Chapter Twelve

JAGGER PULLED BEHIND the clubhouse. Katrina had put on her shoes and sat in the passenger seat twenty miles back. They'd both taken the trip in silence.

A familiar biker stood out amongst the line of motorcycles. He glanced at Katrina, wondering if she noticed. Going by the heavy exhale, she'd seen her dad.

"He told me he was on a ride." She hugged her middle. "I was telling the truth."

"Apparently, he was riding in this direction." Jagger unfolded himself out of the seat.

"Jagger?" She swallowed. "I don't want to go back. I just can't. Not now."

"I'll talk to him. You can't drive back until you've had time to rest. This week has been shit for sleep for both of us."

"What if I want to stay permanently in Seaglass cove?"

"He'll never let you."

"What if I have a job? You can hire me." She rubbed her lips together in worry. "I can serve drinks."

"No, Kat." He cupped her cheek. "Let's get through today before we start worrying about tomorrow, huh?"

"I'll text Cora and let her know we returned. She'll probably want the van back at the house." She paused. "Unless you'll let me stay here."

"It's not going to matter. Knowing your dad, he'll stay in the van with you to keep me away." He walked to the sliding door and let himself out.

With heavy footsteps, he headed toward the back door. Out of his peripheral vision, he watched Ruger head toward him. Katrina's dad wasn't going to waste any time.

Ruger's fist arrived first.

Pain radiated along Jagger's jaw, whipping his body around. A scream penetrated his head, knocking the truth into him. He shook his head, getting his vision straight, and faced Ruger.

"I'm in no mood, brother." He raised his hands out to the side. "Go ahead and kill me. Put me out of my misery."

No," screamed Katrina. "Dad, don't."

Ruger never glanced at his daughter. All his attention was on Jagger. He lowered his arms. For eighteen fucking years that Ruger was locked up, Jagger made sure Katrina had everything she needed.

He'd fought long. Suffered year after year. For what? To walk away and be miserable?

This lifestyle was hard.

His dad's life was cut short. He'd watched his mom miss his dad every single day after his death.

He wouldn't spend the rest of his days never having the one thing he wanted.

Katrina ran between them, putting her hands on her dad's chest. "Don't hit him."

"Get out of my way." Ruger sidestepped.

Katrina jumped in his path. "Damnit, Dad. It's time you listen to me."

Jagger's spine stiffened. Katrina had mouthed off to everyone in the clubhouse and held her own against the bikers throughout the years, but she had never once gone up against her dad.

Her tough exterior was a coat of armor for the vulnerability of not wanting to lose anyone again.

Until now, she had never shown that side to anyone but Jagger because she feared she wouldn't be good enough to love.

"You can't stop Jagger from being with me." Katrina stepped back, glancing between the two men. "I love him."

Rugger growled. "You don't fucking lov—"

"You don't know." Her voice rose, and she patted her chest. "You don't know me. All the years you were in prison, who do you think I went to when I needed something?"

"Mama Sue," said Ruger.

She shook her head. "Every time I needed my dad, who do you think I went to?"

"God damnit, Kat," grumbled Ruger, fisting his hands. "I'm not in prison now."

Jagger was ready to jump between father and daughter. Emotions ran high already. It wouldn't take much for Ruger to lose control or for Katrina to say something she'd regret. While he understood what Katrina was saying and supported her one hundred percent, they were words that cut a man to his core.

"You're not in prison anymore. I'm twenty-four years old. I have a right to be with Jagger." Katrina's voice softened. "I don't care what is happening between the both of you. Just know that if you kill him, my relationship with you is over. I will never forgive you."

"You'd pick him over me?" Ruger's head tilted, and his gaze narrowed.

Jagger was an arm's length away from Katrina. He wouldn't let her father raise a hand at her.

At one time, he trusted his friend with his life. But he came out of prison a hardened man. He had no idea what Ruger would do.

Katrina lifted her chin and met her dad's gaze. "I'd pick Jagger over myself.

"Kat." Jagger stepped up to her.

She reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him from interrupting. "I'm always losing everyone, and now I lost a woman who was like a mother to me." She glanced at Jagger. "He's lost his mom." She inhaled deeply and looked back at her dad. "I. Will. Not. Leave. Him."

Ruger never budged or spoke.

Instead, Katrina walked away. She went straight to the clubhouse, never looking back.

Ruger watched his daughter.

Jagger watched his MC brother. The history between them went back twenty-five years. At the top of their bylaws, they pledged loyalty, respect, and integrity. Family came first. Ruger trusted Jagger as Katrina's guardian while he was imprisoned. The bylaws were made to protect Katrina. The same laws were there to keep Jagger from touching or falling in love with her.

He took out his cell and tossed it to Ruger. A part of him was relieved it was over. He'd do anything for Ruger. He owed his MC brother that much and more. But he couldn't stop loving Katrina.

"What's this for?" Ruger held the phone.

"Make the call to Hatchet. He'll need to meet with Bane about stepping into the president's seat." He shrugged out of his vest and tossed it to Ruger. "I'm tired of putting Katrina through hell because I broke the bylaws. Kill me. Strip the dragon from my skin. Rip off my patch. Do whatever the fuck you want to do, Ruger. It's your call."

"You stole my daughter."

He shook his head. "I loved your daughter."

Jagger walked into the clubhouse without his vest—he might as well have been naked. With each step, he expected a bullet in his back. When the door closed behind him, and he was still alive, he went straight to his room.

Katrina sat on the edge of the bed and gasped at the sight of him. "What did he do?"

"Nothing."

"Then, what did you do?" she whispered. "Where's your vest?"

"I gave everything up."

Katrina stood. "Why?"

"Because I'm not giving up on you." He framed her face with his hands. "I would do anything for you, Kat. I knew the consequences. I tried to save you the pain of loving me, but I should've known you wouldn't stay away." He swallowed hard. "You're my heart."

Katrina lunged, wrapping herself around him. He held her tight, emotionally spent.

He always thought a day would come when Ruger would look at his daughter and realize that she needed to live her own life and find her happiness. When that day came, he would be there to love her without hiding his feelings toward her. But Ruger only got more stubborn as time passed.

"You've lived the lifestyle, Kat," he whispered. "You know what happens next."

"I won't let him kill you." She held on to his t-shirt. "I'll talk to him."

"It's in his hands." He kissed her softly on the lips. "I knew what I was doing and wouldn't change anything."

"But—"

He kissed her harder, needing to squeeze in as much time with her as possible. It wouldn't take long for Ruger to place the call and the process for punishment to start. In all his time as a member of Havlin and as acting President of Seaglass Cove, he'd only witnessed one member get punished.

That member fucked a brother's old lady.

He was now buried in the ground.