Ty shot him a sideways look. “You allowed to say shit to a kid?”
Damn. The kid was smart. He would have to watch his mouth. He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills. “How about I pay a couple of months in advance since I seem to have used up my last advance payment?”
Ty took the money and put it in his swear jar. “Can I use some of it in case I need to swear sometimes like you?”
“Definitely not. Bikers swear. Boys don’t.”
Ty’s smile faded and his face grew solemn. “I’m going to be a fucking biker when I grow up. I’m going to swear and shoot guns and be in car chases. I’m going to be a Sinner’s Tribe motorcycle man like you. But first you have to teach me how to ride a motorcycle.”
“When you’re older.” He let the swear slide. Boys needed to learn how to cuss so they could express themselves when they became men.
Ty deflated. “I want to learn now. Trevor’s dad plays baseball with him and takes him to football games. And Jason’s dad is building a clubhouse with him. I want you to do things with me. Riding a motorcycle would be epic.”
“And dangerous.”
“I thought that was the point. Or maybe you’re not cool like I thought.” Ty’s bottom lip quivered and Zane’s pulse kicked up a notch. What would he do if Ty cried? Evie would think he was a failure as a dad. Fifteen minutes and he couldn’t keep his son happy.
“I am cool,” Zane protested.
“Prove it.”
Zane narrowed his eyes. What the hell was he supposed to do? What did a eight-year-old kid find cool? “You play vids?”
Ty’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. What games do you play?”
“None. But we got lots of games at the clubhouse and a couple the junior patch play all the time. There’s one guy, Hacker, he…” Zane trailed off when Ty’s face fell. “What’s the matter?”
“I want to play with you.”
“I haven’t played for a long time.” Not since he’d left Stanton. Video games were something he played with Evie and Jagger. He’d thought it almost a sacrilege to play with anyone else.
“Good. Then I’ll win.” Ty raced to the bedroom. “I’ll go grab my stuff. I brought my game console and a couple of games.”
Ten minutes later, awed by his son’s skill with hooking up the complicated system of wires and navigating all the Internet shit that now comprised a modern gaming system, Zane joined Ty on the couch.
“Here.” Ty handed him a controller with so many buttons it resembled an airplane console. He ran through the different commands and started the game before Zane had a chance to assimilate all the information.
Ten seconds later, Ty sighed. “You’re dead. Even mom plays better than you.”
“Even mom?” Evie walked into the living room, her hair damp and curled slightly at the edges. She wore a green dress that hugged every curve and highlighted the emerald of her eyes. So damn beautiful. And last night had gone so damn wrong, although he was still trying to figure out why.
“Gimme a minute to figure it out.” Zane frowned at the character on the screen. How many guns was that guy packing? No way could anyone walk with that much gear, much less leap off a ten-story building. And the magazine for the automatic Ty’s character carried didn’t hold unlimited rounds. Damn unrealistic.
“Move over and I’ll show you how it’s done.” Evie sat beside him on the couch and he inhaled the floral scent of her shampoo mixed with the familiar hint of her jasmine perfume. His groin tightened when her body pressed up against him, despite the few extra inches of space between her and the armrest, and he was immediately transported back to all the afternoons he spent trying to focus on their games while trying to quell the throb of teenage arousal. But the party in his pants really got started when she reached over him to take the extra controller from Ty, her breasts brushing across his chest.
Damn. He had to get a grip. He wasn’t a teenager anymore, and Ty was sitting beside him. He closed his eyes and took a few deep, calming breaths. When he opened them and saw her smirk, he knew she was teasing him on purpose, and a weight lifted from his shoulders. Okay. Maybe he hadn’t screwed it up too bad.
And he wasn’t messing up the damn game either. Yeah, she’d been a good player when they were kids, but he was a man now. He knew how to shoot for real and those pussies on the screen were his for the taking. He put his thumbs on the keypad and started firing.
“You’re dead.”
“What?” He glared at Ty and Evie, both laughing now.
“Mom killed you. She’s a tenth level Feline. You need to stay away from her claws.”
“Roawr.” Evie made a mock swipe at him with her fingers and he caught her hand and brought it to his mouth, brushing his lips over her knuckles until her eyes darkened with arousal.
“Just wait, Feline,” he murmured. “And I’ll show you how I deal with those little claws.”
“You’re dead, too, Mom. You got distracted.” Ty bounced on the couch. “I win. I’ll reset.”
Evie glanced over at the screen. “I’ve got three power bars left. I’m very much alive, my feeble human friend.” With one hand still in Zane’s grasp, she leaned over and tickled Ty and they both fell back on the couch laughing.
Alive.
He’d never felt as alive as he did right now, with his Evie beside him doing what they’d always loved to do, and his son—his son—laughing on the couch. Yeah, he loved the Sinners, and he would never leave them. But he’d been living in the shadows since he left Stanton, and now it was time to come into the light.
Only one thing stood in his way.
He dropped Evie’s hand and picked up the controller. “Where’s the bad guy? It’s time he got a taste of Sinner’s steel.”
And when he was done with that bad guy, Viper would be next.
SEVENTEEN
Don’t sweat it if you don’t have formal motorcycle repair training. Experience and the desire to do a good job win out every time.
—SINNER’S TRIBE MOTORCYCLE REPAIR MANUAL
“Seriously?”
Zane looked over his shoulder long enough to raise his eyebrow, then resumed his guard position at the window in the coffee shop. “Whipped cream on black coffee?”
“Seriously.” Evie squirted an extra inch of whipped cream on her large Americano. Her coffee headache had hit her hard after they finished their video game—no wonder since she hadn’t had any coffee since yesterday morning, and she hadn’t slept last night after the most thrilling sexual experience of her life—and Zane had made a reluctant stop at the coffee shop on their way to the clubhouse.
She shivered, remembering their encounter in the forest: the rasp of Zane’s breath behind her; the potent mix of fear and excitement; and the feel of his hand around her neck when he finally caught her.
But more than that, she had been moved by his tenderness. Despite her emotional retreat, he carried her back to the clubhouse, washed and bandaged her feet, and then left her in the apartment without saying a word, as if he knew she needed to be alone.
And he was right. The intensity of their encounter had scared her, just as Zane scared her. And for all that she kept telling herself he was going to leave, no matter how hard she pushed, he wouldn’t go away.
“You should try it.” She offered him the cream-laden cup.
“Thanks, but I like my coffee black.” Zane sipped his filter coffee. “Pure. And I can think of better uses for a can of whipped cream.”
Desire flared white-hot inside her and her cheeks heated. She dipped her head and handed the canister to Ty, then glanced up again through the curtain of her lashes.
Zane caught her gaze, his sensuous lips parting in an erotically charged smile. Yes, she could imagine what he’d do with a bottle of whipped cream. And despite all her protests last night, she would be fully on board.
While Ty smothered his hot chocolate with cream, Evie took the first sip of her coffee, letting the mixture of bitter liquid and thick swee
tness slide over her tongue. Ah. So good. She needed the kick. Hopefully one would be enough.
“Should we go?” She took the canister from Ty and placed it on the counter.
“Fuck.” Zane stiffened, pulled out his phone. “Drop the drinks. Take Ty out the back. Buncha Jacks outside. Don’t know if they were tailing us or if it’s just a coincidence, but they’re not supposed to be in Conundrum. I’ll be right behind you. I’m gonna call Jagger and clear everyone outta the shop in case things go bad.”
“Zane … don’t…”
“Go, Evie.”
She dumped the drinks and grabbed Ty’s hand, pulling him into the back hallway. Behind her she could hear Zane yelling for everyone to leave.
Her heart pounded in warning, and her walk turned into a run. But just as she neared the exit door, she heard gunshots, a muffled explosion, and then the building shook around them. Evie pulled Ty close and curled around his small body until the shaking subsided. She turned back to the door but the hall had filled with smoke.
“Zane!” She didn’t try to hide the panic in her voice as she peered through the haze.
“Mom. Let’s go.” Ty pushed the door open, but Evie hesitated. Did Zane get out in time? What if he was still inside, injured and unable to move?
“Mom. The store’s on fire.” Ty yanked on her hand just as fire licked the walls of the hallway, curling around the paintings of Italian landscapes and giant hills of coffee beans.
“Zane!” She shrieked his name, her pulse thudding so loud in her ears she could barely hear. With one last look behind her, she grabbed Ty’s hand and pulled him outside.
Low, dark clouds hung in the sky, and the air was heavy with an impending storm. With Ty in tow, she raced down the alley to the front of the building. Sirens wailed in the distance and a crowd had gathered outside as smoke billowed through the front door.
“Zane!” She pushed her way through the crowd, searching every face, every black jacket, every head of brown hair.
With a roar, flames engulfed the building sending a thick cloud of dust and smoke across the street. Evie covered Ty’s mouth and nose, turning him away from the building, startling when she saw a familiar face.
Viper.
Leaning casually in the shadows of the alley no more than ten feet away, a cigarette hanging from his thin, cruel lips, Viper nodded a greeting. His gaze swept over her body, lingering on her face, and then he lifted his weapon, and gestured her forward with a crooked finger.
“Mom? Who is that biker?” Ty turned fully in her arms drawing Viper’s gaze. “Why is he pointing his gun at us?”
“Run, Ty.” She turned, shoved him behind her. The last thing she wanted was for Viper to know Zane had a son. “Go into the crowd. Then find a policeman. Ask them to take you to Connie.”
“No. I’m not leaving you.” He wrapped his arms around her, held on tight.
“Go. Run.” She tried to pry his hands away, but his fingers dug in hard. Stubborn. Just like his father.
Annoyance flickered across Viper’s features and he lowered the gun.
“Fucking kids,” he muttered. “Always in the fucking way. Bring him.”
He beckoned her forward again, but Evie planted her feet in the pavement and shook her head, calling his bluff. They were safe out on the street. Viper wasn’t going to shoot her with a crowd at her back and the police coming around the corner.
“You’re not going to kill me,” she said with a bravado she didn’t feel in the least. “And I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Even if your man is dead? Who’s going to protect you, Evangeline? Not the Sinners. You’re not one of them.”
Shadows moved behind him. His bodyguards. Of course, he wouldn’t come here alone. “I’m not a Black Jack either. And he’s not dead. He made it out.”
“Such faith.” Viper laughed. “But here’s the thing, kitten. Even if he did make it out, it’s over between you. There’s a warrant for his arrest. And since the Sinners have been fucking with my business, I’m in need of some quick cash. I think the police in Stanton would be interested to know where to find him.” He inhaled, then blew out a puff of smoke. “Or would that be ATF jurisdiction? I’m not sure who would tear apart the Sinner clubhouse looking for a fugitive from justice.”
“Leave him out of this.” Evie shuddered under a wave of anger. She wanted to ask how he had found out about Zane, but the question would just confirm what he said was true, and she couldn’t take the risk he was fishing for information. “This is between you and me.”
“It was between you and me.” He took another drag of his cigarette, leaned against the wall, all casual as if he hadn’t just blown up a building and was now trying to blackmail her into his bed. “But then the Sinners got involved. Now the game has changed, kitten. I have to address the disrespect done to me and my club, and then I gotta get back what’s mine. We were already at war with the Sinners. This just made it personal.”
“So you’re going to blackmail Zane?”
“If you come nicely, I’ll let him off for your good behavior.”
Ty shivered behind her and she prayed he didn’t understand what was going on. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to finally meet the father he had dreamed about all his life, only to find out the world thought he was a murderer.
“What’s to stop you from making that call even if I come with you?”
A smile tugged at the corners of his cruel lips. “Nothing. It’s a risk you have to take. You have to trust me.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“But you trust him?” Viper took a step forward, into the light. He looked older, tired, but no less formidable in his worn, leather cut, tight black T-shirt and jeans, his muscular arms colorful with tats. “The man who killed your father? The man who shot one of my junior patch in the back in cold blood? Ask him about Wheels. Or the three men he shot in a gunfight up in Whitefish. He kidnapped my old lady, threw her in the Sinner dungeon, probably tortured her for information. She’s there now if you don’t believe me. We aren’t so different, kitten. We’re both one percenters. Think about what that means.”
“I know at heart he’s a good man.” She took a step back, pushing Ty along the sidewalk, putting some distance between them. His offer was no offer at all. He was going to make that call regardless of what she did. Her best option was to find Zane and warn him before the police came to call.
“Are you sure about that? Do you know the truth about what happened to your father?”
Taking a deep breath, Evie spun around, grabbed Ty’s hand and ran into the crowd.
“Wrong choice,” Viper shouted after her. “Wrong fucking choice.”
* * *
Zane shoved people out of his way as he searched the crowd. He’d managed to chase away all the staff and customers before the Jacks started shooting, and had barely made it out himself when one of the bullets triggered the explosion. Evie and Ty should have gotten out before him.
So where the fuck were they?
Fear gripped his belly as he scanned the sea of faces, a gut-wrenching sickness like nothing he’d ever felt before. He wasn’t going to lose them now. Not after he’d only just found her again; not after he’d only just met his son.
He whipped out his phone and punched Jagger’s number. “Jag.” He drew in a shuddering breath. He’d never asked for help before. Never needed it. “The Jacks shot up the Kaufman Kafe on Stock Street. Evie and Ty were inside. I can’t find them.”
“I’m there, brother. Hold on.”
Zane’s tension eased the tiniest bit and he continued the search. But, when one wall of the building caved in with an earsplitting crash, his heart thundered so loud he thought he would break a rib.
The police arrived and cordoned off the area. Fire trucks screeched to a halt, sirens blaring, lights flashing. Ambulance attendants wheeled a gurney to an old lady lying on the sidewalk. Zane vaguely remembered pushing her outside moments before the deafening explosi
on. He searched the back alley, the SUV, the side streets, and then returned to the crowd out front, now ten people deep. Where were they?
Smoke filled his lungs, singed his nostrils, the scent bringing back the memory of his utter despair outside Evie’s shop when he thought she was gone. Fuck. He couldn’t go through this again. It was going to fucking kill him.
His heart lifted when he heard the rumble of motorcycles. Moments later, Jagger stalked down the street, six Sinners behind him, drawing the attention of the cops who had little to do but hold the crowd back as the firefighters fought the blaze. Once, that had been him. He’d always been the first one into a building, taking the biggest risks, simply because he had nothing to live for.
Zane met them curbside, briefed them on the layout of the block and then the Sinners dispersed.
“I called Benson. Told him to get his lazy ass down here.” Jagger cut a path through the gawking onlookers with a mighty sweep of his hand. “He’s going to get me copies of the witness reports so we can ID the Jacks involved. Crossing our border, shooting up a café filled with civilians, targeting a brother and his family … They’ve broken every damn code we have. This will bring the ATF down on all of us. National will be involved in this one. But I’m not waiting for the nod from the higher-ups. We’ll find Evie and Ty, and then we’ll hit them hard.”
His family.
Zane had never had a real family. But he didn’t correct Jagger. Evie and Ty were his to protect. He would fight for them. He would die for them. And if that meant they were family, then he’d found something he’d been looking for all his life. But goddammit the MC was no place for them. Not if they were constantly in danger.
“Zane! I got ’em.” Gunner bulldozed his way toward them, Ty on his shoulders, Evie under one arm. “They were looking for you in the ambulances.”
Zane had no words, no thoughts, no ability even to move. He’d been through a lot of shit in his life, seen things no man should ever see, experienced the full range of emotions, but nothing compared to the sight of Evie—his Evie—running toward him, her face streaked with tears and soot, the most beautiful goddamn sight he had ever seen.
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