Page 55 of Vengeance

“Yes,” he breathed.

Bowie nodded as though Vengeance had merely confirmed something obvious. “Then keep her alive.”

“What happens when she decides she doesn’t want me?” Vengeance asked.

“That’s between you and her,” Bowie simply said.

“I’m Dante’s son.”

“And she’s Savage’s daughter,” Bowie said, his gaze turning sharp. “Neither of you are responsible for the men who came before you. You’re responsible for what you do next.” They were Savage’s words—the words from the letter. Vengeance swallowed against the pressure in his throat.

Bowie placed a hand on his shoulder. “Take care of my girl.”

“I will,” Vengeance promised. “And take care of yourself while you’re at it. She’s going to need you.” Vengeance nodded. Bowie handed him a set of keys and a folded paper map. “No phones after you leave. I’ll make contact through a supply drop every two weeks. There’s food, medical equipment, weapons, and cash at the house.”

“What about the clinic?” Vengeance asked.

“I’ll handle it,” Bowie assured.

“Dante’s men—” he started.

“Will be expecting you to show up there.” Bowie’s smile was cold. “But they won’t be expecting me.” He turned away before Vengeance could argue. “I’ll get you patched up before you leave for the safehouse, but then, you two will be on your own.”

Chloe opened the SUV door. “You’re bleeding.”

“I noticed,” he mumbled.

“Get in,” she ordered. He obeyed—not because of the pain, but because Chloe reached for him. Once he was seated, she pulled his shirt aside and examined the reopened wound. Her hands trembled. “Doc would know how to fix this.” Her voice broke when she said his name.

Vengeance covered her hands with his. “I’m sorry.”

She looked up. “For what?”

“He died because Dante followed me.”

“No.”

“Chloe—”

“Dante killed him,” she said.

“If I hadn’t come here—” Vengeance started.

“He would’ve found another way to hurt you,” Chloe insisted.

“You don’t know that.”

“Neither do you.” Tears filled her eyes. “Doc told me Dante hunted us here, and that he knew what he was getting himself into when he agreed to come get us. He said that he didn’t regret that decision either. Vengeance stared at her. He wanted to believe that, but he wasn’t sure he knew how. Chloe leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his. “We’re still here.”

“Barely,” Vengeance said. “What happens next time?”

“We’ll worry about next time when it happens. Right now, we’re still here.” Outside, Bowie closed the rear doors of the other SUV containing Doc’s body and the Royal Bastards began mounting their motorcycles. Within minutes, the group would separate. Bowie would take Doc home and prepare for war. Vengeance would disappear into the mountains with Chloe—alone. There would be no club protection, no Doc, and no one to stand between them and whatever came next.

Chloe squeezed his hand. “You promised you were right behind me.” He remembered the dark staircase, her frightened eyes, and the promise he hadn’t been certain he could keep.

“I did,” he whispered.

“You kept it,” she said.