Page 20

Kingsley

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Big John walked into the bar. Kingsley motioned the V.P. to the back booth and scooted over, giving him room.

He pointed at the pitcher. "Grab a beer and knock the road dust off."

"Thanks." Big John filled the mug. "Rough ride. Traffic was stacked up on one another with all the fucking road construction going on, clogging everything up."

Zane planted his elbows on the table and steepled his hands together. "What did you find out about Valdones?"

Big John had gone to Federal to meet with the president of Moroad Motorcycle Club to learn how dangerous Valdones' threat to Gem Haven was.

Big John took a long drink, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "No one needs to tell us that Valdones is bad news. They've got ties with Los Li, and the Cartel isn't afraid to use them. It's why they're putting the heat on us, trying to push into our territory. They've tried before, and they'll keep trying."

Kingsley's jaw tightened. "We can't let that happen. What about the other clubs in the area? Think they'll back us up?"

"Some will, some won't. Moroad is with us, but we need more allies if we're going to keep Gem Haven safe." Big John's voice grew low and serious. "We're surrounded by other clubs. We need to take advantage of that, or we'll lose a lot of men."

Zane nodded. "I've taken that into account."

Kingsley leaned back, considering the implications. Zane wasn't afraid of using other clubs to keep a strong barrier around Gem Haven. Valdones were pushing closer and closer to them.

The stakes were higher with their dad in prison, unable to help. It was up to them to keep the members safe.

Big John leaned forward. "Who can we trust to stand with us?"

Zane's lips curled. "I've got a phone meeting lined up with Ronacks Motorcycle Club. We'll start there. They might be interested in a mutual defense pact. They've had their run-ins with Valdones, too."

"Good. The more pressure we put on Valdones, the better."

"Should we call a meeting?" asked Big John.

"Not yet." Zane finished his beer. "We're going to stay calm, stay aware, and if need be, come out shooting."

The three men exchanged nods, knowing they'd do what was necessary. Over the months, they'd built their armory. The members were ready. Zane had put the youngest members with seasoned members and trained them in how Gem Haven handles threats. They were all armed, and most importantly, the mountain was secure once again, as they'd stopped Valdones from burning them out.

River and Kenna walked into the bar, talking to each other. Kingsley's gut tightened. That right there was why he'd protect Gem Haven with his life.

He wanted a safe place for Kenna.

"The girls are here," said Zane.

No one needed to tell him when Kenna walked into a room. His body was attuned to her.

He slapped Big John's arm and motioned for him to get out of the booth so he could leave the table. "I'll catch you both later."

He approached Kenna and stood behind her until she stopped talking. Then he put his hand on the back of her neck. She turned with a smile on her face, knowing it was him.

He kissed her softened lips. He'd take every stolen moment to show the world who she belonged to.

"Rested?" he asked.

Since it was her day off, and he had to meet Zane at the clubhouse, he let her sleep after having sex with her that morning. They were busy dealing with the men until the afternoon.

"I slept until one o'clock." She wound her arms around his waist. "I can't believe how tired I was."

He grinned, knowing he'd worn her out. She pinched his side where he was ticklish. He squirmed without letting her go.

"Hungry?" He chuckled, rubbing his side against her.

She shook her head. "River made me a grilled cheese sandwich after I woke up. You?"

"Just finished eating." He looked into her eyes, wanting to escape and have her to himself. "Up for a ride?"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Always."

He made eye contact with Zane and motioned his head toward the door, letting him know he was taking off before leaving. He kissed her hard at the Harley before throwing his leg over the seat. She climbed behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

The engine roared to life. He looped around and took the way out of Gem Haven but before he reached the county road, he turned and stopped at the gate. They locked it to keep the trespassers out and let the campers know they'd need to hike in. It was too beautiful an area to let mud crawlers in the off-season and teenagers spraying graffiti on tree trunks and rock croppings ruin everything.

He shut off the bike. "Hang tight."

Getting off the motorcycle, he walked to the gate, used the key to unlock the chain, and pushed the gate open.

Kenna got off the Harley and walked toward him. "Go ahead and ride through. I'll close it behind you."

"Just fling the chain over the bar. I'll lock up when we leave." He jogged over to the motorcycle.

Moving forward, he waited until she finished and climbed back onto the motorcycle. A few members would smooth the ruts made by the spring thaw each year. Eventually, grass grew over the terrain. He rode slowly. While it wasn't asphalt, it was nice enough to enjoy the ride to the peak.

The landscape rushed by in a blur of green and brown. He pointed out the woodpecker hammering against the trunk of a spruce tree to Kenna. She hugged his waist tighter. He'd always wanted to show her his world, and now she was here.

The vistas came into view. He rode to the end of the trail at the top of the highest mountain peak in Gem Haven and parked the Harley.

He patted her leg and motioned for her to get off the bike. After he dismounted, he walked to the edge and held out his hand to her, beckoning her forward. She came to him and peered over the edge into the valley below.

From their advantage point, he could make out the river that went through the southern piece of the property and wound its way to the edge of the campground. But what drew his attention was where the clubhouse sat with the bar farther in the distance.

Looking beyond the bar, he could see the house nestled in the trees.

"Wow." Kenna threaded her fingers between his fingers and held his hand. "It's like being on top of the world. It almost makes me dizzy."

He pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely to him. "Just breathe."

"Are we still in Gem Haven?" she asked.

"Yep."

She pressed her back against him. "I never thought it was possible to own so much land. I mean, there are ranches around, but this is all wild and rugged wilderness."

His dad worked his ass off to purchase the property. He'd handed over every dime he had saved, knowing someday it would be worth more than money could buy.

"Are you happy here?"

She lifted her hands and held on to his crossed arms. "I'm happy with you. I'm happy that I have my sister in my life again. But..."

He kissed the top of her head. "Tell me."

"Don't get me wrong. I want to be with you. I wouldn't change anything about us ." She turned in his arms and faced him. "I feel pulled in two different directions. My dad's in prison and he's going to die, and it doesn't matter that I've already lost him once. I know he's sitting in a cell by himself, thinking today will be his last or maybe tomorrow. I can't even imagine that kind of pain. And yet, I can't connect him to the crimes he committed. The people he killed. I'm not—I'm not—"

"Sh. I know." He cupped her face, hating to see her struggle.

"Even though I should feel sympathy for the people he killed and their families, I can't let go of how I feel." She patted her chest. "I need my dad. I've always needed him, and he's not here for me."

"Kenna." He pressed his lips to her forehead, her nose, her cheek, her lips. "You're so fucking strong."

"I don't feel strong." Her voice shook, but she held the emotions in.

She never cried. Even when she had reasons to shed the tears filling her, she held them in.

"Shit." She inhaled swiftly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to turn this into a whine-fest. You brought me up here, and it's beautiful." She stretched to her tiptoes and kissed his lips. "You're beautiful. A beautiful soul."

He kissed her hard. "I brought you up here to give you something."

"Me?" She frowned. "What?"

He took her hand and led her back to the motorcycle. Yesterday, he'd run into town with a wild idea. He wasn't sure she'd accept his gift or understand why he bought it for her. He wanted to give her something she once enjoyed.

He removed the cord from his duffle bag and set it on the seat of his Harley. Stepping back, he motioned for her to open the bag. "Unzip it," he said.

She hesitated for a moment, then reached for the pull tab. Her fingers trembled slightly as she slowly pulled it open. Her eyes widened as she looked back at him.

"You used to draw all the time." He stepped beside her. "You were always giving me papers you'd sketched on."

"Oh, God. They were probably so bad." She leaned against him.

"I still have them," he whispered.

"You do?"

"Every single one. They're in a box in the apartment above the garage."

She sighed happily. "I never expected you to keep them."

Hell, he used to study each picture as if it would give him the answers he needed to get inside her head. She would never know how much they meant to him.

"You don't have to draw if you don't want—"

"Are you kidding me?" She threw her arms around him. "Ever since we arrived, I've thought of how nice it would be to sketch the view and remember this day forever."

"What are you waiting for?" He kissed her hard and stepped back. "Go ahead."

"Now?"

He shrugged. "I'm in no hurry. The sun won't go down for a couple more hours."

There was no hesitation. She grabbed the duffle with her free hand and led him back to the edge of the peak.

"Sit." She pointed to the ground.

He thought of arguing that he was too old to sit in the dirt, but her look meant business, and he couldn't turn her down. Lowering himself to the ground, he groaned when a rock dug into his hip. She stepped between his legs and sat down in front of him.

For several minutes, she went through all her supplies. Ultimately picking out a pack of pencils. The woman at the art store claimed they were perfect for sketching. Then, Kena lifted out the smaller sketchpad. She leaned her back against his chest, propped her knees up, and put the pencil on paper.

He never took his eyes off the paper as she made the view come to life in front of him.