knees gave out, and I sat back down, hands shaking.

"Are you alright, love?" Scarlett asked, concern thick in her voice.

"I don’t know," I whispered.

"You’re safe now," she said gently. I looked at her, placing my hand over hers and nodded.

But the world wouldn’t stop spinning. Wolf kept going, his voice low. "Rancid was working with the Russians. Sex trafficking, arms, even some shit with the Bloody Scorpions. Colt, the VP decided to take a chance, and he had Knuckles call Jameson.”

“But wasn’t Knuckles in prison?” Scarlett looked at her husband.

“Let’s just say, we pulled some strings.”

Scarlett grabbed his hand and squeezed it, a knowing look passed between them, but I didn’t ask any questions.

“All I can tell you is half of the current Louisiana members have left town, Founding Members are tired of fighting, some stayed, some went, and Jameson's out for vengeance. I'd be amazed to see who remains standing."

I could barely breathe.

Home.

Scarlett turned to me once Wolf disappeared inside. "What are you going to do?"

I looked out into that wide, cloudless sky. Listened to the wind blow through the trees. Watched my son giggle as he played. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and maybe it was my stubborn nature wanting to return, or maybe I just wanted to see ifhewas still alive.

"Home," I whispered. "I’m taking my son home."

“But what about…”

“I hope I see him. Because if he dares to come near me or my son,” I looked at Scarlett. “I’ll put a bullet right between his eyes.”

“Natalia,” Scarlett whispered, squeezing my hand.

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