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“There was a fire,” she pants. “At Rustic Grove. The stables. Dustin found a Crows’ patch on the fence after one of the miscreants fled.”
“Holy shit,” I say, already pacing. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
“No, just shaken up. Jade and Dustin were in the cabin next to the stables. They could’ve been killed!”
“Is the fire out?”
“Y-yes, the fire truck came… It was so freakin’ crazy. The horses are all okay, thanks to Dustin’s quick thinking.”
“Sit tight, I’m gonna come over.”
“Drift, you can’t. It’s not safe, they may see you.”
“It’s two a.m., it’s dark, and I’ll wear a fuckin’ mask. I’m comin’, babe.”
Something in her tone tells me she needs me, and if my queen needs me, I’m there. In a fucking heartbeat. It’d be better if I had my truck, but that can’t be helped.
“Jesus.” is all she says, and I hear in that lone word how shaken up she is.
“I’ll always come to you, no matter what, got me?”
Her voice is a faint whisper. “I do need you, Jamie. This… This is a fuckin’ shit show.”
“Hang tight, I’m on my way.”
I throw a hoodie on, plus my helmet; there’s no way anyone will notice me. I doubt anyone will be hanging around except the sheriff.
My heart pounds as I race to her. Not on my fucking watch.
When I get through the gates, I head down the side road, per the instructions she texted me. Granted, it isn’t ideal, but I’ll sneak away before it gets light if that’s what it takes. She can smuggle me out in a fucking trunk for all I care.
When Ruby opens her cabin door, she looks rattled, her face sad and her eyes red-rimmed.
She folds into my arms when I reach her. “It was awful. The barn is fucked.”
“What matters most is that everyone is okay, and the animals.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
I pull back. “Hit me.”
She puffs air out of her cheeks as she grabs me, hauling me inside. “That patch Dustin found confirms the Crows are workin’ both sides.”
“Kinda thought they were up to somethin’, but now they’re after the MC, too?”
“You said Lanzetti owes the Crows money and perhaps the raid through the town was retaliation for them not gettin’ paid, but that could all be hearsay. Why would the Crows suddenly attack us for no reason? Lanzetti is behind it. He has to be.”
I pull her into my arms once more. “I’m gonna fuckin’ blow that cunt’s head off.”
“Trust me, we all want to do the same. I wish we’d caught one of them. I would’ve had fun gettin’ the information out of him.”
I kiss the top of her head. “I love it when you get violent.”
Her eyes are fierce when she says, “Nobody hurts the people I love, Drift. Nobody.”
I nod in understanding. These women are her family. I can totally relate because the Bandits are mine. The biggest obstacle in our lives—being orphaned—has become a thread we can build on. Trauma bonding, or whatever you wanna call it, isn’t something I’ve shared with anyone. Hell, some of my club brothers don’t even know the full story, but with Ruby I can tell her anything.
“I’m gonna make you some tea.” I pinch her chin. “Or somethin’ stronger?”
