Chapter 7
CROSS
The deep, rhythmic rumble of my bike echoed through my body as I shot down the road toward the clubhouse.
The wind sliced across my skin, cold despite the clear weather.
My knuckles flexed around the handlebars, gripping tight enough to turn my skin white.
Frustration and anger coiled tightly within me as I replayed the conversation I’d had with Wizard, each detail grinding like sandpaper on raw nerves.
When my phone had buzzed in my pocket, the screen flashing Wizard’s name, I’d already known it wasn’t good news.
He didn’t call unless it was urgent. And I’d quickly found out how right I was when he told me about the footage he’d found of my brother leaving the bar with Rea.
Along with the gas station receipt I’d provided that proved I was out of town, I had all the evidence I needed that Gavin was the one who’d gotten her pregnant.
But it didn’t do me much good since the motherfucker had dropped off the grid.
Wizard was piecing together his last known movements, trying to narrow down his location.
But he’d hit an even bigger snag because my legal name was starting to pop up in some conversations tied to shit the club wouldn’t fucking touch.
Gavin had spent our whole damn lives making messes, and somehow, I was always stuck cleaning them up.
Wizard had already updated King and Blaze. The prez had set a meeting for two hours later, giving me time to get my family situated.
I throttled down as the clubhouse came into view, the familiar building stark against the sky.
Pulling into the compound, I killed the engine and sat motionless for a long moment, my gaze fixed on the front doors.
My muscles were wound tight, my body thrumming with anger, frustration, and something more acute.
I fucking hated leaving Hannah and Isa back at the house, but this shit couldn’t wait.
Gavin was a disaster magnet, always dragging me into the debris he left behind.
I knew in my bones he’d gotten himself tangled in deep trouble, and the idea of him pulling me—and by extension my girls—into it filled me with a cold, controlled fury.
Whatever mess Gavin had made this time, I was going to handle it and be done with him. No fucking way was his bullshit going to touch my family.
I strode into King’s office, letting the door swing shut behind me with a firm thud that matched my mood.
My gaze swept the familiar room, landing first on King, who sat behind his massive oak desk, his expression unreadable.
Cerberus, his Cane Corso, lay sprawled beside the desk—an intimidating presence even at rest. He lifted his massive head, sizing me up with sharp, assessing eyes before offering a grudging tail wag. I’d passed muster.
Blaze, the club's VP, leaned back casually in one of the leather chairs in front of King’s desk, his boots propped up on one knee and his arms folded loosely across his broad chest. Ash, our secretary and resident legal mastermind, was flipping through a thick file on the conference table, somehow looking professional even in faded jeans, a black T-shirt, and his cut.
Wizard slouched on the couch, his legs stretched out in front of him and a tablet balanced on his lap.
The sight of him glaring through his black-rimmed reading glasses at the screen was a familiar one.
I dropped onto a chair at the conference table, stretching my legs out with a low sigh. “Any of you fuckers have good news, now would be the time to share it.”
Blaze’s lips twitched with dark amusement as he glanced up at me. “Well, brother, if you consider finding out you’ve suddenly become daddy material good news, you’re in luck.”
Ash leaned back slightly, one brow lifting as he studied me. “Fastest I’ve ever seen you get locked down without even knowing it was happening.”
I shot him a flat look, leaning back in my chair and dragging a hand over my jaw. “You two done, or you gonna keep talking like you’ve got a death wish?”
Blaze chuckled low, clearly enjoying himself. “Just saying, man. You walked in here yesterday without a kid, now you’ve got a baby, a woman showing up swinging, and a whole mess tied to your name. That’s a hell of a fucking day.”
Ash smirked, flipping a page in his file. “From what Rebel said, she didn’t exactly ease into the conversation.”
“Rebel talks too much,” I muttered.
Blaze huffed a laugh. “Nah. He said just enough.”
I leveled him with a look that promised retaliation later. “Keep pushing.”
He held up a hand, still grinning. “Relax, Cross. Just enjoying the show. Always fun to watch another brother being pussy-whipped by a woman.”
Wizard snorted, not even glancing up from his screen. “Welcome to the club,” he grunted, making both Blaze and Ash chuckle.
Not one of these guys had a single problem being on a leash if it was their old lady holding the other end. And now…I couldn’t blame them.
King rolled his eyes, an irritated growl rumbling from his chest as he leaned forward, placing his palms flat against the desk. “All right, knock it the fuck off. As entertaining as it is watching you idiots bust each other's balls, we’ve got shit to handle. Ash, fill Cross in on the legal angles.”
Ash adjusted in his seat, immediately shifting into lawyer mode as he glanced my way.
“First off, legally speaking, the paperwork this woman provided checks out. Birth certificate lists Griffin Reid as the father. I’ve already started processing and filing everything.
But first things first—I want you to get a DNA test. We need to confirm Isa is Gavin’s. ”
My spine stiffened instantly, my voice cutting through the room. “Gavin might’ve been the sperm donor, but that baby girl is fucking mine.”
Ash held up a hand, calm and placating, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
“I figured as much. Which is exactly why we want the test. You two being identical twins means the DNA results won’t be able to distinguish which of you is the biological father.
That way, even if Gavin crawls out of whatever hellhole he’s in, he won’t be able to prove he’s Isa’s father instead of you. It’s about protecting your claim.”
I exhaled slowly, the tension easing slightly from my shoulders. “Good.”
“And I already filed for adoption,” Ash continued smoothly. “Just another level of protection to make sure no one can question your right to her.”
I nodded once, relieved at how fast and thorough Ash had been.
Wizard leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with annoyance.
“Got another layer of shit to throw on this pile. Deeper I dig, the more it’s clear Gavin’s been up to shady fuckery all over the place.
Problem is, most of the recent shit tied to your name is popping up in drug world chatter. ”
My jaw tightened as I shook my head slowly. Gavin had always been reckless, but dragging my name into drug bullshit crossed a serious fucking line.
Ash leaned in, clearly sensing my reaction.
“Yeah, we need to handle that shit fast. I don’t foresee legal problems with Isa’s adoption here, especially since I’m petitioning to move the case to our local courts where we’ve got influence.
But if anything comes up linking your name to drug activity, it could complicate the fuck out of things. ”
“Shit,” I grunted.
His voice hardened, serious and direct. “We need Gavin located and this shit cleaned up quickly, Cross. No loose ends.”
I ran a hand roughly through my hair, frustration pulsing in my veins. “Agreed.”
King nodded. “Wizard’ll keep running searches to find Gavin. He’s piecing together a timeline, tracking every move your brother’s made. We'll find him.”
“Thanks,” I murmured.
He leaned forward, his gaze unwavering, and the authority in his voice unmistakable. “I’m approving the use of any club resources you need, Cross. We protect our own, and now that includes Isa and Hannah.”
I grunted my acknowledgment, tension coiling tighter through my body. “If it comes down to it, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Gavin’s bullshit doesn’t touch my girls.”
King gave me a long, hard look, then turned sharply toward Wizard, who lounged casually in his chair, his eyes fixed on his tablet. “Tell Cross the rest of it.”
Wizard glanced up, his face as blank as always, but his jaw tightened briefly, giving away that he didn’t like what he was about to say.
He exhaled slowly, holding my gaze with steady seriousness.
“Looked into Hannah’s digital footprint, too.
Just to cover every angle. Turns out, someone’s had eyes on her.
Picked up traces through traffic cams and security footage indicating she was being followed, and her files at work were definitely hacked. ”
Every muscle in my body went still, cold fury sliding through my veins like ice.
I stayed dangerously quiet, the stillness settling over me like a storm cloud as the anger roared to life inside me, white-hot and barely restrained.
My hands clenched into fists, every instinct in me screaming to unleash hell right then and there.
King’s voice cut sharply through the tension. “Calm your ass down. We’ll get this figured out. Make sure everyone’s safe. But we can’t afford to move blind. Need you to keep your shit together while we sort this out.”
It took me a few seconds to leash the feral, protective rage that was urging me to act.
But King was right—he always fucking was.
If I charged off half-cocked, I could make shit worse.
With a harsh exhale, I gave him a curt nod, settling my shoulders and forcing my control back into place. “Understood.”
King held my gaze a moment longer, clearly making sure I wasn’t about to explode, then finally nodded in return.
Wizard rose silently and headed out, tablet in hand.
Ash gathered his papers and moved to follow, the door closing behind them quietly.
Blaze stayed seated, his arms crossed loosely over his broad chest, watching me closely.
I waited until the room cleared, then turned to King. “Gonna need a vest for Hannah.”
A slow chuckle escaped Blaze, amusement lighting his dark eyes. “Fuck, brother. You’re already ahead of the game with Isa. Maybe Flint and Razor stocked up on all those pregnancy tests for nothing.”
Before I could respond, King snorted, shooting a pointed look Blaze’s way. “Like you would’ve waited a fucking second to knock up Courtney, even if she’d shown up with a ready-made family.”
Blaze’s lips twitched into a grin. “Fair.”
I lifted my chin in acknowledgment, a small smirk curving my lips in response as I turned toward the door.
My focus sharpened to a razor’s edge as I moved out into the late afternoon sun, determination settling heavily into my chest. I’d never given a shit about claiming anything for myself—until them.
And now, nothing would stop me from keeping them safe. This shit was ending—one way or another.