Page 14 of Emmy's Ride

“You’re coming back to the clubhouse.”

She blinked, like she hadn’t expected me to say that. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” I stepped even closer, caging her against the car. “Your place was trashed. Someone is watching you. Maybe the same person who got to Luke. And until we figure out who, you’re not going back there.”

Her lips parted, a retort already forming. I beat her to it.

“And don’t start with the ‘I can handle myself’ bullshit again. We both know that’s not the point.”

“Then what exactly is the point?”

I tilted my head, taking her in—the fight in her, the fire. The woman who had always owned me, even when she didn’t want to.

“The point, Emmy,” I murmured, “is that you’re gonna be under my roof, under my protection, until we figure out what the hell is going on.”

A muscle ticked in her jaw. “And if I refuse?”

“Then I throw you over my damn shoulder and carry you there myself.”

She shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

I shrugged, unbothered. “And you’re out of options.”

For a long moment, she just stared at me. Then, with a muttered curse, she turned and stalked toward the clubhouse.

I exhaled, tension coiling deep in my gut. This was only the beginning. There was no denying we weren’t both in too deep already.

Emmy

I hadn’t been inside the Kings of Chaos clubhouse in a decade before the last two days, but stepping through those doors felt like walking straight into the past.

But now I wasn’t here as the girl who used to curl up on the couch in Austin’s room, waiting for him and Luke to come back from a run. Worrying that they wouldn’t come back. This time I was here as an outsider, and I felt the disapproval in every set of eyes tracking me as I walked inside again.

Austin’s hand skimmed the small of my back, a barely-there touch, but enough to send goose bumps down my arms and amessage to everyone. I was under his protection. Unspoken club law.

“You’re in my space now, Em. Try not to start any fights,” he cautioned.

I cut him a glare, muttering, “No promises.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from beside us.

“Same old Emmy,” Hawk drawled, shaking his head. “Feisty as ever.”

I turned toward him, a guy I’d always liked. “Didn’t you used to be charming?”

He smirked, folding his arms over his massive chest. “Didn’t you used to have a little more respect for your elders?”

I scoffed. “You’re three years older than me, Hawk.”

“And three times meaner.” He grinned, then sobered slightly. “Good to see you, kid.”

A lump formed in my throat. As much as I hated that I was back here, seeing some of the old crew softened the edge just a little. Hawk and I had some deep conversations back in the day.

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “You too.”

Diesel, one of the newer guys—at least newer compared to the ones I grew up around—gave me a nod. “You stickin’ around?”

I hesitated. Austin answered for me. “She’s here.”

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