Page 86 of Savage Ends
“Of course.”
He looked relieved.
“Pat,” she said, reaching for his arm.“What’s going on?”
“In the car.”
Ava nodded and then moved toward his vehicle and climbed inside.She didn’t bother to reach for the seat belt, instead just sat and waited as Pat climbed inside.They didn’t have to wait long before a guy came toward them carrying four large Styrofoam mugs of coffee.What did surprise her was, two were for her and Pat, and the other two went inside the fabric shop.
The guy who carried them had the wordProspectwritten in bold letters on the back of his jacket.
“That’s Jake.He’s one of the guys earning his patch.”
“Is that what Prospect means?”she asked.
“Are you wanting to learn club politics, or do you want to talk about this morning?”
“Why did you ask if I wanted to step into the car?”Ava asked.The truth was, she didn’t care about club politics.Not right now.She did, in a small way, as it was part of Pat’s life, and she wanted to be part of his life.But she didn’t want him to feel forced into sharing it with her.When he was ready, she was more than happy to wait.
She watched as Pat ran a hand down his face.“Look, I know this morning couldn’t have been easy for you.”
“The club is under threat, right?”Ava asked.“That’s why your bike got attacked, and the animal shelter.Everyone in town knows you took over after the original owner disappeared.”There were also rumors that the original owner had been using the animal shelter to fund his gambling habit, and sending the dogs to fight.
Ava had never met the man, couldn’t even remember his name, but the fact he was gone was a good thing.After this morning, though, she couldn’t help but wonder if the disappeared owner was in fact a very dead owner.
Pat sighed.“Yes, it is.It’s a dangerous time for the club.”
“You’re not safe?”Ava asked.
“I will never let anything happen to you.”
“I’m not talking about me, Pat.I’m talking about you.Your bike was targeted.Is this personal to you?Even this morning, you were a target.That guy, whoever he was, didn’t go after anyone else, unless one of you are injured that I don’t know about.”She hated this feeling.
“No, all the guys are safe and accounted for.”
Tears filled her eyes.“So, you’re a target.”
“We’re all targets, Babe.I can’t help that.I know I should let you go.”
“No,” Ava said.
“It’s going to get ugly.”
“Do you think I care about that?”Ava asked.“I don’t give a fuck how ugly this thing gets.You’re not going to let me go.”
“What you saw this morning—”
“I trust you,” Ava said.“Look, if you’re trying to break up with me and using this morning as an excuse, then tell me.But I’m not walking away.I’m not running away.I’m not afraid, Pat.I just don’t want anything to happen to you.I’m in this with you.”She was not going to back down.
Ava knew the stakes were high, that she had probably entered into something way above her head, but she didn’t care.All she knew was that she loved this man, and she was not walking away.
