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“You? Why?”

“So Reaper doesn’t have to. Because no matter what the blood test says, Crow is still his son. He doesn’t need that on his hands, and I won’t let him take it on.”

“So what now?” she asked, her eyes flashing to Tommy, who was visible from his spot across the street.

“We find him before he can cause any more damage. I don’t know how long it’s gonna take, but I need you to stand with me on this. Do what I say, and don’t fight me. I can’t find him if I’m worried about you.”

Chapter 24

Lilah

In the days that followed our trip to New York—or, more specifically, our escape—Eliot had been working nonstop. Now that I understood who Crow was and why finding him was so important, it helped ease any anxiety I had about the sudden time spent apart. Especially since Eliot had left for a trip that morning.

“Going on a run. Tommy, Match, or Dare are gonna shadow you until I’m back. You see anything out of place, or even just have a weird feeling, call.” I now had half of the club members in my phone, not to mention a group chat with Charlie and Fee.

“Be safe. Call me when you can,” I told him, trying not to let him see how worried I was. I flexed my charcoal-stained fingers against my sides in an attempt not to grab him and hold him to me. Since we got back, he had spent every night at my place. Even with the late meetings and whispered phone calls, we always went to bed together, our bodies entwined, and I fell asleep to the steady beat of Eliot’s heart under my ear.

Fear was the monster chomping at my heels. Fear that he wouldn’t come back—or worse, he returned and wouldn’t want me anymore.

“Lilah.” His voice was soft, his hand gentle as he pulled me into his arms. Snuggling against his chest, I inhaled his scent like it was the last time I’d get to experience it. Closing my eyes, I tried to imprint everything about the moment into my memory.

“Baby, look at me.” Taking a breath to steady myself, I tilted my head back to meet his worried gaze.

“I’m sorry that club business is bleeding into what we have.” He looked worried, choosing his words carefully.

“Once we get Crow…I promise things—” I stopped him with a kiss. He responded instantly, holding me against him as he kissed me back. Pulling away, I was embarrassingly out of breath as I dropped my forehead to his chest.

“I’m not mad…I wouldn’t stop you from doing club business. I’m just…I’m really going to miss you,” I admitted, hating how insecure and small I sounded.

“I won’t miss you,” he replied, and it felt like I had been shocked. It was a physical pain running through me as I tried to pull out of his embrace, but he held on tight.

“I won’t miss you, because everything important, everything I am, stays with you. Every second I’m away, my heart is in your hands. Only yours.” Tears filled my eyes at his words, raw and unfiltered. He didn’t blink, that penetrating gaze just watching me.

“I love you too,” I replied, a sappy smile stretching across my face as I tasted salt from the tears that managed to escape my lashes. With a last breathtaking kiss, he finally stepped out of the house.

Dare, one of the brothers who would be “watching” me, nodded from his position at the end of the driveway. I gave a small wave before focusing back on Eliot, who was straddling his bike, his helmet in his hands.

“Remember, Angel. Dream of me,” he demanded, and I couldn’t stop the blush that filled my cheeks. The nightmares that plagued me before had faded under Eliot’s touch. Wrapped in his embrace, sleep welcomed me with dreams of us together forever.

The day passed quickly after that, my shift at the cafe, followed by class, made the daylight hours fly by. Starting my shift at the bar, a wave of anxiety washed over me. Eliot wouldn’t be there; I had gotten used to his presence.When he was with me, I felt cared for and watched over. The energy that sparked between us, the tension that built the longer we had to wait until we could be alone together, was another tantalizing aspect I had come to enjoy.

Instead, Tommy was on duty. A prospect, he took his job seriously. Quiet and on alert, he was stationed at a back table with a clear view of the door. Barely an hour into my shift, a large leather-clad body caught my attention. Seated in Eliot’s usual spot was Reaper. We had met before, but it was always at big club events, not much more than polite small talk. With what I knew now, his presence made me nervous. Eliot respected and looked up to the man above all others.

What if he doesn’t like me? What if he is here to tell me I am distracting Eliot, that I’m interfering in club business?

My heart started beating rapidly as I stood frozen in place. A large man, already so drunk that he leaned when he walked, took a wide turn and bumped into me. Reaper’s eyes followed me, his gaze assessing as I made my way over to the bar. Unable to dawdle any longer without it being obvious, I approached him.

“Hi. Um, did you need me for something?” Why do I feel like I am being sent to the principal’s office?

Subconsciously, my shoulders were back, my hands clasped tight as if waiting for my sentence. Something in Reaper’s gaze shifted as he examined me, and I didn’t know what to make of it.

“Wanted to check this place out. Figure I could hang out during your shift.” I frowned, surprised by that answer.

“Am I in trouble?” I finally asked and he barked out a surprised laugh.

“No darlin. The opposite. The real reason I’m here is to thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?” I was genuinely confused by the conversation.