Page 23 of My Prince

I leveled my gaze on him. “You’re so full of shit, Fade, I’m surprised your eyes aren’t brown.”

Fade looked at the camera.

“It’s off,” I drawled. “You can’t fool me anymore, Fade. There is so much more to your story, and I want to know.”

“No.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “I’m pretty sure your “no” is shit after I almost got killed yesterday. My biggest worry is getting an interview with you when, in reality, we’re all possibly one step away from getting shot.”

Fade’s jaw clenched, and he looked away again. “It’s not that simple, Adalee. There are things you don’t understand.”

“Then make me understand,” I insisted. “You think I’m going to walk away now? After everything?”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “This isn’t just about the club. It’s about survival. It’s about protecting the people we care about.”

“And lying to me is protecting me?” I asked, my voice rising. “You think keeping me in the dark is going to help?”

“It’s not about lying,” he said, his voice harsh. “It’s about keeping everyone safe. Do you really think we can just blab everything to the camera, Adalee? There are people trying to take out the whole fucking club right now, and you’re on my ass to tell the whole story.”

I shook my head, frustration boiling over. “You think I’m safer not knowing what’s really going on?”

“Yes,” he snapped. “Because the truth will put a target on your back. The less you know, the better.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “I can’t do my job if I’m being kept in the dark. I’m supposed to tell the story of the Iron Fiends.”

“We’re giving you the story you can tell,” he countered.

“And the real story is going to kill us all,” I snapped back. “What on earth is going on?”

Fade looked at me, his eyes searching mine. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I know exactly what I’m asking for,” I said firmly. “I’m asking for the truth. No more lies, no more half-truths. Just the truth. You don’t have to tell it to the camera, but you damn sure tell me.”

He was silent for a long moment, and I could see the internal struggle in his eyes. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. You want the truth? I’ll give it to you. But you better be ready for it, Adalee. Because once you know, there’s no going back.”

I nodded, my heart pounding. “I’m ready.”

Fade took a deep breath, his expression hardening. “Not here. I know you said the camera isn’t recording, but I don’t trust it.”

“Then where?” I asked.

He stood and held his hand out to me. “Let’s go for a ride.”

Chapter Eleven

Fade

Riding my motorcycle with Adalee behind me was a pure pleasure. We carved through the country roads, the engine’s hum a steady companion as we flew past fields and forests. The breeze hit us in exhilarating waves, and I felt alive in a way that only a good ride can bring. Adalee’s arms were wrapped around me, her body pressed against my back, fitting perfectly. It felt natural and comforting to have her there, like she belonged.

We rode for close to an hour, the landscape changing from open fields to dense woods, until I finally pulled over at a boat ramp for Lake Arrowhead. The lake was a hidden gem, a peaceful retreat that not many people knew about. The water sparkled under the sun, and the air was fresh with the scent of pine.

“Where are we?” Adalee asked as she took off her helmet, her hair falling in waves around her shoulders.

“Lake Arrowhead,” I replied as she swung her leg over the bike and stood up, stretching.

Adalee looked around, her eyes wide with curiosity. I got off the bike and joined her, feeling a sense of contentment that was rare for me. We wandered over to the edge of the water, and I picked up a smooth, flat rock. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it skipping across the surface.

“If I would have tried that, it would have sunk the instant it hit the water,” she joked, a smile lighting up her face.

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