Chapter One
K ane
Blood roared in my ears as I held Nova's trembling body against my chest.
The sight of my best friend laid out and beaten to hell, had my instincts screaming to track down who fucking did that to him and end their miserable fucking lives.
But holding my kitten against me, I knew that would have to wait.
“Ghost, Banner, get him inside,” Pop barked, all traces of the doting grandfather we'd gotten used to seeing gone. “Watch his ribs.”
The Prez and Veep moved with efficiency, lifting Haze's broken form.
For a split second I saw his eyes crack open, locking onto Nova in my arms. Even half conscious, that possessive gleam in his gaze matched the one I knew was in mine. She was ours, whether she knew it yet or not.
“I need to—” Nova started to pull away.
“Stay put, Kitten,” I growled, tightening my grip. No fucking way was she leaving my sight with some psycho still out there. “Pop's got him.”
She tilted her head back, those big blue eyes staring up at me with tears spilling over. Something surged in my chest. Haze and I had been circling her for months, holding back, but seeing her like this—scared for my brother—it triggered every possessive instinct I had.
“Listen up,” I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument. “You're gonna tell me everything you saw or heard. Every detail.”
Nova nodded, her lower lip quivering.
Christ.
I caught it with my thumb, the rough pad dragging across her silky soft flesh. I wanted to kiss her, but it wasn't the right time.
Not yet.
“Inside, Kitten.” I steered her toward the clubhouse doors, keeping her tucked against me.
The clubhouse was chaotic when we walked in. Prospects scrambled to clear a path as Pop barked orders, directing Ghost and Banner to take Haze to the medical room we kept stocked for shit like this.
“Get me my bag!” Pop shouted, following them down the hall.
Sophia paced near the bar, one hand on her slightly rounded belly, while Rae bounced a fussy Payton.
I guided Nova to the leather couch, pulling her down onto my lap. She stiffened for a moment before melting against my chest.
“Talk to me, Kitten. What exactly did you hear?” I kept my voice low and steady despite the fury churning in my gut.
Nova's fingers twisted in my cut. “I was cleaning up after the girls left. There was this... this sound. Like fighting.” She shuddered. “When I looked through the peephole, I couldn't see anything at first. But then...” Her voice cracked.
“Shh.” I stroked her back, feeling her tremors. “Take your time.”
“When I opened the door, he was just lying there. All beaten and bloody.” Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “His wrists were raw, Kane. Like he'd been tied up.”
Red clouded my vision. Some fucker had restrained my brother, worked him over. They were dead men walking.
“Did you see anyone? Hear any vehicles?”
She shook her head. “No, nothing. Just Haze.”
Dragon burst through the front door, laptop tucked under his arm. “Security footage is shit. Camera on that side of the building's been out since yesterday.”
“Convenient,” I growled. This was planned.
Professional.
Nova's small hand pressed against my chest, pulling my attention back to her.
“He's gonna be okay, right?” she whispered.
I caught her chin, tilting her face up to mine. Those blue eyes were swimming with worry for the man she'd been stealing glances at for months, thinking we hadn't noticed.
“Haze is the toughest bastard I know, Kitten. And now he's got something worth fighting for.”
Her brow furrowed in confusion, but before she could ask what I meant, Pop came prowling up the hallway.
We all froze, waiting to hear what he had to say.
His face was grim as he wiped his bloody hands on a rag. “He's stable. Three broken ribs, dislocated shoulder, concussion. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
“Someone’s trying to send a fucking message,” Ghost growled from where he'd appeared behind Pop. His arms were crossed, muscles bunched with barely contained rage. “This had to be that fucking cop.”
Nova stiffened in my lap at Ghost's words. “Cop?”
“Club business, Kitten,” I murmured against her hair, even as my mind raced. If that federal fuck was behind this, things were about to get real messy.
“Can I see him?” Nova asked, her voice small.
Pop's eyes met mine over her head. Everyone in the club knew how Haze and I operated, and it was clear that we'd set our sights on Nova. We wanted her, and once Haze was back to one hundred percent, we'd have her.
He gave a slight nod.
“Come on.” I stood, keeping Nova steady against me.
As we passed Banner, he stopped us. “You need to stay here tonight, Nova.”
Nova opened her mouth to protest but I cut her off. “It's not up for debate, Kitten. Someone's sending messages. You're not leaving until we figure out who. It's not safe.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat, but I felt the way she pressed closer.
Good girl.
Nova's eyes locked onto Haze when we entered the Medi-room. “No,” she whimpered as she moved toward him, her small hand reaching for his.
“Careful of the IV,” Pop warned gently.
She nodded, her fingers ghosting over Haze's bruised knuckles, proof that he'd fought back.
“You should get some rest, Kitten. It's been a long night.”
“Can I stay in here with him?” she whispered, not taking her eyes off Haze. “Please?”
Fuck.
That 'please' did things to me.
Made me want to give her anything she asked for.
But more than that, watching her concern for my brother confirmed what I already knew—she was perfect for us.
“Alright.” I grabbed a chair and pulled it close to the bed. “Come here.”
She hesitated for a moment before settling onto my lap again. I wrapped my arms around her waist, letting her lean back against my chest as we both watched over Haze.
“Sleep if you can, Kitten,” I murmured. “I've got you.”
The door creaked open, and Sophia peeked in, her petite frame dwarfed by Banner's massive presence behind her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, worry etched across her face.
“Nova?” she whispered, wringing her hands. “I'm so sorry I left you alone at the shop. If I'd stayed?—”
“Mouse,” Banner's deep voice rumbled as his large hand splayed protectively over her belly. “Don't. I'm fucking glad you weren't there.”
Nova's lips curved into a soft smile as she watched Banner pull Sophia back against his chest. The way our Prez treated his old lady always threw me for a loop.
He was the goddamn Butcher for crying out loud. The most feared man in New York because of his brutality. But I was starting to see that he shielded his wife from that side of himself.
“He's right,” I agreed, tightening my hold on Nova. “If something had happened to you or the baby...” I let the words hang.
The thought alone sent a prickle down my spine. The Prez would paint the streets in blood if anything ever happened to Sophia or their child.
“Still.” Sophia's voice quavered. “Nova could have been hurt.”
“But I wasn't,” Nova assured her friend. “I'm okay.”
Banner's eyes narrowed as they swept over Nova in my lap, then moved to Haze's unconscious form. A silent understanding passed between us. He knew exactly what was happening here.
“Mouse, you need rest,” Banner murmured against Sophia's ear, his thumb stroking circles over where their child grew. “Doc says stress isn't good for the baby.”
Sophia immediately yielded, her body language softening as she tilted her head back to look up at him. “Okay.”
Nova's breath caught slightly at their interaction, and I felt her pulse quicken. Interesting.
My sweet little kitten liked watching the power dynamic between the Prez and his old lady.
I'd file that away for later.
“I've got prospects posted at every entrance,” Banner informed me, his arms still wrapped around Sophia. “Dragon's reviewing footage from nearby buildings. Ghost and Rae are setting up the apartment next door for Nova until we figure this shit out.”
I nodded.
The apartments in the clubhouse were reserved for members and their old ladies.
Putting Nova there was a clear statement about her status—she was under club protection now.
“Thank you,” Nova said graciously.
Banner's expression softened slightly as he looked at her. “You're family now, little girl. We protect our own.”
Sophia stepped forward, breaking free of Banner's hold just long enough to squeeze Nova's hand. “Try to get some sleep, sweetie. I'll bring you fresh clothes in the morning.”
“Come,” Banner commanded gently, his hand finding its place on Sophia's lower back. “Bed, Mouse.”
Nova watched them go, a wistful expression crossing her face. “They're so good together.”
“They are,” I agreed, nuzzling her hair. “Banner would burn the world down for her.”
She shifted in my lap, turning to look at me with those big blue eyes. “Is that what you want?”
My gaze drifted to Haze before returning to her face. “We both do, Kitten.”
Her eyes widened as my meaning sank in, a pretty blush staining her cheeks. Before she could respond, Haze stirred slightly, a low groan escaping his lips.
“It's okay,” Nova soothed, immediately reaching for his hand. “You're safe.”
I watched as she stroked her thumb over his knuckles, her touch gentle against his battered skin. The sight of her caring for my brother made my chest tight.
Yeah, we'd definitely found our girl.