Page 56 of Beyond the Cut
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Doug snapped, shocking her with the vehemence in his tone. “Everything will be different this time. I can make sure you’re protected. And… this is the second news I wanted to tell you…” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I’ve secured a place for you in the witness protection program. After you testify against Jimmy and the Brethren, you’ll get your girls back. A new life, Dawn. You’ll be safe. Forever.”
Safe. On the surface, it seemed to be a perfect solution—she would have her girls and her freedom away from the biker world she hated with a passion, and Jimmy would spend some time in jail. Except she’d be safe and alone. No Banks and Arianne. No Doug.
No Cade.
Curiously, the idea of running away with her tail between her legs didn’t appeal. Sinners didn’t run. Sinners didn’t hide. Sinners were fighters. They met their enemies with both guns blazing. They stepped into the ring and stayed there until there was only one man standing. This was her town. Her life. Her friends. Why would she let Jimmy chase her away?
“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” she said gently. “But this is all very sudden, and you should have discussed it with me first. Testifying against an outlaw MC is serious business, and I’m not sure if it’s the right path for me. And I’ve made a life here for myself. I have a job and friends. There’s only one way for me to have justice and it doesn’t involve—”
“No.” Doug thudded his hand on the table. “This isn’t you. You’re not a violent person. You’re not vengeful. You’re not a biker anymore. You’re a good, honest, upstanding citizen who’s been dealt a bad hand in life.”
“You don’t know me,” she said. “I’m not the person you think I am.”
He leaned in closer and his voice dropped to a quiet murmur. “I care about you, Dawn. Much more than as a friend. You know that. And I’ve waited all these years because I understand the trauma you went through. You could take your stand by testifying against Jimmy and the Brethren, and when you’re done, if you want, I could come with you in witness protection. I’ve already looked into it. I would be there to look after you and your girls. As a friend, or something more.”
Warning bells clanged in her mind, and yet his expression was so earnest she instantly felt guilty. Doug was a good man. He had started the self-defense class in his free time to help women feel more confident when they had to walk alone at night. Upstanding, conservative, and dedicated to his work—he was everything she should have wanted, and the total opposite of Cade. And yet he didn’t push any of her buttons. There was no wild in Doug. No blasting through stoplights or having sex in parking lots. No cheeky smiles and devil-may-care grins. She couldn’t imagine him tossing her on a table in a dingy office, shooting at his friends to keep them away, and giving her one of the best orgasms of her life.
“I’m sorry, Doug. I’m with Cade now.” Well, not entirely true, since the cut was only temporary, but maybe that would get the message across. “And I have no intention of running away from my home.”
“This is about you. Your safety. Your life. If you’re happy, your children will be happy. And more important, they’ll be with you. Please. Promise me you’ll think about it.” He stroked her cheek and she felt… nothing. No zing of excitement. No tingle between her thighs. No desire the throw him on the table and rip off his clothes. Cade could do that to her with just one look.
As if on cue, the door opened, and Cade stalked into the restaurant, the chain on his belt rattling as he walked. T-Rex and Gunner followed behind him.
Dawn’s lips tipped at the corners, but when she saw his face, his eyes cold and hard, jaw taut, lips pressed into a thin line, her smile faded. She’d seen that look before—at Banks Bar, and when he’d seen Jimmy in front of the school. That look meant someone was about to get hurt, and a sickening wave of dread rose in her stomach.
“Restaurant is closed,” Cade shouted. “You got one minute to clear out otherwise I’ll have my boys pay your table a visit.”
T-Rex pulled down the shades in the windows. Gunner yanked people out of their seats and ushered them out the door. The cooks ran out the back. When only Stan was left, gaping at the empty restaurant, T-Rex locked the door.
“What’s going on here?” Doug’s tone switched from friendly to officious, and he rose from his seat. Although in civilian gear, he still carried a weapon in a holster on his belt, and his hand hovered near his hip.
“Benson.” Cade turned his steely gaze in Doug’s direction. “Always a pleasure to find you sniffing around my girl, but I’m afraid I don’t have time to toss you around today. This is Sinner business, and it would be best if you step outside.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Doug reached for his weapon, and Tank came up behind him and pressed a gun to his head. Dawn hadn’t even noticed him coming in the back door.
“I’ll take that weapon.” Tank reached around and pulled the gun from Doug’s holster. Then he patted Doug down and removed his phone.
“You just bought yourself a night in jail,” Doug spat out.
“See. That’s where you and I disagree.” Cade folded his arms and leaned against the nearest booth. “This is a Sinner town. The police don’t get involved in Sinner business and we don’t get involved in police business. Sheriff Morton had that all figured out, but since you’ve only been here a short time, and your sheriff is new, I’m giving you a little leeway. So you got a choice. You can walk out of here and let us do what we have to do. Or you can stay and put yourself in the difficult position of witnessing a breach of the law that you’re not gonna be able to do anything about.”
“I’m not leaving Dawn.” He put an arm around Dawn’s shoulders and Cade’s scowl deepened.
“You like your life, you’re gonna take your hands off my old lady. Now.”
“Old lady?” Doug gave her a puzzled glance. “Dawn? What’s going on?”
“I was… going to tell you.” She gently removed his arm and took a few steps away.
“What have you done?” He stared at her in horror. “You hate bikers. Look what happened to you in the Brethren. Look what happened with Jimmy.” His jaw clenched and he glared at Cade. “What did you do to her? You’ve coerced her. Or is it blackmail? Did you promise to get her children back? Did you tell her you’d kill Jimmy? You’re going to commit murder to protect her? Are you beating her, too?”
“Doug, please.” Dawn put a hand on his arm. “It’s a complicated situation. But this works out best for both of us.”
“What about your girls?” His eyes blazed, startling Dawn. She’d never seen Doug so heated about anything, and he’d never imposed his views on her choices in life.
“Don’t patronize me, Doug.”
“With that videotape out there, you’ll always be considered an unfit mother.” He shook off her hand. “I’m offering you a way out of this mess. In exchange for your testimony, we can get that tape examined, the case reheard—”
