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Chapter Eight

Camilla felt a pang of unease as she noticed Shadow's absence from the bed. Unable to shake off the feeling, she slipped out of bed. After putting her clothes back on, she exited his room.

In the corridor, she found Rooster engrossed in his phone.

When he looked up and saw her, she wasted no time in asking, "Shadow's gone. Do you know where he went?"

Rooster hesitated, seeming reluctant to divulge the information.

"I'm just worried, that's all. Maybe it's all in my mind," Camilla added hastily, sensing his hesitation.

"It isn't. Breaker, the prez, wanted to see him in his office," Rooster finally admitted.

Curiosity and concern gnawed at Camilla as she pressed further. "Where's Breaker's office?"

Rooster provided her with directions. Despite knowing she shouldn't interfere in Shadow's MC matters, Camilla found herself standing before Breaker's door.

This was ridiculous. Camilla should just head back and wait for Shadow in his room. She had already decided that when she heard snippets of conversation from the office. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the fragments she caught made her stomach drop.

Breaker knew who she was, and soon Rooster and the rest of Shadow's MC would too. Shadow's words echoed in her mind: "She was born to be mine."

Her heart beat a little faster. Shadow had automatically come to her defense and she didn't doubt he'd do anything to keep her safe … even if that meant dying on her account.

Camilla couldn ' t have that. Feeling overwhelmed, Camilla retreated to the safety of Shadow's room.

As she picked up the cell phone he had given her, her hands began to shake. She had promised to face her brother alongside Shadow, but now she realized this was her battle to fight alone.

Staring at the screen of the phone, Camilla grappled with her options. She knew Breaker wouldn't align with their plan. The Death Seekers had nothing to gain in this situation, and Camilla didn't want Shadow or anyone else dying or getting hurt because of her.

Taking a few deep breaths, Camilla finally dialed her brother's direct number. At first, it kept ringing, and she feared he might ignore the call upon seeing the unknown number. But eventually, he picked up.

"Who is this?" came Fernando's familiar angry and suspicious voice.

"Fernando, it's me," she finally said, her heart racing.

Silence followed on the other line.

"Is it really you, Camilla? Jake tells me the Death Seekers are holding you captive," Fernando's voice was filled with concern.

"I don't know what Jake told you, but none of it is true," she interrupted, her words rushed with urgency.

But her brother wasn't listening.

"And some biker named Shadow claimed you as his own—"

"I love him," Camilla said plainly, her voice unwavering. "And I would do anything for him. That's why I'm contacting you without him knowing."

"Camilla, I don't know what these bikers have put in your head, but you belong here, back with me. We're family, and family sticks together," Fernando reminded her, his voice strained with concern.

Camilla tightened her grip on the phone. "That's why I reached out to you. We need to talk," she said, determined to make him understand.

Camilla wasn't going to make any promises yet, but she wanted to set things straight from the beginning. She had no desire to return to her old life, and she would make Fernando understand and respect her decision to stay in Hanging Grove with Shadow.

"There's no need to send Jake or your men here. I'll come to you," she said firmly.

"No, I cannot risk losing you again," Fernando said, his tone resolute.

He sounded hoarse, unlike his usual arrogant self. Maybe her disappearance had affected him, and for that she felt a pang of guilt for not immediately telling him she was alive.

"Jake will pick you up at the entrance of town," Fernando said firmly.

"Pick anyone but Jake," she said.

"Why?"

"Because he twisted what should have been a simple complication," Camilla said. "I'll go with anyone but him."

Fernando let out a tired sigh. "Very well, Camilla. I'll indulge you for now because these are special circumstances, but once you're back home, you'll need to adjust your attitude."

Just like that, her sympathy for her brother faded. Camilla ended the call without warning.

Fernando always treated her more like a burden than a family member. Still, she had to do this.

Camilla found a piece of paper and wrote Shadow a quick note. As she finished, a stab of guilt hit her. She could picture herself in his shoes, reading her farewell note and feeling completely betrayed.

"This isn't a farewell," she whispered, setting the note down.

Camilla then slipped out of his room before he could return. She needed to grab some stuff from her apartment and text her boss that she'd have to take a few personal days.

Camilla didn't anticipate she'd be away long because she had every intention of returning to Hanging Grove and to Shadow.

It didn't take long for Camilla to pack a small bag and give her manager a call. She checked her watch and realized she should get going. Fernando's lackey was going to pick her up in fifteen minutes.

Camilla took a final look around her small studio apartment, memories flooding her mind. This place had become her haven away from the rigidness of her past life. She remembered the countless moments spent cooking in the kitchen with Shadow, sharing how their day went over simple meals.

The living room held memories of quiet evenings spent cuddled up with Shadow on the couch, their attention focused more on each other than the movie playing on TV.

And at night, lying next to him, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, she had felt a sense of completeness and happiness she had never known before.

But now, it was time to leave it all behind, at least temporarily. Camilla quickly checked her bag to ensure she had everything she needed, then grabbed her phone and keys.

With one last wistful glance around the apartment, she turned off the lights and headed out the door.

****

Shadow closed the door to Breaker's office behind him. Damn it, but he needed a drink after that conversation.

Camilla was probably still sleeping, so she wouldn't mind if he snuck downstairs and had a pint or two. Shadow headed to the bar, surprised to find Rooster there.

"Judging by the expression on your face, that meeting didn't go well," Rooster said after they ordered beers.

"No, it didn't," Shadow said with a grimace.

"Talk to me, Shadow," Rooster urged.

Since they'd been friends for a long time and always had each other's back, Shadow did.

Rooster whistled after he was done. "Wow," he said. " You knew your girl had ties to the cartel."

"Yeah, we ' re basically fucked," Shadow agreed. "I was hoping Breaker would take our side, but he basically told me we were on our own."

"I get why he would say that," Rooster said, ignoring Shadow's glare. "This isn't the MC's fight, Shadow. Whatever issues you and Camilla have with Fernando Hernandez—"

"I know," Shadow cut in. "But she means the world to me, Rooster."

"You two can't get enough of each other. Everyone can see that, but…" Rooster began.

"If you're going to ask if she's worth it, save your breath. She is. I was planning on making Camilla my old lady. I was even going to ask you to help me choose a ring," Shadow interrupted.

Rooster was silent for a few moments. "I didn't realize it was that serious," he finally said, finishing his drink.

"Look, whatever goes down, call me. I'm sure Breaker won't mind if you get a small team together to act as your security detail when you decide to meet with Fernando," Rooster offered.

"Thanks, Rooster. Those words mean the world to me," Shadow said.

"You shouldn't keep your girl waiting," Rooster reminded him, and Shadow realized he was right.

Camilla might ' ve woken up in the middle of her nap and might be wondering where he went.

After finishing his own beer, he returned to his room, only to find an empty bed and a hastily scribbled note on his bedside table. His heart sank as he read the words. He read Camilla's note aloud. Each word felt like a dagger, piercing through his chest with every syllable:

Shadow, I know I promised we'd come up with a way to confront my brother together, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Breaker. I'm sorry to be doing this to you, but I decided to call Fernando directly and settle this matter on my own. I'll convince my brother to leave us and the MC alone. Trust me. I love you, Camilla.

Shadow crumpled the note in his hand, his mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. He couldn't believe she'd go behind his back like this, making such a monumental decision without him. Anger surged within him, mingling with fear and uncertainty. But beneath it all, a flicker of something else remained—posession and maybe even love.

Despite the turmoil raging inside him, Shadow couldn't deny how much he cared about her. He knew he had to trust her, to have faith in her ability to handle the situation.

With a heavy sigh, Shadow smoothed out the note and placed it gently back on the bedside table.

But as the minutes ticked by, the weight of Camilla's absence became more pronounced.

He couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that gnawed at his insides. His gut feeling told him something would go very wrong and she would need him by her side. She told him very little about her brother but what he knew didn't paint the picture of a caring or thoughtful person. Fernando saw her a chess piece in his organization, nothing more.

There was a possibility Camilla still hadn't left town. Shadow pulled out his cell phone and called her. It kept ringing, but she didn't answer. His fourth call went to voicemail. She must've turned it off. Frustration boiled within him as he shoved the phone back in his jacket pocket. His mind raced with a hundred awful possibilities.

" Fuck this, I ' m not just waiting around," he said.

Without a second thought, Shadow grabbed the keys to his Harley. He headed back outside and looked for Rooster.

Shadow wasn't a fool. He was possibly going against an entire cartel and he needed some backup. Starting a fight wasn't his intention. He'd settle this peacefully if he could but if Fernando refused to listen to Camilla, then all bets were off.

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