Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
CREED
T he Guild. I’m an outsider here. Giving up my business, my money, it is not even a choice. Gabriella is my daughter. I’d do it in a heartbeat. But what Amelia is asking is for a secret society of ruthless men and women to do the same. I’m not dumb enough to believe that they will even consider a threat like that. The door opens and Eros, one of the members' of the Guild walks in.
The tension in the room spikes when someone familiar walks in behind Eros. I can feel the instant shift—Flynn on his feet, moving like he’s about to rip the other guy’s head off.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” Flynn growls, his voice thick with disbelief as he advances toward the man, all muscle and fury.
I don’t need to look to know that Flynn’s hand is likely resting just below his jacket, where he keeps his weapon. The tension in the air is palpable, like it could snap any second.
“I’m VP of Hell’s Knights, now. You want my men to fight, you talk to me,” The guy says.
Mackenzie launches herself at the long-haired biker and jealousy coils in my gut like a venomous snake when he wraps his arms around what’s mine.
Flynn stops just short of him, fists clenched and a snarl on his lips.
“You’re not welcome here, Heath.” Oh, so it’s Heath Walker. Mackenzie’s other friend. He’s changed. Flynn’s reaction confuses me, because I thought these guys were tight, obviously I’m missing something. But it’s clear we’re all stuck in this mess now, whether we like it or not.
I’ve seen the way Mackenzie looked at Heath in the past, the way she’s spoken about him. I know they’ve got history. And damn it, I can’t shake the feeling that history is still there, hanging in the air between them. It stings, makes the pit in my stomach twist even harder.
Heath pulls Mackenzie closer, his grip firm but not rough. He whispers something to her in a low tone. Whatever it is, her face softens—just for a moment. But it’s enough to make my blood run cold.
I don’t know what’s worse: the jealousy clawing at me or the sick realization that Mackenzie’s still drawn to him.
But I won’t stand for it. Not now. Not when everything is falling apart, and not when I need her more than ever.
I walk forward, my fists tightening with the urge to throw them into the air and smash something. Anything. But I know better. I don’t need to make this worse than it already is. Instead, I take a deep breath, and I level my gaze at Heath, my arm wrapping around Mackenzie’s waist.
“Are you done with the pleasantries, or are you going to talk business?” I ask, my voice low and even. The weight of everything on my shoulders is suffocating. But I can’t let it break me. Not now.
Mackenzie looks at me, and I can see it—that look that tells me my jealousy is unwarranted. That she is all fucking mine.
I won’t let stupidity consume me. The stakes are too high. Gabriella’s life hangs in the balance. And if I have to take on the world—hell, even my own demons—I will.
Heath looks at me, his jaw tight. “We need a strategy. Diego won’t stop. Not until he has what he wants.” His eyes flicker to Mackenzie for a moment before returning to the group. “And he’s not going to play by anyone’s rules. So, we need to figure out where we stand—together, or we’re all fucked.”
The weight of those words settle over me like a cold fog. Mackenzie’s face etched with worry, her shoulders stiff. She’s fighting something deep inside her—rage, fear, something that I can’t reach.
Heath is right, we’ve got no choice but to stand together.
“I’ll do what needs to be done,” I say, my voice thick. I’m not a hero. I’m not a saint. But I’ll protect my daughter. I’ll tear this entire world apart before I let anyone take her from me, again.
Flynn nods, his jaw tight as a vise. “Then let’s make it happen.”