Page 15 of Beautiful Unity

When Pretty Boy called me out, I realized the hurt I’d accidentally caused in my insecurity. Being the oldest and least fit of the guys had me questioning myself. I didn’t want to be compared to my brothers. It was one thing when we were separate, but if she had us all together, there would be no denying how different I was from them.

It had been dumb, and it almost cost me the best thing in my life. Darcie wasn’t with any of us for our outside appearances. The girl loved us for who we were—all four of us. I wouldn’t make the mistake of questioning her again. Besides, missing out on that would’ve been a sin.

“You ready for this, Waylon?” she asked, climbing into my lap. My hands gripped her waist, and I wished I had more time with her. Seeing her on my bike between my legs was my fantasy come to life. Her hands raked through my beard. Closing my eyes, I leaned into her touch and let myself soak in her comfort. Her lips lightly touched mine and I opened my eyes.

The clearest blue stared back, searching for the answer to her question. Squeezing her hips, I pressed another kiss to her mouth and ignored the hollow feeling flaring to life.

I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. Even if it meant me dying. I’d sacrifice myself so she’d live.

“I’m ready, baby. We’ll get this done and be back in no time.” Pretty Boy and I were headed into town to recon. Darcie had given me a few descriptions and names of men in the MCD program. Pretty Boy and I would suss it out, and if they were there, then we’d mention meeting them to talk.

It would be easier if Maddox or Darcie could go with us, but since we didn’t want to alert the Mavericks or the Diamonds they were in town, it was better to play our cards close to the chest. Darcie chewed her lip, the worry evident in every feature.

“We’ll be fine. I’ve done the whole song and dance before.”

“Be careful. I don’t know what it’s like anymore.”

“I’ll be smart. Promise. Now, kiss me goodbye, so I have something to think about.”

Grinning, she leaned up and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Cupping her ass, I lifted her up so she practically sat in my lap. My cock pressed against my zipper, but I ignored it. Now wasn’t the time to let it out to play. Darcie’s kiss stole my breath and did precisely what I’d asked. It gave me something to focus on.

There was no way in hell I wouldn’t return to that woman.

Maddox walked over and eyed me while Darcie said bye to Grayson. “You good?” he asked.

“Yep. We’ve got the names and descriptions. We’ll lay low and see what we can gather.”

Maddox nodded. His jaw ticked, and I wondered what he wasn’t saying.

“Spit it out. Now isn’t the time to bite your tongue, brother.”

His eyes lit up at my term, and his shoulders dropped. I’d initially been skeptical about Maddox, worried he’d take Darcie and disappear into the night. But after the cornfield, I knew he was someone we could trust. He’d slotted into our family naturally, like he was meant to be here. It wasn’t until I saw his reaction that I realized I might not have been as forthcoming in accepting him as I’d believed.

“I don’t have a good feeling.”

I cursed under my breath. “I’ve been fighting that pinging in my gut. Ever since that jackass last night.”

Maddox wiped the sweat from his brow. “Yeah. The dude creeps me out, but I didn’t have many options when I was in prison. Now, I don’t know if I signed myself out of one prison to be in another, but…”

“But Darcie,” I said, answering the unspoken question.

“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his head and blew out a breath. “Tiny’s your best bet. He’s solid to his core. Red and Bullet were newer, but I always found them honorable. Brick…he was shifty, but Hank trusted him.”

I nodded. Men could be swayed with empty promises.

“Good luck, brother.”

I smirked, slapping him on the shoulder. “You are my brother, Mad Dog. Take care of our queen.”

He smiled. “You know Darcie. She’ll take care of us.”

I snorted and pulled my helmet on. I revved my engine and laughed when Pretty Boy jumped at the sound. If I hadn’t intervened, Pretty Boy would never have pulled his lips away from Darcie’s. He cursed but climbed onto his bike and strapped on his helmet, only tossing me a middle finger before starting his bike.

Smiling, I drove out of the parking lot and headed toward the town Darcie had grown up in. We’d picked a motel a few towns over to stay off their radar. She and Maddox were certain that the Agonizer’s reach wouldn’t be that far if he had managed to take over the Mavericks’ territory.

Pretty Boy’s engine sounded behind me and I opened the throttle once we were on the open road. The drive went by quickly and that feeling in my gut intensified when we entered the town. It had been years since Darcie had been back, but I didn’t think time was why it looked more like a ghost town.

It was only about eight in the evening, but there were barely any people out. While it wasn’t uncommon for businesses to be closed at this time in small towns, it felt more than that. The buildings were worn down and dingy, while others seemed abandoned.

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