Page 84 of Doc's Decision

Ain't nothing ever gonna hurt my girl or my boy, I'll make damn sure of that.

They're my whole fucking world.

As if sensing my gaze, Mandy looks up and our eyes meet.

In that moment, the rest of the clubhouse, the chatter and raucous laughter, it all just fades away.

It's just us.

Our own little family.

And I'd burn the world to ashes to keep them safe.

I drop my head, planting a tender kiss on the top of Kash's fuzzy little head before capturing Mandy's lips in a searing kiss, not giving a single fuck about the hoots and hollers from my brothers around the table.

"Later, baby," I murmur against her mouth, a dark promise.

Her cheeks flush prettily and her eyes sparkle with anticipation.

Damn, she's going to be the death of me.

Dixon, the VP, slides into the seat beside me, his expression unreadable.

Fuck. What does he know?

"Hey, what's up?" I ask casually, even as my gut clenches.

Dixon takes a swig of his beer, eyeing me intently. "Got a minute, Doc? There's something you and I need to discuss."

I exchange a quick glance with Mandy, seeing the flicker of concern in her eyes.

I give her hand a reassuring squeeze before standing up. "Sure thing. Lead the way."

As I follow Dixon to the back room, I mentally steel myself for whatever shitstorm is about to rain down on me.

Dixon shuts the door behind us with a soft click, the tension in the room so thick I could cut it with my knife.

He leans against the desk, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "You want to tell me what the hell that was all about earlier, brother? You, Jolt, and Turmoil were all gone. Van was missing, and not even a peep to any full patches or officers."

I mirror his stance, keeping my expression carefully neutral. "I apologize. There was a situation that needed immediate attention, and wasn’t thinkin’. I called on the guys to come help and they came, so if anyone's to blame for it, it's me."

Dixon's jaw clenches, his gaze hardening. "I don't care about thatbullshit, Doc. If you need help, we'll fuckin' help you. You took the van without clearing it with any officers or patches. That shit doesn't fly here and you fucking know it. If you need help, you ask for it. Club property isn’t just yours to take any damn time you feel like it."

I drag a hand down my face, exhaling heavily.

Fuck it, might as well come clean. "It was Mandy's stepfather. The scumbag ended up in Vegas and was stalking her. I had to handle it."

Dixon's eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. "Handle it how exactly?"

I take a deep breath, meeting Dixon's steely gaze head on. "The fucker got a job at Bernard Industrials. They set him up with a condo in the same building as Mandy's place. Too much of a coincidence, if you ask me."

There’s a knock at the door and Turmoil steps forward, drawing Dixon's attention. "I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I did come here to talk to you too. Doc's right. Bernard found the asshole affordable housing, which just happened to be where Mandy lives. Seems pretty fucking fishy."

Dixon rubs his chin, processing this new information. "Bernard Industrials...are we certain Sally Bernard owns it?"

"Oh, Sally Bernard owns it," I supply, watching the realization dawn on Dixon's face. "And we all know that vindictive bitch has had it out for the club ever since Lunatic got killed."

Dixon nods slowly, the pieces starting to fall into place. "So you think Sally planted Mandy's stepdad here to fuck with you? Get under the club's skin?"

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