Page 77 of June 7

Bane pushed to the surface, gulping for air. Coughing water, he frantically scanned the edge of the pool. Jagger leaned over Daisy, sprawled out on the concrete floor.

Fury blinded him. He dove back under the water.

Dio pinned the man to the bottom of the pool. Bane motioned above him and took over for his MC brother. The fight had already left the man's body. But Bane wanted to make sure the fucker was dead beyond saving.

Cord and Maverick appeared in the water with him, pointing up. Bane shook his head. Nothing would stop him from killing the fucker who put his hands on Daisy.

His lungs burned. The pressure in his head escalated. Bubbles slipped out of his nose.

Maverick grabbed his leather vest and shoved Bane toward the water's surface. He broke out of the water, coughing violently.

"Help him out of the pool," said the prettiest voice he'd ever heard.

He sank. His boots pulled him down like an anchor.

Cord grabbed him, propelling him through the water. He grabbed onto the edge of the pool. Daisy kneeled beside Jagger, pulling on Bane's vest. Hoisted out of the water, he hooked her neck, bringing her down against him as he continued to suck in air and expel the water choking him.

She clung to his chest. He palmed the back of her head, holding her against him, and met Jagger's eyes.

His president nodded. They'd been in the same position before. They could either clean up the crime or let the police find the body.

Except he had someone else to think about this time. Daisy already suffered with the life her father left her when he decided to kill her mom and then himself. She'd forever have to deal with others viewing her differently. Wondering if she, too, had bad blood coursing through her veins.

Then, to have a man killed in the city pool while she was here. Nobody would believe she was attacked. Even if someone believed she wasn't involved in the death, the crime that happened tonight would close the city pool for good. They would never recover.

The pool meant everything to Daisy.

"Let the tide take him out." He coughed, struggling to his feet and bringing Daisy with him.

"Bane." She grabbed his face, pulling him down. "H-he tried to kill me."

"I know, babe."

"I killed him." Her gaze widened. "I had to—"

"No." He held her tighter. "You didn't kill him. I did."

She shook her head. "He wouldn't stop. He kept pulling me under the water."

"I heard you scream, babe." He held her to his chest. "I heard you scream."

"You came?" she whispered.

"I will always come when you need me."

Jagger put his hand on his back. "Take her out of here."

Daisy stiffened. "I have to call Diane. I have to report what happened."

"We'll talk about that once we get to the shop." He put his arm around her and led her around the pool.

Jagger would have Maverick do cleanup.

Maverick always handled the dead bodies. No one could tell if the job bothered him or not because he rarely spoke. They only knew that he was one tough motherfucker.

Daisy shook, barely able to walk. They were both wet. He kept her moving. She needed to get out of there before they pulled the body out of the water.

He also needed to get her into dry, warm clothes before she slipped further into shock. Then, he needed to tell her it would be best if the body wasn't found. Or, maybe let it wash up on shore in a few days.