Page 3 of Bonita Brynne

“What?” my mom shrieked. “Raul, did you hear Track?”

“Dorian asked how my brother was. Who’s watching Ray and Valerie?”

“I’m calling Storm,” Mom said. “Prospects are supposed to be watching my babies at school.”

“At least ten cop cars are coming. You need to get out of here,ese,” Espada told Joseph. “Take your woman and go out the back. You know the plan.”

Joseph turned toward me, and his gaze dropped to my stomach. “Fuck.” His hand went to my stomach. The worry in his eyes brought tears to mine.

“What else did Dorian say?” Raul asked as he entered the living room. His gaze went to Joseph’s hand touching my belly. Thankfully, he didn’t react unfavorably. I’d given my mom permission to tell him I was pregnant. He wasn’t happy about it, but now wasn’t the time to cause a scene.

“He said he’s going to cause problems for the club and me. That the police have warrants for murder.” Joseph wrapped his arm around me and pressed his lips to my head.

“Christ, son. You two better get out of here.” Raul tightened his face like his words had given him pain.

“Yeah. The clock is ticking.” Espada nudged us toward the back door. “Go. We got your back.”

“We’ll get to you when we can, son.” Raul followed behind us. “Be careful out there.”

I stopped Joseph. “We can’t leave.”

“You need to.” Espada ushered us out the door. “Or Track is going to jail.”

My stomach jumped into my throat. Jail? “But he didn’t kill Gina.”

“Doesn’t matter. That fucker is trying to frame him.” Espada pushed us faster.

“Brynne!” my mom hollered, running out of the house. “I love you.” She hugged me. “Track will keep you safe.”

“I love you too, Mom. Please stay safe.”

“Oh baby, I promise you. We will see each other again.” The confidence in her voice and the determination in her eyes eased my worry… a little.

“Come on, Bonita.” Joseph slid on a backpack and helped put one on me.

I was numb, only moving and doing what I was told to do. The sirens were getting closer. The chaos Dorian had created would implode on people I cared about. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do to spare them—unless I gave myself over to Dorian.

There were three all-terrain vehicles in front of us. Cash and Ryder were on two, and Joseph led me to the middle one.

“We’re going to be okay, Bonita. I promise.” He dropped a kiss on my lips, then straddled the ATV. “Get on and wrap your arms around my waist.”

“Okay.” I hopped on behind Joseph and held on to him for dear life.

“Let’s go!” Joseph shouted and pointed toward the forest.

The four of us went north in tight formation. The dirt path was bumpy. I couldn’t help but worry about our baby. What if I miscarried due to the stress and getting bounced around? If I lost the baby, I would be devastated. So many thoughts ran through my head.

What if the authorities caught up with us and fired their guns?

What if Joseph went to prison?

What if Dorian captured me?

I swallowed thickly and tried to hold it together. But I was terrified one of us or all of us would die today. I couldn’t lose Joseph or the baby or my mom again.

“We’re going to be okay, Bonita. I won’t let anything happen to the baby or you,” he shouted like he’d heard my thoughts. “I will protect you both.” His words comforted me, but I still wondered how he would get us to safety.

Several minutes later, we separated from Cash and Ryder and went in a different direction. I wasn’t sure what was happening. All I knew was I trusted Joseph despite everything that had happened.

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