Chapter 13

Rachel”s heart pounded as the roar of motorcycles outside grew louder. Not just one or two bikes—at least a dozen. Through the narrow slit of a window, she could see the Wolverine MC pulling up, armed with baseball bats and chains.

”Shit,” Marcus hissed. He slammed the butt of his pistol against the wall, leaving a dent in the rotting wood. ”They”re not alone.”

Rachel clutched her trembling hands together, her knuckles turning white. She was trapped. Again.

”We need backup,” Dirk said. ”Now.”

Marcus yanked out his phone and barked an order to someone on the other end. His gaze flickered to Rachel, and she glimpsed the apology in his eyes. They had promised to keep her safe. But even the formidable Green Devils were no match for the Wolverines right now.

The rumble of engines cut off, followed by the slam of doors. Voices drifted through the walls, harsh and demanding. ”We want Rachel now.”

Rachel”s stomach dropped. They knew she was here. Of course they did.

”Like hell,” Marcus shouted. He strode to the barricaded door, pistol raised.

Dirk grabbed his arm. ”Wait for backup.”

”I”m not handing her over.” Marcus shook him off, jaw clenched.

Rachel”s breath caught. Never in her life had anyone fought for her. The Wolverines would tear Marcus apart, and it would be her fault. She couldn”t let that happen.

Summoning her courage, she approached Marcus and touched his arm. ”It”s okay.”

He stared at her, eyes gleaming with rage and regret. ”I”m not giving up that easy. Jaxon will kill me if something happens to you.”

The sound of gunfire exploded outside. Rachel screamed, but Marcus pulled her against him, shielding her with his body. His heart slammed against her cheek, as rapid as her own.

Over the chaos, a familiar roar rang out. ”Green Devils!”

Jaxon. Her pulse leapt with relief and something more, a feeling she couldn”t name.

The gunfight intensified, but Marcus”s arms remained locked around her. ”You”re safe,” he murmured. ”We”ve got you.”

She closed her eyes, daring to believe him.

The air in the room felt charged with electricity. Marcus kept Rachel tucked behind him, his body a shield against the Wolverines and their guns.

One Wolverine stood by the door, pistol trained on Marcus. The other two were on opposite sides of the room, rifles aimed and fingers on the trigger.

Trapped. Rachel”s heart rammed against her ribs. They were outgunned and outnumbered, with no way out.

Except Jaxon. He”d come for them. He had to.

A shout rang out, followed by a grunt of pain. The Wolverine by the door crumpled to the ground, revealing a familiar figure in the doorway.

Jaxon”s gaze locked on Rachel, ice-blue eyes blazing with fury and something more—something that made her stomach flip.

Then he smiled, slow and lethal. The Wolverines swung their rifles toward him, but Jaxon didn”t slow.

”Let her go,” he growled, ”or you”ll regret the day you ever joined this pathetic excuse for a club.”