Page 31 of Ox

“Just talking with my old friend, Ox,” Snake said, as his filthy crew of criminals melted behind him when confronted with more equitable odds.

“Has the party moved outside?” King called out, his shrewd eyes taking in the scene in front of him. “Or did you boys just need a breath of fresh air?”

“We were just leaving,” I said, ushering Kayla toward the truck.

King watched as I ripped open the truck door and fed a quivering Kayla inside. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Slamming the door shut, I moved fast and two of the Watchmen backed up out of my way before I could “accidentally” slam into them.

“My girl suddenly feels sick to her stomach,” I explained, my gaze lasering in on Snake.

Crossing his arms along his thick chest, King said, “You’d better get her home then. There’ll always be another party for you to attend. Bring some of your Brothers next time. The Riders are always welcome in this Clubhouse.”

I appreciated what he said even more than what he hadn’t. If the Devils were welcome in his Clubhouse, and they had a feud with the Watchmen, it wasn’t hard to read between the lines about who would be welcome at future parties, and who wouldn’t.

“Much appreciated. I’ll tell Reaper you said hello,” I called back, before tossing open the driver’s side door and climbing into the raised cab.

I hated to take the risk that the Watchmen had done something to the truck, but I couldn’t exactly investigate that right now without causing further issues. Starting the engine, I gave it some gas and listened to it purr. Deciding that I’d troubleshoot it tomorrow, I put the truck in drive and pulled out of the lot where we’d parked.

As soon as we pulled off the property, I said, “You okay, Babe?”

Kayla wiped a few stray tears from her flushed cheeks and it damn near broke my heart. Few things got to me, but a woman’s tears were at the top of the list.

“I’m okay,” she managed to choke out. “I’m just so sorry I got you and your Club into this mess, Ox. You must hate me.”

My hand reached out and squeezed her thigh. “Don’t say that ever again, Kayla. I could never hate you. And I don’t know how many times I got to tell you before you believe me, but this isn’t your fault. Ghost is fucking certifiable. And his Club is filled with men who aren’t much better.”

“But this isn’t your problem. It’s mine!” Kayla said passionately. “And you heard Snake. He said Ghost would makesure to hurt you if I defied him. I can’t live with myself if that happens, Ox. I just can’t!”

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself before I punched something and scared Kayla even more than she already was. “I know you want to blame yourself, Babe, because you’re sweet and kind and that’s what women do. But I need you to hear me when I say this isn’t your fault, and it damn sure isn’t your fight. Men don’t make war on women. They don’t force themselves on them or demand relationships they aren’t owed and haven’t earned. And if they do, it’s not up to you to fight them off. That’s my job, and any other man who claims to care about you. You got me?”

Kayla sniffled and nodded. Her pain was killing me. I decided then and there that we couldn’t remain here in California. She was coming home to Nevada with me. That was the only way I could keep her safe. I might be a strong motherfucker, but I was strongest when I was with my Brothers.

But Kayla wasn’t ready to hear that tonight. I’d let her sleep and we’d discuss it in the morning when the trauma of the evening had worn off some.

We drove in silence for a bit, my hand still resting on her knee. We were about half way home, when I noticed a single headlight in the rearview mirror. I knew who it was before I even saw his face.

Ghost was riding behind us.

Kayla was staring out the window, ignorant of what was happening, and I didn’t want to panic her unless the fucker tried something. Well, if he did, I had no problem ending his miserable existence for messing with my girl. If he wanted a fight, he’d get one. I’d make sure he’d be eating a cocktail of pavement and lead before this evening was through.

A second motorcycle joined the first, and then a third and fourth. By then, Kayla had figured it out. Swiveling her head, she saw the line of bikes behind us and paled.

“Is that the Watchmen?” she asked, desperate for me to tell her otherwise.

Stomping my foot on the gas, I said, “Fasten your seatbelt and hold on tight, Kayla. I’m about to do some things you aren’t going to like. Close your eyes if you need to, Baby.”

Kayla fastened her seatbelt and looked straight ahead. “I trust you, Ox,” she told me, her hands demurely folded in her lap. “Do whatever you need to do to keep us safe.”

And I would.

NINE

Kayla

The Watchmen were behind us.And from what I could tell, they were hell bent on making us pay for my rejection of Ghost.

Fear, like a trapped animal, bumped around in my chest. Nausea gripped my belly and threatened to rise in my gorge. A million questions skittered around in my brain. Could this really be happening again? What was this insane man up to? Could Ox fend him off? My anxiety began to grow out of control with each subsequent thought.

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