Chapter 25
Nova
I’m in the kitchen making lunch and trying to decide how I feel.
My body is pleasantly sore, like the kind of muscle aches after a day of satisfying physical work, but there’s also a different current running under it, one charged every time I move a certain way and remember exactly why certain parts of my body hurt.
My hand automatically goes to my neck, my fingers brushing over the small, bruise-like mark on my neck.
When I woke up this morning, Creed was already in the shower.
I caught a glimpse of the hickey before I joined him and teased him about marking his territory.
He joked that I make him behave like a teenage boy, but when he added that I am his fucking territory, all that humor disappeared.
Before, his intensity might’ve scared me, but now, I understand what it means.
Not a jealous, abusive ‘alpha male’, but someone who’s a true leader, sure of himself and of what he has to offer.
He knows what he wants, and what he’ll do to keep it.
All of that makes me feel safe in a way I’ve never felt before. And I’m happy. It’s weird to think I can find happiness as the old lady of an MC president, but I have.
I’m also worried.
Creed shared the Kings’ plan, and while it’s brilliant, it’s also dangerous. He’s not admitting just how dangerous it is, and none of the men are talking about it like it’s the kind of thing that could get them killed, but I’m not an idiot. I know it’s a risky move.
At least half of the Iron Vipers arrived a few minutes ago.
I heard one of them tell Ace that the rest were left at the clubhouse to guard it and Stone’s family.
I’m glad Maria and Sienna are protected.
I may be selfish enough to put Layla’s well-being over everyone else, but that doesn’t mean I want other people to be hurt on our account.
If I thought running would keep my sister and me safe from the Meridian Group, I might actually consider it, but I don’t doubt for a second they could find us, so as much as I hate it, I’ll let the Kings fight this battle.
And a battle is what it looks like Creed’s getting ready for.
All of the men have assigned positions, some hidden, some in obvious places, though no one’s out in the open.
Every single gun and knife is ready to be used, along with other weapons like brass knuckles.
I haven’t seen any of Stray’s grenades, but I don’t doubt they’re part of Creed’s plan.
He’s going to use whatever and whoever he can.
Even Stray has a place. He originally wanted to take his usual place as one of the snipers, but I vetoed that.
Fortunately, Creed asked me if Stray could handle a sniper role and then listened when I said no.
Now, Stray’s been assigned to guard the car Patch will use to get me and Layla away from the compound if things go wrong.
I’m usually the sort of person who thinks if it can go wrong, it will, but with all the work Creed, Ace, and Crusher have put into figuring out every detail, every possible scenario, everything they could need, I’m feeling hopeful.
They’ve got roadblocks at strategic places to make sure Meridian comes in exactly where and how the Kings want.
There are escape routes mapped and back-up plans laid out.
For the first time, I truly see Creed in his element.
I knew not long after I met him that Creed is much smarter than people outside of the Kings—and maybe the Vipers—believe he is, but this is beyond smart.
He’s calm and methodical, completely in control, and terrifyingly organized.
I only now really understand what it means for him to protect his people, and after last night, I don’t doubt that I’m one of those people.
I plate my grilled cheese and grab a banana from the fridge.
I’m not really a fan of bananas, but I already gave Layla the last of the apples.
I don’t mind. Having her back means more than something as trivial as fruit preferences.
Grabbing a bottle of water and my plate, I head out to the main room and take the free seat across from Layla at the only table that isn’t covered with ammunition and weapons.
“You get enough to eat?” I direct the question to both Layla and Patch.
He hasn’t left Layla’s side all day. And he guarded her last night too. I spent the night with Creed, but when I went back to my room to get a change of clothes, Patch was sitting outside her door, half asleep and gripping the handle of a wicked-looking hunting knife.
“I’m not really hungry,” Layla says, “but he made me eat.”
“We talked about this before.” Patch’s voice is gentle, but still firm. “In high stress situations or times where you don’t know when you’ll be eating again, you eat what you can, when you can.”
“He’s worse than you,” Layla says to me before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.” She gets up and Patch starts to stand. “I’m just going to pee. I can do that alone.”
He watches her walk away, and even after she disappears into the short hallway where the bathrooms are, he keeps his gaze fixed on that point until I say his name.
“Patch.” I wait for him to look at me. “Thank you for everything you did for her.”
He nods. “I wouldn’t let anyone be trafficked, but I’m sure as hell not going to let those assholes take my girl.”
Another time and place, I might think he’s being patronizing or misogynistic, but I understand the MC culture better now than I did before. His words aren’t about him seeing Layla as an object to own, but rather as his to care for.
“I really care about her,” he says quietly. “This isn’t some fling to me.”
“I know,” I admit. “And I know what you risked to protect her.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make her safe,” he says.
We both fall silent for a minute before I bring up something that’s been on my mind from the moment Layla told me what Patch did for her.
“I’m glad Layla didn’t tell me about you right away,” I confess. “I never would’ve approved of a biker boyfriend. And I would’ve been wrong, because you aren’t a ‘biker boyfriend’. You’re a good man, Patch.” I give him a wry smile. “Besides, how can I tell her not to fall for a biker when I have?”
“Thank you,” Patch says. “And for what it’s worth, I’ve never seen Creed look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
I don’t know how to respond to his words, but Layla’s return means I have something else to focus on.
As she comes back toward the table, her eyes are darting around the room, and I can see the distress on her face.
I stand up and move to take her in my arms. I’m glad Patch is taking care of her, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to offer my own reassurance.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” I tell her as I hug her tight. “We’ll get through this together. It’ll be over soon.”
The words are familiar to both of us. They’re the same things I’ve said to her since we were kids, repeating them over and over even when I didn’t believe them myself. Today, though, I believe it.
Both of us have watery eyes when we step back, but we don’t let our tears spill over. She walks back around to sit next to Patch, and I return to my seat so I can finish my food. I only manage to finish my sandwich before Creed comes over to us.
“Meridian’s due in a couple of hours,” he says. “When everyone gets into position, that means you two are gonna go where I tell you to go. And you’re gonna stay put, the both of you. Patch is gonna make sure of it.”
He’s talking to all of us, but his gaze is locked on me.
“Nobody gets near either of you,” he adds. “I promise.”
I’ve been lied to and betrayed, had promises broken intentionally and unintentionally. I don’t trust people and I don’t accept promises as being worth anything.
But I believe Creed. He’s promised things before and he’s always kept his word. I dare to hope he’ll do the same this time, too.