Page 22 of Stranded with the Mountain Man

Before I can respond, Bear suddenly lifts his head, earsperked.A low growl builds in his chest as he rises, moving toward the frontdoor.

"Someone's coming," I say, instantlyalert.No one visits after dark except inemergencies.

Headlights sweep across the windows as a vehicle navigates the rutteddriveway.Bear's growldeepens.

"Stay here," I tell Deena, moving to thedoor.The familiar rumble of a motorcycle engine cuts through the night--not just any bike, but one I'd recognizeanywhere.

Tank's Harley.

And if he's here, at my cabin, after dark, something is verywrong.

Chapter

Five

DEENA

My heart nearly stops at the sound of a motorcycle rumbling up the driveway.The look on Rosco's face tells me this isn't a casual visit.

"Who is it?" I ask, already rising from my chair.

"Tank." His voice is tight as he moves toward the door.Bear follows, hackles raised."Stay inside."

But something in his tone makes me do the exact opposite.I follow him onto the porch just as headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating a massive figure dismounting a Harley.

The man who approaches doesn't match the clean-cut biker from Tank and Debbie's wedding announcement that Aunt Millie had shown me months ago.This Tank has a wild beard, bloodshot eyes, and a barely contained fury radiating from every step.His MC cut is dusty, as if he's been riding for hours.

"Where the hell have you been?" Tank demands, not even acknowledging my presence."I've been texting for days."

"Phone reception's been shit with the storms," Rosco responds, his posture shifting subtly.Gone is the guardedwoodworker I've come to know again.In his place stands someone harder, more dangerous."What's wrong?"

"Kings are making moves on Saints territory again.Three of our prospects got jumped last night at the county line." Tank's eyes finally flick to me, narrowing slightly."Didn't know you had company."

"Deena Wilson," Rosco says, not introducing me further."What do the Kings want?"

"Territory, same as always. But they've got new weapons, new bikes.Someone's bankrolling them." Tank steps closer, lowering his voice."We need you, brother. Just for a few days.Show of strength while we negotiate terms."

The request hangs in the air, heavy with implication.My stomach knots as I watch Rosco's expression shift from surprise to consideration.

"I left the club," he says finally."Made that clear three years ago."

"You're still family." Tank's tone softens slightly."I wouldn't ask if it wasn't serious.Ranch needs your tactical skills, not your trigger finger."

I can't stay silent any longer."You can't seriously be considering this."

Both men turn to me, as if suddenly remembering I exist.Rosco's eyes harden.

"This doesn't concern you, Deena."

"Doesn't concern me?" I step forward, anger rising."You're talking about going back to a motorcycle club.The same MC that was more important to you than anything else twelve years ago."

Tank's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, this is that Deena?The one who--"

"Yeah," Rosco cuts him off. "That one."

The dismissal stings like a slap."That one? Is that all I am to you?Some footnote in your history?"

"Not the time, Dee." Rosco turns back to Tank."When do you need me?"

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