Page 110 of Riot’s Revenge

I rested my forehead against hers and closed my eyes. “I know.” My thumb brushed away the tear she’d tried to hide. “I know I’ve given you every reason to think the worst.”

She swallowed but didn’t answer.

“I should’ve done this differently.”

She whispered, “Please don’t leave me.”

The plea nearly broke me. “I’ve got to finish this.” I leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her forehead, lingering there for a second longer than I probably should have. “I need you safe. They don’t get to touch you and walk away.”

I turned toward the prospects. “Leighton.”

He stepped forward immediately, his expression hardening the second I looked at him. “Yeah, VP?”

“You’re with Maria and the women.”

His gaze flicked to her before settling back on me. “I’ve got them.”

“They don’t leave the clubhouse until I come back.”

“You have my word.”

Maria let out a long, frustrated sigh. “I’m standing right here.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth. Even after everything she’d been through tonight, she still hated people talking about her like she wasn’t in the room.

“I know.”

She folded her arms tightly across her chest. “And I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”

I closed the distance between us again. “This isn’t about what you’re capable of.”

“Then what is it about?”

I swallowed, my eyes drifting briefly toward the wrecked car sitting at the side of the road. “It’s about getting that phone call.”

She frowned.

“Hearing you cry.” The memory hit me all over again. Her voice had been shaking so badly I could barely understand her. For one terrifying moment, I’d thought I was too late. “I’ve never been that scared in my life.”

Her expression softened.

“I found you covered in blood, shaking so hard you could barely stand.” My voice caught in my throat. “Reaper was the one holding you together because I wasn’t there.” The guilt settled heavily in my chest. “I should’ve been.”

She reached for my hand without seeming to realize she was doing it. “I’m okay. I’m alive.”

“I know.” I laced my fingers through hers and held on just a little tighter. “And I intend to keep you that way.” I took one last step toward her. “I can’t lose you.”

Her eyes filled again. “You almost did.”

Those three words hit harder than anything the Kings could ever do to me. I kissed the top of her head one last time before forcing myself to step away. If I stayed another second, I wasn’t sure I’d leave. Behind me, engines began rumbling to life one after another. The familiar sound echoed through the night as every patched member climbed onto his bike.

Reaper folded the paper with the coordinates and tucked it into his kutte. Every brother knew exactly what was waiting for us.

A trap.

I swung my leg over the bike and paused before starting the engine. My eyes found Maria one last time. She stood between Lucy and Kate with Leighton just behind her, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She wasn’t looking at me anymore. Her head was bowed, her gaze fixed on the ground as though she couldn’t bear to watch me leave.

A dull ache settled in my chest because she didn’t believe me. After everything we’d survived together, she genuinely believed I’d betrayed her again and the worst part? I’d given her every reason to think it.