“Even so, we didn’t take inventory. We just ran transport, that’s it.” He sits back and shrugs.

“Why don’t you take a look at the photo again? Maybe it will jog your memory.” I push the photograph forward, across the table.

He cocks a brow, watching me carefully, before thinking he has it figured out. “She yours?”

“Just fucking look at it.”

He picks it up, looks at it briefly again before shaking his head. “Haven’t seen her before.”

“Fair enough.” Nix nods and begins to stand, but I’m not ready to leave. This asshole knows something and my fist is ready to find out what. Before I have the chance to lay it, Nix continues. “But know this, T. We find out you’re lyin’ to us, and the Warriors do in fact know something, there will be a backlash. You take something that doesn’t belong to you and lie to my face…I won’t take too kindly to that.”

“You threatening me, Nix?” T straightens but doesn’t stand.

“Just a friendly reminder. We’ve had our differences and we’ve worked them out before, but this is different. This is family for us and if you know anythin’ about this, I suggest you reconsider your stand. You’ve got twenty-four hours.” Nix delivers his final warning before nodding at me to follow.

I leave the photo on the table, stand and deliver my own warning. “If I find out you had any hand in this, I’m coming back for you. I don’t give a fuck about the truce.”

T’s VP stands and pushes out his chest in some attempt to make me back off. I almost laugh at his pathetic effort at intimidation.

“Jesse,” Nix warns, noticing our standoff.

Fighting the urge to punch the fucker, I give him a cocky wink then follow my brothers out to our bikes.

“They know more than they’re letting on,” I announce, pissed we got nothing out of the meet.

“He’ll come around. If he doesn’t, I’m sure we can convince him.” Nix sounds sure, but I’m not so convinced. At this stage, letting Jackson do his thing seems to be our only hope.

“Yeah, we will see.” I mount my ride, looking back toward the door of the diner.

“So how does it feel, Jesse?” Nix snickers. Hearing the change in his tone, I look up.

“Feel?”

“To hand someone your balls?” The cool air of the night fills with laughter. Brooks and Beau shake with enjoyment, while Nix presses his lips tight, fighting his own laughter.

“Fuck you all.” I give them the finger.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” Brooks advises, but it’s not comforting.

“He’s right. You will. Now head back and teach your woman how we deal with club business.” I don’t miss the change in his tone or the tick of his jaw.

“Yep, meet you back at the club.” I wave them off, hoping by the time we get back, Nix has let it go, and the other fuckers don’t pull any shit.

Something tells me that’s not going to happen.

Twenty-Four BELL

Checking the time on my phone again, I let out an impatient snort. Where the hell is he? Waiting has never been my strength. Sitting still and watching time tick by is the least productive thing one could ever do. Even as a kid I would throw epic tantrums if I had to sit around and wait for my mom to take me somewhere. Anything over five minutes would send me into a meltdown.

Forcing myself to try and relax, I shut my eyes. Maybe if I’m asleep when Jesse gets home, he won’t be so angry.

After a few minutes, an awareness washes over me. Keeping my body still, I hear the bedroom door creak open.

“Bell?” Jesse calls, flicking on the light.

“Yeah.” I sit up and let my eyes adjust. He doesn’t reply, just starts dropping his keys and wallet on the table next to the door. “What happened?” I quiz when he places his cut on the chair and kicks his boots off.

“Babe, it’s late. I’m tired, wired and pissed.”

“Listen, Jesse—” I begin the rehearsed apology and explanation I already thought out.

“I’m not kidding, Bell. You’re only gonna piss me off.” He flicks the light off and I hear him move toward the bed.

“Jesse, don’t be like that. Please,” I plead, not expecting him to just shut me down. I knew he was going to be pissed but I wasn’t expecting the silent treatment.

“Like what, Bell? You could have gotten yourself hurt. Hell, worse.” He climbs into bed beside me. I can just make out his features, his eyes are tired and the crease of his normal smile dips low into a frown. Needing him to understand, I roll into him, resting my leg over his middle.

“You have to understand why I went there,” I try again. I don’t know why it’s so important he understands, but it is. His hand runs up my bare leg. My breath quickens, but I force myself to ignore his touch and focus on making things right.

“I don’t think you grasp how much I don’t get why you would be there. It’s fucking dangerous and you knew I didn’t want you involved.”

“You don’t think I know that? I do, but I’m not going to sit by, Jesse, when I could be helping.”

“You don’t get it, Bell. You’re not helping.” He takes a deep breath and rubs his hands over his face.

“I’m not trying to argue with you, Jesse.” I lower my voice, afraid I’m treading dangerously close to his limit.