Chapter 4

The sunset cast an array of colors as I stood on the porch, feeling the weight of my Red Devil's MC cut on my broad shoulders. The worn leather and the emblem on my bicep were constant reminders of the brotherhood I belonged to - the life I led outside these walls.

"Daddy!" Kennedy squealed, rushing over to wrap her tiny arms around my leg. Her laughter was music to my ears, soothing the rough edges of my soul.

"Hey there, princess," I said, ruffling her hair.

"Uh-huh," she nodded. "Uncle Zane is here!"

My brother-in-law was in the MC with me and was one of the few people I shared a bond that ran deeper than blood. As I entered the dining room, I found Zane leaning back in his chair, grinning at me.

"Long time no see, bro," he said, reaching out for a fist bump. I obliged, smirking as we knocked knuckles together.

"Good to see you too, man," I replied, taking my seat at the head of the table. Tina placed a steaming dish of lasagna in front of us, the aroma making my mouth water. We bowed our heads as she said grace, then dug into the delicious homemade meal.

"Hey, Zane," I started, my fork clattering against my plate. "How's life treatin' ya?"

"Same old, same old," he replied, wiping sauce from his bearded chin. "Can't complain."

"Good to hear," I said, raising an eyebrow at him. I knew there was more to it than that, but now wasn't the time to pry. Instead, I focused on enjoying this peaceful evening with my family.

"Brooks," Tina said, placing a hand on my forearm. "Are you okay? You seem...distracted."

"Me?" I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Nah, I'm good. Just tired, is all." My gaze met hers, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of concern hidden behind her beautiful eyes. But just like that, it was gone, replaced by a reassuring smile.

"Alright," she whispered, squeezing my arm before turning back to her meal.

As the evening wore on, my thoughts couldn't help but drift to my responsibilities beyond this peaceful sanctuary. Being a slinger for the Red Devils MC meant I had to collect debts from those who owed the club—a necessary task that provided financial stability for my family. It wasn't the kind of job I ever pictured myself doing, but it demanded my unwavering loyalty and fierce protectiveness toward those I loved.

"Brooks," Tina called out, breaking me out of my reverie. "Can you help me clear the table?"

"Sure thing, darlin'," I replied, rising from my seat and stacking plates in my arms. As I carried them over to the sink, I noticed Kennedy playing with her toys by the fireplace, her laughter filling the room like music. My heart swelled with love, and I knew I would do anything — face any danger — to keep her safe.

"Is everything all right?" Zane asked, his voice low as he leaned against the kitchen counter, concern etched on his face.

"Never better," I responded, setting the plates down with a clatter. "Just got a lot on my mind."

"Club stuff?" he inquired, his brow furrowing.

"Always," I said with a sigh, knowing there was no point in hiding it from him. "But it's nothing I can't handle."

I glanced over at Tina as she wiped down the table, her delicate hands moving with grace. Even though she didn't know the extent of my involvement with the club, she could sense when something weighed heavily on me. But she never pushed; she trusted me enough to handle whatever came our way.

"Promise me you'll be careful," Zane urged, his voice barely audible.

"Of course," I reassured him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere."

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing down, I saw an incoming call from the President. My heart raced as I excused myself and stepped onto the back porch to take the call.

"Brooks," Duke greeted me. "We've got a situation brewing. We need you down here."

"Understood," I replied, my grip tightening on the phone.

"Good," he said, ending the call.

As I pulled on my leather jacket again and prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my responsibilities—not just to the Red Devils MC, but to my family as well. It was a delicate balancing act, and one wrong move could send everything tumbling down.

But for now, all I could do was face whatever challenges lay ahead, hoping that my loyalty and determination would be enough to keep my loved ones safe from harm.

As I mounted my Harley, the foreboding darkness enveloped the once peaceful evening. It hung heavy in the air, like a storm cloud threatening to unleash its fury upon us.

"Whatever's coming," I thought to myself, "I'll face it head-on."

With a deep breath, I revved the engine and sped off into the uncertain future.