Page 48 of Stitch & Steel
The mother of something I could protect with blood and bullets if I had to.
“Logan,” JD snapped, slamming the gavel again. “You here or not?”
I blinked, pulling myself out of the memory and back into the smoke-filled room.
“Here,” I muttered. “Just thinkin’.”
Edge smirked. “Bet I know what about.”
A few of the guys chuckled. Bullet just shook his head.
JD didn’t laugh.
“Whatever you’re thinkin’,” he said, “make sure your head’s clear before we ride. No room for half-distracted out there.”
“Crystal,” I lied.
But it wasn’t. Not really.
Because now that I’d had her, tasted her,claimedher… I knew one thing with bone-deep certainty.
I couldn’t lose her.
Not to fear. Not to the city. Not to anything.
And God help whatever came down that mountain trail trying to take her away.
Fifteen
BELLA
I heardthe low growl of his engine before I saw him.
Scout perked up from his nap near the porch swing, tail thumping, eyes sharp. My heart answered in kind—thudding the same way it always did now when Logan appeared. I knew I shouldn’t have waited outside like some lovestruck teenager, but I couldn’t help it. He hadn’t been gone more than a few hours, but itfeltlike days.
His boots hit the porch and then he was there, towering over me, dark eyes stormy and tired. Still, he looked like everything good I ever wanted to believe in.
“You good?” he asked, voice lower than usual.
I nodded, stepping closer. “You?”
He didn’t answer right away. Just pulled me into his chest, holding me so tight I felt the beat of his heart through his kutte. Scout gave a low, contented bark and padded back inside, giving us privacy.
Logan pulled back just enough to look at me.
“I have to go,” he said, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Out of state. Club business. Couple days max.”
My stomach knotted. “Out of state?”
“North border. Cartel contact needs cleanup.” His jaw ticked. “I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t have to, Bella. Not now.”
Something inside me cracked open.
“I know,” I whispered. “It’s just—this feels familiar.”
His brow furrowed. “Familiar how?”
“Like Gran’s story,” I said, chest tightening. “Her first love rode away and never came back. Left her hanging between memory and mystery. Don’t do that to me, Logan. Promise me… promise me this is the start, not the finish.”
