“You may be able to kill me. You may even be able to take out one or two of them. But not all of them. You’ll die, too.”

He smashed his fists to the ground on either side of my head and screamed in my face.

I flinched away. Waiting.

I’m sorry, Squish. I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger for you.

I’m sorry I wasn’t the kind of mama you deserve.

I took in a stuttering breath when he suddenly pushed off me and raced for the back door.

I pulled myself to stand, clinging to the side of the couch.

Not even a minute later, my front door was kicked in by a pissed off biker who looked murderous when he saw me. He was surrounded by a group of similarly pissed off bikers with the same reaction.

Despite what I’d been through before.

Despite what’d just happened.

Despite what Eddie had said Mayhem would do to me if they found me.

Despite all of that, as soon as I saw Ward, I moved to him. Like the night in his backyard, he met me part way, gently wrapping his arms around me.

“I didn’t tell him,” I forced out through the burn, my voice hoarse. “I never talked to the police. You have to believe me, I’d never—”

“I know, baby, I know. Where’d he go?”

“Back door.”

The rest of the bikers separated, some retreating through the front door while the others took the back.

Ward and I didn’t move for a long time. Not until the adrenaline started to ebb and my legs began to shake so hard, I could no longer stand. He backed up until he sat on the couch with me bundled in his lap.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“What the fuck do you have to be sorry for?” Ward said, his words harsh but his tone gentle.

“I lied to you.” I took a stuttering breath. “A lot.”

That was all I got out before I started sobbing.

34. Strong

CHAPTER 34

STRONG

HOLLYWOOD

I’d tried to convince Mac. Then I’d tried to order her. Then I’d tried to beg her.

I was two seconds away from calling the damn ambulance myself.

’Cause knocked around, bruised, and bleeding, Mac was still selfless.

She still tried to protect me.

After we found her in her own house—right fuckin’ next door to mine—Mayhem brothers had searched the area for the detective.

Her not-dead fiancé.

But the fucker had gotten away.

Mac had asked to go to the clubhouse so O could help patch her up. I’d given her that as long as she promised to let me take her to the hospital after.

It was time to go, but standing in the middle of Mayhem, she fought me.