Chapter Five
Akira
I couldn’t decide if I was angry with Logan or not. He’d been with me and hadn’t said a word about Tank being in the hospital. If I hadn’t snuck home while Dad was away, I still wouldn’t know.
Mom stroked my hair. “He’s going to be fine. I’m sure Logan didn’t want to worry you.”
As much as I hadn’t wanted to confess everything to her, I’d done exactly that. I knew my dad didn’t want me stressing her out. Mom had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. She’d already gone through a lumpectomy and started chemotherapy, but she’d discussed the possibility of having a double mastectomy, just to be safe.
When we’d gotten the news, I’d seen the devastation on my dad’s face. Everyone here knew he couldn’t live without her, and he’d been worried he’d have to do exactly that. While Mom wasn’t one hundred percent out of the woods yet, the doctor said she had a good shot at a full recovery. They’d managed to get all of the mass out, and it hadn’t spread anywhere. Definitely a good sign. They’d said the chemo was more of a precaution, to ensure nothing had slipped past them.
“You can’t go up there, can you?” I asked.
“Not a good idea. My immune system is utter crap right now.” She smiled slightly. “But I know he’s in good hands. And your young man got him to the hospital in plenty of time. They had to operate, and he’ll be out of commission for a while, but they think he’ll recover just fine.”
“It feels like everything is falling apart. You’re sick. Tank nearly died. And for some screwed-up reason, I’m not allowed to date a really great guy who makes me happy.” I glanced at her. “Not that my problem is nearly as bad as what you and Tank are going through.”
Mom kissed my forehead. “I knew what you meant.”
“Will you think I’m a bad daughter if I go meet Logan?”
She shook her head. “Of course not. I remember what it felt like when I first met your father.”
I wrinkled my nose. “There are some things that should remain a mystery to your child. Your love life is one of them. I’m begging you not to go into detail.”
She smirked. “Are you sure? I could tell you all about the way he knocked me up, drove me away, then…”
I held up a hand, narrowing my eyes at her. “Yes, I’m aware Dad was an ass. Still is for that matter. Those details I don’t mind. Just not the mushy stuff.”
“Fine, fine. Go meet your Logan, and don’t give him too hard of a time. I’m sure the moment he saw you, Tank was the last thing on his mind. At least, if he has any sense, that’s the case.”
I hugged her gently and grabbed my keys. If I took my bike, it would be a good reason to come back. Dad didn’t like me riding when the weather was bad. Even if he was mad at me right now, he’d never expect me to ride around in the rain. He did it, but apparently his little girl couldn’t.
I pulled out of the compound and headed for our meeting spot. We had several around town. Logan had said multiple locations would make it harder for us to get caught. Although, now that my dad already knew, I didn’t think we necessarily needed to sneak around anymore. The time we’d spotted the car watching us, or we’d assumed they were, we hadn’t known who might be after us. Since Dad knew about me and Logan, he wouldn’t need someone covertly spying on us. Nope, he’d do it out in the open. Plus, if there was someone else watching us, better to have people know where we are in case anything were to happen. It was something we’d need to discuss.
As I rounded the corner, I spotted Logan waiting beside his motorcycle, his lean frame silhouetted against the dim streetlight. My breath caught at the sight of him and a smile tugged at my lips. He turned, as if sensing my presence, and our eyes locked. In an instant, the world fell away.
Parking my bike, I swung my leg over the seat and closed the distance between us in a few quick strides. Logan opened his arms and I melted into his embrace, savoring the solid warmth of his body against mine. His familiar scent enveloped me -- a comforting blend of leather and something uniquely him.
“I missed you,” I murmured against his chest, my words muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
Logan’s arms tightened around me. “I missed you too, Akira. Every damn minute we’re apart feels like forever.”
We pulled back just enough to gaze at each other. I knew we probably felt like this because our relationship was still so new, but I hoped we’d always feel this way. Logan’s brown eyes shone with a mix of tenderness and desire, reflecting the intense emotions swirling within me. His hand cupped my cheek, thumb brushing over my skin with a featherlight touch that sent shivers down my spine.
“I hate having to sneak around like this,” I confessed, leaning into his touch. “I wish we could just be together, without all the secrecy and lies.”
Logan sighed, his forehead pressing against mine. “I know, baby. But we both knew what was at stake. Our clubs, our families… it wasn’t that simple. Still isn’t. But since your dad knows, and my club does as well, maybe we can meet in the open now.”
I nodded, the weight of our reality settling heavily on my shoulders. “I just want to forget about all of that, even if it’s only for a little while. When I’m with you, nothing else matters.”
His lips curved into a soft smile. “Then let’s make the most of the time we have.”
Logan leaned down, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss that stole my breath and ignited a fire deep within me. I clung to him, pouring every ounce of longing and love into the embrace. The world faded away until there was only the two of us, lost in a moment of stolen bliss, defying the odds and the expectations that threatened to keep us apart.
Despite his words about being more open with our relationship, it didn’t feel right to go home with him. For one, I didn’t want my father to become so upset he ended up stressing out my mother. For another, I worried we’d move too fast. Everyone I knew at the Dixie Reapers jumped into relationships at warp speed. Except Dawson. Sort of. He’d let Nora and her daughter move into his place, but from what Nora said, they hadn’t become intimate right away.
I knew the same wasn’t true for every other couple at the Dixie Reapers compound, and Dawson was the first to settle down in the Swift Angels. Being my father’s daughter, I could easily charge ahead and tell Logan I wanted to be with him forever. But I wasn’t sure what his club would think of it. Dawson would understand, but would the others? I didn’t want to do anything that might put him in a bad light. All of them were upstanding citizens. Policemen, firemen, and in Logan’s case, a paramedic. I didn’t think they played by the same rules as an outlaw club. Well, more like the Reapers played in a gray area now.
“Do you sometimes feel like we’re fighting a battle we won’t win?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, because I’m not giving up on you. Whoever doesn’t like it will just have to deal with it. I respect my club, and your father, but we can’t let them dictate our lives. At least, not to the extent of who we’re allowed to date.”
“You’re right.” I snuggled against him again. “I guess I’m worried my dad and the Dixie Reapers will eventually scare you off. They’re a lot to handle. Especially for a law-abiding man like yourself.”
“I wish we had more time together,” he said. “Don’t suppose I can talk you into coming home with me?”
“Probably not the best idea. The Reapers do have a few brothers with enough screws loose they might set fire to your place just to make sure I had no choice but to return home.”
His eyebrows rose. “Probably not something I needed to hear.”
I shrugged. “Get used to it. They’re my family. If you want to be with me, that means they’ll be your family too.”
“You’re right. Not sure how all this is going to work, but we’ll figure it out.” He smiled faintly. “You’re worth whatever trouble comes my way.”
“You have to go, don’t you?” I asked.
“Yeah, I have an early start tomorrow.” He leaned down to kiss me softly. “But I’ll be thinking of you while we’re apart.”
I clung to him for another minute then let him go. I watched Logan’s figure faded into the distance. A foreboding chill crept through the secluded spot. I couldn’t help but feel as if someone was watching and waiting. Even though I didn’t see anyone. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, then got on my bike and rode off. I didn’t go straight home but took the long way, waiting to see if someone was following me.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me I’d skipped dinner. The diner was lit up in the darkness, so I pulled to a stop out front. The bell above the door jingled as I stepped into the bustling eatery, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling burgers enveloping me like a comforting embrace. The clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation filled the air, a welcome distraction from my own thoughts.
I slid into an empty booth, the worn vinyl seat creaking beneath me. A waitress, her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, approached with a friendly smile. “What can I get for you, honey?”
“Just a burger and coffee, please,” I replied.
She nodded, jotting down my order on her notepad before disappearing behind the counter. I stared out the window, watching the world go by. Despite the hour, our sleepy little town was still rather active. People out on dates, groups of single men and women going out for some fun, and even a senior couple out for a walk.
As I lost myself in my thoughts, a snippet of conversation from a nearby booth caught my attention.
“I’m telling you, Lettie, we’ve got to take care of this problem before it gets out of hand,” a gruff male voice insisted.
I glanced over, my gaze falling on Scarlet Matthews, the 9-1-1 dispatcher known for her flaky reputation. Logan had griped to me about her more than once, mostly because she made all the other dispatchers angry. She was huddled across from an unknown man, their heads bent together in a conspiratorial manner.
“Bless your heart, darlin’, I know it’s a mess, but we can’t just go off half-cocked,” Scarlet drawled, her Southern accent thick. “We need a plan.”
The man leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper, yet due to the timber of his voice, I could still hear him. “We’ve got a plan, Lettie. And it’s time to put it into action.”
My heartbeat quickened, a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. I strained to hear more, but their voices dropped too low, their words muffled by the clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation filling the diner.
Why did I get the unsettling feeling their problem was a person? She might not show up for work several times a month, but that didn’t make her a killer. Maybe it was something else. Not my business, and yet…
I debated with myself, torn between the urge to intervene and the knowledge that getting involved could be dangerous. My instincts were screaming at me that something was wrong, that Scarlet and her companion were up to no good. But what could I do? I was just one person, a woman caught between two worlds, trying to navigate the complexities of my own life. I didn’t have time to take on someone else’s issues.
Besides, I could be overreacting. Just because I came from a world where conversations like that one resulted in dead bodies didn’t mean the same would be true of this conversation.
I took a sip of my coffee, the bitter liquid doing little to calm my nerves. My eyes remained fixed on Scarlet and the man, watching as they continued their hushed conversation, their expressions grave and determined.
With a deep breath, I settled back into the booth, my senses on high alert as I strained to catch every word, every gesture, every clue that might shed light on the sinister plot that had unfolded mere feet away. I couldn’t read their lips well enough to put anything together and eventually had to give up.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, the sudden sensation sending a jolt through my body. I fumbled for the device, my heart racing as I glanced at the screen. An unknown number flashed across the display, accompanied by a single, cryptic message:
Watch your back. They’re coming for you .
Fear coiled in my gut, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. I stared at the words, trying to make sense of their meaning. Who’s coming for me? And why?
I glanced back at Scarlet and the man, their conversation still ongoing. Could they be involved? Could their sinister plans somehow be connected to this mysterious warning? No. Now I was being ridiculous. It was most likely someone with my dad’s club or Logan’s trying to scare me off. Logan said the Swift Angels didn’t like the fact we were dating, and I knew the Dixie Reapers hated the idea. I wouldn’t put it past them to try something like this to scare me off.
I tossed some money on the table, not able to wait for my burger. Whatever was going on, I felt the need to leave the diner. I slid out of the booth and made my way to the exit. I could feel the weight of unseen eyes upon me, the prickling sensation of being watched sending shivers down my spine.
The bell above the door jingled as I stepped out into the night, the cool air a welcome relief against my flushed skin. I paused for a moment, scanning my surroundings with a wary gaze.
The street was deserted, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the occasional flicker of a streetlight. Yet even in the stillness, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone.
I started walking to my bike, my footsteps echoing against the pavement. Every shadow seemed to hold a hidden threat, every rustle of leaves a whispered warning: They’re coming for you .
I got on my bike and started her up, easing out of the parking space. I hadn’t made it a full block before I came to a stop, my eyes widening at the sight before me. A group of Dixie Reapers, their faces etched with anger and suspicion, sat on their bikes barely a dozen yards away. Their presence here, now, could not be a coincidence.
I froze, my mind racing as I tried to assess the situation. Were they here for me? Did they know about my secret rendezvous with Logan? Or was this something else entirely, a twisted game orchestrated by the same person who sent that cryptic text?
I could feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken accusations hanging in the air between us. Part of me wanted to run, to flee from the judgment and the potential consequences. But another part, the part that had been raised by a Dixie Reaper, refused to back down.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice steady despite the fear that churned in my gut.
But even as the words left my lips, I sensed movement behind me, the faintest whisper of footsteps on pavement. My pursuer, closing in. I hadn’t imagined it!
I was trapped, caught between two threats with nowhere to run. My mind spun, desperate for a solution, a way out of this impossible situation. Although, to be fair, I knew my dad’s club wouldn’t physically hurt me. They’d force me back home and do a lot of yelling, but that was about it. Not a single one would ever lay a hand on me.
My heart had hammered against my ribs as I faced the Reapers, their eyes boring into me with a mix of suspicion and anger. The footsteps behind me came to a halt, and I could feel the presence of my pursuer, a suffocating weight pressing against my back.
“Akira.” The voice that broke the tense silence was familiar, laced with a dangerous edge. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
I recognized the speaker as Tempest, the club’s Sergeant-at-Arms. His tone left no room for argument, and I knew any attempt at evasion would only make matters worse.
Slowly, I turned to look over my shoulder at him, my breath catching in my throat as I met Tempest’s gaze. The look in his eyes was unreadable, a mixture of disappointment and something else I couldn’t quite decipher.
“I can explain,” I began, my voice sounding small and unconvincing even to my own ears. “I was just --”
“Just what?” Tempest cut me off, his words sharp as a razor. “Sneaking around behind the club’s back? Meeting with outsiders?”
The accusation hung heavy in the air, and I felt a flash of anger at the insinuation. “It’s not like that,” I protested. “I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“Then why the secrecy?” Tempest asked, his voice low and measured. “Why run?”
I sighed. “I thought someone was following me. Not one of you, but…”
Tempest frowned. “And who the fuck would be following you?”
I bit my lip not wanting to say anything more. “I don’t know. I guess I just got spooked.”
“Home, Akira. Now!” Tempest folded his arms over his chest. “Your mom and dad don’t need this shit from you right now.”
“I thought I made it clear I didn’t want to live at home when I stayed with Dawson the other night.”
Tempest shook his head. “You know that won’t fly. You belong with your family. Besides, we all know you snuck off to visit that damn Angel. How the fuck are our two worlds supposed to mix?”
I glared at him. “Seems to work just fine for Dawson. But because I don’t have a dick the same doesn’t apply to me?”
“Watch your tone,” he warned.
“Look. I love all of you. You’re my family, and I’d never do anything to jeopardize a single person at the compound. You know Dawson is the same way. Why does there have to be a double standard?”
Viking spoke from the line of Dixie Reapers, and I turned that way once more. “Because Dawson is at least somewhat in charge of his club, and he’s definitely the one in charge of his life. If you end up marrying that guy, what do you think will happen? You’ll have no power to protect your family.”
“I still say this is bullshit,” I grumbled. Not that it mattered. No matter what they said, I wasn’t giving up on Logan. “You’d think he’d at least get points for saving Tank’s life.”
Viking frowned. “That was him?”
I nodded. “Yeah, he answered the call. Did everything he could to keep Tank alive until they got him to the hospital. Still think he’s some awful guy who’s going to tear apart the Dixie Reapers? Because the Logan I know isn’t like that.”
“This discussion is over, Akira,” Tempest said from behind me. “Go home. I won’t tell you again.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say or what but I held it in. Something told me not to piss him off any more than he already was. Not tonight anyway.
“Fine. I’m going.”
I pulled forward and the line of bikes in front of me parted enough for me to squeeze through. It only took a moment before Viking and Gears pulled up on either side of me. I saw Tempest pull ahead of me, and then heard the others line up behind us. Looked like I was getting an official escort all the way to the house.