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I’m not making the same mistake twice. I thought I could just walk away and watch Brinley from a distance, get this obsession out of my head. I never go back on a decision but there’s a first time for everything and fuck it, there’s no stopping this now.

Aiden Foxx is definitely the lesser of two evils when it comes to the Foxx family, but the thought of him anywhere near Brinley makes me want to reach into his chest and rip his fucking heart out with my bare hands, then stuff it down his fucking throat. I saw those photos in my chapel, and it took me less than a second to know I was wrong in leaving her. I will burn the DOS clubhouse and everyone in it to the motherfucking ground. Then, and only then, will she be safe.

The July sun is sinking over the horizon, serving as a background in the Georgia countryside as we fill the open road with the sound of my bike. Brinley’s arms tighten around my waist and my eyes move between the road ahead and the road behind. I take the backroads part of the way, just to make sure no one is following us. I haven’t kept this place hidden since I bought it two years ago just to slip up now .

I make my way onto the unmarked side road and pull down the drive, pressing the button in the inside pocket of my cut to open the electronic gate. The laurel oaks offer shade as I slowly steer my bike down the long, winding drive stopping in front of the house. I pop the kick down and take in Brinley’s expression as she removes her helmet.

My house is my fortress. There are only two people who have ever been here—Jake and Ax—and now it’ll be her home. A deer flees into the bush beside us, causing Brinley to jump.

“What is this place?” she asks, taking in her surroundings.

“Home,” I tell her, unhooking her bag from the back of my bike. “Let’s go.” I sling it over my shoulder. Fucking thing is heavy like it’s packed with books.

“I—I thought—"

I take Brinley’s helmet from her and start walking toward my front steps.

“You thought wrong.”