Chapter Sixteen
Logan
Wanna taste that great wide open freedom
Wanna make the distance razor thin
Wanna feel you feel me feel you breathin'
'Til we can't tell where you end and where I begin
‘Closer To You’ - Carly Pearce
Waking up, my chest feels heavy. For a split second, I think it’s the weight of everything going on with the club, the Savage Knights, the constant pressure of leading. Then I shift, and the truth hits me, literally.
The reason is her.
Kenzie is asleep on my chest, her hair spilling over my skin, warm breaths ghosting across me in slow, even rhythm. Her face is soft, peaceful in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before. The lines of tension she’s been carrying for weeks are gone, smoothed out by whatever dreams she’s having.
I didn’t know how last night would end. I’d come into it knowing it could go either way.
She could forgive me for every mistake I’ve made, every bit of bullshit I’ve put her through.
Or she could shut me out for good. I tighten my arms around her, holding on like maybe I can keep her here if I just never let go.
The clock on my nightstand glares red numbers at me. Ten minutes until I need to be out the door if I’m going to make it to church on time. The last thing I want to do right now is leave.
Slowly, I slide out from under her, careful not to jostle her awake.
My gaze lingers on her in my bed. The sheet sits just at her waistline, the bare curve of her back and shoulders exposed to the dim morning light filtering through my blinds.
My hands actually itch to touch her, to trace my fingers down the smooth expanse of skin.
I curse under my breath. If I don’t leave now, I won’t leave at all.
In the kitchen, I grab a piece of paper and write her a note telling her where I’m headed and that she can take my truck from the garage if she wants to come by when she wakes up. I fold it, placing it on the counter, when her voice cuts through the quiet behind me.
“You are not leaving me another goddamn note.” I turn just in time to see her cross the space between us, shoving me in the chest. “Didn’t I tell you this was it, Logan? You cannot do this to me again.”
The frustration on her face should probably make me tread carefully, but it just makes me want her more. I laugh and grab her face, pulling her in for a kiss.
She lets it happen for a second before pushing me away, fire in her eyes. “What the hell?”
Still smiling, I pick the note up off the counter and hand it to her. “Read it.”
Her eyes scan the page, and slowly, her whole expression changes. A small smile tugs at her lips, and a flush blooms across her cheeks. “Sorry. I just saw it and I panicked.”
“All good, babe. If you can be ready in five, I can wait and take you on the bike. If you need longer, I have to head out.” My thumb brushes across her bare shoulder, the heat of her skin making it damn hard to think about church at all.
“I’ll get ready quick.” She presses a quick kiss to my cheek before darting into the bedroom.
When she comes out, she’s in black pants and one of my MC sweatshirts, the sleeves just a little too long on her. “I borrowed this because I really didn’t want to wear the crop top from Ambrosia to the club.”
“You look damn good in my clothes.” I kiss her again, just enough to make her laugh, then force myself to pull away. “You’re lucky I have church, or I’d take your sexy ass right back in that room.”
We head out to the bike, and she climbs on behind me, her arms sliding around my waist. This time there’s more warmth in the way she holds on. When I pull away from the curb, a grin pulls at my mouth without my permission.
Driving to my club, on my bike, with my girl. This is how it’s supposed to be.
The ride is quick. I’d picked my neighborhood because it was close enough to the club to get there fast, but far enough that I could have some space when I wanted it.
Pulling into the lot, I make it with only a couple minutes to spare.
Usually I’m here early. Being president means setting the tone, making sure I’m the one holding the standard.
Walking in with Kenzie’s hand in mine draws a few yells and whistles from the room. Shaina calls out, “About damn time!”
I shake my head, but when I glance over, Kenzie’s cheeks are bright red.
“I’ll be out in a little bit.” I kiss her quickly before heading toward the back.
In the chapel, my brothers are already seated, most of them wearing shit-eating grins. I take my place at the head of the table. “First order of business if it wasn’t clear walking in, I’m claiming Kenzie.”
The table erupts in cheers, fists pounding against the wood. The sound echoes in my chest.
“All right, now that that’s done, Cain, any update on the Savage Knights?”
Cain stands, his tone all business. “Their numbers are decent. Not as big as we are, but nothing to dismiss. One of the charters reached out to their president, Tank, for a meeting. He declined. They’ve shut down every attempt at communication. No direct threats yet, but none of this feels good.”
I study him. “You thinking lockdown?”
Cain shakes his head. “Not sure. Could be nothing, but I don’t want to be caught with our guard down if it’s something.”
I nod. “We’ll hold off on mandatory lockdown, but nobody rides alone until I say otherwise. Dom, we have anything on Tank?”
“I can dig,” Dom says. He’s the best at unearthing the kind of dirt people try to keep buried.
“Do it. Until you hear different, stay alert. If you want to bring your families here, you can. Any other new business?”
Jimmy lifts a hand. “New batch of prospects, five of them. Want me to hold off?”
“Nah. Get them in here. Strength in numbers, even if they’re just scrubbing the clubhouse.” I bang the gavel, dismissing everyone.
The room empties except for the officers. With just Jimmy, Cain, and Landon left, I let my guard drop. These men know me better than anyone.
“I don’t like this,” I admit. “It doesn’t feel right. My parents are on edge too. My dad said the Savage Knights were no joke when they went up against them.”
Jimmy nods. “We can handle it. You’ve got this, Logan. We’re at your back, no matter what comes.”
“We need to be smart,” I say, pushing to my feet. “Watch your backs.”
We head into the main room, and Darcy steps in my path with a smile that’s too sweet to be anything but fake. “Hey, you got some time for me, baby?”
“I have an old lady now. Keep your distance or you’ll find yourself out on the street.” I push past her, not interested in wasting another word.
Kenzie’s at the bar with the girls. I come up behind her, wrapping my arms around her from behind, my mouth near her ear. “Hey, gorgeous.”
She giggles, turning to face me. “Hey, handsome. How was your meeting?”
“Just the usual,” I say with a shrug. “Aside from claiming you, of course.”
Her smile is pure sunshine.
“I told you last night you’re mine now, Kenzie.” I kiss her, not caring who sees.
“No argument here.” She loops her arms around my neck, drawing me in closer. “Can I ask you a favor, though?”
“Name it.” I’d give this woman anything.
“Can you drop Kenzie? I’ve been going by Mac.” Her gaze flicks away, like she’s not sure how I’ll take it.
“Baby, I’ll call you whatever you want, as long as at the end of the day you’re in my bed.” I seal it with another kiss, then feel something cold splash against my cheek.
I turn to find my sister grinning. “Did you just throw ice at me?”
She shrugs. “Thought your ass might need to chill out and not maul your girl in front of your sister.”
Mac laughs, and I know it’s going to take some getting used to calling her that, but I’ll do it. I’d do anything for the angel looking back at me.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, lacing my fingers through hers and pulling her toward the door.
“Mac, you gonna be home tonight?” Shaina calls after us.
Before Mac can answer, I turn. “Yeah, but mine, not yours, sis.” I don’t slow until we’re outside.
Now that I have her, I’m not spending another night without her.
We step into the cool air, and the club’s noise dulls behind us.
The rumble of bikes in the lot mixes with the faint scent of exhaust and leather.
I walk her toward mine, not letting go of her hand.
The whole time, I’m hyperaware of her and how her fingers feel threaded through mine, how her body fits at my side like it belongs there.
She swings a leg over the back of the bike, settling in against me. This time, she doesn’t just hold on for balance. Her arms slide around my waist, her cheek pressing against my back. I feel the steady rise and fall of her breathing even through my cut.
The engine roars to life beneath us, the vibrations running up my arms. I take us out of the lot, the cool wind cutting against my face. Her grip tightens as we merge onto the road, and I swear I can feel her heart pounding against my spine.
Streetlights streak past in flashes of gold. Every time we hit a curve, she leans with me, like we’re moving as one. There’s something about having her back there that makes the world shrink down to nothing but the road ahead and the woman holding on to me.
Halfway home, I reach down, covering her hand with mine for just a second before I need it back on the throttle. It’s a small thing, but it’s the kind of touch that says more than words more than “you’re mine” or “I’m not letting go.” It says she’s safe. That I’ve got her.
By the time we pull into my driveway, the tension I’ve been carrying all day has eased into something calmer but no less fierce. I cut the engine, and the sudden quiet makes her voice feel louder when she leans in and whispers, “This feels right.”
I don’t answer right away. I just sit there for a beat, taking it in, committing this moment to memory. Then I turn to her, meeting her eyes over my shoulder. “Yeah, it does.”
We head inside together, and for the first time in a long damn while, I’m not thinking about the club, the Knights, or anything else waiting for me tomorrow. I’m just thinking about her and how I’m not letting another night pass without her in my bed.