Chapter 1 – Mason #2
“Hm. Well, thank you for clearing that up, but I’m not debating my mother’s life choices or her mistakes.
I’m talking about your lifestyle. Because we both know your club’s not full of saints.
” She pulls out of my hold. “Tell me. Why were the feds here recently stirring up the town about your little rivalry with the Devils? Or what about how they found three of those Devils’ members dead with one of your club girls?
It was rumored all over town, Mason! And I don’t want your shit on my fucking doorstep! ”
“It’s not like that,” I tell her. “We had nothing to do with the three dead fuckers found with Drea. It was a misunderstanding. The FBI has already cleared it up.”
“And what did they clear up exactly? How did your club girl end up drugged and dead? Why wasn’t she protected? She was club property, wasn’t she? Where was her protection and club loyalty when she needed it, huh?”
“I can’t answer those questions, Ev, except to tell you, Drea wasn’t one of ours. She was kicked out a while back.”
“I see,” she huffs. “Club protection does have a cost then, huh?” She steps back, her hands balled tight at her sides.
“You don’t understand the situation. You’re drawing conclusions,” I explain.
“I’m drawing from experience.” Her shoulders drop. “Let me out,” she pleads, trying to hold herself together, but the glassy sheen in her eyes gives her away. “I need to get Kaylie. We need to get home.”
I take a step back and allow her to storm out of my room.
Everly stops at the playroom long enough to grab Kaylie and their belongings, leaving all of Kaylie’s new toys and gifts behind.
“I can’t have this shit in my life, Mason.
I have Kaylie. The social worker. God, what would happen if she thought we were together, and something happens to put Kaylie in harm’s way?
I could fucking lose her.” There are tears spilling from her eyes now, and I’m panicking a bit about what her next steps will be.
If she’s truly this spooked, she could take Kaylie and leave town. I have to find a way to fix this.
“Wait! My toys!” Kaylie yells with tears running down her face.
I owe you one, kid. You just helped me out big time!
Not wanting to make things worse but seizing the opportunity that’s right in front of me, I promise Kaylie I’ll bring her stuff to her later, which earns me a stern glare from Everly. “Ever would never make you give up your presents from Santa. Would you, Ev?”
I dare you to deny her.
She must register my silent threat, because the glare I get back would be enough to melt the skin off a lesser man’s face. But she knows I’m right. Ever won’t deny Kaylie her gifts. It’s not her fault we’re fighting.
Ever takes Kaylie’s hand in her own and replies while keeping her eyes connected with mine. “Fine. Mason will bring them to the house later and drop them off.” Everly emphasizes the last part, making sure I know I’m not welcome to stay and visit when I do. “Say goodbye to Mason, Kaylie.”
Those words hit hard because somehow I know she means them.
Everly moves to run past me. My hand grips her arm.
I lean in and ask, “Did you know Kaylie’s dad was a Devil too?
” Ever audibly gasps. I’m not sure if it’s out of shock of knowing or the realization that I know now too.
“He’s not listed on the birth certificate, but she told me.
Your mother, before she died.” A myriad of emotions swirl in those beautiful eyes before me. Pain. Disappoint. Fear.
Everly squeezes her eyes shut, takes a deep breath, then resumes dragging Kaylie through the clubhouse with me calling after her.
When we hit the common room where everyone else seems to have gathered for breakfast, I try again.
“Everly!” I try. But Everly doesn’t stop, attempting to get as far away from me as possible.
Surprisingly, Everly stops suddenly, storming back to the middle of the room, stomping toward me as she shouts, “You had no right to dig into our lives for information that has nothing to do with you. We’re not yours, Mason. I will not allow our lives to be flipped upside down by another biker.”
I know why she says it, but the dig at me being a biker isn’t what pisses me off. Although the shift in atmosphere tells me her words won’t go unanswered by those within earshot. The room is full of people I love and respect, and their families. All of whom, she’s just disrespected.
“Whoa!” I pause, needing to calm myself and defuse the situation.
I’m pissed that she would dismiss what we have, what we could be, so easily.
“You’ve always been mine, Ever. Since the day at the lake before you bolted from town.
You’re just too afraid to admit it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Only this time, I’m not letting you run. ”
“I already told you I don’t want to be with a biker. You want to give up your club and come play house with me and Kaylie?” she yells.
I spot Sadie out of the corner of my eye. If Ever doesn’t shut the hell up, I won’t be able to stop Sadie from attacking her. Not without having to tangle with Hawk.
When I don’t answer right away, Ever laughs humorlessly. “Of course not. The brotherhood comes first.”
I stand stunned and utterly fucking fuming as I watch her storm off with Kaylie and drive away out of the yard shortly after.
I’ll let her go for now. Give her some space to think things through.
What I won’t do is stop watching over them.
Protecting them. I’m going to get with Hawk and Pres and find out who this fucker is.
When I do, I’m going to put his ass in the ground.
Then I’m going to claim my woman once and for all.
We are, without question, what we've always been.
We’re fucking inevitable.