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Normally, Trevan would be riding at Silas’s right side, just a fraction behind him, with Phoenix directly opposite him.

The rest of the army took up formation behind them.

But Trevan was outside standing on the store’s porch. Every bit as ferocious as he watched them pile into the lot.

I wondered what he thought about having to be on babysitting duty.

Did he harbor secret animosity toward me? A chip that I was his lot?

My spirit clutched.

Love is never a burden.

Is that what I’d become? A burden?

Drawn by the intensity, both Penny and I edged toward the windows.

Staring out through the glass like we were watching a movie unfold.

“Is that an actual motorcycle gang?” Penny turned to me with wide eyes, having no clue about my relationship to them.

Worry and a spluttering of fear wicked into her features.

I internally cringed. Not because I was ashamed, but because how did you stand up for the people who meant the most to you when people judged them without having the first clue?

Not that I blamed Penny.

I knew what they looked like.

Knew what they were capable of.

But the last thing I wanted was for her to be afraid.

They would never harm the innocent.

“You see that biker right there? The one who pulled in first and just backed his bike up into the spot in front of the bar’s door?”

She leaned closer toward the glass, peering out. “As if I could miss him.”

Silas had that effect on people.

“That’s my older brother.”

“Oh.” It was a shocked gasp.

“And Trevan?” I gestured with my chin at Trevan who was striding across the parking lot in their direction, his cut missing, but his big, burly body covered in tats.

Wide and intimidating. A mountaintop where I wanted to spend my life.

“I see it now,” she whispered like the pieces had just snapped together.

“Yep. He’s normally riding right at my brother’s side. That’s when he’s not having to look after me.”

“Why do I have the hunch that you have some stories to tell?”

I laughed, not quite in reproach. “Oh, there are plenty of them.”

Too bad almost every single one of them was a secret.