Prologue

Prologue

Titan

"TITAN, NEED YOUR ass in the office. Reaper's been lookin' for ya," Tripp says, coming in my room as he normally does without knocking.

"Why's he been lookin' for me? I'm ready to head out and can't be late," I tell my best friend as I make my way over to the desk where my cut is hanging on the back of my chair.

"Where the fuck are you goin'?" Tripp questions me, looking me over from head to toe.

I'm wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, a new pair of jeans, and my usual boots. My hair is down around my shoulders, which I never do, and I've trimmed my beard so it's neat. Honestly, I'm nervous as fuck for this date with Dallas because I want nothing to change from how our chats have been going since we started messaging one another.

"I told you where I'm goin' today. I've got the date with Dallas, the girl from the datin' app," I remind Tripp as he looks at me with a large smile.

"That's right. I forgot all about that. But, um, I don't think that's where you'll be goin' today," he states, leaving my room before I can ask him any further questions about what he's talking about or why Reaper's looking for me.

Sighing, I slide my cut on my shoulders and head straight for Reaper's office where he'll be waiting for me. Dread fills me with the thought of having to postpone my date with Dallas. We've been talking for a while now and it's always the highlight of my day. There's no way I'm going to miss this date with her because of something someone else fucked up.

Knocking on my President's office door, I wait for him to ask me to come in before opening the door. Reaper is sitting behind his desk with his head in his hands. When I close the door behind me, he looks up and takes in my appearance like Tripp did in my room. I can see when he realizes I've got plans for the day and a grimace appears on his face.

"Tripp said you've been lookin' for me?" I question him taking one of the seats in front of his desk.

"Yeah. Reagan went into labor and Savage won't be goin' on the run today. His head won't be in the game because he'll be worryin' about his sister. So, I need you to take his place. I didn't realize you already had plans for the day," he says, his voice full of regret as my heart sinks. I was really looking forward to this date with Dallas.

"Okay. When are we headin' out?" I ask because there's really nothing I can do to change the situation.

"In five. That's why I've been lookin' for you. They just took Reagan to the hospital about a half hour ago when her water broke. I'm sorry, Titan. If there was anyone else, I'd send them in your place," he apologizes as Alex bursts into his office with a smile on her face until she sees me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd have someone in here. I've got Rebel watching the kids so we can head to the hospital," she says, looking at me for the first time in the few seconds since she entered the office. "You look good, Titan."

"Thanks," I murmur, getting up from the chair and leaving the office to go change and get ready to head out. I've got no time to waste.

Pulling out my phone as I walk up to my room, I open the dating app and then the thread of my messages with Dallas. I quickly type out a message and press send before entering my room to change and get ready to leave.

Me: Somethin' came up and I have to cancel our date. Well, not cancel. Can we make arrangements to get together again at a different time? I really want to meet you in person and I'm so sorry this is happenin'. I just can't get out of what came up. Please let me know as soon as you can and I'll message you back the second I'm able to.

Changing out of the clothes I bought just for today, I lay them out on my bed and change into an older pair of jeans and one of my standard tee-shirts. After making sure I have my gun, extra ammunition, and everything else I'll need for a run, I make my way out of the room I've had at the clubhouse for years. Yeah, I've got my house farther out in the compound, but I rarely stay there. It's too big and empty for me to be there alone. Makes it so I have time for nothing but thinking about things I'd rather not think about. Though, Dallas has been dominating my thoughts recently so that might change.

I don't talk to anyone as I head through the common room and head straight for the front door. Eagle, Kidd, Cash, Panther, and Jay are waiting outside as I make my way to my bike without saying a word to anyone. I can feel all their eyes on me though and it's obvious that Tripp let it be known that I wasn't gonna be happy on this run.

"Let's get on the fuckin' road," I growl out, wanting to do nothing but pull out my phone to see if Dallas has responded to my message.

Instead, I start my bike and wait for everyone else to get ready as I tie my hair back before putting on my black bandana and then helmet. Eagle stops long enough to let me know I'll be riding in the back with him and Kidd while Panther and Cash ride at the front of the van Jay's driving. With a nod in response, I rev my engine to let them know I want to get the fuck on the road. I don't even know how long we'll be gone at all and I hope it's not a long run this time.

Sometimes our runs last a few hours while other times it can last days. It all depends on where we go, who we're meeting, and what we're actually doing. This run, I know absolutely nothing about. While I knew it was happening, I didn't pay attention to the rest of the details because I wasn't supposed to be on it. None of us pay attention when we're not on a run because this shit doesn't typically happen. Though, I shouldn't be surprised since the couples in the club seem to be popping out one kid after another. Finally, we all pull out and get this started and I try to push all thoughts of Dallas and the disappointment filling me away so my head is on the run and I don't fuck up and let someone get hurt because I wasn't paying attention.

We've been on the road for a few hours now when Eagle's voice fills the comms we all wear when we're on a run or other club business.

"Got somethin' wrong with the bike. Not sure what's goin' on. Need to pull over," he states, causing me to look over at his bike to see if I can figure out what he's talking about.

As Eagle rides down the road, I see his front tire wobble again as he uses all of his strength to keep it upright and on the road next to me. I can almost guarantee he's gonna need to change out his tire because there's something wrong with his. We'll know the second we pull over and can take a closer look at it.

"We'll pull over at the gas station right up there. Jay, pull around the back if you can. Kidd, run in and get us all bottles of water so we can get somethin' to drink. The rest of you go to the bathroom if you have to. I don't wanna stop again until we're at the meetin' spot," I order everyone despite Eagle being the Vice President of the club. His focus is keeping himself from crashing and that's where it needs to be.

We all pull over and head for the side of the parking lot where no other vehicles are parked. Eagle immediately gets off his bike and starts looking at the front while I shut my engine off and pull my phone from the pocket of my jeans. There's a notification from the dating app and my heart starts racing at the thought of Dallas messaging me back. Hopefully she's not too mad at me.

Opening the app, I go to our messages and read her words a few times before seeing that while I hit send on my message, it never actually sent. What the fuck?

Dallas: Hello Adam. I don't know if you're okay or if something happened to you. But, I've been waiting at the diner for over an hour now. I really thought that we clicked and that you weren't like the rest of the men I've met over the years who finally get a look at me and decide they don't want the fat chick. That was my mistake and I won't be making it again. Not when it comes to you. Thank you for the conversation and making me laugh more times than I've had a reason to lately. At the end of the day, I know I'm a great person and I don't deserve to be treated this way. I deserve a man who isn't going to blow me off and will show up when he says he's going to. So, goodbye, Adam. I'm deleting everything so you won't be able to contact me any longer. In fact, this entire conversation will disappear. So, I don't even know why I bother to continue typing all of this out. Maybe I'll leave it up for an hour so you can read this and then I'll delete everything.

I delete everything I wrote to her before leaving the clubhouse as my heart races and I try to figure out a way I can make this right.

Me: Dallas, I'm so sorry. Club business came up and I was told at the last minute that I had to leave town. I sent you a message. Well, I thought I did. I hit send after explainin' it to you but it didn't go through for some reason. I wouldn't ever just blow you off for any reason. You're not the fat chick either. You're an amazin' woman and I know you don't deserve to be treated as anythin' less than the queen you are. In my previous message, I asked if we could reschedule. This doesn't usually happen, but one of the ol' ladies went into labor and I had to replace one of my brothers for somethin'. Please, let me make this up to you. I promise I won't let you down, Dallas.

This time, I hit send and make sure it goes through. Unfortunately, I get a message back that I've been blocked and can no longer respond to the messages. I wonder why they didn't disappear though. Dallas said they would, but they didn't.

"Titan, you good?" Cash questions me, walking up and handing me over a bottle of water as I shove my phone back in my pocket and twist the top off.

"Not at all," I respond, chugging half the bottle of water before putting the top back on and getting off my bike.

Eagle and Kidd are working on replacing his front tire. I look over the one they just got off and see a rock embedded in the tread. Pulling it out after feeling how soft it is, I take in the hole from the rock. I don't even know where he would've picked this fucker up if it wasn't in the road when we were riding after leaving the clubhouse. I mean, shit happens, but it feels as if this is telling us this run isn't gonna be as easy as we'd all like it to be. But, I'm not getting any kind of gut feeling that something is off or anything.

"How much longer do you guys need?" I ask, kneeling down by Eagle as I open my water and finish it off.

"Just mounting the new tire now. Shouldn't be much longer at all," Eagle answers as he continues working.

"Alright. I'm gonna head in and get somethin' to eat. You want anythin'?" I ask them both as they keep working and ignoring everything around them.

Both men tell me no as the rest of the guys surround them so no one can get close. Jay remains in the van that I can barely see the front of. I make my way in the gas station and take a look around. They've got a sub place, but there's no way in hell I'm gonna be able to eat an entire sub before we get back on the road. Walking up and down the aisles after looking at the hot dogs and other shit they've got ready to sell, I choose a small bag of chips, another bottle of water, and a pack of peanut butter cups. Yeah, I have a sweet tooth every now and then. After paying, I make my way over to Jay to check in with him.

"You good? Did you get water and everythin' you need?" I ask him as he sits up straighter in the driver's seat.

"Yeah. Cash sat here so I could go to the bathroom and made sure I had some snacks and water for the trip. I've got everythin' else you guys could need for the bikes and shit in the back. Are you okay, Titan?" Jay returns, his voice going quiet as if he's scared to ask me a question.

"I'm good, kid. Thanks for askin'. Just wasn't how I planned on spendin' my day today," I answer him before turning and heading back to the bikes while opening my chips and grabbing a few to stuff in my mouth.

By the time I make it back to the rest of the guys, Eagle is done fixing his bike and heading to the bathroom to clean up really quick. I eat a few more chips before offering them to the rest of the guys. If they don't want any, I'll just throw the bag out. I shouldn't be surprised when Kidd grabs them and finishes them off in seconds. The guy is a fucking garbage disposal and eats anything the second it's waved in front of his face. Everyone else laughs as I get back on my bike and get ready to head back out on the road. I didn't even remove my helmet because I didn't want to stop for any reason on this run. Sometimes, things don't go my way and I have to take shit as it comes up.

As I get on my bike, I pull my phone back out to see a message from Savage. Opening it up, I read his words with a small smile on my face.

Savage: Thanks for takin' the run for me. I know you had plans today and if it were anyone else but Reagan, I'd be there instead. I'm sorry you didn't get to go out on your date. Reagan has just delivered a healthy baby boy. They've named him Stone Patrick. None of us have seen him yet. Have a safe run and I owe you, Titan.

Me: Tell them I said congratulations on the new baby boy. Not a big deal, Savage. You'd do the same for me if the situation was reversed. I blew my one chance with Dallas today so there's no reason to owe me anythin'.

"Reagan and Trax had a healthy baby boy. Savage just let me know. Stone Patrick is his name," I announce to the guys as Eagle walks back up to us.

They all take a few seconds to cheer before settling down and getting on their bikes. It doesn't take us long to get back on the road and heading toward the meeting point. I want to let my mind drift to Dallas and think of some way I can make this shit up to her. But, I have no clue where she lives, her last name, or anything else. Yeah, I could have Hawk work his magic and find her from the dating app, but I don't want to push her or do something else to piss her off. Or upset her. Dallas seems like a great girl and I truly want to get to know her.

For the first time since joining the Fallen Brethren MC, I want to be doing anything else but being a member. I've never felt that way about the club that's given me a family, a place to call home, and a purpose in life when I didn't have one. Over the years, I have devoted myself to the club and always been there for every single man I consider a brother. I might not be close to them all, but I've been there when they've needed me. Tripp is honestly the only one I've let myself get close to because he didn't give me a choice in the matter. He's my best friend because he decided one day that it's what was gonna happen between us and didn't take no for an answer. At first, I hated it. I didn't want to let him or anyone else in to my life and know the hell I went through. Tripp didn't give a shit and pushed his way in like a bull in a China shop.

"You good, Titan? Seems like you're a million miles away?" Eagle asks me through our comms as we ride down the road.

"I'm good, Eagle. My mind is here where it needs to be, I promise. None of you will get hurt on my watch as usual," I answer him, clearing all the thoughts from my mind and focusing on the road in front of me.

Cash and Panther have ridden a ways ahead of us to look out for any cops or other danger that might be heading our way. Usually it would only be Trax if he's on the run since he's the Road Captain. If he's not there, it's another officer that takes his place so we know we can trust the man looking out for us. For some reason, both of them have left us as Kidd moves from the back with Eagle and I to the front so Jay's not the first vehicle in our little convoy. I'll always remain at Eagle's side since he's the Vice President of our club. Usually, I'd be next to Reaper. Today, that's not the case.

"You need to talk, I'm here. Don't matter what it's about. Lately, you've been smilin' and constantly on your phone. We've all noticed that shit. Don't let this shit take away your chance at happiness, Titan. Fight for what you want," he tells me, his voice letting me know he's been thinking along the same lines as me lately.

"I got it. It doesn't matter anymore, Eagle. This run and last minute change fucked it all up. But, we need to keep our head in the game and focus on what we're doin' out here. Not gonna fuck up and lose one of you because I'm thinkin' of other shit," I tell him, shutting down further conversation about this shit. Especially when the rest of the guys can hear what we're saying.

It takes us another hour to get to the location where we're meeting our buyers. After a smooth exchange, we don't linger and get back on the road to Clinton City. I still don't let my mind wander to Dallas no matter how much it wants to. We could still have something happen and I won't risk the lives of the guys with me because I'm lost in my head. Not when I'm not out riding on my own. Right now, I'm responsible for the lives of the men on this run with me. That's my job as the Enforcer of the club and I take it seriously. So, until we get back to the clubhouse and I can lock myself in my room, I'll keep my mind where it needs to be and nowhere else.