Page 3 of Claimed By the Biker Brothers

“Nothing that got him arrested and prosecuted before we put him away,” Diesel says. “It doesn’t matter that he was a person of interest in other cases. What matters is what’s on the record, and what’s on the record is solely his conviction. Ten years with the possibility of parole, which he seems to have earned.”

That was a dark time for me.

And going back there, even if it’s just in my mind, makes my blood boil. I don’t want to feel that helpless and miserable ever again. I worked hard to move past it, to heal my wounds, to grow and to be a good mother to my daughter.

“Has Calvin reached out?” Knox asks me.

“No,” I reply, which is odd. “I would’ve expected a call at least if he was out.”

“He didn’t call while he was in prison,” Jagger says with a shrug. “Maybe he understands he’s no longer welcome in your life.”

But my tremors do not fade as I look at him. “The day he was sentenced, I was in the courtroom. Do you remember?”

“How could I forget?” Jagger asks, albeit rhetorically.

“Then you remember what he said to me just before the bailiffs took him away.”

Knox curses under his breath. “The son of a bitch was pissed off.”

“He said he’d come for me, that I will never have a restful sleep while he’s still alive, that he would come back and take Kyra away from me,” I say. “Calvin is a vindictive prick, and I’m sorry I didn’t see him for who he truly is sooner. Maybe had I seen him—”

Diesel cuts me off. “Stop it. Stop punishing yourself for the manipulation and abuse of a narcissistic piece of shit. You were never to blame, Robyn. You were a victim. You tried to see the best in him, even when he showed you his worst because he’d conditioned you into that toxic dynamic… but then Kyra was born, and your motherly instinct took over. You won, okay?”

“How did I win? He’s out,” I say, burying my face in my hands.

Jagger comes closer, and suddenly the air in the room shifts and thickens. A plethora of emotions rush through me, each more powerful and mind-blowing than the next, because I don’t know what to do with myself. The past is coming back to haunt me while a potential future takes bold steps toward me, and my pulse quickens.

“He’s out, but he’s not here, is he?” Jagger asks.

“Not yet…”

“Not ever,” he insists. “We made you a promise the same day Calvin said he’d come back for you. If you remember his words, then I’m sure you remember ours, too.”

Diesel nods in agreement. “We will always be here to protect you and Kyra, no matter what. Do you understand?”

“I want to,” I say, tears pricking my eyes.

“He’s not coming anywhere near you,” Knox adds. “For four years now we’ve been around, proving we mean what we say.”

“I’m still afraid of him…”

“It’s over,” Jagger tells me. “It’s been over for a long time. Calvin got what he deserved, okay? The fact that he’s out early doesn’t mean a thing for you. It doesn’t mean a thing for Kyra either. She doesn’t even remember the bastard.”

“I’m glad she doesn’t. But what if he tries to get back into our lives?” I ask.

Jagger shakes his head. “He’s an ex-convict. Nobody in Redwood wants to deal with him, I can tell you that much. The motorcycle club no longer has any kind of dealings with his former crowd. The town itself has moved on from that era. There’s no place for him here. He’ll see for himself, and he’ll have no choice but to go elsewhere.”

I give Jagger a confused look. “Do you really think he’ll just walk away from Kyra and me?”

“Not without a black eye.” Jagger puts on a confident smirk that heats my blood, and not for the first time. “And a few broken ribs if needed. We pummeled him once and we’ll do it again until he learns that lesson.”

My body moves before my brain wills it, and I stand up, raising my chin in defiance. “I’m tired, Jagger. I’m so tired. I want him out of our lives for good. Forever.”

“There’s a number of options here,” Diesel suggests.

He’s usually the funny one, the lighthearted one. Yet tonight, there’s a dark aura surrounding him—an aura that reminds me what kind of man he truly is. For four years, he’s been a laugh, a reason to smile, and a constant source of entertainment for Kyra. Right now, he’s our protector: one of three knights on steel stallions determined to keep us safe and happy.

“No murder, please,” I chuckle dryly. “I may not wish Calvin the best, but I don’t want him to die either.”

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