CHAPTER EIGHT

REBEL

We stand together. Six and I are rooted to the spot by the clubhouse doors, our breaths coming faster as each minute crawls by. It’s been hours, but it feels like a lifetime. The weight of waiting presses down on us, thick and suffocating, and I can barely keep still.

My foot taps uncontrollably against the floor as Six grinds his teeth beside me. We’re both teetering on the edge, anticipation twisting through every nerve, making it impossible to breathe deeply.

Every sound feels amplified—each distant rumble of an engine sends my heart racing into overdrive, my pulse pounding in my ears. When the clubhouse gates finally swing open, it’s like a grenade explodes inside me. Without thinking, I tear off toward the car, my legs moving faster than I thought possible. My lungs burn, and my throat tightens, but I push through it, desperate to reach them. I don’t even wait for the vehicle to stop before I yank the rear door open, my hands shaking so violently I almost miss the handle.

And then—there she is.

Kenna.

I pull her into my arms, clutching her small body to my chest, the warmth of her skin a lifeline I’ve been desperate for. Her cry of "Mama!" breaks something inside me, and I can’t stop the sob that erupts from my throat. My heart feels like it’s about to explode, the relief flooding through me in waves so powerful I can hardly keep standing. My knees threaten to give out, but I hold on, wrapping my arms around her even tighter, never wanting to let go.

Beside me, Six storms to the other side of the car, ripping the door open with such force it rattles the frame. He sees Kinzley, her little form curled up, still sound asleep. But he doesn’t care. His hands tremble as he undoes her seat belt, scooping her up into his chest like she’s his entire world. She stirs, her tiny hand slapping at his face sleepily in the usual way she does. His mouth twitches into the faintest smile, but it’s strained—his emotions barely held in check.

Six rushes over to where I’m cradling Kenna, and we collapse into each other, our bodies shaking with relief and disbelief. His arms encircle us both, drawing us in so tightly it’s like he’s afraid we might vanish if he loosens his grip. I can’t stop the tears streaming down my face, my sobs mingling with Kenna’s little cries, and I feel Six’s chest rise and fall against mine, his breathing heavy and uneven.

We cling to each other, desperate, fragile, a family reunited by the thread we were so close to losing forever.

Six raises his hand, smoothing some hair away from Kenna’s face, and looks into her glistening eyes. “Kenna, baby… what happened?” his voice desperate for answers.

She sniffles, pouting out her bottom lip. “We heard Uncle Zero talking about how Snow White was in those big containers… s-so I took Kinz to see if we c-could find her inside one of them. Then, suddenly, it went all dark, and the c-container was moving. It was scary in there for a reeeal long time, Daddy. Kinz was scared, but I sang to her, and then when it opened up, there were men who looked surprised to see us and said they would call you. I was real happy about that. Then, Amber c-came, and she bought us some cheeseburgers because I was really hungry, Daddy.”

I let out a shocked laugh, more because if I don’t laugh right now, I might punch my Old Man in the fucking face.

“You’re telling me that you walked into a shipping container, and no one saw you?” I ask my daughter.

Kenna shrugs. “We were being sneaky trying to search for Snow White. I know she likes to hide, Mama. Sorry for being naughty.”

Shaking my head, anger flares inside me, so intense I can hardly control it. “It’s not your fault, baby girl. It’s the club’s for not keeping a better eye on things and doing business here and not at the distribution center like they should have been .” My eyes snap to Six, glaring at him.

A rage ignites inside me that I haven’t felt before.

I have always been fine with the club and the way they make their profits.

I’ve been on board with being a part of that.

Hell, I have had a hand in it once or twice.

But what I will not have any part of is when the club starts half-assing, trying to make jobs easier and quicker, and in doing so, puts the life of my family, of my daughters at risk.

I don’t care if I am the First Lady of this club or not.

The job I take most seriously is mother.

And if I have to protect my children from danger, then right now, I will do whatever it fucking takes.

Six rolls his shoulders and turns to me. “We’ve learned from this, Rebel. No further business will be carried out at the clubhouse. Everything will be handled at the distribution cent—”

“But I fucking warned you about this. I told you to get this shit off the clubhouse grounds. What if the container ran out of oxygen, Six? What if they froze to death? The person you should be fucking punishing for this…” I hit him with an unholy glare, “… is you!” Scoffing out my frustrations, I turn and begin to storm away from him. “I can’t be here right now. It’s not safe. I’m taking the girls home to Phoenix for a little while to clear my head.” I race toward the clubhouse, everyone watching me with their mouths agape as Six rapidly catches up to me.

“Rebel… Thayleah! What the fuck are you talking about?”

But I don’t stop.

I can’t.

I’m too angry.

“Prinie, can you watch the girls for a moment,” I call out to Six’s sister.

With a weak smile, she reaches for them both, pulling them toward her and Wraith as I continue to the girls’ room. Six’s loud, stomping boots chase after me. Yanking out a suitcase, Six’s eyes follow me the entire time. His breathing is rapid as I throw the suitcase on the bed. He huffs out a mocking laugh. “You’re the First Lady of this club, Thayleah. You can’t just leave.”

Snapping my head to face him, I glare, my nostrils flaring as I unzip the lid of the suitcase and open it. “It’s not fucking safe here for the kids. You’re still a novice, Six, and while you’re trying to run the club, errors are being made, and it’s at the detriment of the safety of our family. I need to protect the girls. Right now, the only way I can do that is to get them away from here!”

He slams the lid down on the luggage and stops me from shoving Kenna’s clothes in. “No! You do not get to bail when shit gets hard.”

“Hard. Hard, Koda? You let them walk into a container full of fucking Snow White. What if the shipment was intercepted by the heat? What then? What if the cops found our kids in with fucking packages of cocaine, just sitting there chilling out. How would we explain that? We could have lost them, Six! You need to think about this shit. You had men out there dealing with those shipments, and not one of them saw two little girls walk inside a container before it was closed? That’s fucking insane!”

His eyes flash with a mix of anger and guilt, and he exhales slowly through his nostrils, trying to calm the conversation down. “I agree. It was bad on everyone’s behalf. Mistakes were made. But we have them back, and we know now what changes to make—”

“What about Amber?” I snap, my voice trembling with rage. “She’s still here. You went to see Bradley. He warned you off, and yet she is still a part of the club. She’s bad news, and she is the one who brought our fucking kids back? Convenient she was in New Orleans, don’t you think?”

He scoffs, jerking his head back from me. “That’s a stretch, isn’t it? The kids said they walked into the containers. How could Amber have had anything to do with what happened to them?”

I feel the panic clawing at my chest, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps as I rip the suitcase back open, my hands trembling. “I can’t stay here, Six. Not while Amber’s around. Not while I’m this fucking furious at y-you.” My voice cracks, shaking with the force of my anger and heartbreak. “I can’t even look at you right now without wanting to scream .”

Six takes a step back, the color draining from his face. His broad shoulders slump like the weight of my words has just hit him square in the chest. “Thayleah… are we… are we okay?” His voice is so low, so raw, I can barely recognize it. It trembles with something that borders on fear.

I choke back a sob, my throat burning as I try to swallow the tears that just won’t stop. “Honestly, Koda… I don’t know. I don’t fucking know anymore.” My hands shake as I grab more clothes from the closet, shoving them into the suitcase like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality. “I just need some space. I need to breathe before I suffocate in this damn club.”

He steps forward, frustration etched into every line of his face, his fists clenching at his sides. “You’re eight months pregnant, baby! You can’t fly to fucking Phoenix like this. It’s dangerous.” His voice rises, desperation creeping in as he tries to pull me back from the edge I’m standing on.

I whirl around, my chest tight with rage, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. “And you should be taking care of your family instead of bending over backward for some club girl!” The words come out sharp, venomous, each one laced with the hurt I’ve been trying to swallow for weeks.

Six flinches like I slapped him, his eyes flashing with anger. “She’s not a club girl, and you fucking know I don’t want Amber. Thayleah, t-that’s not fair.” The anguish in his eyes is clear as day, but I can’t stop the flood of emotions crashing over me.

“You got her a job at our kids’ school, Six. You got her an apartment. What’s next? You gonna invite her into our bed? You gonna marry her too?” I don’t even recognize my voice anymore. It’s so raw and torn up by everything that’s been building between us.

Six’s face contorts in disbelief, his voice hoarse. “Is that what this is about? Because we haven’t gotten married yet?” His hands run through his hair, yanking at the roots as if trying to make sense of this madness.

I shake my head, trying to catch my breath, but it feels like I’m drowning in my own pain. “It’s not just that. It’s… it’s everything! It feels like I don’t matter anymore, like I’m always on the back burner, and it’s killing me . I just want to mean something to you.” My words spill out in a desperate rush, each one hitting harder than the last.

Before I can react, he’s in front of me, gripping my arms like I’m the only thing keeping him from falling apart. His eyes are wild, desperate. “You mean everything to me, Thayleah. Everything! I know I’ve been fucking up, and I should’ve put you first. I know I’ve let shit get in the way, but you’ve never left my mind. You’re my world. I can’t lose you.”

Then, out of nowhere, he races over to Kenna’s jewelry box, and my heart stutters in confusion. He pulls out a small black pouch from under the velvet lining, his hands shaking. Before I can even process what’s happening, he drops to one knee, his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he pulls out the most beautiful engagement ring I’ve ever seen. “Let’s set a date, Thayleah. I know the timing is—”

“Awful, Koda,” I whisper, cutting him off as my breath hitches in my throat. My heart sinks like a stone, tears pouring down my face, but I can’t let him do this.

Not like this.

“You’re only asking me because you’re scared I’m going to leave, not because you planned this. It doesn’t mean anything like this.” My hand trembles as I slide the ring off and place it back in his palm, my heart shattering with every word. “I can’t do it, Koda… not like this.”

His face crumbles, the hope in his eyes dimming as he hesitates, but then slowly slips the ring back into the pouch. His voice is a broken whisper, barely holding back the sob threatening to break free. “So that’s it? You’re leaving? We’re just… what? Done?”

I turn to face him, reaching out for his hand as his words cut through me like a blade. “I don’t know if we’re done. Not really. But I need a beat, Koda. I need to get away from this. From you. Just for a moment, okay?”

He lets out a shaky breath, his hand trembling as he places it on my swollen belly, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. “Will you at least let someone go with you to Phoenix? Please?”

I nod, my own tears falling silently now. “Yes. I’ll take someone.”

His voice trembles again, pain leaching into every word. “Where are you going to have our baby?”

“I need to be around my family,” I reply softly, even though it feels like a dagger to my chest.

His face tightens, his eyes flashing with pain and anger.

“We’re your fucking family, Thayleah!” His voice roars through the room, his frustration boiling over, and I flinch at its force.

Swallowing a lump down my throat, I breathe frantically.

We were both brought up in a club atmosphere. We were just lucky those clubs weren’t rivals, or our love story may have been more of a Shakespearean tale. From where I stand now, maybe it will still be a tragedy after all.

The thing is, I had to leave my club , leave my home in Phoenix, to be Six’s Old Lady. But maybe I was never meant to leave. I was so young. Got pregnant with Kenna so early. Took on the First Lady role far earlier than any Old Lady should have had to. I’m pregnant with my third child, all before the age of twenty-four.

It’s so much to take on all this responsibility without the support of my family with me.

I just need to go home and see them.

“But the Brothers by Blood MC were my family first,” I whisper, the words barely audible, but they hit him hard, and I see it—the moment his heart breaks.

His chest heaves with the effort to control his anger, but it’s too much. The vein in his neck pulses violently, and before I can say another word, he spins around, slamming his fist into the closet door, the wood splintering under the force.

I jump, my heart pounding in my ears, but I stay silent, watching him crumble before me.

Six turns back to me, tears streaming down his face, his voice a hollow shell of the man I love. “You’re breaking my fucking heart, Thayleah.” His words slice through the air, sharp and agonizing, before he storms out of the room, leaving me standing here.

Broken.

The second he’s gone, my legs give out, and I collapse onto the bed, sobs wracking my body so violently I can barely breathe. Everything feels like it’s falling apart. I feel like I’m being ripped in half, torn between what I need to do and the man I love.

But I can’t stay.

I can’t stay here at this club.

Not while Amber is around.

Not while this club is falling apart.

My girls need to be safe.

And right now, I don’t trust anyone here to keep them that way.

Even if it means I have to destroy us to do it— I will protect my family.

Even if it costs me everything.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoes from outside the room. My heart skips a beat, my head snapping up as adrenaline rushes through me. There’s shouting—men’s voices raised in anger—and the unmistakable sound of something heavy hitting the floor. My entire body goes cold, the fear sinking into my bones as I realize something is very wrong.

Pushing myself up from the bed, I stumble toward the door, my legs shaky beneath me. I reach the doorway and peek out, my breath catching in my throat. In the hallway, a group of club members are gathered, their faces twisted in anger, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mess of shouts and curses.

Six is in the middle of it all, his face red with fury, his fists clenched at his sides. He looks like a man on the edge, ready to explode. Zero steps up to him, yelling something I can’t make out, and before I can even blink, Six’s fist flies out, connecting with Zero’s jaw with a sickening thud.

A sharp gasp leaves me, my hand flying to my mouth as Zero flies back, crashing into the wall before crumpling to the floor. My heart leaps into my throat, fear and panic gripping me as I watch the chaos unfold before my eyes. Wraith lunges at Six to try and control him, and they crash into the opposite wall, the force of which rattles the pictures hanging there.

“Stop it!” I scream, my voice breaking as I race out into the hallway. “Stop it! All of you!”

But they don’t hear me.

Or they don’t care.

Six continues his mad flurry, trying to fight off Wraith this time, fists flying, bodies slamming into walls and doors, the noise deafening.

My heart pounds in my ears, and I can barely breathe as I watch Six, his eyes wild, his face contorted with rage.

This isn’t him.

This isn’t the man I love.

He’s breaking apart right in front of me, and I don’t know how to stop it.

I rush forward, my hands trembling as I grab at Six’s arm, trying to pull him back. “Koda, p-pineapple!” I scream our code word to stop us from panicking, hoping it will help, my voice cracking as I do.

He pauses for just a second, his eyes meeting mine, and in that moment, I see it—the pain, the fear, the desperation.

He’s lost, and he doesn’t know how to find his way back.

“Thay…” he whispers, his voice barely audible over the madness.

“Stop! All of you, just stop this craziness!”

There’s a hesitation in the air, a beat where everyone seems to freeze. Six shoves Wraith off him, his chest heaving as he gets to his feet. He looks around, his gaze wild, before it lands on me again. His face softens, the anger and rage fading, replaced by something else—something broken.

“Please, Koda,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Just come back to me.”

He stares at me for a long moment, the chaos around us fading as we lock eyes. Slowly, he steps back, his fists unclenching, his body sagging with exhaustion. His brothers around us look uncertain, glancing between each other, but no one moves. The tension in the air is thick, but it’s no longer about violence—it’s about heartbreak.

Zero groans from where he’s slumped against the wall, and Six’s eyes flicker over to him. He runs a hand through his hair, his face twisted in regret. “Fuck, Zero… I’m sorry,” he mutters, his voice hoarse.

Zero waves him off, struggling to sit up. “Just… just get your fucking shit together. You’re the goddamn president. Act like it!” He grunts, wincing.

I take a shaky step forward, my heart pounding as I reach out for Six. “Let’s go,” I urge softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “We need to talk this shit out.”

Six hesitates, his eyes searching mine, and then, finally, he nods. He takes my hand, his grip shaky but strong, and together, we turn away from the chaos he created, leaving the mess behind us.

The hallway is silent now, the tension dissipating as the brothers begin to disperse. But the silence between Six and me is heavy, filled with everything that still needs to be said. We walk back to our room, our hands still linked, and I feel the weight of what just happened settle over us like a thick fog.

Once inside, I close the door behind us, and Six collapses onto the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

I watch him, my heart aching, and then I move to sit beside him, my hand resting gently on his back. “Koda…” I whisper, my voice breaking. “What are we doing?”

He looks up at me, his eyes red, his face etched with pain. “I d-don’t know, Thay,” he replies, his voice cracking. “I don’t fucking k-know anymore. I’m trying… I’m trying so damn hard, but it’s like everything I do just makes it worse.”

I swallow hard, my eyes welling with tears as I reach up, gently stroking his already bruising cheek. “I know you’re trying. I see it. But you have to understand… I’m scared. I’m scared for our girls, for our family. I need to know that you’re putting us first, above everything else. I need to know that we matter more than the club… more than anything .”

He reaches out, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear. “You do matter, Thay. You and the girls… you’re my everything. I know I’ve fucked up, and I know I haven’t always shown it, but I love you. I love you more than anything . I just… I don’t know how to do this without losing myself. Clearly, the thought of losing you sent me crazy just now, crazy enough to start beating up my own brother when he asked me what was going on.”

I lean into his touch, closing my eyes as the tears spill over. “Then we need to figure it out. Together . And we will… but right now, I need you to give me that space. I need to be somewhere I feel safe, where the girls are safe. I can’t keep doing this, Koda. I can’t keep watching you destroy yourself. I need you, Koda. I need you whole. But I can’t do that here… not right now.”

He stares at me, the realization sinking in. “You’re really leaving?”

I nod, the decision solidifying in my heart. “I have to. I need time to think, to breathe. I need to be with my family in Phoenix. I need to take care of our girls, and I need you to take care of yourself.”

He nods slowly, his tears falling freely now. “I’ll try, Thay. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring you girls back to me. I fucking promise you.”

Weakly smiling, I pull him into an embrace. His arms tighten around me so fucking tight, like he never wants to let me go…

But he has to.

We need this.

I need this.

“I better finish packing,” I murmur against his ear.

He pulls back, sniffing as he goes, rubbing at his chin. “I’ll ahh… leave you to it.” His eyes well, but he is trying to hold back his emotions as he stands, though the sight of him trying to fight it hurts even more somehow.

He heads for the door, then turns back to face me again. “I’ll wait for you by the bar. If you need me…” His words trail off, though he doesn’t have to say it.

Nodding, I weakly smile at him. “I’ll come get you.”

He swallows hard, hesitates for a moment longer than necessary, then exhales heavily, walking out the door and closing it loudly as he leaves.

Slumping my shoulders, I close my eyes, holding on tighter to one of Kenna’s shirts for comfort. “You’re going to be okay. It’s all going to be okay,” I whisper to myself.

Even though there’s no way in hell I believe it.