He nodded.
She drew in a breath and tilted her head. “Go.”
He stepped forward, coming down to his knees in front of her and cupped her jaw. Pulling her toward him, he whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
****
Trax pulled the door closed and pulled out his keys to lock it.
“I’ll watch the door.”
Trax shifted to his right to see Hades and his members flanked on either side. They stopped a foot away.
“I’ll get my guys.”
Hades cocked a brow. “Yeah?” He jerked his chin down the hall. “Which one of your brothers is gonna offer to stand down and not partake in revenge for Mick, all to watch the door for your woman?”
Trax sighed. He was right. No one would be willing, and he couldn’t ask, it wouldn’t be right. What the fuck was he supposed to do? He couldn’t just leave her. He eyed Hades. He’d known him for a long time, longer than some of his own brothers. Hades had tendencies that didn’t fly with him, but he’d never known him to break his word.
He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, shaking his head with a smirk. “I’m your only fucking option, man.” He took a drag from his smoke. “Look, I’m offering to put pussy on hold to stand guard for your girl. Only gonna offer this once.”
Trax sighed. “No one goes in there, ya hear me?”
Hades nodded. “No one, you have my word.”
Trax passed by Hades but turned a few feet away back to him. “How’d ya know she wasn’t lying?”
He took a drag from his cigarette. “The pink hair band.”
Trax’s brows furrowed.
“He stopped by my house for the delivery that morning. His band broke.” He took another drag and released the smoke from his lips. “My little girl gave him the one she was wearing.” He laughed, shaking his head. “Fucker didn’t wanna take it, ya know it being fucking pink, but one look from me and he tied that shit around his hair. My kid offers you something ’cause she’s a fucking sweetheart,” he paused and his jaw tensed, “you fucking take it.”
Trax was just given the confirmation he needed to enter Kase’s room and do what needed to be done. For Mick. He stalked down the hall with a fiery rage in his belly. He opened the door and watched as Gage, Rourke, Kase, and Saint surrounded Ron. He’d arrived just in time to witness Rourke slam his fist across Ron’s jaw, sending him across the room and falling against the wall.
“Why?” Kase growled.
Ron shifted his head. “Motherfucker deserved it.” Blood trickled from his lips as he tried to stand but failed. He hugged his ribs. “Cut off my brother’s fucking finger.” Ron coughed.
Trax balled his fists and rushed forward, grabbing Ron by the collar, forcing him to look at Trax. “Your brother,” he spewed in complete disgust. “Owed money to the club. That piece of shit borrowed from the club then fucking ran like a pussy instead of paying back what he owed.” He tightened his grip. “Your brother was willing to let his fucking wife and kids take the fall for his debt.” Trax was riddled with anger and pain. “Yeah, Mick cut off his finger so his wife and kids wouldn’t be held liable for his fucking debt, you piece of shit.” Trax grasped his neck, tightening his hold until Ron’s face turned blue.
He pushed him against the wall and stalked back to his brothers. The debt in question wasn’t owed to their club, but to Hades. Mick knew if retribution wasn’t taken, it would fall on the guy’s family. Mick wouldn’t let that happen. And it wound up costing him his life.
Trax stood silent with his brothers and watched the reality resonate in Ron’s eyes.
It would be the last look he ever gave.
Lights out, motherfucker.
Chapter Eighteen
Cheyenne sat on the edge of his bed, palms tucked under her thighs and her feet tapping the wood floor. Time had stood still since he’d ushered her into his room and then closed the door behind him. She had followed him and listened to his conversation in the hall. Oddly enough, she wasn’t scared with who watched the room. In fact, she wasn’t scared at all, which made this situation worrisome. Was this what life with Trax would be like? A series of fights and revenge, people watching her while he went off and did God knew what?
The doorknob jiggled, and she jerked her head, watching it slowly open. Trax emerged from the hall. The low lights in the room made it hard to see anything but his silhouette. He shut the door and turned, stopping when he realized she was watching him.
What now?