Page 47 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

Life continued even when you felt your heart had been torn out.

I kept going because of Xander. The kid had a crap life up until now.

Slowly, he was opening up to me about what it was like to live with his mom.

My anger at Roxie only increased. My son and I were getting to know each other and establishing a routine.

Our routine was shaky but firming up every day.

It was still wild to refer to him as my son.

I would’ve crawled into my bed and never gotten out if it weren’t for him, or crawled into a bottle.

I lived for when I spoke to Wrath and got updates on what was happening.

He wouldn’t go into detail, but he did say that Brae was still at the Pagan compound and there had been no attempts on her life.

I was frustrated that there was no actionable news.

We knew someone had put out a hit, and it was accepted. That was it.

I did let my parents know that they had a grandson. I explained about Roxie, which they disliked immediately. I didn’t give them all the details on how Xander had been treated, but they could read between the lines.

While they were excited, they didn’t like waiting to meet him.

I told them to give us time to become closer as father and son before introducing him to more people.

They reluctantly agreed. When I told them about him, I hated that I wasn’t telling them I had a woman who was the love of my life, too.

I knew I had to face the truth soon. It had been two weeks, and there was still no word from Braelyn.

It was time to accept that she wasn’t coming back to me.

But if I did that, I wasn’t sure how I’d cope.

Right now, the thinnest possibility she’d return and forgive me kept me sane.

If I didn’t have that, would Xander be enough?

Bull and the other brothers tried to keep up my spirits.

They now all knew what I had never talked about.

There had been some hurt feelings over not being trusted to know, but we were moving past them.

The guys did chastise me some for thinking they’d see it as shameful or embarrass me about it.

They were supporting me and Xander. And the old ladies had been angels.

They were the ones to ensure my house was decorated for Christmas and that Xander would have a Merry Christmas.

I had no clue what to buy him for presents, but they did.

I was slowly working off the list they gave me of things they thought Xander would love. It came from their talks with him.

I returned to work at the Abodes at the end of last week and was there today.

Xander was at the compound, being watched over by whichever old ladies were home.

We decided not to enroll him and start him back in school until after the holidays.

It wasn’t worth his going for a week or two and then having a holiday break.

I planned to get the rest of his belongings before then and see what was salvageable.

Familiar things might make it easier for him.

Xander had to start from scratch, make new friends, and get comfortable with a new school—a ton of changes for him.

The way he reacted to the clothes and items I bought him to hold him over told me he hadn’t had anything nice.

My rage at Roxie grew, and if she thought she was dodging me by running off on an extended vacation with her dickhead boyfriend, she was wrong.

There was a reckoning coming, and she wasn’t getting out of it.

Outlaw had easily discovered where they went, when they were due back, and all the details about her and him. They couldn’t hide.

I was working on a supply order when I heard the sound of several voices I recognized outside my office.

Shooting to my feet, I hurried to open the door.

As I did and exited, I was faced with the grim faces of several of my club brothers.

My heart began to pound. It could only mean someone was hurt.

My mind went from Xander to Braelyn, and then to my club family.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“Xander and Braelyn are alright, but we need to get our asses to Georgia. Xander has been told that you need to leave for an emergency, and Jocelyn and the others will take care of him. We grabbed your go-bag,” Bull stated.

“Go, I’ll take care of whatever you’re doing and stay here,” Renegade said as he passed me. He squeezed my arm.

I rushed out to the group. They turned to head back to the bikes. “I know you said she’s alright, but what happened? Why didn’t Wrath call me?”

“Wrath knew you’d be upset and would need someone to accompany you.

Plus, there was Xander to think of. I promise, we didn’t delay long before heading here.

As for what happened, Brae had to go into the office today.

Everything was good, and she had a six-man escort team.

On the way home, when they were outside the more populated areas, someone took shots at the vehicle she was in and the guys riding their bikes as escorts.

She wasn’t hurt, and the others had minor scratches, but that’s it.

Whoever it was shot at a distance, and by the time the shooting stopped, rather than risk being pinned down if they hunted him, they headed balls-to-the-wall for the compound.

She’s there, surrounded by walls and a bigger army. As you can imagine, she’s shaken.”

Bull paused, and I knew there was more. “Tell me. I know there’s more.” We’d made it to our bikes. I asked the question as I got out my leather jacket, straddled my bike, and put on my helmet, glasses, and riding gloves.

“She’s been somewhat hysterical, crying and sick, but the one thing she keeps doing is asking for you.

Loki, I need you to listen. We’re going as a group.

You can’t fucking ride like the devil, although I know you want to get there as fast as possible.

You getting hurt or killed won’t do Braelyn any good.

Her mom and Jalisa are taking care of her.

Hear me?” Bull stared grimly into my eyes.

I took several deep breaths, nodded, then said, “I hear ya, Pres. I’ll be careful. Let’s ride.”

We started our bikes, causing a tremendous growl of engines.

People coming and going from their apartments stopped to watch as we roared out of the parking lot.

I had to fight to keep my mind on the road and my safety as the miles rolled by.

Even though we were riding over the speed limit, it wasn’t nearly fast enough, but Bull was right.

Hurting or killing myself wouldn’t help her.

And if I caused the same to my brothers, I’d never be able to forgive myself.

We made the ride in just under three hours.

The weather was on our side, and there was no rain, snow, or ice, though at this time of year in the South, we generally didn’t get the last two.

However, since the weather changed like Mother Nature was on the rag, I kept extra layers in the bags on my bike.

We stopped once to get gas. I’d called Wrath and asked how Braelyn was. He said she was at Betty and Rage’s and was calming down, but kept asking if I was close. Wrath swore he told her I was coming.

It was dark when we approached the gate of the Pagans’ compound.

Their prospect, Dylan, was manning the gate and had it open already.

He must’ve pushed the button once he caught sight of us.

His hand went up in the air as we came streaming in.

I gave him a chin lift, but I didn’t slow down.

I bypassed the clubhouse, though the others halted there.

I didn’t stop until I was parked in front of Rage’s house.

I tore off my helmet and swung off. I shed my jacket, goggles, and gloves before racing toward the house.

I was mere feet away from the front door when it swung open, and I saw Braelyn running toward me.

I rushed to meet her. As I picked her off the ground, I noticed she was shoeless and not wearing a jacket.

I hugged her close and carried her into the house.

Rage and Betty were at the door. They both gave me relieved looks.

I nodded, took her to the living room, and sat on the couch.

I would apologize later for not removing my boots. I felt Braelyn shaking.

“Baby, you should’ve put on your shoes and a coat,” I mildly chastised her before tipping her head back so I could see her. I wanted to kiss her desperately, but I wasn’t sure she’d be okay with that. When I saw her face, she was crying, and her appearance concerned me.

Not only were her eyes red and swollen, a natural after crying, but her skin was pale.

She had dark circles under her captivating eyes, and her face was thinner.

I opened my mouth to ask her what the fuck was wrong when she yanked my head down to hers.

I forgot my words when she latched onto my mouth and kissed me as if her life depended on it.

I returned it with equal fervor. I clutched her to me and made love to her mouth, savoring the taste of her.

Slowly and reluctantly, I eased away from her eventually.

“Brae, baby, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?” I asked as I skimmed my hands over her body, even though I’d been assured by Bull that she was unharmed.

It was an automatic response. The feel of her body under my palms registered.

Brae’s ribs were more noticeable. She didn’t flinch anywhere, indicating she wasn’t hurt.

“Loki, I’m fine. I wasn’t hit by the flying glass or the bullets. Thank God, none of the guys were hurt, other than some scrapes from getting themselves to safety on their bikes. I’m so glad you’re here, although I hate making you come all this way. Did anyone come with you?”