Chapter 2
Six Months Later
Irev up my Harley, the powerful engine rumbling beneath me like a caged beast ready to be unleashed.
Jagger pulls up beside me on his ride, his face partly concealed by the bandana covering the lower half. A silent nod passes between us—it's showtime.
The Prez’s orders ring clear in my head as we tear down the street, engines roaring. Two dirtbags have been harassing our girls at the club, and it's our job to ensure they get the message loud and clear.
The late afternoon sun beats down on us as we cruise through the back alleys, scanning the area for our targets. That's when I spot them—two scrawny punks huddled by a dumpster, looking like they just crawled out from under a rock.
I kill the engine and dismount, Jagger following suit. Our boots crunch against the gravel as we approach the lowlifes, their eyes widening in fear at the sight of us.
“You boys been causin' trouble at our club?” I growl, taking the lead.
One of them musters a cocky grin. “What's it to you, man? We were havin' a little fun.”
Jagger steps forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. “Fun's over, assholes. You so much as look at our girls the wrong way again, and you're going to be pissin' through a tube for the rest of your miserable lives.”
The punks try to act tough, squaring up to us, but their bravado is a flimsy facade. I can smell the fear rolling off them in waves.
“You don't wanna mess with the Rebel Hearts,” I snarl, getting right in their faces. “Now, get out of here before we change our minds about letting you walk away.”
That's when one of them makes the biggest mistake of his life—he spits at my feet.
The punk's spit lands inches from my boot, the glob of saliva glistening on the dirty pavement. My jaw clenches as I stare him down, fury burning in my veins.
“You just made a big mistake, asshole,” I growl, grabbing him by the collar of his ratty shirt.
His buddy tries to intervene, but Jagger is quicker. He slams the scrawny piece of trash against the brick wall, pinning him there with a forearm across his throat.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Jagger warns, his voice a menacing rumble.
The punk I'm holding squirms in my grip, his hands clawing at my iron forearm as I yank him close, our noses almost touching. “You disrespect us again, and you'll be eating through a fuckin' straw, you hear me?”
He wheezes out some pathetic attempt at an insult, but I cut him off with a vicious headbutt, feeling the satisfying crunch of his nose shattering against my skull. Warm blood gushes down his face as he cries out in pain.
In my peripheral vision, I see Jagger driving his fist into the gut of the other dirtbag, doubling him over and leaving him gasping for air. These two aren't worth the effort, but they need to learn their place.
I release my grip on the bloodied punk, letting him crumple to the ground in a heap. “That's just a taste of what'll happen if you don't back the fuck off.”
Jagger kicks his buddy while he's down, leaving the poor bastard curled up and groaning. “You got that, scumbags? Or do you need some more reminding?”
They're a pitiful sight, clutching their wounds and whimpering like the cowards they are. I spit on the ground next to them in disgust.
Turning our backs, Jagger and I climb back on our bikes and head back to the club.
I guide my Harley through the gates of the Rebel Hearts compound, the familiar sight of our clubhouse filling me with a sense of belonging.
As I kill the engine, Jagger pulls up beside me. His face is streaked with sweat from our little “errand” earlier.
Fatigue seeps into my bones, but I have a satisfied smirk on my face. Those dirtbags got the message. Don't mess with the Rebel Hearts. Aldis, our Prez, will be pleased we took care of business.
Swinging off my bike, I catch sight of a familiar face talking to the Prez near the clubhouse entrance.
Nova.
We’ve been friends since we were kids, running wild in the same neighborhood, but I haven’t seen her for a while.
We were so close that my mother joked Nova was like the sister I never had. But I knew better. What I felt for her was far from brotherly.
Nova was as hot as hell, with those striking blue eyes and curvy figure that drove me crazy. But I never crossed that line, never risked ruining what we had by trying to make it something more.
Keeping her in my life as a buddy was better than potentially losing her for good. I saw my friends and their girlfriends, hot one minute, cold the next. I wasn't going to ruin our friendship by trying to date her.
Over the years, Nova was one of the few constants I could count on. We drifted in and out of each other's lives as we figured out who we were, but that bond we forged as kids was unbreakable.
No matter how much time passed between us reconnecting, we picked up where we left off. But I push those thoughts aside, focusing on the here and now.
Nova is as beautiful as ever despite the exhaustion etched on her face. She looks upset, her brow furrowed as she talks animatedly with Aldis.
I smile when I see the little girl clutching Nova’s hand. How old is Maya now? Five? Six?
Maya has Nova's delicate features, and the smattering of freckles across her nose makes her look like a cherub. She clutches her mother’s hands and a tattered stuffed bunny like they’re her lifeline.
A sense of unease settles in my gut. Something must be seriously wrong for them to show up here like this out of the blue.
I tuck my bandana into my back pocket and shake out my shaggy mane as I make my way over. I approach slowly, my boots crunching on the gravel, giving Aldis a respectful nod.
His eyes narrow slightly as he clocks my bruised knuckles and Jagger's split lip, no doubt putting the pieces together about our “meeting” earlier.
“Everything went smoothly, I take it?” Aldis rumbles, puffing on a cigar.
“Like a roll in the hay, Prez,” Jagger replies with a cocky grin. “Those shitheads won't be bothering our ladies again anytime soon.”
Aldis grunts in approval before jerking his chin toward Nova.
I flash her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease some of the worry evident on her face. “Hey there, stranger,” I say, my voice warm and familiar. “Long time no see.”
Nova manages a tired smile in return, and I can see the relief in her eyes.
“Phoenix,” she breathes my name like it’s a lifeline she's been desperately grasping for. She glances down at Maya. “You remember Uncle Phoenix, sweetie?”
Maya nods shyly but makes no move toward me. Yeah, it’s been too fucking long.
Aldis claps a hand on my shoulder. “Holler if you need me.”
I nod at Aldis as he takes a final drag on his cigar before heading to the clubhouse, leaving me alone with Nova and Maya.
Desperation is etched on Nova’s face, and my protective instincts kick into high gear. Has her waste of space husband stepped out on her again?
Whatever trouble she’s in, I'll do whatever it takes to keep her and Maya safe.
“You want to tell me what's going on?”
Nova hesitates, her eyes darting around nervously. ”I didn't know where else to go.” Her voice cracks, and she pauses to collect herself. “It's Derek.”
My jaw tightens as my suspicions are confirmed. Not that I like the guy. He’s a fucking selfish scumbag who puts his needs above everyone else’s, including his wife and child. But I hate seeing Nova in pain.
“C'mon, let's talk inside,” I say gently, placing a hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the clubhouse.
As we enter the familiar dimness of the Rebel Hearts' home base, the scent of stale beer, smoke, and cheap perfume hits my nostrils. Maya clings tighter to Nova's hand, her wide eyes taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
I lead them down the hallway to a small room off the side—a haven from prying eyes and ears. I guide Nova to the worn leather couch, watching as she sinks onto it, her body language screaming exhaustion and defeat.
Sensing her mother's distress, the kid immediately snuggles into Nova's side. It breaks my fucking heart.
I turn my gaze to Nova. She takes a shuddering breath, her slender arms tightening around her daughter as if she's afraid the little girl might disappear.
Unable to stand seeing her like this, I crouch in front of her, bringing myself to her eye level.
My heart clenches in my chest, aching for this woman who means so damn much to me. I want to pull her into my arms and promise her that everything will be all right and I'll always be here for her and her daughter.
But I hold back, not wanting to overstep or make her uncomfortable. Instead, I reach out and gently lay my hand on her knee, offering a silent gesture of support and comfort.
She meets my gaze, her eyes filled with a vulnerability that tugs at my soul. “He's gone. Six months ago. Took everything. Left Maya and me with nothing.”
I never trusted the guy, but kept my mouth shut for Nova's sake. But to abandon her and his kid like that?
“He got another woman pregnant, and he's living with her.”
Fuck.That's lower than low.
“Aw, Nova, I'm so sorry,” I murmur, resisting the urge to pull her into a comforting hug. “You don't deserve that kind of sh…uh, betrayal, especially with this little one to look after.”
She nods, blinking back tears. “I don't know what to do. He said he’d cover the mortgage, but he lied. He cleaned out our bank accounts and took everything. I have nowhere to go. I feel like I'm drowning.”
Rage simmers in my veins, as does the fierce need to protect her. Now, seeing the pain he's caused her, I want nothing more than to track him down and make him pay.
I take a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. Seeing Nova like this, so broken and lost, tears me up inside. But I know I have to be strong for her now. She needs me.
I gently tilt her chin with my fingers, forcing her to meet my gaze. Those blue eyes I know so well shimmer with unshed tears. “Listen to me, Nova. I'm here for you, no matter what. We've been through too much together for me to let you face this alone.”
Nova's lower lip trembles, and she looks away, trying to hide her vulnerability. But I see it plain as day—the relief, the gratitude, the hint of something else I can't quite name.
She blinks rapidly, a single tear escaping down her cheek. I brush it away with the pad of my thumb, letting my hand linger against her soft skin.
After a few moments, she pulls away, swiping at her damp cheeks. “I don't know what I'd do without you.”
I give her a crooked grin, trying to lighten the heavy mood. “Probably get into all sorts of trouble, just like when we were kids.”
I reach out and take her hand in mine, feeling the slight tremble of her fingers against my calloused palm. “You're not alone, Nova. I'm here for you, and so is the club. We take care of our own.”