“Well, don’t delay. Dig in.” I force myself not to react. Her fingers reach for the fork I placed beside her plate and I watch as she picks it up. I don’t want to seem like a fucking creeper, but I just want to make sure she’s eating. Before she can put my mind at ease, she returns the fork and reaches for me instead. Her hand lands on my arm, her touch soft and unsure.

“Thank you, Beau. Not just for the breakfast, but for everything you’ve done for me. I’ll never truly be able to repay you.” I nod once, not looking for gratitude. Any decent person would do the same. It’s what I tell myself, but I know it’s more than that. The emotion she awakens in me causes my words to fail. But it doesn’t matter, not right now. Words are not needed in this moment. I look at her, from her eyes to her hand still resting on my skin and then back up again. Neither one of us speaks or attempts to break the connection. It’s like time only exists outside of us.

You can’t have moments like this with her, I remind myself, pulling myself out of it.

Clearing my throat, I turn my head. “Eat.” The demand comes out harsh, rough, even a little angry. She doesn’t act as shell-shocked as she did at my last command, but she retreats nonetheless, and for reasons I can’t figure out, I fight the urge to promise her I’ll never use the tone with her again. Instead, I take a seat and pick up my own fork, and satisfied the woman across from me is at least eating, I take my first mouthful.

Who knew making sure she finished her breakfast could have me so twisted.

Five

Mackenzie

“You have to trust us, Mackenzie,” Beau tries to reassure me later that day. We’re sitting on one of the sofas in the living area of the clubhouse. Most of the members are outside setting up for a club BBQ, while Nix and Beau sit with me to discuss what’s happened over the last twenty-four hours.

“I understand what you’re saying, but you don’t know them like I do. The whole sheriff’s department in Redwick is in his pocket,” I try to reason with them. The last thing I need is to have the cops brought in on this.

Jesus, the thought alone makes me want to run.

“Not all the men in the department are dirty, Mackenzie,” Nix adds, shaking his head, not agreeing with me.

Knowing I’m not going to get anywhere with Nix, I turn to face Beau. “Please, Beau. Don’t make me go to the police.” I know they’re only trying to help me, but they really have no idea what their helping might result in.

Beau regards me for a minute before turning his gaze to Nix.

Nix is the Prez of the Knights Rebels, and from what Beau has told me over breakfast this morning, his best friend.

“Your call, brother.” Nix shrugs, leaving it up to Beau.

“How about we see how you’re doing over the next few days? Let you settle in, find your feet. We hear anything with Chad or the Mayor, we act. If not, we leave it.” I let out a low breath and nod.

Yes, I can do that.

“Nix, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I need some help.” Kadence steps out from kitchen. One arm trying to carry a plate of steaks¸ the other holding her wriggling daughter who is almost out of her hold.

Nix stands, and moves to his wife, relieving her of their daughter. She squeals in delight, her small chubby hands slapping his face.

“You got everything you need here?” Nix turns his gaze back on Beau.

“Yeah, I’ll fill her in on everything else.” Leaving us alone, Nix takes the plate of steaks too, and follows his wife outside to grill.

“Fill me in? Do you have a secret code I need to live by?” I turn back to Beau and attempt to joke.

Seriously, Mackenzie?

“No secret code, but I do need to fill you in on some club rules. Make sure you know how we run things.”

“Are you sure me being here is okay?” I ask, before he breaks down the rules. Rules I can handle. If there are certain things I need to know while staying here, I’d rather learn them now.

“Already told you, you’re under my protection now. You’re staying.” I swallow hard at my unease and accept what he’s offering. I know the last thing I should be doing is bringing Beau and his club in on my mess, but it’s not like I have much choice. I need time to think this through and at this point, it’s my safest place to do it.

As long as the cops stay out of it.

“So what do you have to fill me in on?” I move the conversation along. I know the club has a family BBQ planned so I want to wrap this up so I can get back to my room.

“Not too much. You’re free to come and go around the club, but until we know more on Chad, it’s best you stay here.”

“I can’t leave?”

“Not until you give your statement.” He tries one last shot at getting me to make a statement.

“That’s not fair, Beau. I have nothing but the clothes on my back and what I was able to grab and throw into my bag, which is basically nothing. I need more clothes and bathroom toiletries.”

“I have it under control. Holly’s on the clothes and Kelly’s on your girly bath shit.”

“Beau—” I start to complain then realize how selfish that would make me so I stop.

“I got you this.” He ignores my reaction and places a plastic bag in my lap.

“What is it?” I reach in and pull out smallish box with a picture of an android phone on the side.

“Thought since you’re back, you might like to get in touch with your old friends now.”