Shane

"So, Shawna was right?" Bone shouts out from the back of the room.

"Not quite sure yet. Miles, you want to explain brother?" Austin addresses.

We have been here in church for over an hour trying to figure out the new MC situation. On one hand Shawna may have heard Julian correctly right before he died when he spoke about another MC helping him, but we just aren't sure. No one here is calling her a liar, but it makes no sense that not one of us has ran into them yet. Also, doesn't make any sense as to why they would work with him.

"Ran into one of our old drug runners. He had called us down to talk and when Chance and I went down there, he was running his mouth about this new MC that he saw. Didn't really sound right to me."

"What do you mean?" Max asks sitting up in his chair. He's always to the left of Austin, as I'm always to his right. As road captain of this MC it's my job to be a planner. I'm the one that checks everything over for safety and the riders when we go out on runs. Although we don't deal drugs anymore, I still have to make sure our asses our safe for our other runs.

"Seemed suspicious." Chance explains bringing me out of my thoughts. "He supposedly ran into this guy, got a complete look at his cut, realized it wasn't ours, then called to tell us. Sounds like someone paid him some money to say all that shit."

"What point would that make?" Bone chimes in once again. He's gotten a lot more sober in the last few days and I have to wonder if it has anything to do with Chance and him getting into it the other day. Chance, along with the rest of us, were sick of the way he was treating his daughter. Something else is going on there but we have to tackle our problems one at a time right now.

"Don't know, just letting you know it was obvious this guy was paid to tell us that shit. He couldn't answer any of our questions right and he was practically begging to get out of there." Miles finishes.

We all look to Austin who has obviously heard this already but has decided to bring everyone into the mix. It can't be easy to deal with all this bullshit, lead twenty thick headed bikers, and plan a wedding with your fianc¨¦ that you hardly see.

"I don't believe him either. If this MC, the same ones that we have been racking our brains over for the past few months hasn't showed up on our radar, they damn sure won't sure show up some junkies radar."

"So, what? You think junkies are getting together to plan an attack against us and are pretending to be in an MC?" Max jokes.

"No, I think someone who has been giving us shit lately is having our old intel corrupted with lies and paying off people to tell us bullshit so we can be thrown off." A few murmurs go around the room as everyone assumes who Austin is referring to.

Alberts.

Could he be the one doing this? It makes sense, but it is quite a leap. It also makes things a whole lot more fuckin' complicated. If this guy is willing to throw us off that far by having fake stories from our former drug runners, then we are in more trouble than we thought. It also must mean that he and Julian were working together the whole time.

"Well that's just fuckin' great. We can't fuckin' touch a cop." Ghost calls out angry as the rest of us feel.

"Well, then we need to put our brains together and figure something out." Austin begins but before he could say more his phone rings from his pocket. He glances at the screen and puts his finger up in the hold position for us. "Candy, kind of busy here babe."

Austin's entire posture freezes as his mouth turns into a firm line. I recognize the angered look as it settles in on him. Something's happened.

"Shit. Okay, good job babe. Tell her to get her and Adrianna home and I'll be there shorty." My legs push me up out of seat before my mind could even finish registering what he just said.

Lyla and Adrianna are in trouble.

"What happened?" I scream, not caring that I am now inches away from grabbing the phone from his grip and calling Candice demanding she tell me every detail of what she knows.

"Lyla. Someone came and threatened her and Adrianna. They were at Adrianna's preschool. Need you to calm down enough to"

"Where the fuck are they?" I shout causing Max to stand and attempt to get in between me and his president. I understand he's just protecting his brother and were it any other situation, I would be the same way. But not now, not with my girls in danger.

"Shane. I need you to calm down. If you go off and get angry, you're going to scare the little girl. Need your head clear enough brother. Or I will bench you on this one."

I stare down my president, but after a few seconds I nod my head. He's right, I can't scare Adrianna.

"They're at home. Let's go."

And just like that, everything changes.

ùùù

"After that I just ran in, grabbed Adrianna, then took off as soon as we were in the car. I called Candy on the way. I know it was stupid, I should have just called you, but my brain was all scrambled."

I hear Lyla explain to Austin the events that led me to running every red light to get to her. I didn't know the events of what happened, but listening to them as she struggles to get out each word, has me seeing red. I keep my arms crossed and my eyes on Adrianna as she brings out every single toy she has ever owned and shows Chance.

Austin, Chance and I were the only ones that came here. Austin had Slice and Ghost go over to the hospital to keep an eye on Candy, Max is with Shawna, and Bone is with Abby while she visits Julia, Austin's mother. The rest of the old ladies were called and told not to come to the clubhouse. Since this is a threat to us, we are officially on lock down. It's strange knowing we were just betting on an MC not being real and it all being some elaborate scheme to get to our heads from Alberts, and now here we are not one hour later, trying to figure out who the hell the Rejects MC are.

"And this one's name is Pinkerston." Adrianna says as she hands Chance the small purple pony.

"I think this one is my favorite so far little one." Chance says as he smiles down at her.

"Mine too." Adrianna exclaims with glee.

Chance is a hard fucker to read. One moment he is acting like he is a lone ranger and hates the entire world, the next he is acting like a fuckin' family man. I'll give him this much, he's good with kids, and for that fact I am grateful. Seeing Adrianna again but knowing she was in danger because of us has me feeling too uncontrolled. My need to constantly be in control is pushed to its boundary and I don't know if it would be wise to be near her right now.

"And that's when I noticed it said Rejects MC and that he was the VP."

"Notice anything else about the guy? Piercings, tattoos, anything at all?"

"No, noting like that. He was good looking, the typical bad boy persona and everything. I would be able to spot him if I saw him, but he didn't have anything that made him stand out besides his cut."

His cut.

His fuckin' cut.

There is an MC. They are in our town, and they have made the worst decision of their life. They threatened us. They threatened someone who they assumed belonged to us. I don't take that lightly. I turn around just as Lyla is finishing up and take her in. She looks much calmer than she did when I nearly knocked her door down. Once I saw her pale face and smeared makeup from crying, I was a fuckin' goner.

"You did good babe. Don't think twice about it. We'll handle it from now on, but I think someone should stay with you. The only reason I don't move you two into the clubhouse is because I don't want to interrupt Adrianna's life." Austin explains becoming quieter when he notices Adrianna in the room, not far from where they are talking.

I look back over at the little girl that looks so much like her mom it's scary. Same green eyes, same smile, same crazed personality. The only difference is her hair. Lyla's is wild and sexily messy. Adrianna's looks like all those damn barbie dolls she has on that shelf I built for her in her bedroom.

I should have been there today. Should have seen the fact that Lyla's been around this club just as much as Candice has, and that someone could have easily been watching. After everything went down with Shawna a few months ago, I should have known it could be a possibility that something like this could have happened, but I was too stubborn to see it, too angry at what happened between us.

No more.

As I look around the room filled with distant memories of my short-lived time here, a smile reaches my cheeks. From cracking jokes with Lisa as she pillow talked with all her girls. Playing dollhouse with Adrianna even though I told her numerous times men don't play with dolls. Fucking Lyla against every surface of this house when Lisa would take Adrianna out for ice cream or for a play date. Each moment here was more perfect than the previous and looking around now, I see I took it for granted.

"She's an energetic one." Chance huffs out a breath as he stands and walks over to me.

Adrianna went over to her room to show Uncle Chance her newest elephant doll. This one is apparently more important than the other three she has. Before I could respond to his statement, Austin walks over to the two of us.

"Need one of you two to stay here. Don't trust whoever the hell did this. If they knew Adrianna's name, then have been following us. Lyla told me that she was merely a messenger, I have no doubt he knows where she lives."

"I'll stay." I say before Chance could have a word in. I look over to see him smirking at me and roll my eyes.

Yeah yeah fuckers, go ahead and make fun.

"Sure that's for the best brother? I don't want any more drama than what's been unfolding." I cross my arms and look back over at Austin.

"Don't plan on giving you any. I'll sleep on the couch. They need someone that will watch over them. I'll be that person without causing bullshit for the club."

"You're going to be living here Shane?" I hear from across the room and open my arms just in time to catch the little pixie. "I'm so excited, I'm going to show you all my new dolls and we can have slumber parties in the living room and eat smores like last time." Adrianna mumbles in my cut and I fight my smile that is contagious around this little girl.

"What?" Lyla says walking over as well. "He's who you want staying?" My eyes narrow on her, but I retract my statement that was on the tip of my tongue. I won't show Austin that I can't handle this assignment. No one would be there more than me and I wouldn't let any other brother sleep near where Lyla sleeps.

"Have to admit Ly. It's the best way. This way you could still go to work and leave Adrianna with someone that she trusts. Until we can put surveillance on the preschool, I would keep her out for a few days."

Lyla looks defeated as she takes Austin's words in, but she eventually nods her head in understanding. This isn't easy for her, having been threatened while her daughter was a mere five yards away, then forced to live with the man that nearly broke her apart. It's going to take its toll and happy go lucky Lyla may have to hold a seat behind the angered single mothered monster I turned her into.

"Fine, but if I get irritated with moody Collins over here, I want the ability to call you and have you come and get him and replace him with another brother. I won't be in my own house and be treated with disrespect." Austin nods his head then looks over to me with a warning glare.

I want to punch him in his teeth when he flicks his head for me to head over to the front door with him.

"You good with this?" He asks looking back over at Adrianna and Lyla having a conversation. Adrianna stares over at me and a bright smile graces her face. Fuck she's beautiful.

"Wouldn't be volunteering if I wasn't good with it brother."

"You know what I mean Shane. You two have a past but we cannot let that get in the way. You know your brooding ass gets angry quick and if you do anything in front of Adrianna, I'll personally come down here and kick your ass."

My vision goes from Adrianna and Lyla over to Austin. I glare at him but eventually nod. Deep down I understand what he means. I can't be a prick living in a house with females while I simultaneously protect them.

"Alright, I'll have Chance stay here while you go and get your shit. I'd leave your bike at home and take your mustang here. Anybody watching the house might not assume we've got protection on them, so make yourself known. Do yard work, hang out outside as much as possible. I want whoever the hell would threaten a fuckin' kid in my goddamn hands."

Nodding my head once more, I head back over to Chance and let him know the plan. I don't miss the way Lyla moves closer as well to no doubt get the just of the conversation. She's got a little girl to protect and once again thanks to our shit, we have an innocent in the mix. I'll have to make sure I'm upfront with her about everything.

"Gonna head back to my place with Austin. I'll pack up and trade in the bike for my car. You good here till then?"

"Yeah brother. I got them until you get back."

Adrianna runs over calling Chance over to her room to show him her Disney princess bed and I take the opportunity to approach Lyla. I can see Austin on the other side of the room on the phone. My guess is he is letting Candice know what is going on.

"So, you're really going to stay here?"

"That a problem?" I ask then pull in my anger. I can't get snippy with her. If she kicks me out for my dick attitude, I can't protect her and Adrianna. I need to keep my cool.

"No. Just making sure you'll be able to do it. It's not as easy as it used to be. Adrianna has school and I have work. Lisa is doing more and more off sites for work and that means."

"Got it babe. We've got a plan for everything okay? I won't let anything happen to you and promise to make sure your life isn't all fucked up because of this. Gonna head back over to my place and grab some stuff, I'll bring back the mustang and then we'll talk."

I watch as Lyla's eyes get a little hazy and a light blush catches her cheeks. She's remembering all the things we've done in my car as I am. Lyla's always loved my mustang and fuck do I love it a whole lot more because of that fact.

"Okay Shane." She breathes out and if it weren't for her daughter being just a room away, I would have claimed her lips with my own. I want this woman, I want to own every part of her body, but I can't. I won't put either of us through that again.

I head over to the front door that Austin is standing in front of and together we head to our bikes and go in opposite directions. He is most likely going to check in on his fianc¨¦ and I have a date with my suitcase.

It takes me almost forty minutes because of the traffic to get to my house. It's nothing special and I'm not here often, but it's something I bought the moment my ex-wife walked out on me. It's a three-bedroom bungalow with only one bath. It's a big fixer upper but it's home. So far, I'm half done with adding another bathroom and working on the back deck. I've always envisioned myself with a shitload of little ones running around so as much as I'm still a brooding single asshole, it's my goal to get the house ready for such a thing.

My phone rings, dragging me from my incomplete thoughts. I glance down and see Ronnie's number popping up once more. Shit, this woman went from never speaking to me, to not leaving me alone.

"What the hell do you want?" I answer feeling the irritation inside me seep through the holes.

"Shane, I just want to talk. I'm so sorry for everything that has happened in the past between us, but I thought maybe we could go somewhere and talk, just the two of us?"

"Like fuckin' hell. I've got nothing to say to you, so leave me the fuck alone and stop callin' me." I shout then hang up.

I don't know the reason she has begun calling me. It's been years of absolute silence and now she won't stop with the phone calls, but I've got too much going on right now to give too shits. My priority is not with my ex-wife.

I walk over to my room and grab a duffle bag out of the closet. I grab some clothes for a few days, not knowing how long I will be staying there. As I'm reaching up in my closet for a light jacket, a box falls and lands on the ground.

I glance at the box with hesitation. It's been years since I've seen the contents of what it inside this box and years since I have even thought about them. The deep red handles surround the brown worn-in wood. There are small scratches around the edges and I inspect them closer as I lift it up and place it on top of my bed. My mother brought this box to me a few days after my father's funeral. I was a lost teenager and hated everything about the club. I blamed them for a long time and hated them even more when I was forced to admit that my father had chosen his own destiny.

No one knows the reason between he and Snake having that fight that dreadful night. Crusher was the president at the time and gave me a promise to find out what happened to my father and extract revenge. When he and Bone went and spoke to Snake, I was expecting them to come back with his head, instead they came back with an empty promise and even more questions I would never get answers to.

I pull the lid off and glance down at the small belongings that made my father who he was. It wasn't much, and it brings me to despair knowing my father's life could be summed up within a box of items, but it was him. It was made Gunner Matthews who he was.

Mom was never the same after dad died. She went through man and after man blaming my father the entire time for leaving her with a thick-headed stubborn teenager that just wanted blood from the man that took everything from him. Mom hasn't changed much, still the same hollow woman that let any man come in and treat her however the hell he wanted. Dad was no saint, but he was better than the scum that crossed her path. Being big for my age was helpful because there were numerous times I had to show the assholes where the door was.

Dad's items are scattered around the small box. His cut that still has a dab of blood on it, some of his jewelry, and a sonogram that I had placed in here years after his death.

Anger courses through my mind at what broke Lyla and I apart. The lies and deceit from women have no limitation. I shake my head, knowing I've been away too long and put the box back into my closet. I head to my garage, making sure everything is locked up and approach my car. Before I could take off, I look around my surroundings. Having the feeling of someone watching you is something I'm familiar with, comes with the territory of being within an MC, but when I look around the neighborhood, I see nothing.

Shaking my head once more, I jump in my car and drive off.