Chapter Eight

The next morning, Leia rolled over and stretched, remembering the evening. After she and Brim had returned to the party, she had thought he'd go off and do his own thing. Instead, he planted her right by his side as they mingled. When she'd grown tired, he had escorted her to her room in the grandstand and kissed her good night. She'd showered and crawled naked into bed.

A knock sounded on her door.

"Leia?" Piper called through the door. "I've left some clothes out here."

"Okay, thanks," Leia said loudly.

"I've just made fresh brewed coffee and there's plenty of stuff for breakfast. Come on down whenever you want."

Her footsteps retreated, and Leia rose. She opened the door, grabbed the clothes, and hurried to dress. The jeans were a little snug, the top a tad too tight across the breasts, but they were clean and that's all that mattered. She slipped on her shoes and headed downstairs.

No one was in the kitchen, so Leia poured herself some coffee, adding a spoonful of sugar. She grabbed a slice of buttered toast resting nearby on a plate and headed toward the back door. Watching her step as she stepped outside, it wasn't until she was on flat ground before she looked up. Piper sat on the patio chair, watching the twins run around and laugh. A shadow rested on her shoulder.

Leia didn't remember dropping the mug of coffee. She didn't hear it shatter on the concrete walkway. All she could focus on was death lingering on her new friend and screamed. Men came running, and as she looked around, she saw the shadow of death attached to everyone. She backed up, shaking her head, only halting her retreat when Brim scooped her up in his arms.

"Leia! It's me," Brim said. "Look at me. Just me."

Leia blinked. He filled her vision, blocking everything else out.

"What did you see, Leia?"

"Shadows," she whispered. She made sure not to look anywhere else but into his eyes. "On everyone."

"What does she mean?" Kix demanded. He was somewhere behind Brim, so she couldn't see him. "What shadows?"

"Remember when I told you Leia helped me? She has an ability," Brim said. "Leia, you need to tell me how."

"I'm scared," she whispered.

"I know," he said softly. "But I've got you. Okay? You're not alone. We have to save our friends."

She'd spent her life running from the cold shadows of death, and even though she knew Brim was with her, Leia had to dig deep inside herself to find the courage to face her fears. She nodded.

"Kix," Brim said. "Come here."

Kix stepped from behind Brim. Reluctantly, Leia broke eye contact with Brim to look at the White Death president. A shadow rested on his shoulder.

"Look at her eyes," Kix muttered.

Taking a deep breath, Leia reached forward and slowly touched the vile specter. Immediately, images bombarded her mind. Tears ran down her face as she tried to figure them out.

"Breathe, Leia." Brim's voice cut through the blurring pictures. "You are in control, not the vision. Focus. Slow it down."

She did as he said, taking a deep breath to ground herself. Pushing aside the dizzying array of pictures speeding by, she focused on one image at a time. Little by little, the whirlwind slowed, and she saw Kix being shot.

"A bullet," she said aloud. "He's hit with a bullet."

"Can you rewind a little?" Brim asked. "Who shoots him?"

Concentrating, she turned her hand, like she was turning the volume on a stereo, and Kix's death rewound.

"A bullet hits the ground at his feet. He dodges to the left and another one hits between his eyes."

"Who, Leia? Who does this?"

She rewound even more and saw the attackers.

"Men in trucks, with flags on the back. They bust through the gate. They shoot … everyone."

It was too much. She let go of the shadow and almost collapsed. Brim caught her and wrapped his arms around her to hug her close. She buried her face in his chest, not wanting to see the shadow of death lingering on the people she had come to like and admire.

"You're in danger," Brim told Kix. "You need to get the women and children to safety."

Kix studied Leia for a moment before spinning around. "Do it! Lucky, grab a couple of men and get the women and my kids to the tornado cellar. It's the best fortified. Protect them with your life."

The big biker named Lucky nodded and hurried with two others to do as commanded.

"Everyone else! Defend our territory!"

Brim pulled her back and cupped her face. "You need to go with the women."

She grabbed hold of his hands. "I don't want to leave you."

"I have to stand with the men," he said. "I have to help them protect the club."

"Don't die," she whispered.

His brows pulled together. "Is there a shadow on me?"

She nodded.

"How?"

With a trembling hand, she reached out and touched the shadow. "You're standing between two cars, using them for coverage. You're shot in the back."

As quickly as she could, she disengaged. Seeing his death wasn't something she wanted to ever experience again.

"All I have to do is an exchange, right? Someone else's soul for mine. Does that apply to all of them, too?"

Leia let the shadow go. She blinked and looked around as the men scrambled. "Kill them first. That'll save everyone."

He bent his head and kissed her. Quick. Hard. Possessive. "You okay with me killing people?"

She gripped his leather cut. "I'm okay with you killing the bad guys. If you don't, Piper dies and so do her children."

"You're just concerned about Piper?"

Slowly, Leia shook her head. "No," she whispered. "I don't want anything to happen to you, Brim. Make sure you come back to me."

He captured her lips for another kiss, trying to convey all he thought and felt into it. Hoping she understood what he wasn't saying.

"I will," he murmured against her mouth. "Nothing will keep me from you."

She watched as he hurried away, until Martha grabbed her hand to urge her toward the side of the house where the old root cellar had been converted into a tornado shelter. Along the way, she scooped up a toddler and helped the other women to safety. Someone turned on the lights, revealing a very comfortable and spacious area. Once all the women and children were in, Lucky went to close the massive doors.

Once shut, Piper quickly typed in the code on the electric lock and the green light turned red, indicating that they were now sealed inside.

"They won't be able to get in," Piper announced. "We have provisions for a week. We'll be safe. Now, let's get the children organized with games so they don't get scared.

Leia wished she believed her, but the thought of Brim in danger set her on edge. She glanced at the keypad, wondering if she should chance opening the door and leaving.

"It'll be okay," Martha assured her.

"I shouldn't be down here," Leia said, pacing back and forth. "I should be with Brim."

"He wanted you safe. He's tough and strong, like any president should be."

Leia spun around. "This isn't about being tough and strong, Martha. It's about a bullet finding its way into his back. He didn't see what I saw. He might be too occupied to even notice what's happening around him."

"Easy," Martha said calmly. "Now, I can't begin to understand what you saw, but I do believe you. Okay? There's too much in this world we can't explain. With your warning, this fight will have a vastly different ending than the one you saw."

"What if it doesn't?" Leia sked. She wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happened to Brim or her newfound friends.

"Well, that's easy to answer. Do I have the shadow on me?"

Leia slowly nodded. "But…it's faded."

Martha tilted her head to look around Leia. "What does that mean?"

"That death was pushed away."

"See? That's a good sign." Martha smiled and patted her hand. "Maybe it was the Almighty who put you in Brim's path. Maybe the miracle was Nate's doing from Heaven, to stop his father from feeling so damn guilty over something he couldn't control. Whatever it was, I will bless you every day, Leia, for saving my son and this club. Do you hear me?"

A lump formed in Leia's throat. It felt strange to have people believe her and not think she was crazy or worse … to fear her. She nodded. Martha smiled.

"Let's go help the others keep the children occupied." She reached out and took Leia's hand in her own. "You know, if you and Brim ever have a girl, Martha is an awesome name. Just saying."