Page 6 of Savior

Maybe David had figured out that his father was involved in more than just construction. It seemed if I looked hard enough, almost everyone had a motive.

“They came for him, Lou. It’s only a matter of time before they show up for me. Hawk warned me—said death was coming. I didn’t listen then, but I’m listening now.”

She glanced back toward the house, ensuring we were alone, before leaning in. “Why would they want you, Celia?”

I shrugged. “I wish I knew. Jamie looked into it, but as far as I know, nothing ever panned out.”

“Is this about what happened to you—the night you were attacked?”

As her eyes scanned my face, searching for answers that I didn’t have, I wondered if she knew more about what happened than she was letting on. Despite all their bluster about nothing leaving the clubhouse, it was apparent that when push came to shove, the bikers were incapable of keeping secrets from their Ol’ Ladies.

I pinched the bridge of my nose before getting to my feet. Mud squished out from under my ballet flats as the soles sank into the soft earth, and I sighed. “I don’t know anymore, Lou. I don’t see how any of it connects, and unless someone can explain it to me, I’m lost!”

My voice rose over the storm, and I threw my hands up, practically begging for a bolt of lightning to put me out of my misery.

It wasn’t supposed to end… not like this.

“Celia!” Molly hurried across the yard toward us. “Let’s get you inside. Lucy’s got a plate of food with your name on it. Then, we’ll let you rest—”

“Stop!” I roared. “I’m not a goddamn child! I don’t want a plate of food or to take a nap! I want to know who killed my husband. Jesus Christ! Is that too much to ask? I swear to all the saints, the next person that tries to give me a goddamn sandwich or casserole is going to the Reaper!”

Her eyes widened as she put some distance between us. “Fair enough. Are you planning on staying out here until you turn into a snowman, or what?”

“Maybe I am,” I petulantly replied. “Maybe I’m going to stay right here until I figure out who the traitor is.”

Louisa’s mouth twisted up as she fought a grin. “You know she’ll do it too, don’t you? She’s as stubborn as a damn mule.”

Molly nodded. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. Just thought you’d want a last meal before freezing to death.”

“I can’t eat,” I admitted. “And if one more person tells me how sorry they are, I’m going to snap. I don’t want sympathy! What I want is for someone else to be as angry as I am!”

“You think we’re not angry? Bear has been working around the clock to find the rat. The club won’t rest until they know who’s responsible.”

Swirling flakes of ice struck my face, and I swatted at them before snapping, “Nice of them to step up now that my husband is dead. Would’ve been nicer had they done it, oh, I don’t know, maybe before he was shot to death?”

“Celia, please.”

A truck pulled into the driveway, and I brushed past her, my shoes sinking further into the mud with each step I took toward the front porch.

Dakota bypassed the running board as she jumped from the passenger seat of Zane’s truck, landing on her knees in a puddle with a groan.

“Dakota, wait!” He yelled as she scrambled to get to her feet. “You can’t just—”

“What’s going on? Dakota, are you alright?”

The baby.

I should’ve been thrilled at the prospect of becoming a grandmother, but we were at war with men who didn’t fight fairly.

Men who preyed on innocents.

Her pregnancy would only make her a bigger target in their eyes.

I’d lost my baby at the hands of monsters, but I would hand over my own life before letting her suffer the same fate.

“Mama,” she panted. “You need to sit down…”

Another truck pulled down the driveway, the wheels churning up a wall of mud on either side.

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