Page 2 of April 5

"You might've done the deed, but I have the fucking gun."

Jagger's heartbeat echoed in his head. He hadn't remembered giving the gun to Ruger.

"Go down on your knees," shouted the cop. "Move slow. Don't try anything. We have you covered."

Jagger looked behind them. There were three policemen aiming weapons at them. He had to think fast. Ruger couldn't go down for the crime.

"Don't even think about causing a scene and getting yourself shot." Ruger kneeled. "If I reach down into my vest, they'll kill us both. I'm not leaving my daughter that way. I need to get back to her."

Dread filled Jagger. He'd do anything for his MC brother. Over the years, he and Ruger had grown close. Ruger was the brother Jagger never had.

When his MC brother arrived at the Havlin clubhouse, lost and looking for somewhere to live, Ruger lived with Jagger's mom and dad while he prospected for Havlin.

"I'll tell them—"

"No sense in both of us going down. I've got the gun," said Ruger.

"Down on your stomach, spread your legs, and put your hands behind your head," shouted the officer.

Jagger followed the directions and looked over at Ruger beside him. "Tell them I did it."

"They're not going to believe me." Ruger's gaze intensified. "Promise me you'll take care of Katrina."

His pulse raced. He had to figure a way out for both of them.

"Promise me, damnit." Anger filled Ruger's tone.

"On my life," said Jagger.

"Keep her safe." Ruger grunted as a cop twisted his arms behind his back. "Don't let her forget me."

Jagger's arms were pinned behind him and cuffed. "I'll take care of her."

Hauled to his feet, he watched them frisk Ruger and find the gun. Guilt filled him. It should be him.

Taken to a different patrol car, he lost track of Ruger. The satisfaction of killing the man who'd shot his father darkened by the outcome.

Ruger was going behind bars, and there wasn't a fucking thing Jagger could do to stop him. He owed his MC brother his life.

Chapter One

JAGGER EXHALED A LINE of smoke straight into the night sky. The boisterous good cheers from Wire and Cora's wedding celebration inside the clubhouse pushed him further into the shadows.

Weeks ago, when Wire approached him wanting to contact Jeff 'Ruger' Albright, he knew doing so would only invite all hell to break loose in his life.

Hell in the name of Katrina Albright.

When he'd left the mother chapter of Havoc-Lincoln 'Havlin' Motorcycle Club in Beaverton to start the new chapter in Seaglass Cove, he'd left everything behind.

Ruger's daughter, Katrina, understood she was not to contact him ever again. She was to stay out of his life.

But she waltzed into the clubhouse as if she belonged, looking more beautiful and tempting than he remembered.

He exhaled roughly. Damn that girl.

Katrina had everything she wanted in Beaverton. Her dad was no longer in prison. She had a profitable job within the club, working as a bartender. She lived across the street from the clubhouse with Jagger's mom.

She had all the support she needed, surrounded by Havlin members willing to take a fucking bullet for her.

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