Page 29 of Just Heartbeats (Royalla Motorcycle Club #1)

Kodiak's grip tightened on the handlebars. They were widening the search and entering Brikken Motorcycle Club territory. Luckily, he was on good terms with the rival MC and, with one phone call, received permission to pass through.

Respecting boundaries was the only way the clubs in the Pacific Northwest could keep the peace. Ninety-nine percent of the clubs respected the boundaries. The one percent was Deception. They were a pain in the ass to every motorcycle club in the PNW. Brikken understood their need to cross borders.

He was running out of time. He needed to eliminate the threat to Royalla. He had one more section to clear, and then he'd move further north.

Cruz veered off first, flashing his headlights toward an abandoned gas station. Beyond the unlit neon sign, a lone motorcycle lay in the dirt, its rider caught in the glow of their approaching headlights.

They surrounded him in a slow, calculated circle, engines revving. The guy stood tall, arms lax at his sides. Kodiak zeroed in on the patch. The man rode for Deception.

The biker smirked, even though Cruz was off his bike and had a weapon pulled on him in a matter of a few seconds.

"You're a long way from home." Rocco cracked his knuckles, remaining on his Harley.

The Deception member shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Kodiak dismounted swiftly, his boots landing in the dirt, sending plumes of dust into the air.

Something about the guy was off. He was too relaxed, too willing to stand there like he had nothing to lose.

He didn't reek of desperation, didn't even attempt to explain what he was doing here or why his bike was on its side.

But nobody rode alone, and he wasn't trying to escape.

Kodiak stepped closer. "What the hell are you doing this deep into Brikken territory?"

The Deception member exhaled slowly and smiled, almost mocking. "You're wasting your time with me."

"Answer him." Cruz grabbed the man, jerking him forward. "What are you doing out of your territory?"

The guy blinked before looking at Kodiak. "Nah, I don't have to," he said, slow and deliberate. "My job was done the second you found me."

Kodiak's blood ran cold.

Flash growled. "What the hell does that mean?"

The fucker ignored everyone but Kodiak and grinned bigger. "While you're standing here, burning time on me..." He paused, letting the words sink their claws in. "...someone's getting that sweet, little piece of yours."

His world tilted.

Time slowed.

The sounds around Kodiak dimmed—the low rumble of idling engines, the steady hum of voices grumbling over the accusation, all reduced to nothing. His pulse pounded against his skull, a deafening beat.

Roma.

Cruz slammed the Deception member against the wall of the gas station, rattling the rusted metal. "Who the hell is getting her?" he demanded.

"Royalla isn't as tight as you believe." The man's mouth twitched with amusement even as blood dripped from his split lip. "There's a rat in your house."

Kodiak crossed the space and cupped the front of the man's neck, choking him. "Give me a name."

Every fucking member of Royalla was voted in. Each one had gone through a probation period and rode under a patched member for a year. He trusted each one of them with his life.

The guy spat blood, dribbling, pink-tinged spit down his chin. "Fuck you."

His fist connected—hard and unforgiving. Then again. And again.

The fucker groaned, his smirk faltering, but he still fought to keep the name hostage. Kodiak continued hitting him. If there were a rat inside Royalla...if someone had betrayed them and put Roma at risk, he would find out who was responsible. And kill him.

He grabbed the guy by the hair, forcing him to meet his eyes. "Say the damn name."

Blood smeared across the Deception member's teeth as he grinned once more—wider this time, like he enjoyed the pain or wished for a swifter death. "Nate," he rasped.

The name hit Kodiak like a hammer to the ribs.

Nate? He couldn't process it, couldn't breathe around it. Lately, Nate had paid attention to Roma. He let go of the Deception member and watched as he dropped to the ground.

"Kill him." He turned around and walked to his bike. He had no time to do the task himself.

He started the bike and popped it into gear as he tore away from the gas station. The others stayed behind to fulfill his order. He pushed the speed limit. The world blurred into streaks of headlights and shadows as he entered Vancouver and wound his way through the streets.

Each minute he was gone put Roma at risk. He needed to get back to the compound. He couldn't lose her.

Roma belonged to him.

She was the only thing in this world he would die for.

And if Nate was working for Deception? He could already be too late to save her.