I pull back and palm his cheek.My heart aches at the scar peeking out from his messy spikes.The tiny fragment of metal they’d pulled from his skull was the catalyst for so many years of pain and damage, and while the surgery has helped, he’s still recovering, still vulnerable.But that doesn’t stop him from wanting to protect me.That’s Finn, always pushing himself harder than he should.
I reach up and brush my fingers along the edge of his hairline, careful not to touch too close to the stitches.“You need to take it easy, okay?I can handle this.”
He grabs my wrist gently, his blue eyes locking onto mine, full of that protective fierceness that makes my heart skip a beat.“I know you can.But we handle it together, or not at all.”
I let out a soft sigh, knowing there’s no winning this battle.“Fine.Together.”
Finn pulls me closer, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment as if he’s grounding himself.“Good.”
Dozer steps up beside us, clapping Finn on the shoulder with a grin.“Either way, we’ll keep her safe.”
Taz, lounging on the bed, flicks his knife in the air and catches it with a wild grin.“This is gonna be fun.I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees us stroll in.”
I glance around the room, taking in the sight of these men, my family, standing behind me, ready to take on whatever comes our way.I know Deeds won’t go down easily, and I know this confrontation will be ugly.But with Finn and the HOCs by my side, I’m ready for whatever happens next.
When Deeds calls me back to say he’s close, I relay the information to the HOCs, and we prepare to head out.Finn grabs his cut, slipping it on as he meets my gaze.“You ready?”
I nod, feeling a surge of determination as I grab my purse.“As ready as I can be.”
Sitting still and calm in the booth at JJ’s is impossible.My hands are wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee in an attempt to still my nerves.The diner is quiet, with a few patrons scattered across the mom-and-pop place, a few people occupying the booths and barstools.Every once in a while, I glance out the large windows, watching the occasional car pass by, praying that no one here gets hurt today.The thought has a knot twisting in my gut.
My gaze drifts to the clock.Time is ticking away.Although I’m fully aware of how little of it I have left before my two worlds collide.
It needs to happen, but that thought doesn’t make it any easier.
The coffee tastes bitter on my tongue.I force myself to take another sip.Minutes trudge on like molasses until I hear the familiar rumble of a motorcycle pulling into the lot.I don’t need to turn to know it’s Deeds—the sound his throaty hog gives him away.
The diner door jingles as it swings open.Deeds strides in like a man on a mission and heads straight for me.He’s wearing his cut over a loose tan tank, multiple necklaces with beads on display.His black jeans are faded and fashionably ripped, the bottoms tucked inside his black combat boots.
He moves with that same coiled energy, intense and focused.His red-brown hair is cut short and faded on the sides in a stylishly messy fohawk.His sharp hazel eyes zero in on me immediately.The heat of his gaze burns into me as he approaches, and despite everything, my chest aches when a smile of relief graces his familiar face.
“Gypsy,” he says softly, his voice laced with worry.“What the hell happened?”
An ache burrows in my chest when his eyes show true concern.I click off my emotions as best as I can, although I’m a bit out of practice.
Finn and Dozer emerge from the bathroom before I possibly begin to answer, explain, or apologize.They approach quietly, like predators circling their prey.My heart pounds loud enough that Deeds must hear it.
The diner door jingles, and noise slices through the quiet.It’s followed by more boots solidly hitting the floor to eat up the distance between us.Deeds swivels in his seat and stiffens when he sees the men approaching us.Bodie and Taz quickly fall into position, their presence a wall of menace and purpose.
Dozer stops at our table and backs up to lean against the counter across from our booth.He crosses his arms over his massive chest.Turning quickly to the waitress, he says, “Get everyone out of here,” his voice calm and authoritative.“And no cops or we’re going to have problems.You all got that?”He looks around at the patrons, and everyone nods hastily as they rush to leave the diner.
Bodie and Taz usher patrons out the door, even going so far as to lock the place down, flipping the sign to “closed” and hitting the lights.With the sunlight as the only source of light, the tension between all the men heightens.
Deeds lets out a slow exhale, trying to cover his shock nonchalantly.He drapes one arm over the back of the booth, his body settling into a posture that’s a little too casual.However, his hazel eyes are sharp and calculating as they flick between me and the men.
“Ethan.”Deeds throws Dozer’s real name out like an insult.“Appreciate the welcome wagon, but you boys didn’t have to come all this way for little old me.Especially under false pretenses.Couldn’t write me an email, or fuck.”Deeds reaches into his pocket, produces his phone, and drops it on the table.“Could’ve fuckin’ called.”
“Decker.”Dozer returns the insult.“Wanted to keep this meeting between us, have a sit down.I didn’t know if you’d come alone, and the less people who know about this, the better.”
Deeds’ fierce gaze snaps to me.He motions to Dozer and then to Finn next to him.“So, this is your choice?”he asks in a cutting and harsh tone.
I swallow hard and force myself to hold his gaze and give him an honest answer.“You had your plans, and I had mine.They aligned once, but things changed with time.”
“What changed?”
“I…” I look toward Finn, and he comes forward.He takes the seat beside me and puts his arm around my shoulder.I find strength in the blue depths of his irises.“I did, and…” Looking back across the table, I say, “My loyalties lie elsewhere now.I’m sorry.”
“It’s like that?”His features are pinched.There’s anger, but hurt too.I think he’s going to do something stupid, because Deeds’ emotions tend to get the best of him.Being cornered was the only way to get him here alone, but it’s also fired him up.
