I choked on my coffee as Harlow gasped, “What?”

  “Don’t think I didn’t notice Collin sneaking out of your room.” Blaz eyed his daughter as her shoulders tensed.

  “It wasn’t fucking,” I sheepishly admitted, grabbing Harlow’s hand and pulling her onto my lap.

  “Then you just innocently slept next to my daughter like a damn boy scout?” Blaz bellowed.

  “Sir, I say this with the utmost respect for both you and your daughter: what happened between us last night was so far from fucking. Yes, we slept together and there was nothing boy-scout-like about it, but I have real feelings for her and will not for a second let you think all I wanted to do was get a nut off.”

  Blaz sat glaring at me for what felt like forever. “You better not be blowing smoke up my ass, boy.”

  “I would never.” I didn’t break eye contact. I wasn’t going to back down, and Blaz needed to know that.

  “You remind me of your father,” he scoffed, pulling a flask out of his cut.

  Pouring whiskey in both of our coffees, Blaz cocked his head to the side. “So, what’s your plan? Come up here every now and again? Move here? Take my little girl away?”

  Harlow grabbed her dad’s hand. “Does there have to be a plan already? Can’t we just see where this goes and let me be fucking happy for a second before you scare Collin half to death and start talking about marriage and babies? I know where this is heading, Dad.”

  Blaz’s face softened. “Fine, but don’t for a minute think I’m happy about this.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to be anything but furious. No one will ever be good enough, will they?” Harlow glanced over her shoulder at me. “At least Collin is one of the good ones, and it’s better than me falling for someone who doesn’t understand our life.”

  I quickly kissed her cheek before she got up.

  “Blaz, I won’t do anything to hurt your daughter.”

  “Trust me, it’d be the last thing you ever did on this earth.”

  Standing on the porch, Bear, Blaz, Carson, Kane, Ax, Reese, and I went through the plan for the next couple of days while Harlow and Scarlett stayed in the kitchen.

  “Everything y’all are going to need is in these duffle bags: burners, ammo, guns, maps—the whole nine,” Carson explained.

  “Do we have any information about the guys who are doing this?” Bear asked in his booming voice.

  “All we know is that they are damn good at flying in under the radar and hitting us during shift changes. We have a couple of cops on payroll who have been doing a piss-poor job of keeping an eye on the warehouse. Every time I have one of my guys out there, the fuckers don’t show,” Blaz clarified.

  “So unmarked cars, no bikes?” I asked, lighting my third cig of the morning.

  “You got it kid.” Blaz wouldn’t look at me. It was going to take a lot of proving myself to him before I would be back in his good graces.

  “Old school stakeout, I like it.” Kane was itching to get started. Of all the guys, he was the one I had spent the least amount of time with. All I knew about him was that he was a former Marine and had served with Trent and Ax a lifetime ago. That was really all I needed to know to trust him. It was odd to have guys from Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee working together, but I was proud to be the one from my charter working with guys I didn’t get to often.

  “We have a shipment due in tomorrow night, late. I’ll need all of you there watching both of the gates,” Blaz continued.

  “We will have this pest problem eliminated in no time at all.” Bear stifled a yawn as he stretched. “Damn, that ride was long as hell. I can’t believe Scar didn’t bitch the entire time.”

  “She’s one tough broad, only old lady in the entire organization that rides her own bike.” I could feel Blaz’s old-school ways coming through, but Bear quickly shot down his backhanded compliment.

  “Scar was raised by Gunner Morgan. You try to tell her she can’t ride and she’ll shoot your nuts off with a ten-cent bullet. I like my nuts swinging right where they are.”

  “Touché.”

  Chapter 5

  Harlow

  “You have to wear the Santa hat,” I protested, shoving the red and white fabric into Collin’s hands.

  “How the hell is it going to stay on while I’m driving?” He stared down at the damn thing like it was going to jump up and bite his nose off.

  “There’s a chin strap,” I retorted before pecking his scruffy cheek.

  “Of course there is.” He finally put it on, shooting a crooked grin at me. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

  “I know,” I teased, securing my elf headband in place with bobby pins.

  Scarlett sauntered over to us with a knowing sneer spreading across her face. “So, out with it. How long has this been a thing?”

  Collin’s eyes darted around as I answered, “It’s extremely new, and I think it’s for the best if it’s kept a little quiet for now. Daddy isn’t too pleased.”

  Scarlett put her finger to her lips. “Mum’s the word, but I do have to say—it’s about damn time.”

  “Was it really that obvious?” Collin asked as crimson cascaded from his ears down his neck.

  Scarlett shot him a little wink before heading back over to her bike to finish decorating it with silver and pink garland.

  “You’re about to do that to my bike, aren’t you?”

  “Where’s your Christmas spirit, Hellock? Don’t you want to make the kids happy?”

  “My goal is to make you happy, so have at it, gorgeous.”

  I bounced around Collin’s bike, decking it out with fake antlers, garland, and a little Santa doll on the handlebars.

  “We all set?” my dad yelled as he got on his motorcycle before helping my mother onto the back.

  “Let’s do this!” Collin called back as I leaned into him.

  “This is going to be fun,” I whispered before he started the engine.

  In a crowd of at least thirty, we made our way from the cabin down into town, every saddlebag filled with as many toys as the bikes could handle. We drove down the main street waving at the shoppers darting in and out of the stores for Small Business Saturday as we made our way to the children’s hospital.

  Excitement bubbled up as we pulled up to the front doors.

  “What?” Collin asked.

  “I’m just thrilled to make these kids smile. They’ve been through so much and need a little bit of a distraction from all of it, ya know?”

  With bags of presents, we made our way into the dayroom where most of the kids were eagerly awaiting our arrival.

  “Ho ho ho! Christmas is coming a little early this year.” My father beamed with pride dressed in a full Santa suit as he dug gifts out of his sack and handed them to the little ones.

  Walking over to a nurse, I inquired, “Are there kids still in their rooms?”

  She nodded. “Some of the children are a little too sick to be out here.”

  “Collin, come on.” I waved him over as I started to follow the nurse into one of the rooms where three children were lying in their beds.

  “Hey guys.” I waved, grabbing the bag from Collin. “We have some gifts for you.”

  One of the girls perked up a bit. “Are you Santa Claus?” she asked Collin.

  Handing her a gift, he smiled down at the frail child. “Just for the day, sweetheart. I hope you like it.”

  She ripped open the gift to reveal a My Little Pony with a star on its ass and a rainbow mane. “I love it!” she squealed, grabbing Collin’s hand. “Thank you.”

  He sank down onto her bed. “What’s your name, beautiful?”

  “Clare.” She blushed a little bit.

  “That’s a very pretty name.” Collin helped her open the box, handing the toy over, and my heart melted.

  I gave the other kids their presents and walked back into the dayroom with Collin. “Did the Grinch’s heart just grow three sizes?” I nudged his ribs with my elbow.

  “Maybe one.” He smirked at me. “You were right—this is fun.”

  “I knew you’d be into it.”

  “Maybe next year I can get the guys down in Vilas to follow suit.”

  My heart sank a little. I didn’t want to think about him heading back down there. I’d finally gotten him, but in his mind, he was already on his way out.

  Shaking off my doubts, I responded, “I think that would be a very nice tradition to take back home with you.”

  Chapter 6

  Harlow

  After the toy run, I went back to my folks’ house for a sleepless night of thinking about Collin. I knew it was better to just tuck my tail between my legs and not give my father more of a reason to be pissed, but I didn’t want to be alone in my bed with Collin so damn close.

  Just as I turned off my TV, trying to get comfortable, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

  Collin: I hate this.

  Me: Same here, but it’s better for at least tonight.

  Collin: I could be between your legs right now tasting that sweet nectar.

  Me: I can’t stop thinking about it.

  Collin: Neither can I, babe. Soon, very soon.

  Me: I am going to hold you to that.

  Collin: As you should. Good night, beautiful.

  Me: Night, love.

  After tossing and turning all night and barely making it through the day, it was time for me to head to work. I hated that Collin and the other guys were putting themselves in danger. I pretended like I had no idea, but the reason for Collin and the others for being up in Sweetwater wasn’t lost on me. My dad thought I was completely naïve to the club’s issues, but they can only whisper so quietly at my bar.

  My shift passed by without anything exciting happening. I got decent tips, and not too many scumbags hit on me. Marlena sat in the back while I started to close up the front of the house.

  Taking the trash out, someone called over to me, “You’re Blaz’s kid, right?”

  I whipped around to see two guys rushing toward me. I tried to sprint back inside, but one grabbed my arm before I could make it through the door.

  “Hey, now, sweetheart. What’s the rush?” he mocked, pulling me to the back of the lot.

  “Get the fuck off me!” I yelled, struggling as the second guy grasped my other arm tightly.

  “This will go a lot smoother if you don’t fight.”

  Like hell it will. I was going to make them work for it if they were going to take me.

  A third guy leapt out of the car and popped the trunk. Slapping me, he sneered, “Well, aren’t you a gorgeous little thing.”

  I spit in his face. “Go fuck yourself.”

  Slapping me again, harder, he snickered. “We’re going to have so much fun with you tonight, darlin’. Don’t worry, this is just step one.”

  I kicked, screamed, bit, and scratched, but it was no use—they were too strong and too determined to get me in the trunk of their sedan.

  I was hogtied and gagged, squirming in the small, dark space as I heard the tires peel out on the gravel road.

  Collin

  Sitting in a car with Ax and Kane, we chugged down coffee in silence. Nothing had happened in three hours other than the truck showing up with its entire inventory intact.

  “Something feels so off about this,” Kane stated from the back seat.

  “I agree,” Ax responded, looking around some more.

  We were parked in an unlit corner, so there was no way for someone to spot us unless they were right in front of us.

  “Maybe they just decided to give this warehouse a break for the night.” It was the only explanation I could think of.

  “Nothing yet,” Kane radioed to Bear’s car.

  “Same here,” he returned quickly.

  My burner vibrated on the dash.

  “Yeah,” I answered.

  Blaz’s voice was riddled with concern as he barked, “Get your ass back to the cabin right the fuck now.”

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as I put the call on speaker, threw it onto my lap, and put the car in drive.

  “They took Harlow.” He hung up and I sped away.

  Kane radioed to Bear. “Harlow was kidnapped. Head to the cabin.”

  It was the longest fifteen-minute drive of my life.

  Rushing out of the driver’s seat, I yelled up to Blaz, “What else do we know about these fuckers?”

  “Nothing.” Blaz was pacing as Carson stood in the front door of the cabin.

  “How do you know it was the same people?” Panic was setting in quickly.

  “We don’t for sure. Marlena called me from the bar saying she saw a black town car speeding away from the bar when she went out to check on Harlow. She was taking out the trash when they got her.”

  Scarlett came out onto the porch to meet us. “How can I help?”

  Blaz shoved keys into her hand. “Go stay with Abby. She shouldn’t be alone right now. Carson will take you.”

  Bear pulled Scarlett into his chest. “Be safe, baby.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on them.” Carson patted Bear on the back before following Scarlett down to their bikes without question.

  Right then, Blaz’s cell rang.

  “Baby?” he answered with the phone on speaker.

  “Dad?” Harlow sniffled.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked. I held my breath.

  “That’s enough proof of life,” a gruff voice responded. “You have two hours before we start hacking away at this pretty face of hers. We want fifty thousand in cash. I’ll call back in twenty minutes with an address.”

  The call ended and I screamed.

  “Let me make a call. I can have Jax wire as much money as possible.” Bear walked away, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

  “If it wasn’t for your sorry ass, I’d have the money ready and waiting.” Blaz glared at me.

  “Let me call Ryder and see if there’s anything he can do.” It was all I could say.

  “He’s tapped out right now. Why do you think he had to call me to bail you out last week?”

  Blaz clocked me right in the jaw and I just stood there and took it. It was only fair—his heart was breaking just as much as mine was.

  Kane pulled him away as Ax offered, “We might be able to help. Let me check.”

  Ax trudged into the house to pull up shit on his computer.

  Bear rejoined us and said, “Fifteen is being wired over right now.”

  “Thanks, man.” Blaz continued to pace.

  “Got ten more on the way,” Ax called through the front door.

  “Halfway there,” I muttered as the gears in my brain started to click. “That’s all we need. We can pad the bag with fake shit and make the trade without them being able to leave the drop point.”

  “What’re you getting at, kid?” Reese asked.

  “We need to take these guys out anyway, right? We make them think all the money is there. We put the real shit on top, and I can print the rest here. We get them to hand over Harlow then ambush them as they’re getting away. Blaz and I can go in alone at first and have you guys waiting in the wings to rush in once we give you a signal. It’s our best chance of killing two birds with one stone.”

  “And what if we go in outnumbered or outgunned? This is my little girl’s life you’re playing with here,” Blaz snarled at me, getting within an inch of my face.

  Bear yanked him back. “Collin’s right—this is our best shot. Get your head on straight. Stop thinking like a scared father and act like the outlaw you are. You said it had to be a small operation and wasn’t another club. There’s no way we are outgunned, and they have no idea who they’re actually messing with.”

  “If any group can do it, we can. When Raine was taken, we didn’t think it all through, but this time we have a chance to actually pull this off.” I hated thinking about that day, the worst of my entire life. It had cost me my father, but I wasn’t going to let anything like that happen again on my watch.

  Blaz’s phone rang again.

  I pulled a notepad and pen out of my duffle bag, ready to take down the address.

  “Yeah,” Blaz barked.

  “378 North Holland Drive. No guns. No weapons of any kind. Two guys. You have an hour and a half.”

  The line went dead.

  “If this doesn’t work, it’ll be your hide I skin on Christmas morning.” Blaz was clutching the cell, staring down at the blank screen as he collapsed into a chair.

  “It will work. You just have to trust me.”

  Chapter 7

  Collin

  While the guys when to pick up the cash, I made quick work of printing the rest of the filler. There was a first time for everything and I was scared shitless that they would call our bluff, but there wasn’t time to hesitate. I was going to get my girl back before those scumbags had her for long enough to hurt her.

  My mind tripped back to rescuing Raine from that warehouse all those years ago. Finding her in the back room, beaten and scared…letting our guard down…seeing my father’s body collapsed on the concrete floor—it was all just as vivid as it had been that night.

  With barely any time to spare, I was sitting shotgun in Blaz’s pickup. We didn’t speak the entire drive to the location. The rest of the guys, along with the other members of Blaz’s charter, were already surrounding the area in hiding.

  Blaz took out his phone as it rang with a call from his wife.

  “Hi, sweetheart.” I could hear him trying to hide his worry from Abigail.

  “Bring our baby home,” she sobbed.

  “Collin and I will, I promise.” Blaz shot me a quick glance and I swallowed hard. “We have a plan, Abby. Don’t worry.”

  “I love you.”