Page 52 of The Biker's Second Chance
But it doesn’t mean shit.
Not when Zero’s lying broken in the ditch.
I skid to a stop so hard my back tire fishtails. I’m off the bike before it’s steady, stumbling into the grass. My knees hit dirt as I slide to Zero’s side.
I should have pulled my fucking gun. Back when I first saw that barrel. Back when my gut told me this wasn’t some random asshole on the road. If I hadn’t hesitated, if I’d taken the shot, maybe Zero wouldn’t be bleeding out in my lap right now. My decision not to act just signed his death warrant.
He’s bleeding everywhere. His chest is a mangled mess, his kutte shredded, blood pumping through my fingers as I press down hard.
"Stay with me, brother. Stay the fuck with me," I rasp, but my voice is shaking.
Zero coughs, his lips stained red. His eyes are glassy, but they find mine. "Got… your back, Spike. Always."
"No. Don’t you fucking say that. You’re not done." My palms slip on his blood, sticky and hot, covering me like it’s seared into my skin. I press harder, desperate, but it’s no use. I can feel him slipping.
Rumble crouches beside me, his face pale, his hands trembling. "Fuck. He… he saved me."
Zero’s chest rattles, shallow breaths cutting in and out. Then, one last exhale. His body goes still.
And just like that, he’s gone.
I bow my head, clutching him to me, blood soaking through my clothes, through my skin. My brother. My responsibility.
And I fucking failed him.
The others gather around, the smell of gasoline and smoke burning the air, but all I can focus on is the weight in my arms.
I thought I could lead. I thought I could keep them safe. But now? Now I know the truth.
I can’t even keep one brother alive.
How the fuck am I supposed to keep Jayne safe?
The guilt tears through me like shrapnel, sharp and unrelenting. I look down at Zero’s lifeless face, and for the first time, I don’t feel like a VP. I don’t feel like a leader.
I feel like a fraud.
And I know, deep in my bones, that I’m not fit to wear this patch, not fit to guide my brothers, not fit to protect the only woman I’ve ever loved.
Not when all I leave in my wake is blood.
CHAPTER 28
CONSEQUENCES
JAYNE
The clubhouse feels wrong tonight. Too fucking quiet.
Usually there’s music, laughter, the shuffle of boots and the crack of pool balls echoing off the walls. But tonight? Tonight it feels like the whole place is holding its breath.
Nisa is pacing the main room, back and forth, her nails digging into the soft skin of her arms. She’s got that mask she wears so well, the calm, collected one. But her eyes betray her. They keep darting to the door, sharp, quick glances like she’s expecting it to blow open at any second. She’s terrified, she just hides it better than I do.
Me? I’m a fucking mess. My legs won’t stop bouncing, my hands twist the hem of my shirt until the seams stretch. Every second drags like an hour, and the silence only makes it worse.
“They’ll be fine,” Nisa finally says. Her voice is steady, but her shoulders are too stiff, her steps too sharp.
“Don’t bullshit me. You’re terrified too,” I snap before I can stop myself. My throat burns, my chest tight.
