Page 48 of Trigger's Temptation

Trigger clenches his teeth and then exhales sharply. "Fine. Stay close."

He swings a leg over his bike, the powerful machine roaring to life beneath him. My fingers tremble as I grip my truck keys, my mind replaying the scene at my apartment. Someone had been inside. Touched my things. Left a message in the vilest way possible. I shove the thought aside, shoving the key into the ignition. The engine rumbles, grounding me, but it doesn’t stop the unease slithering under my skin.

I follow Trigger through the streets of L.A., my knuckles white around the steering wheel. The past is never far behind, and now it’s bleeding into my present. Allison, Rauel, the BMRR, and now a stalker. Whoever they are, they know me. They’ve been watching.

A sickening thought coils in my gut. How long?

The Royal Bastards MC clubhouse comes into view, standing like a fortress against the monsters. When we pull up, Trigger doesn’t waste time. He stalks toward my truck, opens the door, and pulls me out.

"You're safe now," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple. But I can feel his rage simmering beneath the surface.

Capone stands at the clubhouse entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable. His gaze flicks between us before he finally speaks. "Good. You’re just in time." A slow, predatory smirk pulls at his lips. "Our guests are still tied up out back."

Trigger doesn’t hesitate, gripping my hand as he leads me out behind the Clubhouse.

Whoever sent that message thought they could scare me.

They made a big mistake.

They should’ve made damn sure I stayed down. They should’ve finished the job when they had the chance. But they didn’t, and now I hope they’re ready for me.

Chapter 20

TRIGGER

My mind races on the ride to the Clubhouse. Who's stalking Aerianna? Someone the club knows? Someone she knows? Is the Black Market Railroad trying to scare her off? Is our separation even safe for her? Is someone tailing us now?

The possibilities are endless, and without Red here to help, I’m at a loss on what to do. Bones is good, but he isn’t as good as Red. I want no stone unturned when it comes to Aerianna’s safety.

I’m on high alert, checking everything and everyone we pass, looking for danger. My nerves are shot, and my trigger finger is itching to seek revenge on the person terrorizing Aerianna.

We pull into the Clubhouse, and I’m immediately at Aerianna’s truck door, yanking it open. She’s in my arms in a heartbeat, her steady breathing lingering on my neck, creating a shiver down my spine.

“You’re safe now.” I press a kiss to her temple, exhaling a relieved breath. I’m trying to contain the rage simmering under the surface.

Capone stands at the clubhouse entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable. His gaze flicks between us before hefinally speaks. "Good. You’re just in time." A slow, predatory smirk pulls at his lips. "Our guests are still tied up out back."

I don’t hesitate, gripping Aerianna’s hand as I lead her behind the Clubhouse. Torch, Tiny, and Dagger are waiting for us in front of the doors.

Tiny eyes me. “Everything good?”

I shake my head. “Not yet.” I tug Aerianna closer and kiss her temple.

Capone steps forward. His voice drops, edged with something lethal. “Listen close, Aerianna. Once you step into this, there’s no stepping back. No do-overs. No, pretending you didn’t cross that line.” His dark eyes bore into hers. “You get your hands bloody tonight, you’re in. With the Club, with Trigger, for life.”

I watch as the conflict passes across Aerianna’s face. I get it. Will she want to throw away everything she’s worked hard for in search for answers about Allison’s death? Can she go through with this?

The silence stretches, thick with the weight of the choice before her. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Aerianna swallows hard, then lifts her chin. “I didn’t become a cop for justice. I became a cop for revenge.” She inhales a sharp breath. “And tonight, I get it.”

“Trigger, are you sure this is what you want? Are you claiming Aerianna?” When Capone looks at me, his gaze sharp and expectant, I know exactly what he's asking. This isn’t just about whether I’m standing by her side tonight. It’s about everything. It’s about her future, her safety, her soul.

I don’t hesitate. “Yes.” My voice is firm and unwavering. “She’s mine.”

Something inside me settles, an unspoken vow sealing itself into my bones. She’s no longer just the woman I can’t stop thinking about. She’s my responsibility, my fight, my home. Andif anyone thinks they can take her from me, they’ll have to put me in the ground first.

“Good.” Capone cracks his neck. “Let’s get this party started so we can celebrate.”

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