The fucker groaned, his smirk faltering, but he still fought to keep the name hostage. Kodiak continued hitting him. If there were a rat inside Royalla...if someone had betrayed them and put Roma at risk, he would find out who was responsible. And kill him.
He grabbed the guy by the hair, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Say the damn name."
Blood smeared across the Deception member's teeth as he grinned once more—wider this time, like he enjoyed the pain or wished for a swifter death. "Nate," he rasped.
The name hit Kodiak like a hammer to the ribs.
Nate? He couldn't process it, couldn't breathe around it. Lately, Nate had paid attention to Roma. He let go of the Deception member and watched as he dropped to the ground.
"Kill him." He turned around and walked to his bike. He had no time to do the task himself.
He started the bike and popped it into gear as he tore away from the gas station. The others stayed behind to fulfill his order. He pushed the speed limit. The world blurred into streaks of headlights and shadows as he entered Vancouver and wound his way through the streets.
Each minute he was gone put Roma at risk. He needed to get back to the compound. He couldn't lose her.
Roma belonged to him.
She was the only thing in this world he would die for.
And if Nate was working for Deception? He could already be too late to save her.
Chapter 29
Roma lined up her shot, steadying her grip on the pool cue as she eyed the angle. The clubhouse was quiet, with only the faint murmur of voices from a few guys in the back who had stayed behind while the others had gone out. Nobody was drinking because of the lockdown. No outsiders were allowed on the compound.
It was quiet and safe. And, she was bored stiff and missing Kodiak.
She got up and worked in the garage every day, but it wasn't the same without him there, too.
For every week that passed in lockdown, it seemed like months had gone by. She hated having him gone. Time slowed, and she worried constantly about him not making it back to her. The memories of losing her dad plagued her. She envisioned Cruz riding in and telling her that Kodiak was shot, or worse, dead.
Closing her eyes, she steadied herself. Then, she blinked and focused on the ball.
She sank the solid eleven ball into the pocket, straightening with a grin. As soon as she took her next shot, she knew the ball wasn't going where she wanted it to go. "Your move."
"I'll call it." Nate leaned against the table, pointed the stick across the felt. "Left corner." The eight ball dropped into the leather pocket. "That's it."
"Good game." She pulled the balls out of the pockets and rolled them to the end of the table.
"You're getting better." Nate racked the balls. "You only had two more left on the table."
"Maybe." She shrugged. "Or you're getting worse."
"Up for another game?" He tilted his head.
"Sure."
"I'm gonna grab a smoke first. Want to step outside for a bit and cool off?" He hitched his thumb toward the door.
Roma glanced toward the clubhouse door. Kodiak had told her she could only step outside on the compound property while he was gone if another member escorted her. While Royalla was safe, he wasn't taking any chances, even on Royalla property. Nate was trusted, even if Kodiak believed Nate flirted with all the girls, including her.
"Sure." She set her cue stick down, checked her phone on the edge of the table for any messages, and then stopped at the bar and told Baker she was going outside with Nate for a few minutes.
"Don't wander." Baker lowered his brows. "Stay with Nate."
"I will."
The moment the door swung open, the cool night air pressed against her skin, carrying the scent of fir trees. Only a few bikes were parked alongside the building. Those members were inside the clubhouse. The lack of chaos unnerved her. She much preferred the activities and people who used to bring excitement to the clubhouse.
