Page 64 of July 27

Ruger was twice as big as Bishop. Even the jacked-up lifters were smaller than him.

"Tricia has membership forms at the front." Bishop swept his arm to the side. "I'll walk you out."

He never moved. "I'm not looking for a membership." He walked to the door and stopped where they could talk privately. "I'm looking for Shady. I was told you would know where to find him."

"Who?"

The asshole wanted to play dumb. He grabbed him by the neck and pushed him up against the door.

"You've got ten seconds before one of your boys comes and thinks he's going to save you, and I have to blow your fucking head off." He squeezed. "When's the last time you saw Shady?"

The words came out of Bishop's mouth garbled. Ruger let go.

Bishop coughed, waving off the others from coming any closer. Ruger pulled back his vest, showing him the pistol tucked under his belt. He wasn't playing around.

He was tired, cranky, and had better things to do.

After spending the last three days searching for Shady, Ruger wanted to go home and spend some time with his woman. He'd rather work in the parts shop than run around dealing with lowlifes.

"I haven't seen him since last Wednesday, man." Bishop rubbed his neck. "Whatever Shady's done has nothing to do with me."

"If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him."

"What's your name?"

"You don't need my name. Just describe me to him. He'll know." He exited the weight room, strolled through the empty lobby, and pushed out the door.

Today was Tuesday. It'd been almost a week since anyone had seen Rachel's brother. If he had to guess, Shady was hiding out because the cops were after him.

At his Harley, his phone vibrated. He straddled the seat and pulled the cell out of his vest pocket. It was Rachel.

He connected the call. "I'm here."

"Oh, good. I was afraid you'd be riding, and I wouldn't be able to get ahold of you."

"Everything okay?" he asked.

He'd left her home because Havlin members were using the clubhouse to divide the money Moroad Motorcycle Club sent over. On Friday, he'd go out on his last run. After that, he'd go back to working security for the club.

"Katrina called."

Ruger tensed. "Is she okay? The baby?"

"Yes, she's fine. Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you." Rachel paused. "She called and asked if I'd like to come with her and Cora to Daisy's house. Supposedly, they're all going over orders—I'm not sure what that involves. Katrina's picking up Cora and said she could swing by the cottage if I wanted to go, too."

He could tell by her voice she was excited. It would do her good to get out with the other girls. They were all around the same age. Rachel needed to learn what it meant to belong to a Havlin member.

The club was her family now, for as long as he claimed her or she decided that there was more in life than to be saddled with him.

He scanned the parking lot. While she was busy, he could continue looking for her brother.

"Do you want to go?" he asked.

"I think so." She blew out her breath. "I'm nervous."

"Don't be." He knew he had to let her go, but it hurt.

One day, she would recover from her past and start dreaming of better things for herself. He had to prepare himself. One day, she'd leave him.

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