Joker POVI haven’t left yet. Oh, I’ve moved and paced the room a little, but I haven’t left the hotel 'cause something’s gnawin' at me, like a rat in my brain, tellin' me she’s gonna run. Krystie’s not the type to just sit still and follow orders, and I know she’s thinkin' of makin' a break for it the moment I’m gone. But then there’s Ebony—I can’t leave her alone.But I have to.With a sigh, I stand up, tryin' to shake off the tension coiling around my spine. “Don’t leave. Order food if ya want, but confirm it’s actually food before ya open the door, alright?” I give 'em both a look, my eyes bouncin' between them like a pinball.“Where are you going?” Ebony asks, raisin' an eyebrow. She’s not a fool, not by a long shot.“To fix a problem,” I reply, a slow grin spreadin' across my face.She lets out a laugh, sharp and knowin'. “You mean to send a message.”Smart kid. I smirk at 'er and nod. “Exactly. So you two need to stay 'ere, understand?” She nods, and I shift my gaze to Krystie,
Joker POVI pull back slowly, releasing him, watchin' as he trembles, his fear practically seepin' into the air. My grin stays plastered on my face, and I wipe my mouth dramatically, as if savorin' the taste. “Delicious.”With that, I let out a howl of laughter, rev the bike one last time, and take off. The wind howls around me as I ride away, the adrenaline still buzzin' in my veins. Not bad for a day’s work. Not bad at all.And it’s still early. I’ve got plenty of time to think of my next move.As I pull up to the hotel, my phone starts ringin'. I don’t even have to look. I know exactly who it is. It’s like I can feel his anger bleedin' through the screen, vibratin' in my hand. With a smirk, I hit the answer button and brin' the phone to my ear.“Big King,” I say, my voice smooth, almost too casual given the situation. But I enjoy the tension. It fuels me.“I’ve not had an update, Joker. Where the 'ell is my daughter?” His voice is already laced with that dangerous edge, the kind th
Krystie POVIn Joker’s mind, everything is black and white. It’s all easy, simple—stop the threat, save the girl, problem solved. But I know better. As long as Wesley’s alive, Ebony will always be in danger. I can’t sit around pretending this will all magically go away just because Joker killed a few of his men and threatened Wesley. If going back means keeping Ebony safe, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.Joker cares about Ebony in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s raw, intense, like she’s the only thing in the world that matters to him. So I can only imagine how fiercely he protects his own daughter.If Ebony is taken, if she’s lost because I didn’t do something when I had the chance? I couldn’t live with that. Not ever. So, I made my choice.I told Ebony I was going to grab food. She fought me on it—argued like hell, actually—but I insisted. I needed to go, and she wasn’t going to stop me. She’s not a fool, though. She knows it isn’t safe outside that room. Which is why Jo
Krystie POV I just need to hold out for another day. One more day, and then none of this will matter.Leaning against the wall, I look down at my broken fingers. The pain is sharp, constant, but I can’t just let them hang like this. I tear a strip from my shirt and wrap the fabric around my fingers, wincing as I try to straighten them. It’s a sloppy job, but it’s better than nothing. At least they’re together now, less likely to break further.The sound of footsteps echoes down the hall, and I push myself off the wall, standing tall even though my body feels like it’s about to crumble. I face the door, bracing myself for whatever they’re about to do next. The lock slides with a loud clank, and the door swings open. James steps in, his face twisted in anger.“Come on then,” I say, my voice hoarse but defiant. “Hit me. Make yourself feel big. Feel like a real man. That’s what this is about, right? You’re too weak to fight someone your own size, so you come here and hit me.” My words dr
Joker POVI’m fumin'. She left. She left. My whole body’s hummin' with this electric rage that just won’t quit. Krystie’s gone, and now I’m stuck here, tryin' to figure out my next move, but I can’t think straight because I don’t want to leave Ebony alone. Sure, she’ll stay put like I told her, but I’ve got no clue what Wesley would do if he somehow found out which room we’re in. He could be out there, watchin'. Waitin'. My mind spirals, and I clench my fists, nails diggin' into my palms. Focus, Joker. Focus.“Where will she be?” I bark, spinnin' to face Ebony. My voice is harsher than I intend, but I can’t control it. I need answers, need action. Maybe I can go after Krystie, drag 'er back here while keepin' Ebony safe with me. Multitask. Handle everythin'. Easy.Ebony’s eyes flick up, unsure, but she answers. “Likely the main house, with the other women.”Good. That’s good. “Then we go back there, and we get 'er. Like I got you. Simple. We do that.” My words come fast, tumblin' over
Joker POVI need somethin'. What do I need? My hands twitch, itchin' to search the bag again, to keep diggin' through the chaos like I’ll find some magic answer at the bottom. I reach for the bag, but she grabs my arm, stoppin' me.“She isn’t in the bag,” Ebony says firmly, her voice cuttin' through my frenzy like a knife.“What?” I blink at her, my thoughts scrambling. What the hell does she mean?“You keep saying you need to find Krystie. You keep searching the bag like she’s in there, but she’s not. She’s not in the bag. Wake up your mind.” Her words hit me like a slap, but 'er smile is soft, trying to ground me.I freeze, my hand still hoverin' over the bag. She’s right. Of course, she’s right. What I want—what I need—is Krystie, and she’s not here. She’s not in the bag, she’s out there, and I’m wastin' time tearin' through this damn mess. But still... still, the urge to keep searchin' gnaws at me, claws at me like a thousand tiny hands. I need to do somethin'. Anythin'.“I’m hung
Krystie I’ll admit it now—I was a fool for coming back here. I thought I could protect Ebony, maybe even save Joker from spiraling into madness if something happened to her. I know he would. He may act tough, wild, but the truth is, if Ebony got hurt, Joker would crumble. He’d blame himself, and his own psychotic mind would turn inward, gnawing at him for letting it happen. He’d self-destruct, piece by piece.I didn’t just come back to save Ebony. I came back to save him. Joker’s the only person who ever gave a damn about me, who actually wanted to protect me. That’s... sweet, in a way, but also dangerous. It’s not right. He was here for her, not for me. I can’t let him save me at the expense of Ebony. It wouldn’t be fair.Joker’s crazy. But it’s the kind of crazy that, somehow, I find sweet. Even when he bit that guy’s ear off, there was something almost... endearing about it. Because he did it to protect us. He uses his madness as a shield, a weapon, to keep us safe. It’s terrifying
Krystie POVAs I sit here, time has twisted itself into something unrecognizable. It feels like hours have passed, but it can’t have been. Wesley’s too precise, too sadistic—he wouldn’t miss coming back every hour to break me just a little more. The rhythm of the torture is his pleasure, his control. So why does it feel like forever?The light knock on the door pulls me from my haze, and I lift my head with effort. My body is so weak, my mind barely able to register the world around me.“Trixie, it’s Angel,” comes a whisper from the other side of the door.I try to say something back, but all that comes out is a mumble, some vague sound that I’m not even sure she’ll hear.“Can you hear me, Trixie?” she whispers again, more urgently now.“Yes...” I manage to breathe out, though it barely sounds like a word.“Don’t give up! Sweetness called—your friend just slaughtered everyone at the main house. He’s coming for you.”Her words send a strange warmth through me, something like hope. Joke
Caleb’s POVThe roar of the bikes fills the air as we pull up to the clubhouse. It’s been months since the twins were born, and life hasn’t slowed down for a second. I park my bike and glance over at King, who’s smirking like he’s already a step ahead of me. He probably is. He’s been in a good place lately—focused, lighter even. It’s strange to see after everything, but I can’t complain. He’s my brother, and for the first time in years, it feels like we’re truly in sync.The twins have turned our world upside down in the best way. Queenie’s been handling everything like a pro, balancing the chaos of our family with the chaos of club life. Baby Caleb is toddling around like he owns the place, and the twins, Ruby and Daisy, are always keeping us on our toes. Life is full, and though it’s overwhelming sometimes, it’s everything I didn’t know I wanted.I step off my bike and stretch. King does the same, then glances at me with a grin. “Ready for today?”“Yeah,” I reply, though my voice fe
King’s POVIt’s been two months since we found out Queenie was having girls—twins. Two months of chaos, laughter, and a whole lot of learnin'. Sittin' on the clubhouse steps with a cup of coffee in my hand, I let my thoughts drift. Life feels different now. Better, maybe. Calmer. Though “calm” isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe this club or my family.I’ve been spendin' more time with Kian. It’s something I should’ve done years ago but never did. I was too wrapped up in myself, in the club, in provin' I was the best choice for Prez. Kian was always just the kid in the background. Now, I see him for who he is—a sharp, thoughtful kid with a wicked sense of humor. He’s not a biker, not in the traditional sense, but he’s found his place here. He’s good with numbers, helping with the financial side of things, and he’s got this way of readin' people that reminds me of his mom.He’s been givin' me shit lately, though. “Finally realized I exist, huh?” he joked a few weeks ago when I i
Queenie’s POVSix months. It feels like a lifetime ago and yet just yesterday that everything changed. Lying here waiting for the woman to do the scan, I watch King and Caleb as they stand together. The sight makes my heart swell in a way I never thought possible. They’re so in sync now, their bond stronger than it’s ever been, and it’s a relief to see the tension that once lingered between them completely gone.King laughs at something Caleb says, and it’s such a genuine, carefree sound that I find myself smiling too. I still can’t believe how far he’s come. The darkness that used to grip him so tightly seems to have loosened its hold. It’s not gone entirely—I doubt it ever will be—but it’s no longer the thing that defines him. He’s lighter now, freer, and seeing him like this makes me love him even more.We’ve been staying at the club more than the cabin these past few months, something I never thought I’d be okay with. When King first suggested splitting our time between here and t
CalebShe’s a menace. A complete and utter menace. But God help me, I can’t resist her, not when she’s looking at me like that. The way she bites her lip and presses against me, whispering my name like it’s a plea and a command all at once—I’m a goner.Her lips are on mine, hot and demanding, and my hands move instinctively, sliding over her to feel the warmth of her skin. She’s soft, all curves and fire, and I’m reminded just how good it feels to have her like this. Like she’s mine. Like there’s no one else in the world.“Queenie,” I murmur against her mouth, trying to find some semblance of control. My hands tighten on her waist, holding her still as she grinds against me, her body determined to undo whatever resolve I have left. “We’re going to be late for everything, you know that, right?”Her laugh is breathless, filled with mischief. “Worth it,” she says again, her voice low and teasing, and it’s all the encouragement I need.Flipping her onto her back, I pin her beneath me, my
Queenie POVI wake up wedged between Caleb and King, feeling the weight of yesterday pressing on my chest. My mind replays everything in vivid detail, questioning every moment. If I hadn’t fought, would Delcote have still searched me? Or was it all just a punishment for not complying? He left me with my phone, almost as if he wanted me to panic.Then there’s the question of whether kicking his seat and enraging him had been a smart move. Sure, it made him stop, and that gave them the chance to find me—but did I escalate things? My thoughts spiral until I glance over to Caleb Jr.’s crib and notice it’s empty. My heart skips a beat as I sit up in a panic.“Rose and Maz have 'im,” King mutters groggily beside me. His voice is thick with sleep, and he doesn’t even open his eyes. “He woke up around half six, wanted to play, so they took him.”Relief washes over me as I let out a long breath and flop back down beside him.“How are ya feeling?” he asks quietly, turning his head to look at me
King’s POVAs we leave the hospital, the nurse hands me a printout of the ultrasound. The blurry black-and-white image of two tiny figures takes my breath away. Twins. I stare at it for a moment, the reality sinkin' in. This wasn’t how I imagined gettin' 'er checked would go, but here we are. Sliding the picture into my jacket pocket, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick message to Rose, askin' 'er to grab the portable crib and a bag of essentials from the cabin. “We’re stayin' at the club tonight,” I explain to Caleb and Queenie, who both nod in agreement.The ride back feels heavier, quieter, as if we’re all lost in our thoughts. Queenie holds onto Caleb, her grip tighter than usual, while I keep glancin' over to make sure she’s okay. The wind whips around us, but the silence between us speaks louder than anything.When we finally arrive at the club, the warm light spillin' from the windows feels oddly comfortin'. The moment we walk through the doors, Queenie makes a beeline for ba
Caleb’s POVAs we step out of the club, Honey’s voice cuts through the cool night air. “Why is Delcote back in town?” she asks, her casual tone sharp against the tension bubbling inside me. She leans casually against her car, her eyes narrowing as she looks at us. “I saw his car near the college earlier today.”Her words feel like a punch to the gut. I stop dead in my tracks, turning to meet King’s gaze. His expression mirrors mine—panic mixed with raw anger. His fists clench at his sides as his jaw tightens.“What did ya just say?” King growls, his voice low and dangerous.Honey raises an eyebrow, sensing the change in the air. “I saw his car near the campus,” she repeats slowly, looking between us. “What’s going on?”Before either of us can answer, Dad stops behind us, his voice booming as he barks orders. “Rose! Maz!” he calls out and I see them coming to the door. “Keep the baby with you. Don’t leave the club for anythin'. Got it?”Rose’s arms tighten around baby Caleb instinctive
Queenie’s POVThe end of the workday couldn’t come fast enough. I step outside, shivering as the cool air nips at my skin. My eyes scan the parking lot, but there’s no sign of King’s bike or Caleb’s. My brows furrow in confusion. They said they’d pick me up—didn’t they?I wait a few minutes, pacing slightly, trying to keep warm. Pulling out my phone, I dial Caleb first. No answer. I try King next, but it goes straight to voicemail. A frustrated sigh escapes me, and I glance up and down the street. No way am I waiting. I begin walking, deciding it will be quicker than waiting if they have totally forgotten me.The walk home feels longer than it should. My feet ache from a long shift, and the chill in the air creeps through my jacket. I forgot my purse at home this morning, so no money for a taxi or bus. Just me and the quiet streets.The faint sound of an engine behind me draws my attention. I glance back, squinting under the dim glow of a streetlamp. A patrol car slows, rolling up bes
King POV“I don’t want it,” Caleb mutters after a beat, his voice low but firm. Everyone stares at him, stunned. “I didn’t bring up that shit to get a shot at taking over. Right now, I don’t want it. I don’t want to be stuck here constantly, not when Queenie…” He trails off, realizin' he’s said too much.“Not when Queenie what?” Ink’s sharp tone cuts through the tension like a knife.Caleb sighs heavily, his hands runnin' through his hair. “Not when things are finally settlin' down. I don’t want to be tied 'ere and have 'er back at the cabin, never seein' each other.”Dad’s expression hardens. “Then why the fuck bring it up if ya didn’t want to take over?”I groan, hatin' the way this is spiraling. “He didn’t bring it up to take over,” I snap, tryin' to shield Caleb from the risin' tension. “He told Queenie, and Queenie told me. I asked him about it—he wasn’t plannin' on makin' it public.”My dad glares at both of us, frustration clear.Before he can argue I talk again. “Even if he di