Page 65 of Harlem

As we approach Luca’s bike, sitting on the side of the highway, I see Baja helping Mom up the embankment.

“Mom!” I break away from Luca and rush up to her.

“I’m okay, Sukie.” She embraces me.

“I’m so sorry, Mom.” I start to cry again.

“Stop that nonsense. It wasn’t your fault.”

Baja cuts in. “Sorry, guys, but we need to go.”

We make our way up to the road, and that’s when I can see how lucky my mom and I are to be standing here. There are skid marks on the road that lead down the embankment, and shattered glass litters the ground beneath my feet.

“Climb on, baby.”

I tear my eyes away from my wrecked car, walk over to Luca’s bike, and climb on behind him.

18

HARLEM

The wind whips against our bodies as I increase speed. My hands tighten on the handlebars as I replay what just happened. This isn’t a fluke accident. My gut tells me my father is behind Sukie’s brakes not working.

My woman’s arms hold tightly around my waist, her hands fisting my cut as we race toward the clubhouse. The air feels thick, and the uneasy feeling within me rises. The moon casts an eerie glow over the road ahead, adding to the sense of danger.

My father’s men could be anywhere, hiding in the shadows. The club and those I love are being hunted because of me. I knew this would happen. Tension builds at the base of my skull as the hate for my father intensifies. First Laredo, now my woman and her mother.

My thoughts drift back to the fear in Sukie’s eyes when she had no control of the vehicle, and my stomach plummets. But those eyes were also filled with trust in me to keep her safe. That trust fuels my determination to get us safely to the clubhouse. Adrenaline surges through my veins as I push the bike harder, weaving through sparse traffic. I glance in the mirror, keeping eyes on Baja, who is keeping pace behind me.

The road goes on forever as we drive toward the outskirts of town. We finally reach the edge of the clubhouse property, speeding past the no trespassing sign. There are no lights along the old dirt road; it’s illuminated only by the pale glow of the moon peeking through the thick canopy of ancient oak trees. Their branches reach out like skeletal fingers, with moss swaying in the breeze.

My woman clings tightly to me, her arms still wrapped around my waist as we race past headstones scattered about the property, my mood growing heavier with each passing second. We roll up to the old stone church that serves as our clubhouse, and I turn off the engine and quickly dismount my bike as Baja rolls up beside me.

We stroll through the heavy wood doors. On the far side of the room, Salem stands near Sage and his daughter, with a phone to his ear. Close by, Juniper sits beside Ophelia, who is distracting Mystic’s little girl, Lorelei, with crayons and a coloring book.

“I should go take care of my mom,” Sukie says, stepping back and wanting to go to her mother.

“Baja has it covered.” I watch how attentive my brother is, then shift my focus to Sukie, feeling her hand trembling in mine. I look her over one more time.

“I can’t stop shaking.” Sukie rubs her hands together.

“It’s the adrenaline.” I embrace Sukie as she buries her face against my chest. “I got you, baby.”

“I was terrified.” Her voice breaks with emotion.

“Me too,” I admit, unashamed, as a sinking feeling dropped like a bowling ball in my stomach.

Sukie pulls back and locks eyes with me. The thought of losing her sends my emotions into a spiraling tailspin.

Sukie reaches up, touching my face. “I’m okay, Luca.” She sees past my rough exterior to the battle waging inside me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Laredo moving slowly across the room. Sukie looks at him, her eyes widening at his broken appearance.

“What happened?” she whispers.

“My father.”

Laredo leans against the bar. “Heard what happened.” His eyes dart to Sukie. “You and your momma, all right?”

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