Page 120 of Cold Hard Truth

Kane gives me a skeptical frown, but it’s the truth. I’m well aware there are many sides to Sage, and that my father’s probably seen the worst of them. But he only ever offers me one—and that’s the pure honest core of his being.

Sage takes care of me, and I know in my soul he would never hurt me. Not the same way I hurt him.

“Good.” Kane nods, letting the smoke filter out through his teeth. “You let me know if that changes.”

I can’t help glaring at him.

“Just saying, there are worse things than killing a guy. He hurts you, and I’ll make sure he regrets it.”

“I know.”But he won’t. “And I’m sure you’d enjoy it.”

Kane nods, a sick smile ticking up in the corner of his mouth at the thought. Thankfully, the front door opens and Sage steps outside before Kane has time to start considering his options.

Sage’s dark eyes find me, and he makes his way to me. The electric energy that radiates between us is so thick I can taste it sparking in the air. And when he stops at my side and wraps an arm around my shoulders, I almost combust with his kiss on my temple.

For a moment, Kane’s gaze narrows. But when he glances at me, something in his eyes softens the slightest bit.

Maybe there is a father under the MC president. Not that I’ve ever gotten to know him.

“Helix and the rest of the guys are here,” Kane says to Sage.

“All right. Let’s get this over with.”

“I’m going with you,” I say the moment Sage turns to me, and I feel him on the verge of a goodbye.

“Lyla—”

“Don’tLylame. I’m going.”

They don’t feel the friction of the earth meeting the sky today. They don’t sense everything on the precipice of a breaking point. I’m the only one who does, and I’m not leaving Sage’s side when all of this goes down.

“It’s not safe.” Sage tries a different angle.

“None of this is.” I take his hands. “But the only way to make things turn out different this time around is to do what we didn’t do last time. We do it together.”

His teeth clench as he swallows that statement. As much as he hates it, he knows it’s the best chance we have.

“Stay by my side.” He reluctantly hands me a helmet, and I don’t argue as I climb onto the back of his bike.

We make our way to the clubhouse, and it’s surrounded by bikes. Almost the entire Vegas club must be here, which means the war I’m imagining isn’t as far-fetched as I wish.

Sage helps me off the bike and takes my helmet. He’s quiet today. Too quiet. His dark eyes watch me as I fix my T-shirt. And when I stop beside him, he takes my hand.

Curling against his arm, I grip his leather jacket and breathe him in.

Peace.

My center.

I saw my future—and this was it.

We walk into the clubhouse, and it’s packed with people. Bikers are crammed in from wall to wall. Kane leads us through them toward Blaze, who’s talking with Steel and his VP, Helix, against the bar.

A chill runs my spine as we make our way through the room. An uneasy feeling ready to upturn the city.

Sage wraps his arm around my shoulders when we’re in the thick of the crowd, and I don’t mind that he wants to hold me closer.

“You good?” he asks, kissing the top of my head.

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