Page 39 of Vandal Unbound

“I spent years,” I whisper, “thinking that if I met someone…really met someone…it would happen at the right time. Like fate would somehow be kind.” I laugh softly, but there’s no humor in it. “The first time I thought I’d met someone, I was naive, even foolish. That relationship gave me Elsie, but not a lot else. But I guess life doesn’t wait until you’ve got money in the bank, and confidence, and a five-year plan, and a kitchen with matching plates.”

That actually earns the faint ghost of a smile from him, but I continue on before I lose my nerve. “But maybe that's not how any of this works. Maybe people just crash into each other in the middle of their messy lives and bad timing and grief and whatever…this is.”

“Daze…” The short form of my name hangs in the air between us.

“But it’s also kind of wild, that you made such an impact in mine and Daisy’s life in such an infinitesimally small window of time.”

Vandal’s hand brushes slowly across my hip, his expression unreadable now. It’s guarded like the very first time I saw him. “I think that’s the problem,” he says roughly. “I’m not offering myself at the right time. I know you’ve got a kid depending on you. But?—”

The sound of boat engines interrupts him.

He stands suddenly and looks out the window. “Fuck,” he shouts.

When I stand to see what he’s looking at, I find four airboats with men dressed in black coming across the water.

12

VANDAL

My head is slow to switch gears. One minute, I’m in middle of the sweetest kiss I think I’ve ever had with thoughts swirling about timing and fate and realizing Daisy’s about to tell me that both are wrong for us.

And now I’m looking out the window because I heard engines. Not the slow growl of fishing boats headed home or the lazy buzz of tourists getting one last ride through the marsh before dark.

These engines are louder, the boats are full, and they’re headed straight for us.

Ice floods my veins.

“Fuck.”

Daisy’s gaze snaps from the window up to me. She’s still flushed from kissing me, her lips swollen, her T-shirt rumpled from my hand. For half a heartbeat, my brain refuses to leave that glorious moment. Her against me, all soft and warm and real.

But then survival crashes through me, and I see Havoc grab Elsie around the waist.

“Take her to the front of the clubhouse,” I yell to Havoc through the open window. “Maren too.” I grab my weapon out of my drawer and check it’s loaded. “We gotta move, Daze. Keys. Now.”

“What—”

“Your fucking car keys, Daisy.”

That gets through to her. Her hands shake as she digs through her purse. I can hear the engines loud now, the ugly slap of the boat riding above shallow water. They’re too close, and I hear the first warning shots being fired from the sentries we keep on the roof since the last incident with Alvarez.

“Where’s Elsie?” Daisy shouts, trying to pull away from the grip I have on her bicep. “I need to get to her.”

“Havoc will meet us out front. The safest place for the two of you is in your car and away.”

“Oh my God,” Daisy says. “I knew I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight.”

Her voice is thready, and I wish I had time to comfort her, but that can come later when our world is safe again and we’ve had time to handle whatever this is.

I wish I had time to kiss her again, to finish the conversation we were having. But the truth is, I can see the damage has been done.

Ten minutes ago, I might have been able to convince her that this life isn’t what she thinks it is.

Now I’m hurrying her away from the proof that it is. I don’t even have time to panic. All I can do is put my trust in my best friend’s capabilities to keep Elsie safe, and the power of my club to take care of the rest of the men.

Fortunately, Daisy’s car is still in the easiest spot to get out of the compound.

“Vandal!” Elsie’s voice cuts through the air as Havoc and Maren run toward us.