Page 47 of A New Era

“He tells her he’ll never let her go and according to her, she begs him to let her leave on the daily. She wants my help getting away.”

He remains quiet for too long and I can’t take it. “You don’t think I should get involved?”

“Involved in their relationship? No. But helping someone, yes.” He closes the space between us and cups my cheeks.

“I’ll deal with the brothers, and you help the old ladies if they ask for it. But I don’t want it blowing back on you.”

“I will only help her because I saw it in her eyes, she’s at her end. I know how that feels.”

“You do what you gotta do and I’ll do the same, then when we come back together here, it’s just us without anyone else’s problems.”

“Sounds good to me.”

He briefly kisses me, and I ask, “What are you doing back anyway?”

As far as I was aware he said he’d be busy today, so I wasn’t expecting to see him before tonight.

“I needed five minutes away from Wyatt before I did something stupid.”

Frowning, I ask, “Like what? What’s he doing?”

“Apart from him letting this gang run him out of our territory, it’s his attitude toward it. This is the shit my dad warned me about when it came to the patch.”

I don’t particularly understand the politics of the club and I don’t care to try and learn.

“If you do end up hitting him, just remember I don’t want bruises in our wedding photos.”

Rolling his eyes, he says, “Of course. Besides, like I’d let the old fucker get a hit on me.”

Winding my arms around his neck, I press my lips to his softly. “You’ve got this.”

“I love you.”

“Good, 'cause I’m going to be your wife.”

* * *

Rayna wanted to have dinner and a sleepover at Grandma Alannah’s and since sending her across an hour ago, I’ve been lost as to what to do. I found myself heading over to the bar. Leo is nowhere to be seen but I join Harper, JJ, Mason, and Aspen, and notice Jonah over by the pool table. He’s not in a game, he’s more interested in one of Zara’s friends, laughing as she talks, and running his hands over her ass as he pulls her against him. No wonder Beth feels nothing, the pain of betrayal from the man who tells you he loves you would be too much for anyone to bear.

“You’re quiet tonight,” Harper notes, adding, “Is something wrong?”

“Yes, but not with me…” I trail off, watching Jonah take Zara’s friend up the stairs. “I need to go. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Given that Jonah is here with another woman, I head straight to the main house where Beth will be. Pushing through the front door, I find her staring at the wall from the couch again.

“Hey, do you still want to leave?” I blurt out.

She jumps up to her feet and rushes over to me. Grabbing onto my arms, she says, “You’re going to help me?”

“Yes, and if you still want to leave, we have to go now.”

“I’ll go get my bag.”

She runs up the stairs and doesn’t keep me waiting long until she’s running back down them. I look out and see the coast is clear. My heart pounds as we walk over to my car, and I thank everyone I need to that no one’s around to see us drive by the bar.

“Do you think the prospect will know who I am when Jonah notices I’m gone?”

The panic in her voice has a chill running down my spine.

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