Page 31 of Racer

Stocky moved first. He stepped forward and took a swing. I ducked easily, then broke his nose with the heel of my hand. One of the newbies started to move toward me, but then a low rumble of bikes cut through the night.

Five Redline Kings came roaring around the back lot, led by Kane, all of them grinning.

The gang of meatheads hesitated, looking at each other for direction. When none of them stepped up to lead, they all backed off, but not without one last warning.

“This ain’t over.”

I smiled and climbed onto my hog. “Nah. It’s just starting.”

Later, I called Fox. “Gonna need backup, Prez.”

He didn’t hesitate. “On our way.”

I’d known he would agree without question. MC’s were chosen family, a bond stronger than blood.

At the garage, Emily was pacing near my office, worry written all over her face. The second she saw me, she blew out a breath and walked straight into my arms, holding me tight.

I gave her the rundown of what happened, and she stared at me like her heart was trying to claw out of her chest.

“Racer.” Her brow furrowed, and she shook her head. “This is getting dangerous. You can’t just?—”

“Hey, hey. Relax, angel.” I cupped her face in my hands. “This is what I’m here for. We’re not losing. We’re setting the trap.”

“But what…what if something happens to you?” Her blue eyes filled with tears, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep them from falling.

I kissed her forehead, her nose, and then her mouth. “Nothing’s gonna happen to me.”

“You can’t know that for sure,” she disagreed with a quiet sniff.

“I sure as hell can,” I scoffed.

Her nose wrinkled adorably, showing that she might not believe me but was hoping I had an answer that would reassure her. “How?”

I brushed my lips over hers, then locked our eyes. “Because I have something to live for.”

She softened, swallowed hard, then nodded. “Me too.”

“Come for a ride with me?” I asked.

“Best idea you’ve ever had,” she sighed.

I grinned as I took out my extra helmet and plopped it on her head. “Nah, best idea I ever had was getting inside you.”

Emily blushed as her laughter tinkled in the night air, sending warmth through my chest. Yeah, I hadeverythingto live for.

We rode through the cool night air, the wind cutting through the weight of the past two days. Her arms around me, body pressed to my back, brought peace and contentment.

Once we got back to the compound, we hopped in the shower to wash away the dust and grime. She sighed and melted against me as hot water streamed down our bodies. When I kissed her, her mouth was soft and as hungry as mine.

I carried her to bed, not giving a single fuck that we were naked and dripping wet.

We held nothing back from each other.

She was mine, and I was hers.

We’d need to keep our cool in the coming fight.

But tonight, we fucking burned.

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