28. Sage

I didn't used to be violent.

Even if people had assumptions based on the fact that I rode through town on my bike wearing my Twisted Kings cut, I wasn't out to hurt anyone with one wrong look. Fear wasn't the goal for me.

For others in the club, maybe.

But I was a Twisted King because I cared about the community—the family. Being a part of them gave my life purpose.

Then Lyla left, and I had to do something with the newfound rage that stewed in my gut. I had to find an outlet when I'd never really needed one before. Luckily, underground fighting did the trick.

The bell rings at the start of the third round and Quake, my opponent, is already stumbling. Blood drips from the gash above his eye where the Vaseline isn't holding up. His lashes drip with blood when he tries to blink it away but it's no use.

Quake tries to sneak in an uppercut, and I dodge it, connecting my fist with the side of his jaw. His eyes roll back as his feet stumble, flooding my veins with adrenaline.

I thought I'd discovered the extent of my need for vengeance. But whatever revenge I took for Dad and Ellie pales in what I'm aching for now. Learning what happened to Lyla has me desperate to give her the closure she deserves.

And I'm going to get it for her.

Kane called me this morning after I finally climbed out of bed. Luckily, Lyla hopped in the shower, so she didn't overhear any of our conversation. Someone left another threat at the clubhouse. A body part with a set of photos of Lyla sitting at the front desk at Twisted Roses.

They're watching her in plain sight. And when I figure out who it is, I'm going to end them.

Quake steps to me again, but his eyes are hazy, and he doesn't even flinch as I strike him a final time in the nose. He's dead weight as he falls to the floor and the crowd erupts.

This used to feel better. Except right now, there's only one thing that will. And that's when the man standing beneath me is the one who hurt Lyla.

The crowd cheers and one of the new ring girls runs to my side as they announce me as the winner. She flips her dark ponytail and winks. But she's not the tarot-card-reading goddess who's cast a fucking spell on me, so I can't even manage a forced smile back.

It's like a switch has been flipped. The same one that turned when she walked away. It was how I protected myself from the fact that her absence destroyed me. But now she's returned, she's setting everything right again, and she's all I want.

Paramedics move to Quake, and I make my way out of the ring before I'm forced into a conversation with the referee or the new ring girl.

Usually, I hang around these fights all night, chatting with the guys or betting on the next round. But right now, I'm not sure why I even showed up. I don't need this. And nothing about it releases the tension.

"Solid hit, man." Jude tosses me a towel as he walks up beside me and keeps my pace as we make our way through the crowd.

I nod, taking a drink of my water as we reach the edge of the room.

"No comments?"

"What do you expect?"

"I don't know." Jude shrugs. "But you're the cocky asshole who doesn't shut up if you take a guy out in the first round. What gives? You seem distracted."

"It's nothing." I shake my head. "Shit with Kane."

"Sage." Jude plants his hand on my shoulder, stopping me when I try to turn toward the locker room. "You were there for me not too long ago. So you know if you need anything, I'm here for you."

"I know. And I appreciate it."

I do.

If it were a year ago, I'd probably have told Jude everything going on and involved him in this mess. There's no one I trust to have my back like him. But now he's got Fel, and he's so fucking happy that I can't risk my shit spilling over into his life. This is my mess, and I'm going to clean it up.

"Where's your girl?" I change the subject.

"In the dressing room talking with Maren."

"Not walking the ring for you?"

My comment gets me a glare that could cut glass.

"Fuck no."

He's pissed, but I'll always be amused at how Fel continues to threaten walking the ring at one of his fights just to get under his skin. She did it once, even if it was an accident, and I've never seen Jude so brutal in the ring.

"Speaking of, where's your girl?"

My girl.

I should correct him, but I don't because that's what Lyla is.

"Not here."

Jude chuckles.

"What?"

"You're fucking done, man."

I glance up at him.

"I'm not being an ass." He wraps his hand, prepping for his fight. "It's good for you guys."

"I'm not good for her."

"Says you." Reed pops up next to me, nudging my shoulder.

"Where did you come from?"

"Just visiting with my new friend, Fel." She smiles at Jude. "You did good with that one."

"I know." And even if Jude rarely smiles, he almost lets one escape at the mention of his wife.

"It's wild. Did someone slip something into the water?" Reed crosses her arms over her chest. "Last time I was in town, I couldn't even crash at the apartment because of the rotating door of women going in and out. Now you're all settled, pairing off, and shacking up. Even Crew. Are you guys actually growing up?"

"Don't count on it," I tell her.

"Even with Lyla back?"

"I'm doing Kane a favor."

"Is that what that was last night?" Reed taps her lips with her finger. "The walls are pretty thin you know. And I don't think the favor Kane asked of you involved the sounds I'd like to bleach from my brain."

"Oh yeah?" Jude crosses his arms over his chest, amused. "What kind of favor are you doing for Kane, Sage?"

"It's complicated." I take another sip of water.

Reed and Jude share a glance before she shakes her head. "I'm sure it is."

"Don't you have your own relationship to focus on?"

She wraps her hands around my arm, even if once more I don't miss the frown that darkens her expression with the mention of Carter. But just as quickly as I see it, she rolls her shoulders back and brushes it off.

"What's the fun in that, big brother? I didn't come to town just to see Lyla. It's my job to point out your shortcomings."

"My shortcomings?" I lift my eyebrows. "Didn't you just say you heard through the thin walls this morning that I don't have any?"

"Gross." Reed shoves me away from her as Jude shakes his head, burying his grin. "I'm going back to the apartment. I already know way too much about your sex life."

She turns to walk off.

"Hey, Reed." I stop her. "Can you check on Lyla when you get there?"

She glances over her shoulder, her eyebrows pinching. "She's not there."

"What do you mean, she's not there?"

She was there two hours ago when we closed the shop, and I was barely able to drag myself away from her to hold up my commitment to Crew to fight tonight.

"Where is she?"

"The clubhouse, I think." Reed shrugs. "One of the guys came and picked her up. She said to let you know she'd be back in a bit. Sorry, I guess I forgot to tell you."

Reed frowns, and even if I'd normally think she's trying to push my buttons, right now I believe she means it.

"Everything okay?" Worry paints her face, and I feel bad because I don't want to lay this on her.

"Yeah," I lie. "Thanks for the message."

Reed doesn't know why Lyla is really back or that she's in danger, and there's no use adding to the people who are sitting around worried about it.

"Of course." Reed turns to the girls' changing room, once more disappearing to talk with Fel and Maren.

"You lied to your sister."

"Yep." I pass Jude and walk into the locker room, digging my phone out of my gym bag.

I have three missed calls from Kane and a text message. I switch to the text instead of listening to the messages.

Kane

Never mind. Bear will pick her up. Meet us at the club when you're done.

Fuck, why couldn't they wait two hours? Nothing is urgent enough that he needs her at his beck and call. Especially when he told me he thinks the threat is internal. How does he know he can trust Bear? He's been a member for a while, but I don't know him that well.

I don't like that Kane asked me to take care of his daughter, but then he undermines me every chance he gets.

She was safe at the apartment. Mason was with her. They both knew the number to call to get in touch with Paul so he could come to get me if needed. Everything was under control. And like always, Kane took it upon himself to put his needs above everyone else's.

This is why Lyla never trusted bikers—or that she could have a relationship with one. Club first, everything else second.

"You okay, man?" Jude asks, coming up beside me.

Switching over to the tracking app, I ping Lyla at the Twisted Kings clubhouse, and my grip on my phone tightens. She shouldn't be there without me. She shouldn't be anywhere without me. But at least I know she made it.

"Yeah, I'll be good." I turn off my screen and shove my phone in my bag. "But I'm not going to be able to hang around for your fight."

"All good." Jude nods. "Remember, you need anything, you let me know."

"I will." Because if it comes down to it, I'll take the people who will be in my corner no matter what.

Even if I don't want it to become necessary that he gets involved.

Kane's recklessness got Lyla into the situation she was in eight years ago. Tonight is proof he hasn't learned his lesson. If he isn't going to put Lyla's safety first, then I will. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.