“Need to know this Fred can be trusted. I don’t want anything coming back on her.”

“You don’t want to call Jackson in on this?” he presses.

“Jesse, she fucking killed him then covered it up. Yeah, let’s bring the fucking cops in on this, asshole.” I shake my head, not in the mood for his shit today.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we were back on the other side of the law,” he fires back with the same attitude.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I turn in my seat and give him my full attention. If he even suggests we call this in again, I’ll fucking lay him out.

“He means we all like Mackenzie, Beau. But she killed someone. The Mayor’s son at that. Then she came back and lied to us all. You really okay with this?” Sy enters the conversation.

“The fucker terrorized her. Beat her to the point she had to run. You think he was looking for her so they could have a fucking candle-lit dinner? He was going to kill her. Regardless of how you or I see it, she did what she felt she had to do in order to survive. So yes, I’m fucking okay with her taking the asshole’s life.”

“Yeah, and if she stayed, she could have had a better chance of fixing this,” Jesse keeps pushing. He just doesn’t comprehend it. How could he? His woman hasn’t been in Mackenzie’s shoes and never will be.

“But she didn’t, okay. You can fucking judge her all you want, but we’re still going to help her.”

“Boss?” Jesse turns to Nix. “You gonna weigh in on this clusterfuck anytime soon?”

“You know what, fuck you, Jesse.” I stand, pushing my chair back, done with his shit. I was stupid to think bringing them in on this would be good. Should have just handled it on my own without a single fucking word to them.

“Beau, wait—” Nix calls out, but I’m not hearing it. I didn’t come to them for a fucking vote. I came to them for help.

“No, I’m done. This club has done so much shit for everyone sitting at this table. I get it. I really fucking do. We’ve pulled ourselves out of hell. We don’t need this kind of heat. But we are not calling the cops. I’d take the fall before I see her do time for this.”

“You’re fucking crazy,” Jesse scoffs.

“No, he’s in love,” Hunter counters and my eyes fall on him.

Fuck me, the little fucker gets it.

“She was ready to run to keep us safe. I’m not okay with that. She fucking leaves, I go with her.” The table falls silent at my admission and I take the moment to calm my breathing. “You’d do the same for Holly.” I turn to Sy, already knowing his answer.

“Fucking A,” is his reply.

“Kadence?” I twist back to Nix.

“Don’t even have to ask.”

I look to Brooks and point him an expectant stare. He nods, giving me his answer. I skip over Hunter, knowing he doesn’t have a woman and look back to Jesse.

“I’d do the same for Bell, but she’s my woman.” He cocks his brow, just pushing me the only way he can.

“Mackenzie is my fucking woman, cockhead!” I all but scream at him.

“So you love her?” Jesse smirks. If I could reach him without moving, I’d punch him.

“Keep up, asshole.” I shake my head at his deep laugh. “Nix, I’m not asking for your permission here, not when it comes to her.” He gets me. I know he does. But he still takes a minute before speaking.

“Take Hunter with you. We’ll keep an eye on her.” He gives me his approval, but in all honesty, this would have happened with or without it.

I turn my attention to Hunter, nodding for him to get up.

“I’m leaving in ten. Grab what you need now.” He doesn’t need to be told twice. He moves out of the room without a word.

“Anything else?” I look back at Nix.

“Don’t fuck this up,” is all he says before coming to stand. The rest of them follow him up and come toward me. Sy smirks at me and slaps my back as he passes.

“Welcome to the other side.” And maybe it’s the adrenaline running through me, but I miss the punch line.

“What side?” I call after him.

“Where you do stupid shit for pussy,” Nix answers, passing me next.

“Fuck, been there since she walked into my life,” I admit, then listen to them all laugh.

“Not like I haven’t been telling you this since the night we picked her up,” Sy shouts back.

“Yeah, I’m finally listening,” I tell him as Jesse passes. Remembering how much he pissed me off, I land my fist into his arm. “That’s for being a fuckhead.”

“Love you too, bro.” He barely flinches, continuing his exit.

I contemplate going in for a second punch but let it go. I told Hunter ten minutes. The sooner we have this done, the sooner it’s over, and we’re back in Rushford.

Twenty-Seven

Mackenzie

Five days later

“You doing okay, Kell?” I ask, watching her sort through piles of paperwork. It’s almost opening week for Missy’s Place and with Beau away dealing with the mess I left back in Ohio, Kelly is here trying to get it all sorted.

“Yeah, just hoping I can pull this off. With Beau away, it’s double the stress.”

“I’m sorry.” I cringe, hating that my drama is only messing this up for both Kelly and Beau.

“Don’t be silly. He needed to go. I’m just being dramatic.” She tries to soothe me, but it doesn’t help. When Beau told me he was heading to meet Fred, I begged him to take me with him. He didn’t think it was a good idea, and even though I understand why, it doesn’t make it easy knowing he’s there and I’m here.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m here for you.” It’s the least I can do.

“And I’m going to use you. We have to have all this unpacked today.” I follow her gaze around the room and prepare myself for some hard work.

“Okay, well, where do you want me to start?” I stand from the chair and move toward the huge living area.

“Let’s just work through each room, starting in the living room. We can stop for lunch around twelve and hopefully finish up this afternoon.”

“Got it,” I tell her, but before I can start, my phone beeps from my back pocket. Pulling it out, I let out a breath when I see it’s from Beau.

Beau: Two hours out, darlin’. See you soon.

I quickly type back, my mind running wild with what he found out.

Me: Is everything okay?

Beau: Everything’s good. Will talk more when I’m home.

I smile at the text and let out a long breath. I’m assuming ‘everything’s good’ means he met with Fred and we have nothing to worry about.

“Beau?” Kelly notices my reaction.

“Yeah, he’s two hours out.” I pocket my phone, my day now perking up.

“Did he say if he found Chad?” I swallow at the mention of his name.

Kelly and the girls don’t know about Chad or what I did, and I want to keep it that way.

Having Nix and the rest of the guys know is bad enough. To say they were pissed would be an understatement.

After Beau left with Hunter to see Fred, Nix sat me down and expressed how unimpressed the club was that I had lied to them all. I knew it was coming. Beau was too kind to me to really tell me how angry he was, but Nix didn’t offer me the same grace. And rightly so. I lied to them, to everyone, and it wasn’t my intention to fall in love with Beau. It happened. But I should have told them sooner. After, he ripped me a new one, made it clear we are family, and that family look after each other. He followed it up with a hug and a warning not to fuck with Beau’s heart. I didn’t need the warning, but I took it. It was the least I could do.

“I’m not sure.” I divert my gaze so she doesn’t pick up on my unease.