Page 83 of Tick Tock, Boom!

Gnash gave a nervous laugh. “That man’s a crazy one. They say he once beat a man with a crowbar then used the same bar to brand him. That’s wild shit, man.”

“So, what’s that got to do with me?”

“Nothin…I’m just sayin’ he’s got one helluva body count.”

I was in his face before the sentence finished, one hand wrapped tight in his collar. “I ain’t afraid of fuckers like him. Understand?”

“Yessir,” he croaked, wide-eyed.

I shoved him back and straightened my jacket. “Tick Tock’s just a man. And like all men, he’s got a weakness.Her.”

Gnash rubbed his neck and looked over at Natalia’s house. “What’s the plan?”

“She’s going to know what it feels like to lose everything. Just like I will when I gut Reyes and Dominguez.”

“Whoa… we goin’ after the top now?” Gnash asked, brow furrowed.

I sneered. “Not yet. Let the sons of bitches get comfortable. I’m patient. I’ll cut their throats while they sleep.”

I stepped forward, my voice low, dark and heavy like a loaded chamber. “Natalia though…I’ll take what’s most precious to her. Tohim. Tick Tock has to learn what it means to touch what doesn’t belong to him. And when he loses it, when he breaks, I’ll be there. Watching with a big smile on my face. Ready to end him and I’ll make sure she’s watching.”

Gnash shifted, glancing at me like he wasn’t sure if I was joking. I wasn’t.

“And Reyes?” I added with a wicked grin.

“He’s next. Right after I deal with Tick Tock. I’ve got more than patience. Soon as he’s named Prez, I’ll cut out his eyes and then burn the patch right off his chest. The club won’t know what hit it when I announce I’ve taken the title.”

Gnash licked his lips, his eyes growing wide. “And me, boss?”

I clamped a hand on his shoulder with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “You, Gnash? You’re my right hand. My VP, of course.”

He lit up like a firework, pride puffing his chest. But what he didn’t know is that I planned to gut him like a pig the second he outlived his usefulness.

But for now...

“Grab the van,” I said. “We’re takin’ the kid.”

NATALIA

The days had gone by in a flurry of activity. Jose had slipped into our lives like he was always meant to be there. Life has a way of returning what belongs to you. He came to dinner every night, brought Gabe little surprises he didn’t need but loved anyway, picked him up from school and made sure he did his homework. Slowly, Gabe began to look up at him with a kind of light in his eyes that made my chest ache.

We hadn’t told him yet. It wasn’t the right time. We agreed to wait, to ease Gabe into it until he was ready. Jose never pushed. Never demanded anything. He was just happy to be a part of this…this family. The word made me swallow back tears. His presence in our home was a steady heartbeat and a quiet strength I hadn’t known I was missing until he showed up again.

At night, after Gabe was tucked into bed, he’d come to me and warmed my bed. He worshipped me with his mouth and his hands. Took me every way he could think of. I couldn’t get enough of him, and I didn’t want to. He owned me in every filthy, sensual, heartbreaking way. He’d disappear in the early hours before Gabe woke up. Only his scent and the lingering soreness between my legs were left as a reminder of how thoroughly he’d claimed me.

I felt peace and love had finally entered my home even though there was that uncertainty that came along with loving a biker. Even with the threat of danger, the weight of his patch and the scars on his soul, I had hope.

But my hope was about to shatter.

I left work and headed to the school to pick up Gabe. As I pulled up i searched the students milling around, but no Gabe. So I got out of the car, smoothing my scrubs, mind still buzzing from last night’s kisses and whispers and the promise of more. I walked into the school, assuming he was in his homeroom classroom and that’s my world turning upside down.

"I thought his father was picking him up today," his teacher said, looking confused.

My heart stopped. "No, that was yesterday. Today’s my turn.”

“But I saw a man come for him. He was wearing a leather jacket, was on a motorcycle.”

“A man? There’s no man. He should be here. Gabe always waits; he knows to wait for me."

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