Page 120 of Manny

“Bandit’s right,” Manny says. “Cash could’ve had the Bracken Ridge Rebels step in and check on things in Phoenix.”

“I never thought they’d come after me,” she says, shrugging her shoulders.“Okay, I was worried they might, not because I did anything bad, but because I know what they do to people whoknow too much about them. It’s why I’ve been working at the coffee shop and keeping a low profile.”

Manny’s face softens. “You’ve been living with this the whole time you’ve been here? That’s crazy, babe.”

She nods. “I was stupid. I should’ve at least told my brother, now I’ve made a real mess of things.”

“Lace!” Riot bellows. “Move it!”

She winces and it makes me want to punch her brother in the face, just like he did to me. He had his shot, albeit I probably deserved it, but he won’t get that chance again.

Audrina comes out of the back with Nevada, and Hustler moves toward her. They can deny it all they want, but those two have chemistry. “We’re going to the clubhouse,” he says, one arm around her shoulders. “It’s all gonna be okay.”

“West, I don’t like this.”

“I know, Baby Girl, but we gotta do what Cash says until we get it all worked out. You’ll be safe there.”

Nevada looks between the two. “I’ve got it from here,” he says. “Mom’s fine ridin’ with me.”

Hustler and Nevada share a glance, but Hustler doesn’t say anything. I see his nostrils flair.

We move toward the fray as everyone files out to leave, Mateo behind his men as I fall into step beside him. I’m not gonna let this fucker out of my sight, mafia don or not.

“Are you still mad at me?” Lace whispers.

I turn to look over my shoulder and give her a half smile. “Hard to stay mad at you when you look like that.”

She’s gonna learn the MC way; no secrets. We’re a family, and no matter what happens between us, I will protect her with my life, and so will Manny. A lot of shit just went down, and Riot being angry at us is the least of our problems until we sort out the Arizona mafia.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Manny reassures Lace. “You’ll see. You’ve got nothing to hide from us, nothin to—Shit! What the…”

A crack rings through the air, then we hear it again as Manny dives in front of Lace and I shove Mateo back toward the door instinctively.

“Fuck!” Cash yells. “Down! Everybody down!”

Hustler cages Audrina against his body as they tumble to the ground next to me and Audrina screams, Nevada diving to the side.

“Mom!” Nevada calls.

“I’m okay!” Her voice is shrill. Hustler still covers her with his body as everything happens in slow motion.

I tumble back, pushing Mateo toward the ground as I reach out for Lace as she falls. Blood. Someone’s blood…

Lace! Manny! Fuck!

Manny turns, practically straddling her, his face as white as a sheet as he holds her head before it hits the ground.

Everyone around us starts scrambling, guns drawn, loud voices buzzing all around, but I blur it all out.

“Lace! Manny! Is she okay? Who’s bleeding?” My heart races as I move toward them.

Lace blinks, there’s blood on her white shirt and my heart plummets. I pat her down, checking for a wound as my heart races and blood pounds in my ears. “I’m okay!” she cries, her eyes on Manny. “Oh no, Manny! Bandit look!”

I glance at Manny and his eyes meet mine, his voice is calm when he says. “I think I got shot.”

“Fuck!” I dive toward him. “Get back inside! Lacey move, keep low.” I shove at Lace as she stumbles onto her hands and knees. I pull on Mateo’s arm, trying to get him to move faster as he crawls back through the door with Lace, Hustler and Audrina already moving behind them. I pull Manny against my body and heave him inside. Ripping open his shirt, my eyes go wide. “Holyfuck, he’s hit, he’s been fuckin’ hit. We need an ambulance!” There’s blood oozing from the space between his shoulder and his chest. I press my hands against it, immediately coating my fingers in blood.

“I’ll call Casey,” Rock says, coming in behind me. “Fuckin’ Jesus Hell Christ.”

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