Page 17

Chapter Seventeen

R age

Dinner was a fucking disaster.

I’d stared down the barrel of loaded weapons with less tension than sitting at this polished oak table, pretending like Jack Davis wasn’t staring holes through me with his eyes. And Mac, for all her effort, tried desperately to fill every silent moment with conversation.

“So, Mom, how’s your garden coming along?” She smiled too brightly, her fork pushing food around her plate more than actually eating it.

Lillian, bless her, played along. “Oh, the tomatoes are just thriving this year. I might have to send some home with you two.”

I caught the look of pure disdain on Jack’s face when Mac’s mom said the words, ‘you two’.

So did his wife who shot him a warning look that he pointedly ignored.

“Uncle Rage, do you like tomatoes?” Brooklyn asked innocently, completely oblivious to the hostility in the air.

I nearly choked on my sweet tea. Uncle Rage was definitely not something I’d been called before.

“He’s not your uncle,” Jack snapped.

His daughter’s face fell, and something protective flared in my chest.

“I do like tomatoes,” I told her gently, ignoring Jack’s glare. What a fucking asshole. “And you can call me whatever makes you comfortable, kid.”

I shot him a look over the little girl’s head. Him snapping at her was un-fucking-called for.

Mac’s hand found mine under the table, squeezing gratefully.

I squeezed back, watching her gather her courage. I knew what was coming. I could feel it in the slight tremble of her fingers against mine.

“Actually,” she began, her voice stronger than it’d been all night, “I wanted to let everyone know that I’ve moved in with Rage.”

And there it was.

The bomb was officially dropped into the middle of Sunday dinner.

Lillian’s eyebrows shot up—not in disapproval, but surprise at the timing of the announcement. Chelsea nodded like she’d seen the announcement coming from a mile away.

Jack on the other hand. His face turned to granit as he set his fork down with a clatter.

“You’ve what?” he growled.

Mac lifted her chin, meeting his gaze head on. “I’ve moved in with Rage. We’re living together.”

“For how long?” Jack demanded, his face starting to turn an alarming shade of red.

“Since yesterday.”

That was only slightly true.

“Jesus Christ, McKenzie,” Jack exploded, shoving away from the table. His chair screeched against the hardwood. “Have you completely lost your damn mind?”

“Jack!” Lillian warned.

He ignored his mother, laser-focused on his sister as he snarled, “You’ve been shacking up with this—this criminal and didn’t think to mention it?”

Mac flinched like she’d been slapped, and I had to actively force every muscle in my body to remain still.

“Watch it.” My voice was low.

Jack’s eyes came to me for only a second before jumping back to his sister.

“And you bring him here?

I inhaled slowly, trying to tamp down on the anger starting to boil. If he’d been anyone else, he’d already be laid the fuck out for speaking to my woman that way. I exhaled, reminding myself that this was her brother, and I had to let her take the lead.

“I was going to—,” she started, hurt bleeding into her voice. “I’m telling you now.”

“Oh, well, isn’t that thoughtful of you,” he sneered. “After it’s already done.”

Who did this motherfucker think he was? She didn’t have to run shit by him. She was a grown woman. My woman.

“It’s my life, Jack. My decision.”

Atta’ girl. I was so fucking proud of her for standing her ground even though I knew she felt every blow he was dishing out.

“A reckless one! Do you have any idea what you’re getting into? What kind of men he associates with?” He jabbed a finger in my direction without looking at me. “The Saints aren’t Sunday riders, McKenzie. They’re criminals.” His hate-filled eyes finally turned to me. “They run drug, guns.”

I balled my hand into a fist under the table.

I wasn’t surprised he knew about my club. I mean, for fuck’s sake, several of my brothers had been locked up at one point or another for trafficking. It wasn’t like it wasn’t public record information. But something about him blurting out that shit at the Sunday dinner table in front of everyone made me want to snap his fucking neck.

“Stop it,” Mac interrupted, her voice wavering. “You don’t know him.”

“I know exactly what he is,” her brother shot back. “I’ve seen his type my entire career. They chew up good girls like you and spit them out when they get bored.”

That one got to her. I could see the flicker of doubt in her eyes and I hated it.

Fuck that. Enough was fucking enough.

“You’re out of line,” I growled, unable to bite my tongue for another second.

Jack looked at me directly, contempt written in every line of his face. “I haven’t even started, pal. You think you can just waltz in here and fuck with my sister?”

Mac stood abruptly, her chair nearly toppling backward. “This was a mistake. I thought—” her voice cracked. “I thought you might actually try, for once, to be happy for me.”

Her eyes were filling with tears.

Fuck.

I’d seen my baby stand strong through a goddamn shoot out, but seeing her fighting back tears because of her own family broke something in me.

“Mac—” Jack started again, his tone much less brutal.

“No,” she cut him off. “I’m done. I need some air.” She turned, moving swiftly toward the back door.

I remained seated, holding Jack’s glare as I thought about all the ways I could kill Jack Davis without winding up behind bars.

“Well,” Lillian broke the silence, her eyes sharp as razor wire despite her soft delivery. “I hope you’re proud of yourself, Jackson.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jack whipped his head toward his mother. “You’re taking their side?”

“There are no sides here,” she replied firmly. “There is only your sister, who you’ve just humiliated and hurt deeply.”

Chelsea stood up, smoothly gathering the girls. “Emma, Brooklyn, let’s go upstairs and play for a bit, okay?”

“But we didn’t get dessert,” Brooklyn protested.

“We’ll have it later, baby,” Chelsea promised, ushering them from the table. The look she gave her husband over her shoulder could freeze over hell.

Once the kids were out of the room, Jack turned his attention back to me.

“You’ll get her killed,” he said flatly. “You think I don’t know what happened at your clubhouse? The shootout?”

I kept my face neutral. I wasn’t surprised at all that the JPD got wind about what happened.

“She’s not in any danger,” I replied evenly, unsure if that was the truth. That day, she’d been right in the middle of it. Not that he knew that.

“Bullshit,“ he spat, echoing my thoughts. “Your club is at war with the Talons. I won’t let my sister be collateral damage.”

I leaned forward slightly, keeping my voice measured. “I love your sister. I’d die before I let anything happen to her.”

“Yeah? And what kind of life are you offering her? One where she has wonder if you’re going to end up in a body bag? Or locked up?”

Each word was a direct hit, prodding at the exact fears I’d been wrestling with since the moment I realized I was in love with Mac. I shoved the doubts away just as fast as they came.

He may be right, but it was too fucking late. She was mine. And because I was a selfish bastard, I was never letting her go.

“Mac’s life is her choice,” I replied, holding onto my control by a thread. “She knows who I am. She chose me anyway.”

Jack laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. “She chose you because you’ve filled her head with bullshit. She’s too good for you, and deep down, you know it.”

Oh, I knew she was way too fucking good for me. Never thought differently. But it still didn’t matter. I’d die before I let anyone take her from me.

“My woman doesn’t need your permission to live her life,” I said finally. “And she doesn’t need you to protect her from me.”

“My sister has always been too trusting,” Jack continued, like I hadn’t even spoken. “Too blind to see the disasters right in front of her.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, but I knew it’d only make things worse.

“That’s enough, Jack.” Lillian demanded. She’d been silent, watching our exchange with thoughtful eyes. Now she stood, her small frame somehow commanding the entire room.

“Mom—” he started.

“No.” She cut him off with a raised hand. “You’ve said more than enough. Your sister has chosen a path you may not approve of, but it is her path to walk.”

Jack’s face flushed with betrayal. “You can’t possibly support this.”

Lillian fixed him with a look that would’ve had lesser men shrinking away. “What I support is my daughter’s happiness. And if this man,” she gestured toward me, “makes her happy, then I will respect her choice.”

Lillian turned to me, her expression softening slightly. “Bryce, perhaps you should find McKenzie. She could use your support right now.”

The dismissal was clear. Get out before things escalated further. I nodded once, rising from my chair. I didn’t spare Jack another glance as I headed for the back door, following in Mac’s footsteps.

Outside, I scanned the backyard, spotting Mac almost immediately. She was perched on an old wooden swing hanging from a massive oak tree, her head bowed, shoulders shaking slightly.

The sight of her crying made my blood boil all over again. I wanted nothing more than to go back inside and beat Jack’s ass for hurting her like this.

That’s not what I did, though.

Instead, I made my way across the yard to where my baby was hurting. Her head snapped up at my approach, tears trailing down her cheeks. The devastated look in her eyes made my chest physically ache.

“Hey,” I said softly, kneeling in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, furiously wiping at her face. “I should’ve known he’d react like this.”

“Don’t you dare apologize.“ I caught her hands in mine. “You did nothing wrong, baby.”

A fresh wave of tears spilled over. “He hates you. He hates that we’re together.”

“So what if he does?” I reached up to cup her face, forcing her to look at me. “Your brother’s opinion doesn’t change how I feel about you. It changes nothing.”

She nodded weakly, but I could see the hurt still etched deeply in her expression.

This mattered to her.

Her family accepting us mattered to her. And despite everything I’d said, I knew that Jack’s outburst had cut her deeply.

“Come here,” I murmured, pulling her off the swing and into my arms.

She came willingly, burying her face against my chest as I held her tight. I pressed my lips to the top of her head, breathing in the cherry blossom scent of her shampoo.

“Who do you belong to?” I asked her, needing her to believe it as much as I did.

“You,” she replied instantly.

“That’s fucking right you do. Nothing and no one is going to change that.”

She pulled back slightly, her tear-stained face titled up to mine. “I love you,” she whispered. “I just... I wanted so badly for him to see what I see in you.”

I brushed a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “I’m afraid you’re the only one who sees what you see, baby.”

Her nose wrinkled. “That’s not true.”

I couldn’t help but grin. She had to know deep down everything her brother and everyone else said against me or my club was true. She just didn’t want to admit. My baby was determined to turn a blind eye. And since I wasn’t a fool, I wasn’t going to do a damn thing to open her eyes. Fuck no, I wasn’t.

Mac was mine.

“I don’t think I can go back in there,” she said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Not tonight.”

“Then we won’t,” I shrugged. “We’ll say goodbye to your mom, and we’ll go home.”

She nodded, visibly relieved.

Before we could move, the back door opened and Lillian stepped out, her eyes immediately finding us on the ground under the oak tree. She crossed the yard with purpose, a frown creasing her forehead when she saw Mac’s face.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she sighed, reaching out to smooth Mac’s hair. “I’m so sorry about your brother. He means well, but…”

Mac attempted a smile. “It’s okay, Mama.”

“No, it’s not,“ Lillian corrected gently. “But it will be. Jack just needs time to... adjust.” Her eyes flicked to me, assessing. “And to see what I see.”

Mac withdrew slightly from my arms, wiping her eyes. “We’re going to head out, Mom. I don’t think Jack and I have anything more to say to each other tonight.”

Lillian nodded, understanding. “Of course. But promise me you’ll come back soon.” She looked directly at me. “Both of you.”

The inclusion surprised me. “Thank you for dinner, Lillian,” I said, meaning it despite how everything had gone to shit.

She reached out and patted my arm. “You take care of my girl, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you,” she turned, cupping her daughter’s face in her hands. “I raised you to follow your heart.”

Mac’s smile was watery but genuine. “I know, Mama.”

Lillian stepped back, gesturing toward the side gate. “Go on out that way. I’ll explain to Chelsea and the girls.” She hesitated, then added, “And I’ll have a chat with your brother.”

The drive back to our place was quiet, Mac staring out the window, lost in her thoughts. I kept one hand on the wheel and the other on her thigh, needing the physical connection.

When we finally pulled into the driveway, she let out a long, shuddering breath. “Well, that was…”

“A fucking disaster?” I chuckled.

A small laugh escaped her. “Pretty much.” Her hand covered mine on her leg. “I’m sorry you had to meet Jack like that.”

I killed the engine and turned to face her fully. “Baby, listen to me. You have nothing to apologize for. Your brother might be an asshole, but it’s not lost on me that he’s trying to protect you.”

She frowned. “I don’t need protecting from you.”

I traced my thumb along her jaw. So beautiful and trusting. I would never harm a hair on her head, but she was also very wrong. I was never letting her go and her brother saw it. He may have been concerned about her getting mixed up with a biker, but he also saw the monster beneath the surface that would kill anyone who tried to take her. She was mine.

“I just wish...“ she trailed off. “I wish things could be simple.”

I chuckled darkly. “Baby, nothing about us will ever be simple.”

Her lips curved into a small smile. “True. But would you change it? Any of it?”

“Not a fucking thing. You’re mine,” I replied immediately.

“You’re such a caveman.” She smiled, shaking her head.

I grinned, leaning in to kiss her.

She was probably right, but I was her caveman.