TACK

The chief of police and two detectives arrive along with the club's shaky ally and local cop Alec Brennan. That last one puts Aunt Fred on edge immediately. Months back, the Brennan family—an array of dirty cops and protected thugs—approached the Backcountry Kings to create an alliance to take down the Kovak Syndicate. We responded to their offer by arranging a marriage between Bear and Natasha. The Brennan family hasn't been particularly helpful since then.

By the time the pigs show up, the club's lawyers have already set up in the farm's snazzy state-of-the-art barn turned meeting hall and winter play area. We regularly hold club meetings here. For today, we set up several tables and dozens of chairs.

The Banta City cops have videos of the shootout and know the target was Hunter Knutsen. This situation isn't that fucking complicated. Hired guns turned a city block into the O.K. Corral.

Yet, while the chief of police and Alec Brennan look on, the detectives run at us with the same dumb questions. Whenever anyone gets frustrated, Alec reveals a smug little grin. Our lawyers quickly start interrupting the detectives with their own questions, throwing off the pigs' mojo. Alec's smirk soon disappears.

During Hunter's questioning, I sit at her side. Her answers are weak and confused. I worry about her state of mind when she shuts down and begins crying. That's the only time the cops back off on their own. I think they remember how Suzanne Knutsen has the governor on speed dial. Pissing off Banta City's wealthy is the quickest way to an early retirement.

By the time the law leaves, Hunter has calmed down and is resting with Siobhan on the swing of the second farmhouse. When she offers me a knowing smile, I reconsider her entire performance in front of the cops. Was she playing them to keep her information vague?

Indigo strolls over to me when I get stuck halfway between the meeting hall and the farmhouse.

"Are you okay?" he asks and stares off in the direction of the road.

"It's been a long fucking day."

"You kept her alive."

"Thanks to you."

Indigo shrugs and grinds his boot heel into the soft ground. "I want you to have this shot with Hunter."

"You're a good friend."

Indigo's brown eyes study me. "Bear got to be with Natasha. He didn't think that was going to happen. Now, you're looking at your second chance. Nothing should stand in your way."

"It won't," I say and add when I sense he's got more on his mind, "What are you thinking?"

"Is there a part of you that's worried Hunter's only with you because she's scared?"

"Sure, but I've always known she wanted me. Hunter just thought my dangerous lifestyle was a dealbreaker. With her seemingly safe life now dangerous, my shit no longer seems like a big deal."

"You waited a long time."

"Sure."

"Is it like you expected?"

"Are you asking if Hunter can compare to my fantasies?"

"Yeah. Not the fucking part. That's going to be good because your dick was desperate and she's so pretty. But I mean having her want you as a man. Is that part what you expected?"

Studying Indigo, I hear the worry in his voice. It's not for me. He's thinking about a woman he likes. There's been a running bet in the club about Indigo's purity thing. I've long assumed he has a thing for Siobhan since most of his "holier than thou" behavior comes out about her. Golden claimed our club brother was molested and twisted up inside, so he couldn't let anyone enjoy fucking. Zoot claimed Indigo was gay, and we needed to find him a man. Elvis agreed with that and figured Indigo was in love with Golden. That usually shuts down the conversation.

Right now, I'm certain this conversation is about Siobhan. I glance at her on the porch with Hunter. The women are talking to someone on the phone. Natasha has likely joined the bestie lovefest.

Studying Indigo, I don't know what he wants to hear, so I tell him the truth. "In my head, everything between Hunter and me would become perfect once we were together. Obviously, it can't be that way with all this craziness going down. I don't always say the right shit. I still worry she can't enjoy a bunch of stuff about my life. But being able to reach out and touch her feels right. When she seeks me out for comfort, I feel like a man in a new way."

I step back and nod. "Yeah, our fantasies are always going to be flawless, but they're also short-lived and cold. The real deal is flawed but better. I really want Hunter to accept the man I am and not the perfect guy I pretend to be in my head."

Indigo nods. "So, did she just decide her life was scary and she wanted you? Or is this a reward for saving her? I don't get how you went from friends to something else. Bear and Natasha did that, too. One night, she was at the clubhouse, and then he had her in bed. Like, how does that work?"

I offer Indigo a soft smile. None of the guys at the farm grew up right. We're all damaged. With Aunt Fred and Elvis as our surrogate parents, most of us got our shit together and at least fake normalcy.

However, Indigo grew up in the hills around rough men. His mom either loved him something fierce or forgot him completely. By the time Caveman sent him to live on the farm, I think Indigo was too far gone to understand people. He still seems startled when Aunt Fred gives him affection.

I don't know if I'm right about his feelings for Siobhan. I've nearly brought it up a few times while we were drunk. But what if I am right? It's not like I have any advice for him. Who am I to push him when I sat on my hands for years with Hunter?

"After those assholes nearly stole her away that night, I just wasn't going to wait anymore," I reply when he waits for my answer. "I knew pushing her might be a mistake, but I needed more."

Indigo nods. His gaze doesn't flash to Shiobhan. Hell, it doesn't go to Golden nearby, either. He just shrugs like he still doesn't really get it.

"You're a good friend," I say and pat his back. "Not many people would stand in the midst of a bullet storm to help a guy out."

Indigo smiles at my teasing. "You would do it for me."

"Yeah, I would. The club is my family, and I love all of you. But like in all families, people have their favorites. You're one of mine."

"Now, I'm going to blush," he mumbles before whistling for our dogs to approach.

I catch sight of Sleepy and Grumpy standing at the tree line. The German shepherd-golden retriever mixes hear Indigo's whistle and take off running toward us. I kneel to give Sleepy affection. He's smaller than a German shepherd, even if his face and ear shape resemble the bigger breed. His face is yellow and bright like his tail while the rest of him is darker. I used to get such a kick out of how he seemed like two dogs stitched together.

His brother, Grumpy, looks more like a German shepherd, just with a golden coat. Years ago, the farm took in a litter of these mutts.

Noble claimed two of them—Bashful and Dopey— and left the rest of them for families at the farm to adopt. Since Indigo and I had been talking about getting a dog, we each ended up claiming a puppy. The dogs are well past their puppy phases but remain buddies just like their owners. When I'm home, Sleepy tends to follow me around if he can peel himself away from his brother. Tonight, my dog will share my room with Hunter.

I've been worried about how she'd react to him. That's why I've never mentioned my dog before. Hunter's mom owns horses and a purebred cat. The Knutsen family doesn't do mutts.

Hunter flinches when she sees the dogs. Siobhan introduces the panting, overheated mutts to her friend while I get their water bowls filled. Returning to the porch, I find Hunter watching me in a weird way. I suspect she's wondering what else I haven't told her.

Rather than push me on the subject, Hunter focuses on Siobhan who squeals with delight when she spots Sync pulling up in his SUV. He only drives it when the girls are with him. Siobhan leaps off the porch and runs to her daughters waving from the back seat.

As Sync helps the girls climb out, he explains, "We were working on my car on the driveway. An idiot neighbor came over to see if any of my friends were dead. He'd seen the fucking videos going around. The girls got upset, so we're here to prove everyone is okay."

Glancing at Hunter, I know she's thinking about her people who didn't survive. Sync doesn't notice her reaction. He's focused on his rattled daughters.

"You died," Deirdre tells Siobhan.

"No, I'm okay," she promises as she hugs the six-year-old twins. "Everyone at the farm is okay."

The pretty brunette girls look around and see familiar faces. Kiera zeroes in on Aunt Fred nearby talking to club wives.

"Where's Grandpa?" Kiera squeals and starts panicking.

"Right here, sugar plum!" Elvis calls out from the other direction. "Come give my old body some sugar."

The twins run to him and talk over each other about what they heard. Siobhan frowns at Sync.

"What neighbor?"

"I'll handle it," Sync mutters and rubs his bearded jaw.

"I want the fucker dead."

Sync rolls his blue eyes. "Yeah, I don't know about that."

"You're weak," Siobhan insists and waves him off. "Like a soggy fucking French fry."

Hunter smiles as her friend drops down next to her on the swing. "Are you staying at the farm tonight?"

"Yes, and so are the girls," Siobhan insists while frowning at Sync and daring him to disagree.

"I brought their suitcase."

Siobhan nods at his agreement and cuddles with Hunter. "We all need to stay close and watch out for each other. It's the only way we'll be safe."

Siobhan isn't wrong. Banta City is a cutthroat place. When a person or group is on the ropes, everyone's knives come out.

The Backcountry Kings fought hard today, but we're battered and bloody. Our enemies—and two-faced allies—are sharpening their knives and considering what tomorrow might bring.