Page 21 of Ace's Legacy
Reaper's eyes meet mine. "You and Viper keep Sarah safe. Today, that means getting her to her apartment and back without incident. After that, we'll talk."
There's something in his tone that makes me wonder if there's more he's not saying, but I nod anyway. "Understood."
"One more thing," Reaper adds, his voice taking on a grave quality. "If any of you have loose ends to tie up… Family to protect, relationships to secure, do it now. Once we move on Charles, there's no going back."
The implication is clear: some of us might not survive what's coming. I glance around the table at the men who've become my family. The thought of losing any of them cuts deeper than I expected.
"That's it," Reaper concludes. "Meeting adjourned."
The brothers file out, each in their own thoughts about the coming war. I remain seated, thinking about Sarah, about the baby, about what "securing relationships" might mean in my case.
Viper claps a hand on my shoulder as he passes. "Ready when you are. For the apartment run."
I nod, dragging myself back to the present. "Give me five minutes."
Finding Sarah isn't difficult. She's in the kitchen, helping one of the prospects wash dishes despite Reaper's assurance that it wasn't necessary. She looks up when I enter, a question in her eyes.
"We're good to go," I tell her. "Viper's getting the truck ready."
She dries her hands on a dish towel. "Everything okay with your... church?"
"Yeah." I hesitate, then decide she deserves at least a partial truth. "We're planning how to deal with the Vultures MC permanently. Make sure they can't threaten anyone again."
A shadow crosses her face. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is," I admit. "But necessary." I step closer, lowering my voice. "Sarah, once we get back from your apartment, we need to talk about what happens next. For you. For the baby."
She nods slowly. "Okay. But first, let's get my things."
Outside, Viper waits by my black pickup truck, checking his weapons. He's wearing his cut, as am I—a statement that anyone who messes with us will answer to the entire Outlaw Order.
"Ready?" Viper asks as we approach.
Sarah nods, climbing into the middle seat of the truck cab while I take the wheel and Viper rides shotgun, literally, with a sawed-off within easy reach beneath his seat.
As we pull away from the clubhouse, I catch Sarah looking back at it, her expression unreadable. I wonder what she sees: a den of criminals or a fortress of protection? Maybe both.
"Your place is over on Maple, right?" I ask, realizing I've never actually been to her apartment. Our one night together ended at a motel on the edge of town.
"Cedar Street," she corrects. "The Pineview Apartments. Building C, unit 14."
I nod, mentally mapping the route. It's a decent part of town, mostly young professionals and small families. The kind of normal, safe environment that Sarah belongs in, not the chaos of my world.
As we drive, I scan for signs of surveillance or pursuit, but the streets of Pine Haven are peaceful on this Sunday morning. Mostpeople are at church—the real kind, not our version—or enjoying lazy breakfasts at home.
"No one's following," Viper confirms, his eyes constantly checking the mirrors.
I can feel Sarah's tension beside me, her body rigid despite the calm exterior she's trying to maintain. Without thinking, I reach over and take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"It's going to be okay," I tell her, hoping it's not a lie.
She looks down at our joined hands, then back up at me. "Is it?"
Before I can answer, Viper points ahead. "That's the building, right?"
The Pineview Apartments come into view. Three modest three-story buildings arranged around a central courtyard with a small playground. It looks peaceful, ordinary. A world away from gunfire and vendettas.
"Building C is on the far side," Sarah directs.
