Page 58 of Undone

“Well, I never got the chance to really find out, did I?”

“Luce… I kept what happened to myself. But that weekend—the one when you went back to Chicago—a man from a rival MC tried to kill me. I didn’t get the scratches on my arm from falling during a run like I said. I lied Luce. I climbed out my bedroom window and shimmed down the porch railing from the roof.”

“Holy shit. DEV!”

“I know. But I’m fine now.”

“What happened to the guy?”

“He’s been dealt with. Permanently.” Rog answered gruffly, hauling Dev into his bear-like arms.

I shivered and placed my empty cup down. “Great. And now I’m staying here all alone.”

“You’re not. You’ve got a new pledge living upstairs and several of my men monitoring the property, weekly. Federico’s gone, but I’m not a man down. I demanded a trade. You have a new man trailing ya’ from the Club. His name is Teagan.”

“I’ve never seen anyone. But Rog—I’m done with Creed. I just want to be left alone.”

“I know, sugar. But when in Springdale—I’m their boss. You’re in my rental… that alone could make you a target and have nothing to do with Smith. So, let me protect ya’ okay?”

“Fine,” I huffed, not really fine at all.

“My men are good, but I’ll remind them to stay out of your way. They’re good at what they do, so you might never see them. I also have cameras around the perimeter of the property and I’m installing an alarm system at the main house that I can check by my phone. Do you know how to use a gun?”

“No.” I shook my head.

“Well, it’s time you and Dev learned.”

“Why, if the threat is over?”

They both looked away.

“Fuck. Because it’s not, right? Is that why he left me?!”

I prowled, like a housecat stuck inside; locked away from the world she’s supposed to be hunting in.

“That’s bullshit! I’m fucking terrified now. Is someone coming after me, too? Smith should be here to protect me, not abandon me—leaving me vulnerable to an attack.” I raised my leg to karate chop the easel in the center of the barn but stopped myself. Destroying this gift would hurt my only friend in the world right now. “Screw this. I’m driving to Oakland. Right mother-fucking-now!”

“Let it go,” Roger warned, blocking my exit.

“If it were Dev—would you let it go?”

He shut his eyes and exhaled. “No. I’d never let it go.”

“Exactly. We understand one another. Please move. You’re bigger than a damn yeti… I can’t get past you and we both know it.”

“Don’t do this, Luce. They’re things you just can’t understand.”

“That’s exactly why I need to go. I need to understand.”

“You’re just gonna end up hurt, babe.”

“Then that’s on me.”

He moved so I could get out the door. I paused, with my hands on the levers ready to pull wide, “Just please don’t warn him. Don’t call.”

“I won’t. But he’ll know regardless.”

“Not if I lose my tail.”

He sighed, “Jesus H. Christ. When I wished Smith would get his—I didn’t ever think it would actually happen.”

I yanked the doors apart and marched into the crisp evening air. If I drive all night—I’ll get there by early morning.

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