Page 26 of Breaker

But even as I rode my bike toward my house, I could feel a twinge of uncertainty, a nagging doubt that pulled at the edges of my thoughts. What if after all this, we still couldn’t keep her safe? What if all this was pointless?

I pulled into the driveway and up into the carport, then shut off the engine on my bike. I sat there a minute, gathering my thoughts and trying to think of the best way to approach the situation.

I walked up to the front door and stared at it a moment. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door, my steps purposeful and determined. The house was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. I made my way down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest as I approached the bedroom door.

I hesitated, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Then I knocked softly, my voice low and steady as I called out her name. “Juni, can I come in? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

The door opened, and there she stood, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her gray eyes wide and questioning. The sight of her calmed my racing thoughts, and I felt a wave of protectiveness wash over me.

“Breaker? What’s going on?” Juniper asked, her voice soft and hesitant.

I stepped into the room, gently closing the door behind me. “We need to talk, Juniper. It’s about your safety.”

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine as she sat down on the edge of the bed. I joined her, taking her small hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against my calloused palm.

“The club had a meeting,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “We’ve decided that, until we can be sure your uncle isn’t a threat, you’ll have a few of the guys watching over you. Shooter, Fangs, and Yankee.”

Her eyes widened, a mix of fear and relief flickering across her delicate features. “They’ll be my bodyguards?”

“Yeah, something like that,” I confirmed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but we just want to make sure you’re safe. You trust me, right?”

Juniper nodded, her gaze unwavering. “Of course, I do, Breaker. I know you wouldn’t suggest this if it wasn’t necessary.”

I felt a surge of emotion at her words, at the unwavering faith she had in me. “I promise you, I won’t let anything happen to you. And don’t forget, when it’s just us at home, I’m Teller. You don’t have to use my road name all the time. Just in front of other people.”

She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close. In that moment, I knew that the bond between us had grown.

And as we sat there, the silence of the room enveloping us, I knew that I would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe, to protect the fragile trust that had blossomed between us. For in Juniper, I had found not just someone to protect, but a kindred spirit, a light in the darkness of my world.

Chapter Twelve

Breaker

The roar of an approaching engine shattered the quiet afternoon, drawing my attention to the front gates as I stepped outside the clubhouse. I squinted against the sun as a sense of unease crawled beneath my skin.

A sleek black Cadillac rolled to a stop at the compound gate, kicking up dust. The club members eyed the unfamiliar vehicle warily, hands drifting to concealed weapons. My jaw clenched as I strode toward the intruder, prepared for anything.

The driver’s door swung open and a man emerged, his polished loafers crunching on gravel. He straightened his tailored suit jacket, surveying the compound with cold, assessing eyes. I sized him up -- early fifties, salt-and-pepper hair, a face that belonged on a billboard. But there was something off about his practiced smile.

He moved with the confident ease of a predator in his natural habitat. I tensed, shifting my weight forward. Every instinct screamed danger.

“Can I help you?” I called out, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.

The man flashed a perfect row of white teeth. “You must be the infamous Breaker. A pleasure.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You seem to have me at a disadvantage. You are?”

“Robert Murray.” He inclined his head slightly. “Juniper’s uncle.”

Ice flooded my veins at the name that fell so casually from his lips. Juniper. The woman who’d turned my world upside down, who I’d vowed to protect. How did this snake find her? And how the fuck did he know my name? With the way he was dressed, and his expensive car, it was clear he had help from some well-off people.

He’d only been out of prison about a week. Yet he looked like he’d never been locked up, and he’d managed to track down Juniper. My face betrayed nothing as I stepped closer, putting myself between Robert and the compound -- between him and Juniper.

“What business do you have here?” Each word was laced with threat, a warning to choose his next move carefully.

Robert’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes hardened to flint. “I’m here for my niece, of course. It’s time she came home, where she belongs.”

I met his steely gaze head-on, my resolve unwavering. Like hell I’d let him anywhere near Juniper. Not without a fight.

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