Chapter Thirty Three

IN THE PRIVACY OF HIS room at the clubhouse, Jagger sat on the couch with his phone in his hand. He'd read the note Katrina left.

He ran his hand over his face, tugging his beard. She claimed to need time by herself. That was bullshit.

Never before had she stayed away from him. She always ran to him when she was troubled.

He rechecked his phone. His inbox was full of messages from Katrina that he'd kept through the years. But no new ones. That worried him more than her spending the night away from him.

He called her again. Two rings, and the call went to voicemail.

"Kat." He looked up at the ceiling. "I need to know you're okay. That you're safe."

He closed his eyes. She'd taken her car. For all he knew, she was halfway back to Beaverton.

"I'm in the room—in case you're wondering. There's no one else here." He opened his eyes. "I'm thinking about you, wishing you were here."

He tried to remember everything she'd ask or accuse him of over the phone when she couldn't get ahold of him.

"There's not a damn minute that you're not on my mind, Kat. I'm not big on pretty words, but I want you to know I wouldn't change a thing, except I would've let myself love you sooner." He exhaled loudly. "I feel like I'm running out of time. Time I could've been with you. Time I want to spend with you. I blame myself. For everything. I should've protected you from all of this. Instead, you're hurting because of me. That kills me. I wish..." He leaned forward, braced his elbows on his knees, and let his chin fall to his chest. "I love you, Kat. I love you so fucking much."

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The knock at the door ended the call. He sniffed hard and walked across the room. Opening the door, he was greeted by Wire.

"Bane mentioned you were looking for Katrina." Wire placed his hand on the doorframe. "She's at my place, staying in the van."

He pocketed his phone, ready to ride out and get her.

"We're heading home now. Cora wants to check in on Katrina before we settle down for the night." Wire lowered his hand. "I would've told you sooner but assumed you knew she was there."

"Appreciate it." He met Wire's gaze. "Keep her safe, huh?"

"Sure thing, Prez." Wire clasped Jagger's hand. "Night."

He shut the door, instantly called Katrina's phone, and let the call go to voicemail. "You want the truth? I need you, Kat. I keep looking at the door, thinking you're going to walk in. The only time I can sleep in bed is when you're here. That's why I sleep on the damn couch. You're mine, damnit. Come home."

He disconnected the call.

In a few hours, the delivery from Moroad Motorcycle Club would arrive. The money would need to be split up and given to three different crews to get laundered at the pot shops.

Sitting on the couch, he stretched out with his boots on. As soon as he finished club business, he would seek out Ruger.

Katrina was safe, away from the clubhouse.

It was time to pay the price of his crime.