Page 15

PHOENIX

Two Days Later

It feels odd.

I have to admit.

Knowing that I’m basically running away from possibly the biggest fight LA Defiance has ever seen.

For the past couple of days, while I have been preparing for our departure, my mind has been running over all the possibilities that could happen while we’re gone. The fact that once I drive out of these gates, we might not have a home to come back to being one of them. The number of times I have started walking to find Maverick to tell him I can’t do this, that I can’t go— fuck —I can’t even count.

I want to be here.

I want to fight beside my brothers.

I want to help protect my sister more than anything.

But I know Sadie is not mine to protect anymore.

I spent years watching out for her.

Putting my life on the line for her.

And now, that’s Maverick’s job.

I know when to step back.

So, every time that urge to return to Sadie’s protector role takes over, I think about Maverick and Clover and how he’s still struggling with the same issue for his sister.

Somehow, Sadie convinced Mav that I have what it takes to look after Clover during this shitstorm. Even though I want nothing more than to be here beside my brothers, fighting this fight, but if my duty in this is to help Maverick step back from being that protective brother, like I’ve had to do, then I will do just that.

And to be honest, being stuck on a road trip with Clover doesn’t sound bad to me at all.

Except for the batshit crazy playlist.

As the summer sun beams down, the heat hits me already, and it’s only seven thirty in the morning. I hoist another bag into the back of the pickup as a flurry of raucous chatter from behind me draws my attention. Turning around, I spot Alpha, Haven, Sadie, Maverick, and Clover all headed toward me. Everyone except Alpha, who is fussing over Clover who, honestly, seems flustered as hell.

I lock eyes with Alpha, who simply rolls his eyes at me as they all continue to approach. I try to keep my smirk to myself when they step up to the rear of the truck.

“You sure you have all your meds?” Maverick asks.

“For the millionth time, yes !” Clover snaps back at him.

He raises his hands as Haven steps in next to her, wrapping her arm around her little sister. “Hey, drop the attitude. He’s just looking out for you, okay?”

Clover exhales, dropping her chin to her chest. “I know. I’m sorry. This is just…” she hesitates, and Sadie steps in.

“It’s a lot. You’re leaving home, and you’re leaving at a scary time. Tensions are high, but don’t leave pissed off, okay?”

Clover’s bottom lip trembles as she glances up at Maverick, then suddenly rushes forward, almost jumping into his arms. He exhales, cuddling her, his eyes closing as he holds her tight. “We’re gonna be okay, Clo. I need you to believe that.”

She pulls back, looking at him, and nods. “You better be, or Phoenix and I are gonna come back and kill you ourselves.”

My eyes widen, and I shake my head. “Nope, not me. Just her.”

The others laugh as Clover peers back at me with a smirk. “Pussy,” she mumbles, grinning at me.

The way her face lights up when she smiles makes my insides ignite in a way they really fucking shouldn’t.

Man, this girl is stunning.

Clearing his throat, Alpha captures my attention, and I snap my eyes away from Clover and face my president. “You got your burners?” Alpha asks.

Nodding, I gesture to the truck. “Yes, sir. Multiples. Just in case.”

“And you have the location of the Las Vegas clubhouse?” Alpha asks.

Again, I confirm. “I do. I memorized it and also wrote every detail down I thought would be important in a notebook for Clover. Which is sitting in the passenger seat just in case anything happens and we get separated. Which won’t happen. But, it’s best to be prepared for all outcomes.”

“You did that… for me?” Clover questions, her brows furrowed.

I glance at her and dip my head. “I did.”

Alpha glances at Maverick, raising his brow. “Satisfied?” Alpha asks.

Maverick lets out a long exhale, then reluctantly nods. “All right, I have to admit, you’re kinda impressing me. But only a little bit. Don’t let it go to your head or anything. Just make sure you fucking protect her.”

A sense of pride and accomplishment washes over me, my eyes shifting to my sister’s. All I have ever wanted was to feel like I belong somewhere. Like I fit in. Sadie has been able to make a home for herself, to make a life for herself. And while I’m so fucking happy for her, it’s left me still wandering adrift.

I was never a part of the Serpents, and Defiance has yet to fully trust me in their inner circle.

But maybe this is a good first step.

“With everything I have, brother.”

Haven winks at me, then races forward, practically tackling Clover, and pulls her into a tight embrace. “You have a really good time, okay? Have fun. You’re going to Vegas, baby,” she chimes, pulling back and looking at her little sister, waggling her brows salaciously.

Clover snorts out a laugh. “I’m eighteen. I can’t do shit in Vegas.”

Haven chuckles. “Babe, you’re literally a member of a biker club. You can do whatever the hell you want in Vegas—”

“Okay, calm down, psycho. Just because you’re the wild child of the family doesn’t mean our baby sister has to go be crazy in her youth. She’s responsible, and she’s there to work. Not party,” Maverick glares really fucking hard at me, making his point heard.

Haven groans, moving back to Alpha with an exaggerated eye roll. “God, you’re so fucking boooring . It’s not like she’s gonna get married to some random by Elvis or something, for Christ’s sake. Just let her have a little fun. How do you put up with his grouchy ass, Sadie?”

She shrugs with a smirk. “For some reason, he seems to listen to me.”

Haven widens her eyes. “Then will you knock some sense into him.”

Clover shakes her head. “Honestly, it’s fine. I don’t plan on doing anything other than what I’m supposed to be anyway. It’s going to be completely mundane. Just stopping to take videos and images of the tourist attractions I need for the content. And then, of course, annoying Phoenix with my music choices along the way.”

I can’t fight the small smile that creeps across my face as she side-eyes me. “Can’t wait,” I drone mockingly.

Maverick huffs, crossing his arms across his chest. “I’m sure I don’t need to remind you when it comes to social media, the club’s going to war. We’re sending you away for a reason, Clo. Please, for the love of God, only post from the account you’re doing the content creation for—”

“I know, Mav. Incognito mode activated. I got it. Don’t let anyone know where we are.”

Haven groans under her breath. “Jesus Christ! How am I even related to you two? You both are so—”

“Sensible?” Maverick retorts.

Haven tilts her head. “Vanilla,” she mocks, her tone sounding like she has a bad taste on her tongue.

Maverick scowls as Alpha draws Haven closer to him. “Okay, Little Lamb. We get your point. You want Clover to have fun and live dangerously. But she isn’t you, and she doesn’t need to be. Lord knows we don’t need more of you running around. We already have a mini version of you inside with Poppy—”

Haven spins to face Alpha, her arms locking around him, her fingers gripping tightly in his hair. “You wanna reword that, Big Guy, so it doesn’t sound insulting, and it comes across the way you actually intended it?”

Alpha huffs, furrowing his brows. “We don’t have time for this, Have—”

She yanks on his hair, pulling his head back, a slight hiss leaves his lips as the rest of us widen our eyes at the interaction between them. “You want to try again? And this time , if you say the right thing, I’ll do that thing you like with—”

“What I meant to say was, I know you want Clover to have fun while in Vegas. But, baby, her and Maverick had a different life than you, even if you are related. You had to grow up in a vastly different way. And while I fucking love you and how utterly crazy you are, Clover doesn’t need to be like you. She needs to be herself because both of you are perfect just as you are,” Alpha grunts and rolls his eyes.

Haven grins, leaning in, and whispers something against Alpha’s ear that we can’t hear. He grins, an almost animalistic growl escaping his chest as his hand slides out, slapping her ass.

My eyes widen as Haven bites down on her bottom lip, ruffling her hands through Alpha’s hair, then detaches herself from him and turns to face the rest of us. “See… not vanilla.” She winks as Alpha exhales, seeming satisfied, folding his arms across his chest.

Silence falls over us as we all stand here, not really knowing what to make of whatever the hell that was. But it’s Maverick who breaks the ice. “Okaaay, well, that was fucking weird, and something I never, ever want to see my sister doing again,” he states, causing the rest of us to burst out laughing.

Sadie clears her throat, her eyes wide as saucers, and she ducks past Haven, moving toward me while Haven and Maverick crowd around Clover to continue talking to her.

Sadie steps up to me, fighting back her smile, her eyes already glistening with tears while she leans in, reaching for my club cut and straightening it—even though it doesn’t need it. She’s trying to mother me. And I let her. Because who knows if this might be our last moment together.

She sniffles, glancing up at me, forcing a smile. “I’m so proud of you, Wes.” She stops adjusting my cut, her fingers now gripping onto the leather for dear life, and I slide my hands up to wrap around hers. “Hey, it’s not too late for you to jump in the back of this truck and come with us.”

She exhales, finally letting her smile take up her beautiful face. “I wish I could. But I can’t. I’m an Old Lady, and I have to stay by Mav’s side. But I need you to promise me something…”

My muscles clench as I stare down at her. “That really depends on what it is.”

She chuckles, shaking her head. “No, nothing too serious. I just want you to try to have a good time. I know you’ll be worried about what’s happening back here. And I know you feel cheated because you want to be here fighting with your brothers, but please don’t take out your frustrations on Clover. She’s a good kid and a little sensitive. So please don’t make her feel like she’s a burden to you. Promise me that?”

Shifting my gaze to the other side of the truck, I spot Clover laughing with her family—loud and unfiltered, like she’s forgetting, just for a second, everything she’s lived through.

Everything we’re about to go through.

Her chestnut hair catches in the breeze, wild waves dancing around her shoulders, and her eyes, deep brown and too damn expressive, spark like she’s got so much fight inside her. She’s all rough edges smoothed by grace, soft in the places the world tried to harden.

Not untouched by pain but still choosing joy anyway.

It guts me knowing what she’s been through.

She’s beautiful. Unapologetically, heartbreakingly beautiful.

And I definitely should not be noticing that.

Not when I’m supposed to be her shield.

Not when her brother already sees me as a walking red flag with a patch on my back.

Not when I should be back inside the clubhouse, gearing up with the rest of my brothers for a war that feels like it’s mine to fight.

Instead, I’m being sent to Vegas like some kind of babysitter…

Except the girl I’m meant to guard doesn’t look like a burden.

She looks like pure temptation.

Too delicate to touch.

Too risky to want.

But it’s getting harder not to look at her and feel things I absolutely shouldn’t.

Dragging my eyes away, my jaw tightens with anxiousness.

I didn’t come here to get caught up in this kind of bullshit.

I came to prove I can follow orders.

That I’m not who I used to be.

But even with my eyes forward, she’s still lingering…

In my thoughts.

In my blood.

Gnawing like trouble I didn’t ask for and might not have the strength to walk away from.

“Did you hear me?” Sadie asks, tugging at my club cut to draw my attention back to her.

Craning my neck to try to release the tension, I weakly smile at my sister. “Loud and clear.”

Sadie huffs like she’s trying to figure out what’s going through my mind. “Are you okay, Wes?” she asks, her tone genuine.

Relaxing my stance, I reach out, pulling her to me in a tight embrace. “I’m about to drive away from the club, for fuck who knows how long. While away, they’ll go to war with the Cartel, and I’ve left my pregnant sister behind smack bang in the middle of the fight. Then, don’t forget, I’m taking her Old Man’s little sister with me on a road trip to Vegas when she’s only eighteen. Oh, and he hates my guts and will use any excuse to kill me, so yeah.” I shrug. “I’m just peachy.”

Sadie tilts her head at me incredulously, her lips turning up ever so slightly. “Okay, wiseass, there’s no need to be such a drama queen,” she teases.

Snorting out a laugh, I hold her tighter. “But seriously, Sades, I need you to be fucking careful…” I pause, taking a moment to gather myself, and she leans in, holding me tighter.

“I know—”

“ Do you? Because I spent years at the Serpents to make sure that you stayed safe. To ensure that Grave couldn’t get to you.” My eyes shift to her stomach. “You’re pregnant, Sadie. Just promise me that if shit starts getting really fucking bad, that you will protect yourself. Protect your child.”

Her eyes glisten as she smiles up at me, and Maverick moves behind her. “I just realized something,” Maverick states, taking Sadie by surprise. She glances over her shoulder at him and detaches from me as he slides his arms around her waist, pulling her back to his front.

“What’s that?” I ask.

He clears his throat as if the next words to come out of his mouth are hard for him to say.

But he says them anyway.

“I’ve been so focused on you taking care of Clover that I forgot you’d have the same feelings about me taking care of your sister.”

Well.

Fuck.

Everyone stares at Maverick in shock, including me, as he continues, “This entire situation is a fucked-up mess. I’m the first to admit it. But, I do appreciate what you’re doing, taking Clover to Vegas, watching over her, protecting her… the sacrifice you’re making by not being here for the club. And at the same time, you’re away from Sadie while she’s here. In the thick of it. I understand completely how terrifying that will be for you.” My heart races faster at the thought of being miles and miles away and not being able to get back here in time to help if she needs me.

Honestly, I feel fucking sick just thinking about it.

“But like I’m putting my trust in you to watch over my sister, I need you to trust in me. To trust that I will bury anyone who comes near her. That if the need arises, I will wrap her in fucking bubble wrap and lock her away somewhere safe if I need to.”

Sadie widens her eyes, snorting out a laugh. “I love bubble wrap. I could pop that shit for hours. It’s so freaking soothing. Can you lock me up anyway? That sounds really nice, actually.”

We both glare at her, and she purses her lips tight, motioning to zip her lips shut.

Shaking my head, Sadie can’t fight back her smile, which somehow becomes infectious. My lips turn up, a huge smile lighting my face that quickly turns into a laugh. “You’re a fucking idiot, but we love you.”

Sadie beams from ear to ear. “I love you too. Now go! You guys have a long drive ahead of you.”

Chuckling, I lean forward, pulling Sadie into another embrace as I watch Maverick and Haven move in, smothering Clover once more. Closing my eyes, I take in this moment, trying to remember how holding my sister feels. What she smells like. The love in this moment.

Because the harsh reality is this could be the last embrace we ever have.

Holding on for just a moment longer, a slow smile crosses my lips. “I’m so fucking lucky to have you as my sister,” I whisper, then pull back.

Her eyes flood with tears, her bottom lip trembling as I take a step back toward the truck. I love you, Wes, she mouths.

Nodding, I weakly smile, opening the driver’s side door. Love you too, I mouth back before Maverick moves to her, instantly pulling her into his arms. She turns, clinging to him, taking her eyes from me, and then she begins sobbing into his chest.

My heart splinters into a million pieces as Maverick holds her, his eyes glistening too. I peer inside the truck to see Clover already in the passenger side. Her feet are up on the seat as she cradles them to herself, clearly needing comfort.

We need to go.

Prolonging this isn’t good for any of us.

Clearing my throat, I dip my chin. “Keep the rubber side down,” I say, then turn for the truck. Sadie’s sobs increase with every second, the sound tearing at my soul. Drawing in a deep breath before I slide in, I turn back, taking one last look. “And get her some fucking bubble wrap, will you?” I tease, making them all break out into laughter.

Even Sadie manages to gather herself and spin to look at me one last time before I slide into the truck. I wink at her, and as she wipes her tear-soaked cheeks, she gives me a half-smile.

And it’s enough.

You have to let her go now, Wes.

Using every ounce of strength I have, I turn, slide into the truck, and close the door. My fingers grip the wheel so tight my knuckles instantly turn white as the silence in the cab is deafening, except for the hushed breathing coming from Clover and me.

After taking a moment to gather myself, I look over to see her still cradling herself in the seat. She’s gnawing so hard on her bottom lip that if she’s not careful, she’ll bite right through it at any minute.

She’s clearly stressed.

We all are.

We need to get on the damn road.

“You ready to do this?” I ask.

Clover sniffles, her eyes beginning to water, her lip gnawing becoming worse, but she subtly nods. “Mm-hmm,” she mumbles, but it’s far from convincing.

Swallowing hard, I tilt my head and turn the key in the ignition.

Now or never.

Putting the truck in reverse, I pull back, then straighten it up, and move for the clubhouse gates, the crowd following us as we go. I don’t miss Clover’s foot on the seat, tapping anxiously as I drive. As we reach the clubhouse gates, the rest of the club stands behind us while Sadie, Mav, Haven, and Alpha are right there at the gate, waving, cheering, and crying.

So much crying as I go to pull away.

With my heart racing like a fucking jackhammer, I drive out the gates, shoving my hand out the window, waving goodbye and notice Clover’s head is down on her knees like she’s completely zoning out.

My eyes shift to the rearview mirror, and I see the entire club race out onto the street, waving and watching us drive away. My stomach feels like it’s up in my throat as I turn to Clover, who is still in the same position. “They’re all out on the street waving if you wanna say goodbye.”

She sniffs a few times, and then suddenly, she begins crying.

Uncontrollable, gut-wrenching, sobbing.

Oh fuck!

I slam my foot on the brake and reach out for her, but she snaps her head up, snot bubbles and all, and shakes her head. “D-don’t s-stop. Just g-go!”

Furrowing my brows, I glance in the rearview mirror again, seeing Maverick and the others starting to rush toward us, and I clench and unclench my fingers on the steering wheel. Then nod and slowly take off again. My eyes slip back to see Maverick stop, then stand in the middle of the street, watching us leave.

As I make it out onto the freeway, the tension in the cab has me wondering if I should say something or just let Clover feel what she needs to feel.

Her body is wracking with her sobs as I drive farther and farther from the clubhouse. Her breathing is almost struggling with the intensity of her tears. But sitting beside her, hearing her falling apart like this, and not doing anything to try to ease her pain is making me feel like a fucking asshole.

So, I do the only thing I can think of right now.

Reaching for the radio, I sync the playlist and wait for the first song to play.

Taylor Swift starts humming over the speakers, and Clover pops her head up, tears streaming down her face, trying to catch her breath while she swipes the snot from under her nose with the sleeve of her hoodie. I try to fight back my smile as she narrows her eyes, a slight smirk crossing her face, her tears instantly stopping when she turns to me. “You really, m-made a play l-list?” her voice cracks through her hiccups.

I quickly glance at her. “Yeah. I told you I would,” I reply, then glance back at the road.

Clover lets out a stifled laugh as the first lyrics begin. “And you t-thought the first song on our r-road trip after us l-leaving our family and f-friends behind to fight a war with the C-Cartel should be “Death By A Thousand Cuts”?”

My eyes widen with horror as I rush for my cell to flip to the next song, but Clover bursts into a fit of hysterics, dropping her legs from the seat. Her hand diving out to grab mine to stop me. The second our fingers touch, a tingle shoots all the way from my hand through my body and straight to my cock. My breath catches as our eyes lock, and I can’t seem to—

HONK.

Jerking my head back to the front, I notice I’m veering into the next lane. I swerve dramatically to correct myself as Clover giggles beside me in her seat. “Fuck!” I mumble, my heart hammering in my chest.

Clover picks up my cell, shaking her head. “That settles it then. I’m in c-charge of music. Because you clearly can’t do m-music and drive. And we’re l-listening to song one, all the way t-through, and I’m turning it up. Loud!”

Smirking, I side-eye her but tilt my head in response. “All right, you’re the boss.”

Clover bounces happily on her seat, turning the sound up so loud I can barely think. But seeing her finally settle, singing along to whatever the hell this music is, somehow calms the storm inside me too, even if she is singing with her hiccups.

It’s the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen.

And though it’s a long way to Vegas, somehow, I have a feeling we’re going to have a really good fucking time.