CHAPTER NINE

SIX

Everyone is leaving me alone right now, sitting at the bar drinking, when I spot Rebel walking out with her suitcases.

A wave of emotions roll through me.

Resentment.

Anger.

But most of all, complete helplessness.

I could, of course, forbid her to leave. Demand she stay, but that would stress her out, and I have to look after her and the baby right now. If her needing to go home and see her Phoenix family is what she needs, then I would be an asshole to stop her for my own selfish needs.

I’ve organized for Phantom to go with her and keep guard.

She looks my way and nods as if that is her version of a goodbye.

I snort into my drink.

So this is what it has come to?

No, I won’t let her leave on a fucking head nod.

Standing, I follow her out to the waiting cab.

Phantom is hoisting the luggage into the trunk while Rebel is trying to secure Kinzley into the car.

My girls keep looking back at me, so I walk up to the cab, my heart aching like a motherfucker. My breathing speeds up as I take in Kenna’s glistening eyes.

Fuck, I just got them back.

She rushes for my legs, slamming into them. “I don’t wanna leave you, Daddy.”

Shit.

My chest caves in, and I bend and pick her up into my arms. “I know, firefly, but it’s not forever. You’ll be back, and I’m gonna call you every day. I promise, okay?”

Her bottom lip trembles as I pull her to me, cuddling her so tight. My nose dips into her hair, and I take a long inhale so I can memorize my eldest girl’s scent.

I’m going to miss this.

I’m going to miss them.

Christ, this shit hurts.

Sniffling, I pull back and look into her watering eyes. “I love you, firefly.”

“Love you, Daddy.”

I plant a kiss on her nose, then place her in the back of the cab and buckle her up next to Kinzley, who has no idea what’s going on. I smooth her hair down and kiss her head. “Love you, Kinz.”

She simply slaps my chin like she always does, which forces a smile from me.

Pulling back out of the car, I stand in front of Rebel and glance at her stomach. “Take care of yourself. And our kids… all three of them. Okay?”

She nods. “Watch your damn six. You don’t even realize the dangers you have in your own house.” Her eyes shoot over my shoulder, and I glance behind me to Amber, who’s watching us from the clubhouse entry.

I exhale, turning back to Rebel, and nod. “I’ll call every day. Let me know when your plane safely lands in Phoenix.”

“I’m sure you’ll be hearing from Shotgun.”

The president of the Brothers by Blood MC, and practically Thayleah’s father, barely tolerates me as it is.

Yeah… there’ll be great times ahead.

“Phantom,” I call out, and he turns in the front passenger seat and looks at me. “Tell me the second I need to know anything.”

He nods. “You got it, Pres.”

I spin back to Rebel, reaching out for her hand. “I love you.”

Her eyes glisten, and she nods. “I know… just sort your shit out, Koda.” She turns, sliding into the back of the car with the girls.

Kenna bursts into tears as Rebel closes the door, her sobs tearing at my heart. When the car starts moving, she bangs on the window, her small fists pounding as she cries out, “Daaadddy!” I wave, feeling pieces of my soul break with each sob, watching the cab pull out of the clubhouse gates toward the airport. She scrambles around to the back window, her face flushed and streaked with tears, eyes fixed on me. I keep waving, helpless, as her screams fill the air, lingering long after the car turns the corner and disappears from sight. Even then, I swear I can still hear her cries echoing down the street.

I hunch over, gripping my knees as emotion crashes over me, my eyes stinging with tears. I fight to keep it together—not just for myself, but for the club.

Suddenly, a hand is on my back. “I’m so sorry, brother,” Zero states. I can’t help scrubbing at my face.

“It was never meant to be like this,” I murmur.

Zero exhales. “I know, but part of being a president is being put to the test, and right now, you’re being tested. You have to show your strength. You can’t fall apart. The guys will see it as a weakness. Take the night, drink, fight me again if you have to… do whatever you need to get the emotions out of your system. Then tomorrow, it’s back to business.”

I nod, taking a moment to steady myself, pulling every thread of control back into place. I just lost my entire family in one swift moment—they drove out, and I let them go because I have to stay here, being the kind of president who puts the club first. Being born into MC presidential royalty isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I used to think that being a Walker meant living the highest highs, a life of comfort, security, and knowing everyone has your back.

But I forgot it also comes with the crushing lows.

The sacrifices.

That with loving people means losing them.

That being at the top means you can’t walk away.

One way or another, you always lose something—whether it’s the people you love or pieces of yourself along the way. If this is how I lose them, maybe it’s better than watching an enemy take them down in some damn war.

Maybe this is for the best.

Maybe I’m just meant to be fucking alone.

Maybe it’s what I deserve?

Standing tall, I straighten out my cut and clear my clogged throat. “Where do we stand with the shipments?”

Zero slaps my back with a sympathetic smile. “Let’s go get a drink, and I can tell you all about it.”

Exhaling, I dip my chin. “I could do with a damn drink. It was a low act punching you. You caught me at the wrong time, and I took that shit out on you and Wraith. It was a dick move. I let my emotions get on top of me. I apologize, brother.”

Zero snorts out a laugh. “ You think I care about that? Fuck, brother, I haven’t been in a decent fight since you stole my president’s chair. Thanks for giving me a chance to feel like a damn biker again. Cherry would have a fit if I went searching for trouble.” He laughs. “You made my damn day.”

I shake my head. “Fucking liar! But thanks anyway.”

He slaps my back. “All right, let’s get fucked up and talk business.”

“Sounds fucking perfect to me.”