“Go on down. Get yourself breakfast. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Gathering her clothes, she goes into the bathroom. A couple of minutes later, I hear the outside door of the bathroom open and close, then her footsteps go down the hall. Dropping my head into my hands, I rub my face, an exasperated sigh escaping me. I need to get it together—for my crew, for her, and for my own sanity.
Thoughts of last night trickle into my mind, the image of Wesley’s dead body in my arms. Tears threaten to spill, so I stand from the bed and get dressed. Going downstairs, I find most of the crew up and moving around. Ink and William have worked together to make breakfast. Dom is in the living room chair, checking the news. Jake is still asleep on the couch, but thankfully, his color is better, and he’s in fresh clothes.
“Did he wake up last night?” I ask Liz as she sits on the edge of the couch, caressing Jake’s face with the kind of affection she only has for him. Beneath her eyes are dark rings from a sleepless night, and in her soft gaze is worry.
“Yeah, he was in and out of sleep all night, had a fever, but it broke this morning. He’s going to be okay. The bullet went straight through without any major damage, but he won’t be riding for a while.” She looks up at me with concern. “He needs to see a doctor though. He needs antibiotics.”
“Take him to the same hospital as Trevor. Stick with the same story of a multi-motorcycle accident.”
Liz stands and quickly gathers her things. “Can y’all help me get him into the car?”
Ink and William come into the living room and help lift Jake. His eyes flicker open, and he grumbles.
“We’re taking you to the hospital,” William tells him.
“I’m… fine,” he mumbles.
Liz opens the door for them.
“Don’t argue, baby. You need antibiotics.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t argue and lets William and Ink take him to the car without a fight. Following them out, I make sure they get him in the car all right.
“William, Ink, you mind going with them?”
“Not at all.” William climbs into the passenger seat of Liz’s Camaro, and Ink gets in the back with Jake. I watch them pull out as my anxiety begins to build.
Back inside, Synne hands me a fresh cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. Dropping onto the couch, I try to eat it despite my lack of appetite. Synne serves Dom, Max, and Axel cinnamon rolls, then joins me on the couch.
“Anything in the news?” I ask Dom.
“Not a thing.”
“Might mean the fire hasn’t been reported yet,” Max adds, coming up to the couch. He stuffs the remaining cinnamon roll from his hand into his mouth and shrugs.
“Synne,” Dom calls, “you mind giving us a minute?”
“Yeah, of course.” Leaning over, she kisses me, then picks up her coffee cup off the end table and goes outside to the porch. When the door closes behind her, Dom’s gaze passes over each of us, then remains on me.
“It isn’t over yet. There’s still one Royal remaining.”
“That’s been on my mind this morning. If he’s still in the hospital, we can’t get to him. If he’s out, we need to decide whether or not to take him out now or later.”
“We need to take a drive by his house and see if he’s there,” Max adds. “If he is, we need to have a plan in place.”
“It needs to be quick,” I tell them. “In and out within minutes. No trace.”
“I can take care of it,” Dom assures me.
“No.” I shake my head at him. “It should be me.”
“Then we’ll go together,” he insists, sitting forward in the chair. “You’re weak because of the impact to your chest. You’ll need the backup.”
I don’t like admitting it, but he’s right. The slightest pressure and I’m ready to buckle over.
“All right. We take one vehicle, park it half a mile away, walk to his house, in through the back door.”
“I’m going,” Max asserts. “Just in case we run into any trouble.”
“Axel.”
At the end of the couch, he looks over his coffee cup with tired eyes. Between the trauma of last night and the pain in his leg, he probably didn’t get much sleep. We’re all going to need serious time to rest and recover.
“Yeah?”
“You mind checking on Trevor and Jake and being our point of contact here?”
“Whatever you need,” he says with dedication.
“Thank you, brother.” Looking at the other two, I stand. “Let’s gather what we need.”
Max and Dom go into the garage to gather supplies. As they do, I walk onto the porch. Synne is sitting on the white, wooden, two-seat bench with her legs pulled up to her chest, looking in the direction of the shop dumpster. The sound of the door opening brings her attention to me, and her smile lifts, brightening her whole face.
“Hey, babe.”
She lowers her legs, and I fill the empty space next to her.
“I have to leave. There’s one more thing that needs taken care of.”
“Can you tell me what it is?”
Staring back at her expectant gaze, my own gets lost in the flecks of gold-brown mixed in with the pretty olive green in her eyes.
“There’s still one Royal left.”
“Oh.” Her hand slides over my leg and caresses as the light in her eyes dim. “Be careful, please.”
Leaning toward her, I place my arm around her shoulders and bring her to me. “I will, baby.” Kissing her head, I caress along her arm and side. “Will you be here when I get home?”
“Yes. I’m going over to the shop to reply to voicemails and catch up on business. I need to stay busy, and I don’t want you losing clients.”
This woman, so caring and loyal—she’s everything to me and the reminder of why I’ve taken the risks I have. Jenna and Angela didn’t deserve to die, and Synne doesn’t deserve to live a life of fear that she could be raped and murdered at any unexpected moment. Neither does my sister or any of the Kings’ women. To me, the risk is worth it. I’d rather watch Synne and Liz live a life of freedom from a jail cell than bury another woman I love.
Locking my lips with hers, I feed every ounce of passion into the kiss. Her hand slides up my thigh and rubs over my dick, hardening it.
“Save those thoughts, baby. When I get home, we’re satisfying them.”
“I love you, Nix Wilson.”
“I love you, Synne Jacobs, more than words can express.”
Putting her hands on my face, she kisses me, then holds me there as she stares into my eyes, her loving gaze piercing my heart and spreading that warm tingly sensation all over my body.
“I’ve never loved anyone this deep. You’re the man I want to be with and make a life with. I’m all in with you.”
Taking her hands, I lower them and hold them in mine as I press my lips to hers, savoring the sweet taste of her kiss.
“I’m all in with you too. You’re my woman, my gorgeous Synne.” I kiss her cheek, then neck, pleased to see goosebumps rising on her skin. “I’ll always protect you.”
“I know in my heart you will.”
The garage door opens behind me to Dom and Max, backing my truck out. Synne swallows, her head lowering. Putting my fingers under her chin, I raise it. It kills me to see tears pooling in her eyes.
“What is it?”
“Five years, I was with my ex, and he never came close to making me feel the love and security you do. I’m terrified of losing you.”
Pulling her to my chest, I kiss her head. I want to tell her it’ll all be okay, but I can’t. I don’t know what the consequences of our actions will be. All I can do is enjoy the time I do have with her, starting tonight.
“When I’m home, I promise to help you forget your fear.”
I give her one final kiss and leave her on the porch as Axel limps out my door to join her. Climbing into my truck, Max hands me my bulletproof vest and a handgun as Dom backs us out of the driveway. I can’t bring
myself to look at Synne as we drive off. It’ll only strengthen the gut-wrenching sensation in my stomach.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
SYNNE
Thankfully, everyone who left messages this week was happy to hear from me. I got every one of them booked on the calendar for a repair or custom job. Wanting to stay busy, Axel joined me in the shop. For the last three hours, he’s been working on repairs in the garage while I paid the utility bills, filed completed invoices, booked clients, and called two clients to pick up motorcycles that were ready for them. The second customer is just leaving when Axel limps into the office, wiping grease off his hands with a rag. He drops it on the counter, and by the red puffiness in his eyes, I can see he’s tired and sore. I step off the stool and pat my hand on the seat.
“Here. You need it more than I do.”
It hasn’t slipped past me that Nix isn’t the only one who’s made sacrifices. Every Kings member has. Whatever their personal reasons, they chose to confront the Royals together and take whatever consequences there are, together.
“I’m done in the office. I’m going back to the house to cook all of you dinner. You ready to head back?”
Axel rakes a hand through his lengthy russet locks and blows out an exhausted breath.
“I am. Dinner sounds good. What are you making us?”
“Chicken, mashed potatoes, beans, and rolls. That sound good?”
“My mouth started salivating at chicken and mashed potatoes,” he quips, his mouth curved on one side.
“Good. You okay to walk back to the house?”
“I’ll make it, but I should probably put my leg up once we get back.”
“Yes, you should,” I order.
Looking through the door to the garage, I see he’s already closed the garage doors. I lock the door in front of me, then gather my phone off the counter and the office keys from the drawer. Using the small one, I lock the cash drawer, then wave my hand for Axel to follow me out the front.
“Have you received any texts or calls from the guys?”
Axel grimaces with each step but doesn’t stop.
“Yeah, Trevor and Audrey are coming back to the house. Trevor made it through surgery. He’s going to have full function of his hand it sounds like. The stab wound didn’t destroy his nerves or tendons.”
“Oh, thank God.”
Crossing the grassy yard, I see Nix’s house in the distance and look for his truck, but it’s not back yet. My heart sinks, worry dampening my palms and drying my mouth. I try not to think the worst and instead keep talking.
“What about Jake?”
“He’s doing better. Liz got his antibiotics picked up, and they’re headed back.”
“Can you text the group and let them know I’m cooking for everyone?”
“Yeah. They’ll like that. We could use a good meal together as a family.”
Axel stops and blows out a breath. I can see the pain etched in his wrinkled brow and scrunched nose.
“Here. Use me for support.”
I come close, and Axel waves me off.
“You’re Nix’s ol’ lady. It’s not right for me to be touching you.”
“It’s my shoulder, Axel. He’s not going to get angry that you put your weight on me to help you walk.”
Axel stands straight and shakes his head.
“Nah. It just doesn’t feel right. I’ll manage.”
Rolling my eyes, I grab his arm and put it over my shoulder.
“Get over it. I’m helping you.”
Axel recoils, but I keep hold of his arm and move us forward. With the ease of my help, he gives in and puts his weight on me.
“Thanks,” he grumbles.
“You’re welcome.”
With the warm sun beating down on us, we amble across the yard toward Nix’s house. Liz’s Camaro pulls into the driveway, and my spirit lifts. Getting out of the car, William runs over to us, putting Axel’s other arm around him. Axel’s weight lightens, and we’re able to walk much quicker. Ink and Liz help Jake into the house. From where we are, I can see Jake looks a lot better, his usual color back, and he’s lucid. Coming into the house, Axel removes his arm from around me and uses William’s help to the couch. Axel and Jake bump fists as they prop their legs up on the coffee table.
“Good to see you, brother,” Axel says to him.
Liz smirks at them and puts a pillow under each of their legs. “I’ll get you both something to drink. Axel, you need some pain meds?”
“Yeah, my leg is killing me.”
She moves over to him and lifts his pant leg. He tries to wave her off, and she slaps his hand. With his pant leg pulled up, the pink, puffy swelling is visible. She looks at him with a frown and lowers his pant leg.
“You need to stay off it for the night and ice it for the next twenty minutes.”
“All right, boss.”
In the kitchen, I grab the bag of potatoes sitting on the corner of the counter and take them out to peel them. To my surprise, William joins me. Gathering a knife from the drawer, he collects a potato from the pile and starts peeling. When we meet eyes, the side of his mouth twists upward.
“I need to keep busy.”
“I get it. I think we’re all feeling that way.”
“I kind of miss Maci, but I’m also glad she’s not around. She wouldn’t be taking things as well as you are.”
“Don’t let my calm exterior fool you. I’m freaking out on the inside. I don’t want anything to happen to any of you.”
William blows out a breath and swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing as his nostrils flare. “I don’t either.”
Dicing the potatoes, I drop them into a pot of boiling water. I’ve begun seasoning the chicken when the front door opens. My gaze whips to the sound, hoping for Nix to walk through. It’s Nix’s Aunt May, carrying Liam in her arms with Erika following behind. The three of them come into the living room, and Erika sets down Liam’s playset. Liz rushes to Aunt May, who’s outstretching her arms for Liz to take Liam.
“He was really good for Aunt May.”
Liz wraps her arms around him, hugging and kissing him as she whispers private words in his ear. Jake puts an arm on the couch and looks over it at Liz and Liam.
“Bring him over here, babe. I want to hold him.”
Liz brings him over and places him in Jake’s arms. Jake tosses Liam in the air, and he immediately giggles, a huge smile puffing out his tiny cheeks. The spirit of the room feels lighter with Liam there. Everyone is watching him, entertained by his slobbery smile and excited laughter.
Erika leaves the living room, coming toward me and William in the kitchen.
“Get a beer and relax. I’ll take it from here,” she tells him.
Without argument, he pulls a beer out of the fridge and joins the rest of the guys. Dinner is nearly ready, and I’m putting the rolls in to bake when the door to the garage opens and Nix, Dom, and Max enter, completely unscathed. Quickly closing the oven door, I set the timer and rush to Nix. Opening his arms, he pulls me in and kisses me.
“I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Me too, baby.” With a kiss, he releases his hold around me. “What are you cookin’? It smells good.”
“Chicken, mashed potatoes, beans, and rolls.”
“Thank you.” Lifting my chin, he kisses me again. “We need a family dinner.”
With a caress to my arm, he kisses me for the third time, and I can tell he’s eager for us to have time alone together or at least be able to sit and be affectionate.
“Have a beer and relax. It’ll be ready soon.”
Dom is behind us, his mouth glued to Erika’s as Max is reaching into the fridge for three beers. The guys take them from his hands and go into the living room to join the others.
“Where y’all been?” Jake asks.
Nix leans against the wall, his gaze roaming the room, lingering over the women.
“We had to finish the job we started.”
Jake dips his
chin in understanding. “Did ya get it finished?”
Dom taps Jake on the shoulder from behind the couch.
“Yeah, brother, we did. It’s done.”
“Any problems?” Axel asks, a touch of concern in his voice.
“None,” Max replies. “It was a clean job.”
William drops his head into his hands, running his fingers through his hair. “That’s a relief to hear.”
“That it is, brother,” Axel agrees.
As I enter the living room, Nix extends his arm for me to be curled under it. With his arm around my shoulder, he nods toward the kitchen.
“Dinner ready?”
“Yeah. You mind getting the folding table out of the garage?”
“No problem.”
Nix drops his arm and moves toward the garage as William and Ink stand from the chair and floor.
“We got it, Pres,” William tells him.
With an appreciative nod, Nix pulls me back into his arm, bringing me close, so he can speak just to me.
“I’m glad you’re here. Later tonight, all I want is to be with you.”
My eyes meet his and see the need and desire brimming in his irises. My fingers graze the scruff on his jaw, bringing his lips to mine.
“I want the same.”
The warmth of his kiss spreads throughout my body. For those moments—our lips pressed together, our tongues tasting and teasing—there’s nothing to fear, no emotion stronger than the love we possess.
As he pulls back, the corner of his mouth rises, and he stares at me with loving adoration as he pulls my hair through his hands and tugs, keeping my gaze matched with his.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
William and Ink return from the garage with the folding table. As they set it up against the dining table, the front door opens to Trevor and Audrey. The guys cheer, welcoming him with pats on the back.
“Good to see you back home,” Nix says to him, extending an arm to cup hands with Trevor’s good hand.
Trevor raises his bandaged hand and grins. “I can still ride, brothers. It’s a good day.”
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