“Funny little pixie.”

“I hope you didn’t leave that bacon sizzling...”

He shakes his head, lifting us up and turning the shower off. He gets us both out, and wraps a towel around me, using the ends to dry my hair.

“No, I turned it off. I wasn’t letting you have this shower without me.”

I snort. “Animal.”

He reaches up, using the towel to dry his hair. “You know it, darlin’.”

I flash him a smile.

And we both dress together.

And for a moment, just a moment.

It feels completely normal.

CHAPTER 12

SERENITY

“Are you ok?” Janine asks that afternoon when I get to Hogan’s compound.

I peer around the room, making sure no one is listening, before leaning in and whispering, “I’m ok, sorry I hung up on you the other night.”

“I was worried about you.”

“I know,” I say, my voice full of sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“Did you decide what you’re going to do?”

I close my eyes, pushing the image of Jackson’s smiling face from my mind. “I can’t betray them; I just don’t know how I’m supposed to get out of this easily.”

“What are you going to tell Hogan today?”

“I’m going to lie about the security, it’s the best I can do.”

She looks concerned. “He’s going to want more, honey.”

“I know,” I say, feeling my body tighten with fear. “But I don’t know what to give him.”

“What about a fake ride? If he thinks they’re going out of town, it might buy you a few days to break it to them.”

“And when he finds out they didn’t go...”

“You’ll be under the protection of them, it won’t matter.”

“It will matter, because I can’t see them helping me when they find out.”

Janine looks concerned for me, and I know why, but I can’t explain it to her. If Hogan finds out I’m lying, she gets hurt. If Jackson finds out what I’m doing, I lose him. If I do as Hogan asks, Jackson could likely die. I know I have to tell Jackson, out of all my options, it’s the best one. I have to be smart. I have to tell him and help them organize a way to bring Hogan down. It’s the only way to keep Janine and Ebony safe.

“I think lying is your best option right now, regardless.”

“Serenity!”

I hear Hogan’s booming voice, and I tense. I feel my throat tighten, and I lean over, gripping Janine’s arms and leaning in to whisper, “Take care of yourself, but promise me you’ll take extra care of Ebony. Watch that little girl, just promise you’ll watch her.”

Janine’s eyes grow suspicious, and I’d so desperately love to tell her that Hogan is using her, but it would only end badly for all of us. I don’t know what Hogan would do if I caused that kind of drama. “What’s going on?” she whispers. “Is Eb’s in danger?”

“Serenity, get your fuckin’ ass here!”

“Just take care of her please. I love you.”

She nods, eyes wide, and then turns and rushes off. I turn slowly, to see Hogan storming towards me, his eyes wild with rage and something else...it’s probably drugs. Hogan and the club run a lot of drugs. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s off his rocker on something.

“Where the fuck have you been?” he bellows.

I shake my head in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I said I’d be back, and here I am.”

When he reaches me, his hand lashes out and he grips my arm so tightly I wince.

“I told you to be here two hours ago!”

He didn’t, but I’m not going to argue.

“I’m sorry, it’s not easy to get out.”

“They suspicious?” he snarls.

“No, but they are getting suspicious about how I’m continually coming back hurt.”

He lets me go, and for a moment, I whisper a sweet thank you to whoever let that line actually work. I didn’t know if it would, but by the look on his face, it’s making sense in his brain-dead skull. He clenches his fists, and his grey eyes narrow. “What have you got for me?”

“I have security information, and their next ride.”

“Spill it, now,” he barks.

I feed him a string of lies about the security system, guards, and when their next ride is. I know I’m sending him on a wild goose chase, because I know he’ll follow them for information. It’s a risk, but I don’t know what else I can do. I have to protect Jackson, but at the same time I have to protect Ebony. This is the only way I can do both. For now anyway.

“You find out where Spike and Jackson are going to be.”

“Why Spike?” I whisper.

“Spike’s the fucker who ordered that attack!” he snarls.

“Then why are you going after Jackson?” I blurt.

He lashes out, gripping my throat. I gasp, and begin squirming desperately. “Because Jackson was part of it. I want both them fuckin’ clubs down. I sent you to Jackson, because Spike’s club is merging with his, and he’s going to be the one that runs it. Plus, he’s a fucking pussy. I knew he’d fall for your little bullshit act.”

He’s so wrong. So wrong.

Jackson is not a pussy.

Hogan drops me, and I land on the floor with a gasp. I reach up, going for my throat and rubbing it frantically. I take a few deep breaths, trying to fill my lungs as much as possible. Hogan reaches down, gripping my shoulder and hurling me up. So much for not sending me back hurt. He shoves me against a wall, pressing his fingers into my skin and causing a strangled, pained gurgle to leave my throat.