Page 20 of The First Cut

I back out of the garage and head toward the rear exit, pulling my hat down low over my face. The truck’s noisy as fuck, but the closest house is Khan’s—and since it’s empty right now, I’m not too worried.

I slow down when I get to the gates, but when I don’t see anyone standing there, I keep going. Bandit and Smokey get to their feet, but they don’t move toward the truck. They’re trained to keep people out, not to stop them from leaving. It’s that—and the sensor on this side that opens the gate for approaching vehicles—that gets me out, though. I’m not sure how I’ll get back inside later yet, but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

I head into town, the deserted streets feel eerie at this hour. But there’s one place I know that won’t be deserted.

When I pull around the back of the bakery, I see the lights on in the kitchen. Al’ll be there, getting the bread and pastries ready for the early morning rush. Three a.m. is like nine a.m. to a baker.

Parking, I grab my bag and haul myself out of the truck before walking over to the door and knocking. It takes a few moments, but then it opens, revealing the big guy himself.

Al stands there, a shocked look on his face before he snaps out of it and pulls me in for a hug. “Girl, we’ve been so fucking worried about you.”

“I’m okay,” I murmur against him, breathing in the comforting scent of dough.

“Bullshit!” he says, pulling back so he can look at me, cursing when he sees my eye. “Lola…” His voice cracks.

“Don’t. I’m doing everything I can to hold on. I?—”

He covers my mouth with his hand. “Say no more. Just, please tell me you’re here because you’re ready to run.”

I blow out a shaky breath. “I can’t. Not yet. There’s something I have to do first. But then…

“Then?”

“Then I have to at least try, right? For me and my son.”

“God damn right. You’ve protected Havoc longer than he deserved. Now it’s time to protect yourself.”

I nod, knowing he’s right. “I have one last thing to do, and then I’m done.” I rummage around in my bag for the items from the vent and hand them to him. “You know what to do.”

“You sure?”

I nod. “It’s time.”

Air rushes from his lungs as he pulls me into another hug. “I’m proud of you, girl.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. “I wanted to give you more, but?—”

“You’ve done enough.”

I give him a wobbly smile. “I have to go. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me,” I tell him before walking back to the truck.

“Won’t the club notice you’re gone?” he calls.

I turn” I shake my head. “I just have to figure out a way to get back inside,” I say, climbing back into the truck.

“Just promise me you’ll be careful, Lola.”

I offer him a small smile and close the door. I make no promises—being careful has always been my downfall.

Checking the time, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before setting off on the long journey to the mother chapter.

Chapter Six

Lola

After ten hours and half a dozen pee breaks, I pull up outside the mother chapter and park. I leave my bag in the car—just in case I need to make a quick exit—and walk the short distance to the gates where a prospect comes over to meet me.

“Can I help you?”