Page 66 of Nest Of Lies

“Well then, son, bring her home, call her your old lady and tell the club what’s what.”

I hold my breath, trying to dispel the uncomfortable feeling inside me.

“I keep seeing…” I trail off and look out the window. “I keep seeing my mother.”

Badger makes a sound in his throat of pain and surprise. “Zade, that was a fluke. No one expected that crazy bastard to come into the house.”

“He was from the Feenix MC-”

“He was about to be killed. Didn’t your dad tell you anything about this? That piece of shit was going to be killed. Cameron Smith came here because he was following bikes. He was so out of his damn mind. He was loco. Crazy. It could have happened anywhere.”

I stare at him. “Feenix was going to kill him?”

“Yeah, they were. Your dad lost his damn mind, though, and he chased Feenix out of this city. I think they were happy to go in the end. No one wants to be on the receiving end of your dad’s rage. He’s bloodthirsty, and he’s got no mercy.”

“In my nightmares, I see Lia laying on the floor,” I admit softly. “I see her where I saw my mother.”

Badger stands up and looks down at me. “You can’t live in fear, Zade. You have to find a way to move past what happened. Your mother, may she rest in peace, was one of the most beautiful souls. No one thought she belonged here as an old lady of our MC, but she was our heart. She would want you to be happy.”

I stand there, staring blindly as Badger’s words press into me.

Mills and Valen stalk into the room and stand in front of me. I look up, meeting their cold eyes.

“Well?” Mills asks.

I shake my head. “Not enough evidence.”

“Ranger wants to come home. He’s all but got Lia packed,” Valen says and sits on the edge of my desk. He reaches out and sets the swinging pendulum moving. The clack of the silver balls isn’t as satisfying as it normally is.

“I don’t know who tried to hurt Ranger. I don’t want to risk anyone’s life.”

“We know that, Zaden, but everyday Lia is over there, she is getting closer to her heat, and her scent is going to give her away. What happens if Mama Raines comes back?”

I let out a low, unconscious growl at the thought of that. My gaze finds Mills, who is always more quiet than anyone else in the pack.

“What do you think?”

“I think it would be better for us to be together. It would be better for Lia to get used to our place before her heat hits.”

“Nicky.” I wait for them to understand what I’m talking about.

Mills’ eyes widen. “Nope. No way. I don’t believe it.”

I glance at Valen. “Not a chance in hell. Nicky would never do that.” There’s no doubt in his mind. I trust myself, but I feel better when my pack backs me up.

“Which means someone is framing him and trying to hurt the club.” I push a folder towards them. Mills flicks it open, his mouth parting as he takes in the tiny but numerous examples of evidence of the traitor in our ranks.

Valen moves to stand over his shoulder, but after a minute, his arm encircles Mills, and he leans against his back.

I frown, watching them. I wonder what Lia thinks of how we are with each other. She’s never said anything about it, but some people do find it uncomfortable. I’ve never cared before to even wonder over it. Touch between us is as natural as breathing. I love each and every one of them equally. They are mine, and I know that they all feel the same way.

And Lia fits in with us. She is mine as well.

I stand up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to see Lia.”

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