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I’m still staring when Cade comes to my side, his warm hand enveloping mine as he helps me out.

“We’ll just say hello, then head over there to see Nico.” He nods toward a smaller building across the way—some diner I hadn’t noticed. “He’ll meet us shortly.”

My smile vanishes as nerves flutter to life. I almost forgot about Nico Vitelli.Guilty Pleasures. Saving my family from ruin.I’ve been so wrapped up in Cade that everything else has slipped through the cracks.

“Cade, I stood him up almost two days.”

“Oh, he’s survived worse.” Cade obviously doesn’t share my concern.

“He’s going to be pissed off!”

“He’s always in a bad mood.”

“That’s so not reassuring.”

He chuckles, then pulls me into his side, and his warmth silences my protests as we approach the porch.

The double doors swing open like a statement, and a stern-faced man strides out. He’s burly, covered in ink, and sports a braided salt-and-pepper beard and a bald head that gleams under the afternoon sun.

Phoenix Kellan.

The two men meet in the middle of the lot, and Phoenix wraps Cade in a brief hug. The way they pat each other on the back feels almost brotherly.

When they part, Cade turns to me, his arm sliding around my waist as he guides me forward. “This is Luna.”

My heart kicks up as Phoenix’s gaze shifts to me. . . and cools.

I manage to extend my hand, ignoring the inexplicable urge to do more—like hug him. Something about this man feels like we’re standing on equal footing as the only two people on earth who know who Cade really is.

Phoenix’s grip is firm and warm, a stark contrast to the chill in his hazel eyes.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

Phoenix nods curtly, his expression unreadable, and turns back to Cade. “We should talk.”

Shit. He hates me.

“Later,” Cade replies. “We’re meeting Nico first.”

The air grows taut with silence, only to fracture as more bikers spill out of the clubhouse.

Grins split their faces as they greet Cade, and by extension, me, with a deference that surprises me. It’s like watching wolves welcome their alpha home.

Cade takes it all in stride, responding with nods and brief smiles, but there’s a tension in his shoulders that I don’t think anyone else notices. His grip on my waist tightens. As if he’s grounding himself through me.

“Alright, listen up!” Phoenix’s booming voice cuts through the noise. Instantly, the crowd quiets, their eyes snapping to him. “Cade’s here, so I expect every one of you to park your ass out here by eight to raise a glass and remind him of what will always be waiting for him.”

A roar of agreement erupts from the group.

Cade chuckles, too, but the sound is all wrong. I glance up at him, catching the flicker in his eyes and the clench of his jaw.

Phoenix’s words touched a nerve.

What will always be waiting for him?

And then, chaos strikes again.

A group of children comes flying out from behind the clubhouse, their high-pitched shouts piercing the air. “Uncle Cade’s back! Uncle Cade’s back!”