Page 93 of Single Mom's Bikers

He ends the call and Rose turns to me, her expression grim. “Evie, listen to me. You need to stay calm.”

Her words feel like a slap. My hands tremble as I glance toward the kitchen, where Violet’s laughter rings out. “This is my fault,” I whisper, the truth clawing its way up my throat. “I brought this here. If something happens to Draven, or the brothers, or?—”

“Stop.” Rose grips my shoulders, forcing me to meet her gaze. “This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is,” I cry, my voice breaking. “If I hadn’t—if I’d never?—”

“Evie, listen to me.” Her voice softens, the sharp edges smoothing out. “You didn’t ask for this. You didn’t choose this. And you are not to blame for the decisions of men like Luca or Death’s Head.”

My hands shake as I wrap my arms around myself. “But…what if they’re coming for the girls next?”

Her expression softens, and she places a hand on my arm. “They’re not getting to the girls. I won’t let that happen. But right now, we need to act. Pack what you can. I’ll handle the rest.”

Despite her words, I still make my decision to stay. I refuse to run again from Luca. I refuse it. I’ll fight till my last drop of blood.

The call has left a suffocating silence in its wake. My hands tremble as I clutch the back of the couch, my mind spiraling with worst-case scenarios. Draven’s gone. Taken. And no matter what Rose says, I have a feeling that it’s all my fault.

Rose moves to the kitchen, her voice calm and steady as she speaks to the girls. “Finish your breakfast, okay? We’ve got a busy day ahead.”

As soon as they’re distracted, I pull Rose aside. “I’m not sending them out there,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “Not after what Clay said.”

“You’re right,” she agrees without hesitation. “Keep them here. It’s safer.”

“But what do I tell them?” My voice cracks, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “I can’t keep lying to them, Rose. They’ll start to notice?—”

“They don’t need to know everything,” she interrupts, her tone firm but not unkind. “Just tell them it’s a special day at home. You’ve been through worse, Evie. You can handle this.”

Before I can respond, the low rumble of motorcycles echoes down the street. My stomach flips as I move to the window, catching sight of Kip, Clay, and Chase pulling into the driveway. Rose joins me, her jaw tightening.

“They’re here,” she mutters.

The knock at the door comes a moment later. I open it to find the three of them standing on the porch, their faces grim. Kip’s eyes scan the house while Clay gives me a reassuring nod. Chase looks at me with concern.

I step aside, letting them in. The girls peek around the corner, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected visitors.

“Hi, Uncle Chase!” Violet chirps, grinning.

Chase kneels to her level, managing a small smile despite the tension in the room. “Hey, squirt. How’s my favorite troublemaker?”

She giggles, wrapping her arms around his neck for a quick hug. Daisy stays close to the kitchen table, watching everything with wide eyes.

Rose speaks up, drawing their attention. “So, what’s the lead?”

Clay crosses his arms, his expression serious. “One of our guys spotted the SUVs heading toward an old warehouse outside of town. It’s been used for sketchy deals before. Figured it’s worth checking out.”

“Do you think he’s there?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s our best lead,” Kip says. “We’re heading out to see what we can find.”

“I’m coming with you,” Rose says immediately.

The brothers exchange a look. Chase raises an eyebrow. “No, you’re not.”

“It’s not safe for—” Kip starts, but Rose cuts him off.

“For a woman?” Her eyes flash dangerously. “You think I can’t handle myself?”

“That’s not what we’re saying,” Clay says, holding up a hand. “But this could get messy.”

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