Page 73 of Bloom: Part 2

“He might kill an innocent man.”

“He wouldn’t go that far.”

“Wouldn’t he? You and I both know he would. Don’t you have any idea where this man is staying?”

“No.” I racked my brain desperately, recalling my conversation with the marshal. Had he mentioned anything about where he was staying? My heart pounded. I had no clue. We’d only talked about me.

Crowe stepped closer, his gaze hard with determined fierceness. “Well, we better find him. If Bloom thinks you’ve cheated on him and he’s out for blood… This isn’t going to end well for anyone.”

“I have his number. I’ll call him.”

I fiddled with my phone, almost dropping it in my haste. I punched in the number the marshal had contacted me onearlier. No answer. Fear pumping through my veins, I tried again, but it was the same result. I clutched my phone tighter, dialing again and again, hoping against hope that he’d pick up.

Was I too late?

“He’s not answering—” My phone vibrated at the same time Crowe’s rang. We glanced at each other. “Bloom?” I asked.

“No, it’s Grimm.”

“It’s Jamie.”

I felt like I was in a twilight zone as I swiped the screen. “Jamie, it’s a bit late, isn’t it?”

“Logan, you need to get here right now!” Jamie was screaming at the top of his lungs. “I don’t know why the hell Bloom’s here waving a knife around, threatening to kill Joel. We don’t want to hurt him, but Grimm won’t stand by and let him harm his son.”

“Oh god.” My legs buckled. This was all my fault. If only I had come clean to Bloom and explained everything to him. None of this would have happened. “I’m on my way, Jamie. Please, for god’s sake, please don’t hurt him. It’s all a misunderstanding.”

“He’s smashing the windows, Logan. Hurry. The two clubs cannot split again because of this.”

I assumed Crowe’s call from Grimm was about the same problem. He ran toward his motorcycle without a word. I dashed to the garage for my car and sped off. I gripped the wheel so tightly my knuckles went white, but I pushed the car faster, barely able to keep up with Crowe’s motorcycle as he zipped ahead of me. The speedometer climbed, the engine roared, but it didn’t feel fast enough. Every second stretched into an eternity, and all I saw in my mind was Bloom—hurt. Because of me.

Finally, the clubhouse came into view, lights blazing against the night, shadows moving on the porch. Grimm was holding someone back, and my heart twisted as I recognized Bloom fighting against Grimm’s grip. At the angle he had Bloom’s arm, if he applied any more pressure, he would likely snap the bone.

Other figures were moving too—Jamie, the twins, and Joel standing with a gun in his hand.

Crowe was pleading for Bloom to stop, but Bloom was too incensed to listen. I didn’t even shut off the engine. I got out of the car and sprinted toward them.

“Grimm! Don’t hurt him,” I cried. “Let him go!”

Grimm jerked his head toward me, blood streaked across his face, his grip on Bloom relentless. Was he bleeding or Bloom? I pushed myself harder, running until I saw the fury on Bloom’s face, locked onto Joel with a fierce, dangerous intent.

“I’m gonna kill you!” he screamed. “You son of a bitch. I’m gonna stab you in the fucking throat so you can’t hurt Logan.”

“Bloom, stop,” I shouted, my chest heaving. “It’s a misunderstanding. Let me explain!”

Grimm loosened his hold a bit, and Bloom seized his chance, twisting free with a strength fueled by pure rage. His gaze locked onto Joel, deadly intent carved into his hard jaw and cold eyes.

“Bloom, no!” I lunged, throwing my arms around him, trying to pull him back. But he turned, a feral sound leaving his throat as he reacted on pure instinct. The sharp sting of a blade sliced through my jacket into my shoulder. Pain seared through me, hot and blinding. I staggered, but I held on to him, whispering through the pain. “Bloom… it’s me. Look at me. It’s Logan. Snap out of it.”

Bloom froze, his knife slipping from his hand and clattering to the ground. His wide eyes fixed on the blood seeping through my jacket. Then he froze, realization hitting him like a punch.

“Logan… no, no, no, what did I do?” His voice cracked, raw and trembling, as he reached out his hands, hovering over my wound.

Ignoring the pain, I lifted a hand to his cheek, managing a strained smile. “It’s okay… it’s okay, love. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. This… this is all just a huge misunderstanding.”

A choked sob escaped Bloom. “I hurt you.”

I gathered him to my chest, tucking his head under my chin. “It’s a small wound. All that matters is that you’re okay.”

---