Chapter 21 Plans and Uncertainty
Killian’s POV
Pulling up to the clubhouse, tension coils in my stomach. My fingers tremble as I kill the engine, glancing at Slate as he rolls in beside me. Sunlight gleams off his helmet before he slides it off, meeting my gaze with a crooked half-smile.
“Are you really up for this?” I ask, unable to keep the nerves from my voice.
He cracks his neck, exhaling slow. “We both love those sisters. Why the hell wouldn’t we do this together? Never pictured myself in this kind of mess, but here we are.”
I laugh, hollow, nerves running high. “Hell if I know what I’m doing. Romance was never my strength.”
He throws his helmet onto his seat, rolling his eyes. “And you think I’m some kind of Casanova? Jesus, Killian-what if one of them shoots us down?”
I shake my head, remembering a hundred tiny moments. “Gia? Turn you down? You’re blind, man. She’s been crazy for you for years. Everyone’s seen it but you. Whenever you’d sneak off with one of the club girls, she’d look so damn lost. Remember that night at the diner? We walked in, she’s laughing with some guy in a suit. You lost your shit, stormed out, kicked up half the parking lot on your way out. We all waited for you to make a move. What took you so long?”
He stares at the dust, jaw tight. “I’m not exactly the club’s prize, you know. I see the way those girls look at me like I’m just another job to get through. You, Raptor, Riff, Blaise-those guys are what they want. Me, I’m just a patch they can’t say no to. Not if they want to stick around. So yeah, I had no clue Gia actually wanted me. That night Valentina winked at me, I nearly lost it. Thought I’d never blush in my damn life. Valentina throwing that knife? Best thing that ever happened. Opened the door for me and Gia. I’ll owe your girl forever for that.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Didn’t realize you were this soft about your looks. Didn’t know you had it in
you.”
He shoves me, laughter rumbling out. “Go to hell.”
“Hey, you got your girl. That’s what matters. So, what’s the plan?”
He glances at the clubhouse door, chewing his lip. “Before or after the run? We leave in three weeks, right?”
“Yeah. We’ll be gone a week. I haven’t told Valentina yet-planning to break it to her tonight.”
He nods, decisive. “Let’s do it after. Give ourselves a month to figure this out.”
“Works. Family day today-barbecue kicks off in three hours. Families’ll start rolling in soon. I’ll send a couple prospects to grab burgers, dogs, buns, chips. Drinks are stocked. Fader’s tending bar tonight. Think you can sweet-talk Gia into making that potato salad?”
He grins, devilish. “Let me handle it. She won’t say no to me.”
I laugh, relieved. “Do whatever you gotta do. That stuff’s gold.”
We swing off our bikes and head inside. The clubhouse hums with quiet anticipation. I scan the kitchen, then my room-Valentina’s nowhere. Out back, the barbecue pit is cold, the fire ring empty. I
call her, voicemail. My pulse quickens, irritation prickling. Where the hell is she?
I stalk down the hall to Slate and Gia’s room, pounding on the door. “Slate, Gia in there?”
He yanks it open, eyebrow raised. “No, man. My girl’s at the mall-with yours. Didn’t Valentina tell you?”
“She didn’t say anything. Not a word.”
He shrugs, smirking. “Sounds like you two need to talk more. Communication, brother. Kills more relationships than cheating ever will.”
I groan. “You and Blaise both-getting philosophical lately.”
He leans in the doorway, arms crossed. “Just facts. Communication, honesty, loyalty. That’s everything to me-and Gia.”
“Yeah. Thanks, man.”
I step away, pulling out my phone and typing, irritation heavy in my thumbs.
Baby, why didn’t you tell me you went to the mall? I came home and you were gone. I hate not knowing
where you are.
Her reply is quick, sharp as a slap.
Funny, I didn’t like waking up alone after our nap. I figured that’s just how it is for us now.
Damn, she’s pissed.
Sorry, baby. Had something urgent to handle.
Same.
Okayyyy…
Will you be back soon?
Don’t know. Made some new friends. Hanging with them right now.
My jaw clenches.
Who?
I pace the common room, phone in hand. A minute later, it buzzes-an image. I tap it open. It’s a selfie: Valentina, Gia, and six other women, all cleavage and grins, two in leather vests I don’t recognize. But Valentina and Gia-no property vests in sight.
My fingers fly over the screen, anger spiking.
Why the hell aren’t you wearing your property vests? You’re out in public, Valentina. I need you in my
vest.
Valentina’s reply flashes onto my screen, the words laced with challenge:
Good thing I didn’t wear your vest, or I’d never have met my new friends.
A second image arrives-this time, the angle shows the backs of the women. The vests spell it out in
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< Chapter 21 Plans and Uncertainty
bold thread: Ravager colors. My pulse spikes.
What the hell is she thinking? My fingers fly, all restraint gone.
What are you playing at? Get the fuck away from them-now! Their men could be watching.
She comes back with a shot of ice through the screen.
That’s the point. Maybe they show up. Now back off, I’m working.
Working? The word detonates in my skull. Fury boils over; I snarl and drive my boot into the back of the nearest couch. The whole room shakes. Blaise and Slate burst in, eyes wild, hands already flexing for a fight.
Blaise’s voice is steel. “What happened? Who’s here?”
I’m pacing, fists clenched, trying to keep my head. “Valentina and Gia-they’re with Ravager Old Ladies. Valentina says she’s working. What the fuck does that mean?”
Blaise tries for calm. “Breathe, man. Just breathe.”
“Calm down?” I snap. “My woman is with the Ravagers!”
Slate’s phone buzzes. He glances down, thumbs flying. “Just heard from Gia. She says, ‘working- doing recon.””
“Recon?” I demand, rounding on him.
Blaise folds his arms, watching every move. “We gave them a job, Killy. Looks like they’re playing their part-getting close to the Ravagers. It’s strategy.”
My head rings with the word: strategy. I want to laugh, or maybe roar. Instead, I storm outside, straddling my bike in a heartbeat. I need wind, distance, anything to clear the fire from my veins.
Valentina’s capable. Hell, she’s more dangerous than half the club. But knowing she’s out there-with them, without me-shreds my composure. She’s my entire world. I need to know where she is, what she’s doing, every second. Maybe Slate’s right. Maybe I need to open up more, stop trying to keep everything tight and locked away. I also need to claim her-formally, undeniably. Waiting a month to propose feels impossible. I want everyone-club, rival MCs, every civilian on the street-to see she’s mine. If that makes me possessive, so be it; I don’t give a damn.
The road blurs under my wheels, wind cutting through my rage. Each mile cools the burn, steadies my hands. By the time I roll back to the clubhouse, I’m ice-calm, every thought razor sharp.
But one thing’s certain: we’re going to have a talk before the barbecue starts. Valentina’s going to feel my palm and my cock tonight. Communication, she wants? She’s about to get it-loud, hard, and unforgettable.
