Chapter 9
Phoenix
The Rebel Hearts MC clubhouse is an old converted warehouse. The walls are covered with road signs, bike parts, and photos from past rides. We”re here for Church.
My brothers are already around the large wooden table in the middle, looking as grim as I feel.
I sit next to Jagger, who”s already working on a beer. I scan the tense faces around the table. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Aldis sits at the head of the table. The ex-Navy SEAL turns my way, and he nods slightly before getting down to business.
“The Valdez cartel is getting bolder. They”re testing our boundaries, seeing how far they can push us,” Aldis says.
A chorus of murmurs and nods ripples through the group, but he continues. “We need to put a stop to their shit before it escalates.”
Rocco, the burly enforcer from the strip club, clears his throat.
“The girls are spooked. Usually, they”re all laughs and good times, but now—” He shakes his head, a frown creasing his brow. “Some of them won”t come into work.”
Looks of concern pass between the men.
Nova”s sweet smile flashes in my mind, those bright blue eyes that saw straight through my tough-guy act from the moment we reconnected.
And Maya, that little firecracker who’s stolen my heart with her fearless spirit and infectious giggles.
They”ve already been through enough pain. Nova deserves security and a chance at a fresh start after her dirtbag husband bailed. And Maya”s got her whole life ahead.
“We need to hit them hard and fast,” Jagger chimes in, his knuckles whitening as he grips the table. “Show them we ain”t gonna be pushed around.”
The guys nod, but a twinge of unease settles in my gut. An all-out war with the cartel is the last thing we need.
“Hold up,” I interject, my voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “We can”t go in guns blazing. That”ll only escalate things further.”
Aldis arches an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on me. “What did you have in mind?”
I sense the weight of his gaze and nod, silently acknowledging the gravity of the situation. We may be a rough bunch, but we”re not reckless.
I lean back in my chair, my gaze sweeping across the familiar faces. “We need to gather more intel. Find out their endgame and who”s calling the shots. We can hit them where it hurts without risking blowback.”
A few guys shift uncomfortably in their seats, but Aldis stays quiet, mulling over my words.
I give a curt nod, remembering last night”s chaos. The taste of blood lingers in my mouth from last night”s fight.
“Phoenix is right.” The room falls silent as Aldis slams his fist on the table. All eyes turn to him, his jaw set in a hard line. “But we’re not going to sit on our asses, either.”
A few of the guys perk up, their eyes gleaming with the promise of action. “You got a plan, Prez?” Jagger asks, a hint of eagerness in his tone.
Aldis leans back in his chair, stroking his beard pensively. “Way I see it, our best option is to disrupt their supply lines and cut off their cash flow.”
The room falls silent as we consider the options, weighing the risks and rewards. My thoughts drift to Nova and Maya, and a familiar protectiveness swells in my chest.
They’ve brought a sense of purpose to my life beyond the club. I”ll be damned if I let anyone threaten that.
“Jagger, you and your boys dig up whatever you can on the Vasquez cartel,” Aldis says, cutting through the silence. “Find out who”s calling the shots, where they”re based, and what firepower they have.”
Jagger grins, cracking his knuckles. “You got it, boss.”
“Get moving. I want a full report by the end of the week,” Aldis growls.
We can”t screw this up. One mistake, and those Vasquez cartel bastards will be all over us like flies on shit.
My mind races with the logistics. We”ll need to pull in more prospects and possibly reach out to a few of our allies in the area.
“We”ll set up a rotating schedule. Make sure we have eyes everywhere,” I say with a curt nod, already formulating a plan.
“Good man, knew I could count on you,” Aldis barks. “Lock this place down. Double the security, armed guards at every entrance.”
My knuckles turn white as I clench my fists, determination coursing through my veins. The club”s got my back, and I”ve got theirs.
Aldis”s steely gaze sweeps the room, his jaw set like granite. “The Vasquez cartel want to rumble? They”ll get more than they bargained for.”
The guys file out as the meeting wraps up, their grim expressions barely containing their aggression.
I make my way to the makeshift armory, taking stock of our supplies. We”re well-stocked on ammo and firearms, but I make a mental note to order a few more cases of smoke grenades, just in case things get hairy.
The thought of Nova and Maya getting caught in the crossfire twists my gut into knots. I promised to keep them safe, and I”ll be damned if I break that vow.
A hand on my shoulder makes me turn. It”s Jagger. “You good?”
I nod, taking a deep breath. “Yeah. Got a lot on my mind.”
He gives me a knowing look, eyes flickering toward the door. “Nova and the kid, right?”
I nod. “I can”t let anything happen to them.”
Jagger squeezes my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “We won”t let it come to that, brother. We”ve got your back, no matter what.”
I nod solemnly. “Thanks, Jag.”
“What”s the plan for tonight?”
“I”m taking the girls trick or treating for Halloween. The neighborhood is supposed to be a safe zone,” I explain.
“But with the looming threat of the Vasquez cartel, nowhere feels safe,” he finishes my thought, his brow furrowing.
“Exactly,” I say, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
Jagger steps closer, his gaze unwavering. “I”ll have a few of our guys blend in with the crowd to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
“Thanks. That means a lot,” I say, grateful for his support.
He gives a curt nod before leaving me to finish the inventory check. Every piece of gear counts. No room for error. The stakes have never been higher.
As I finish, I know we”re as prepared as possible. Protecting Nova and Maya is my top priority, and with the club”s support, I”ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
I arrive at Nova”s place, the anticipation building in my chest. It”s Halloween night, and we”re taking Maya trick-or-treating together.
It is a simple, regular activity, but it feels monumental, given the chaos swirling around the club.
Nova”s wearing a slinky black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. The neckline dips low enough to tease, and the skirt is short, showing off her long legs.
Her hair tumbles in loose waves over her shoulders and her lips are painted a deep, sultry red.
I clear my throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure, but I forget how to speak.
“Hey,” she breathes, a coy smile playing on her lips as if she knows the effect she”s having on me.
“Lookin” good there, darlin”,” I drawl, my gaze roaming over her appreciatively. She”s a knockout.
Nova twirls, her black dress flaring around her thighs. “You like it? I’m embracing my inner witch. I figured I”d have a little fun.”
Fun doesn”t even begin to cover it. “You look good enough to eat.”
She slowly looks me up and down, nibbling her lip as she takes in my costume, complete with a battered Stetson and a pair of well-worn boots. “A cowboy, huh? I never pegged you for the Wild West type.”
I tug at the brim of my hat and grin. “What can I say, darlin’? I”m full of surprises.”
She laughs. The melodic sound makes my heart speed up. “It suits you. Very rugged and handsome.”
My well-worn jeans are suddenly uncomfortably tight.
“Mama, I”m ready!” Maya”s voice rings out, and a tiny blur comes barreling toward us and crashes into my legs.
My heart swells at the sight of Maya painted up like a little calico cat, whiskers and all. “Well, ain”t you the cutest little kitty I ever did see?”
Maya beams up at me, grabbing my hand. “Mama helped with my costume!”
I look at Nova and contentment blooms in my chest. She”s an amazing mom. Seeing her with Maya only makes me fall harder.
I want to pull her close, to feel her soft curves against me, but I hold back. Tonight”s about Maya, about giving her a sense of normalcy.
Nova looks at me, eyes shining. “Shall we?”
“Yeah!” Maya cheers.
I nod, offering Nova my arm. Her perfume washes over me—soft and floral, like her.
We head out into the crisp fall night. Maya skips ahead, swinging her pumpkin basket. It’s like we”re a real family heading out for the evening.
The neighborhood is alive with the sights and sounds of Halloween—jack-o”-lanterns grinning from porches, fake cobwebs draped over bushes, and the occasional ghost or goblin darting across lawns.
Carved pumpkins glow from porches, and children”s laughter fills the street. We follow Maya down the sidewalk, her excited chatter filling the crisp evening air.
The soft glow of the streetlamps casts Nova”s face in a warm light, highlighting the dusting of freckles across her nose. “Thanks for doing this. It means a lot to her. To both of us.”
Nova”s eyes shine with an emotion I can”t quite place, but it tugs at my heart. “Anywhere you two are is exactly where I want to be.”
As we approach the first house, Maya turns to us, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Aren”t you guys gonna knock?”
“Why don”t you do the honors, sweetheart?”
Maya”s face lights up with a brilliant smile before she scampers up the walkway and rings the doorbell.
An elderly woman answers, her face creasing into a warm grin at the sight of Maya”s costume.
“Well, aren”t you just the cutest?” she coos, dropping a handful of candy into Maya”s pumpkin bucket.
Maya”s eyes are wide. “Thank you!”
Nova sidles up next to me, her shoulder brushing against mine. “This was a good idea.”
We continue down the sidewalk, following Maya as she darts from house to house, her bucket filled with candy. I keep a watchful eye on our surroundings, but as the night wears on and Maya”s bucket grows heavier, I relax into the moment.
As we stroll down the street, I bask in the simple pleasure of being with Nova and Maya, feeling at ease in their presence. Families walk through the neighborhood, filling the air with laughter and lively conversation.
Maya runs up to us, her face flushed with excitement, and I scoop her up in my arms, reveling in her infectious giggles.
“Did you see how much candy I got?” she asks, her eyes wide with wonder.
“I sure did, little one.” I ruffle her hair affectionately. “You have enough to last all year!”
She beams, and at that moment, I realize that this is what I want—a life filled with love, laughter, and stability.
A life where I can be a father figure to this incredible little girl and a partner to the woman who has captured my heart so completely.
As if affirming my thoughts, an elderly couple passes by, waving at us. “What a precious family!” the woman says, her eyes creasing.
Maya doesn”t correct her, and a surge of pride swells in my chest.
Nova sidles up to me, her arm snaking around my waist. Our eyes meet, and I see the same longing reflected in her gaze, a silent promise of a future together.
I lean down and press a soft kiss to her forehead, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. For a brief, shining moment, the weight of the world falls away, and all that matters is the three of us together. This is where I belong.
As we return to Nova”s apartment, Maya nestled comfortably in my arms, I know I”ve found my place.
It”s not about the club anymore; it”s about building a life with the two people who mean everything to me.