“I won’t be able to protect you if this goes too far.”

“Catch ya, Jackson.” I ignore his warning, step outside and head to my bike. I’ve been relying too much on the law to put an end to this. If Jackson can’t sort this out, I’m going old school. I’ll call in my own markers and make sure whatever we find out will be handled in house.

Once and for all.

I pull up at the clubhouse two hours later and take a moment to contemplate going in. I know I probably should just head home to my place. I mean, it’s been over a month since I’ve slept in my own bed, but the thought of leaving her alone doesn’t sit well with me. Every night since Kenzie showed up, I haven’t spent a night away from the clubhouse. From her. Even though she sleeps in the furthest room from me, I’m relaxed knowing I’m close. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could climb into her bed, hold her and tell her I’ll never let the asshole touch her again though.

“Hey, fucker. What you doing out here?” Jesse’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

“Nothing. Just got in.” I climb off my bike. Yeah, no way I’m leaving her tonight. “Where you off to?” I take the focus off me and notice his tidy appearance.

“Dinner with Bell’s parents,” he answers as he climbs onto his own bike.

“How’s everything going? Paige settled in?”

“It’s been tense. But she’s adjusting. They all are.”

“Bell doing okay?”

“Yeah, just relieved to have her sister home. The whole thing has been a fucking mess, but it can only get better, right? I have to head out, can’t be late. We can catch up later. You gonna be in tomorrow night?” He stops, letting a grin take over his face. “Of course you will.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I bark. I’m ready to go at him for his smart remark. Of course all my brothers know how messed up I am over Mackenzie. They’ve been very vocal about it.

Fuckers.

“Nothing man, fucking chill. It’s just you’ve been spending every night here and taking less call outs.”

Deciding not to have it out with him, I flip him off and walk to the door. He laughs at me, but I ignore it and the fact he’s right.

Yeah, I’ve spent every night here. So fucking what?

Doesn’t mean shit.

And the call outs are only less because I’ve taken on more of an administration roll to begin taking over the operation. Not that he gives a fuck.

His bike starts up, the rumble of the pipes filling the air just as I step inside.

“Mackenzie?” I call out when I walk into the main living area.

“In the kitchen. Go clean up. Dinner will be ready in ten,” she shouts back and I can’t seem to hold in my smirk at the routine we’ve found ourselves in.

Jesus, who would have thought?

Not wanting to delay in seeing her, I make my way to her. The clubhouse is quiet for a Wednesday and I’m grateful for it. Between work and dealing with trying to find Chad, I haven’t had much alone time with her this last week, so dinner has become our thing.

“Hey, darlin’.” I rest up against the door and watch her move about the kitchen like she owns it. She may as well, she spends most of her day in here, cooking and baking. The whole clubhouse is in love with her and her baked treats.

“Oh, you’re ready?” She spins around and graces me with one of her smiles, and just like the first time I ever saw it, it fucking hits me. “How’s your day?” She goes back to the pots on the stove, stirring one with a wooden spoon. It smells good, and as I enter the kitchen all the way, I try to spy what she’s making tonight.

Fettuccini Carbonara.

“Busy, had a meet with Jackson.” I decide to fill her in and take a seat at the table. I’ve learned over the last month she likes to fight me when it comes to food. It’s starting to become our thing. Tonight I’d rather just sit and let her feed me.

“Detective Carter?” She stops and looks up. “Is everything okay?” She stills as a flash of panic distorts her smile before she covers it up.

“No, still no word. The Mayor has the department looking into it like a missing person. It’s all bullshit if you ask me. They’re just protecting the fucker.” I deliver the bad news wishing I could wipe the disappointment away.

“Well, maybe it’s not such a bad thing he’s missing. Maybe something happened. Maybe he’s not coming to find me anymore.” Her voice lowers to a whisper.

Yeah, maybe not, darlin’.

“Do you honestly believe Chad is going to give up?” I call her out on it. We both know who we’re dealing with; this asshole won’t rest till he wins.

“I’m just trying to stay positive.” She moves back, grabbing some plates from the cabinet and setting them on the counter. I watch her face. With the worry marring her forehead, I can almost sense her despair from across the room.

“You should be positive, Kenz.” I rise from my seat and take the few steps to stand in front of her. “Your asshole ex is not going to get to you here. I won’t let him, I promise.”

“You can’t promise that, Beau. I’m not always going to be here. You’re not always going to be able to protect me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, darlin’. I’m always going to protect you.” She looks up, eyes blazing, and it breaks me. The uncertainty calls to me. Like I’ve been where she is and I’d do anything to stop her from feeling like this. I know I’m close to overstepping some kind of line here, but it’s like I don’t give a fuck anymore.

“And when I leave?” She hands me a plate of fresh steaming fettuccini and I have to force my fingers to grip it tighter to stop myself from dropping it.

“Leave? What the fuck are you talking about, darlin’?” I stand there confused, watching her set herself up at the dinner table.

“Well—” She stops, realizing I haven’t followed her over. “Come sit.” She pats the spot next her. Clearing my throat, I follow her over and take a seat.

“So, I’ve been thinking. They’re no closer to finding Chad—”

“You don’t know that,” I cut her off, not wanting her to lose hope.

“I know, but I need to begin moving on with my life.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Kenz?” I bark, taken aback by where this conversation is going.

“I was talking to Kelly and Hunter today. I didn’t even know they were related, did you?” She starts to ramble, but gets back on track. “Anyway, Hunter said there’s an empty apartment in the complex he lives in. I’ve been saving my pay from Nix. I have enough for a deposit.”

“Hunter?” Rage boils in my body the second his name leaves her lips.

Fucking Hunter.

“Yeah.” She eyes me slowly, catching on to my change in demeanor.

“Kenzie, you can’t move out, not when Chad is still out there.” My hand moves to my beard and I rub hard trying to calm my anger.

“I can’t just sit around here anymore, Beau. I’m going crazy. I need normal. I need to be away from the parties, the women. You’ve all been so welcoming here, taking me in and giving me protection, but Chad hasn’t come for me yet.”

“It’s too dangerous, Kenzie.” I’m not okay with this plan and I’m not backing down.

“So I should stay here until you find him? Living in fear like I was doing in Ohio.”

“I don’t understand you, Mackenzie.” I stand and move to the fridge for a beer. I think I’m gonna need a few for this conversation.

“You don’t understand I want to be happy?” I pop the top of my beer and take a seat back down.

“I don’t see why you would want to risk your safety.” I pick up my fork and dig in, twisting it to roll up some pasta.

“Are you happy, Beau?”

I swallow a mouthful of food before I answer. “What does that have to do with you leaving our protection, Mackenzie?”

“Just answer me, Beau.”

“Yeah, I’m happy.” I shrug, not really sure what she’s trying to achieve here. “I mean there have been times I haven’t been,” I add, deciding she needs the truth. “There’ve been plenty of times throughout the last ten years I’ve questioned myself, what I’ve been doing, where I’m going. But I finally found a head space I’m happy in.” I fill my mouth with another serving of pasta.