Chapter Thirteen

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Jagger stiffened as the knock on the door jarred him away from Katrina. She grabbed the front of his shirt, shaking her head. Her dad was insane to think he could punish Jagger for loving her.

It was all a mistake.

"I'll talk to my dad." She tugged at his shirt, keeping him from going to the door and leaving her. "I'll fix everything."

He dried the tears on her cheek with the pad of his thumb. "What kind of man would I be if I hid behind a woman?"

"It's my fault—"

"Shut the fuck up, Kat." The calmness in his voice surprised her. "I chose to step over the line and get involved with you. We had six years that we had to hide our relationship. I'd take one night where I could love you in front of everyone in the clubhouse and not have to hide how I feel in exchange for the punishment coming down on me."

A month after she turned eighteen, their relationship went from guardian and minor to consenting lovers. It was a natural response to how she felt all through her life. The only way she could express how much she loved him was through having sex.

"He'll kill you," she whispered.

She'd heard the rumors and had been around the club twenty-four/seven since birth. Her dad was a murderer. He'd done time for the crime, but that hadn't erased his past. No one trusted him. They were all a little afraid of her dad.

If she weren't related to a Havlin member, not one of the bikers would blink twice at her being with Jagger.

"Yo, Prez."

"Just wait," she screamed at the person behind the door.

"Kat."

"They can't do this to you."

He held her face. "My beautiful, Kat."

"Please." She had no idea what she was asking.

She'd run with him wherever he wanted to go. She'd hide with him for the rest of her life.

He kissed her hard and fast and stepped away while she fell apart. She hugged her middle, feeling the loss of him immediately. Damn Havlin Motorcycle Club and their rules. She would never understand why they asked for such deep, unforgivable loyalty and yet broke the law every time they turned around.

Jagger opened the door. Bane stood in the hallway. Katrina stepped behind him and fisted his shirt as if she had the strength to keep him from walking out of the room.

"Here's your stuff." Bane handed over a phone and Jagger's vest. "Ruger wanted me to give it back."

"Where is he?" Jagger took his things.

Katrina's heart raced. Had her dad changed his mind?

"He rode off." Bane shrugged. "That's the most he's ever spoken to me. I didn't think to interrogate him."

Katrina pushed past Jagger and Bane and ran down the hallway. Her heart hammered, knowing her dad often rode off for days, and she was never sure he would return. He never gave anyone an explanation of where he would go.

She pushed outside and stopped, studying the line of motorcycles. To her horror, her dad was gone.

Jagger approached her, putting his hand on the back of her neck. "Do you know where he went?"

She shook her head. "What's this mean for you?"

"It means when Ruger wants to seek punishment, he will." He inhaled deeply. "You mentioned he was on a ride when we left Beaverton, and then he showed up in Seaglass Cove before we did."

"Yeah." She turned to him. "What are you thinking?"

"He must be nearby."

She looked at his chest. He'd put on his vest.

"Do you want to stay in the van or my room?"

She startled at the question. He couldn't have shocked her more.

"But what about my dad?"

"He can do what he wants." He massaged the back of her neck. "As of right now, I'm still the president of Havlin. I'm calling a meeting and letting them know what I've done. They can decide to replace me immediately or wait until Ruger shows up, states his grievances before the club, and settles on a punishment. Either way, there's no reason to hide, Kat."

"Until my dad comes back and hurts you," she mumbled.

"He'll come back, but the truth is out. No more hiding." He kissed her temple. "Think you can handle whatever comes our way?"

She studied him. He was taking the threat to his life better than she was. She hoped his club would support him against her dad's accusations.

"I never want to leave you."

He kissed her and smiled against her lips. "Then, let's get you settled in my room."

Her stomach fluttered. Tomorrow was uncertain. But she trusted Jagger.