Page 101 of Boulder's Weight

I don’t know what comes over me, but I get defensive and speak before I can even think about what I’m saying. "Who says I'm keeping her?"

He gives me a look that says he's not buying my bullshit. "You claimed her, didn't you? In front of the whole club."

I suck in a sharp breath, keeping my voice low. "Yeah, but Razor… between you and me, that was for her own protection."

"Keep telling yourself that, prospect." Razor flicks ash from his cigarette. "Just some advice—don't fight it so hard. Club life and an ol’ lady aren't mutually exclusive."

I don't respond, not sure what to say.

The idea of admitting what I'm starting to feel for Kelsey, even to myself terrifies the living shit out of me.

"Anyway," Razor continues, sensing my discomfort, "got a call from a contact at the border. Someone matching your girl's brother Sam's description crossed over two days ago. Heading this way, most likely."

Sam's the good brother, the one who warned her about Benji. "That’s a good thing, don’t you think?"

Razor shrugs. "Family loyalty runs deep. Could be a play. We don’t know this guy. He might have helped her in the past, but I don’t trust nobody."

I nod, taking the warning seriously. "I'll let Kelsey know, see what she thinks."

"Do that," Razor says, then glances toward the door. "And go clean yourself up. You look like shit, and your girl's been staring out the window like she might burn a hole in it waiting for you."

I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "Yes, sir."

As I head for the stairs, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I pull it out, expecting a club message.

Instead, it's a text from an unknown number:

Need to talk. Same place. Noon tomorrow. Info about Benji's plans. - C

Craig.

The brother who's supposedly trying to help Kelsey.

The one who told me about the half-sister their father sold—Julie.

The secret I've been keeping from Kelsey, not sure if it will hurt her more to know, or help.

I should tell Amara about the text immediately, but something makes me hesitate.

Craig's intel has been solid so far.

And something about the way he looked when he talked about his father, about the girl who disappeared—there was real disgust there, real shame.

I pocket my phone, deciding to sleep on it.

The club will know in the morning. For now, I have someone waiting for me upstairs.

I take the stairs two at a time, the exhaustion and aches from the run suddenly gone.

When I reach our door, I pause, taking a deep breath before opening it.

Kelsey is sitting on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with the hem of her t-shirt.

She looks up when I enter, her eyes immediately scanning me for injuries, widening slightly at the sight of blood on my hands.

She rises to her feet. "Are you okay?"

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