LOGINEzraMy fist cracks again across Tristan’s jaw, and he sputters, sagging in Torch’s arms.“EJ, that’s enough,” Torch says. You’re going to kill him.”I crack my bloody knuckles. “That’s the fucking point.”“We need him alive if we’re going to get Wren back safely.” Right. Tristan’s going to be our fucking bait. If the Smitties MC need Tristan, they’ll just have to give me Wren.My jaw ticks as I stare at Tristan’s bloody face, head bowed slightly as he’s held up by Torch.When I jerk my chin at Torch, he lets go. Tristan drops to the floor like a groaning sac of potatoes. His eyes are nearly swollen shut.“Take a picture,” I instruct.Torch clicks it and we head out of the basement. It’s almost seven a.m. and still no word from AJ.Ray’s been texting since five, but I had to hold him off while we wait for Clay, Rivers, Monty—Craig’s biker, and others.The moment we head downstairs, I hear the front door open.I need to fucking change that password.I’ve been too occupied since I came
WrenI’m yanked out of the car by Donovan. I trip on the pavement, and fall.Pain flares up my knees, palms scratching on the pebbled floor. I wince, more tears filling my eyes as he pulls me up again. “Get up.”Something trickles down my knee caps and I don’t have to look to know I broke my skin from that fall and it’s bleeding.“W-why?” I whimper. “Ray trusted you.”“Ray’s a piece of shit, and so is Ezra. So shut the fuck up!” He sneers and drags me carelessly.Reggie and the others trail behind us, his cane hitting the pavement periodically. He mutters something that I don’t quite catch and I’m tossed into the building.It looks like a clubhouse, but way more empty with barely a handful of people who go silent when they see us.“Reggie.” Someone says, standing to his feet. “Ezra Jax’s girl?”“Yes.” Donovan answers, hands tightening around my arm.I try to wiggle away, but his grip only tightens, nearly cutting off my circulation. “You’re gonna pay for this,” I hiss. “Ezra and Ra
EzraRay blinks. “Come again?”“What?” Quincy’s eyes widen. “What is he…h-how..why?”“Remember that day we were investigating the mole situation?” I ask Ray.He nods. “The day I found out about you and my little sister.”If that’s what he’ll use to remember that day, that’s fine. But I remember it as the day Tristan touched my girl.“Yea. I had rushed out mid investigation because I received a ton of emergency calls from Wren.”“W-what are you saying, EJ?”EJ. He’s not called me that since he found out about Wren and I, and this may sound crazy, but it assures me that our friendship can still be salvaged.Hopefully.“Tristan was in my home,” I reply.He stands to his feet, his chair nearly toppling. “You said Donovan was going to pick her up.”“Exactly.” I frown. “I asked Donovan to pick her up, but by the time I rushed home he was nowhere to be found. Instead, Tristan had his hands around Wren’s n-neck, he was ch-choking—”The words get lost in my throat. I can’t say them, I can’t ev
EzraThere’s some shuffling behind Ray’s door and my heart races as the footsteps come closer.Wren’s phone in my hand feels like a bomb, something I shouldn’t be holding. Not after everything that’s happened.“This visit couldn’t wait, babe?” I hear Ray’s annoyed mumble, and the door pulls open.His frown only deepens when he sees me. “What are you doing here?”Ray stands in front of me with a small sock in his hand—that could only belong to the baby—and a glare in his eyes.“Wren,” I begin. “She’s asleep,” he interrupts, and points his finger at me. “And you’re not welcome here. Stay away from my little sister.”And that fucking does it.The way he says ‘little’, like she’s a baby, a minor. Yet, she’s a full grown adult.Rage settles in my chest, all the anxiety I had earlier disappears. “This is not the time to be bitter, Ray.”“Bitter?” He scoffs and looks inside. “Is this what’s happening now, Quincy? You invited him for what exactly?”“Wren is in danger, Raymond. Let’s talk abo
EzraI’ve barely settled back in the house when my phone lights up with a text.My brows pinch together when I see it’s from Wren.Pretty Girl: Hi, babe. I’ve gotten home safe.A perfect string of text. From…Wren?Plus, it’s way too soon to get to Ray’s. It’s been what? Five minutes? Ten?A bad feeling nags at the back of my mind but I shove it off. Maybe Quincy helped her type it out. But she’d have indicated. She always does.My stomach churns as I read the text over and over again.“Fuck it,” I mutter and punch down on the call button.It goes straight to voicemail.And that feeling intensifies, spreading across my chest and settling heavy on my shoulders. I try again…same thing.Then, I begin to pace, dialing Quincy’s number. She picks up immediately.“Ezra!” Her harsh whisper comes in. “Where is Wren? I need to go to bed—”I freeze. “She’s not…there?”“No. Wait…what do you mean?”“She sent me a text few seconds ago that she’s home. A perfect text, Quin. No fucking errors,” I ru
WrenI scramble off him and hold the phone to my ear, heart pounding.“Quincy? Is every—”“Donovan just called,” she whispers. “He’s coming home. And Ray doesn’t look like he’ll be sleeping anytime soon. Come home, Wren.”“B-but…I can still sneak back in, right?”She lets out a breath. “Yes. But if Donovan comes home before you, he’s going to be up patrolling. You know how he is.”“He’s so annoying, Jesus.” I pinch the corners of my eyes. “Alright, I’ll be coming home. Thank you.”The line goes quiet for a bit before she speaks. “You sound happier, better. I wish Ray could see how good you both are together.”I smile at Ezra and his brows draw closer, eyes narrowed as he sits up. “What?” He mouths.But I bite my lip, hiding my wide smile. “I am happier, Quincy.”“I’m happy for you. Come home soon, Ray’s asking why I’m still up. You know your brother, always sniffing around.”“I know. I’ll be leaving soon.”“Call me when you get here.” She hangs up before I can respond and I throw my







