I rode up the hill, the warm afternoon sun filtering through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the ground. The familiar path tugged at something deep inside me—nostalgia, maybe. As I crested the hill, I spotted a horse tied to a tree, and my heart squeezed in my chest. It was Everest's.

Déjà vu hit me hard as I dismounted, the memory crashing over me. I'd been here before—only that time, I was the one who had escaped to this spot, seeking solace by the water. I had been swimming in the pond, trying to forget the world for a little while, and Everest had been the one to find me.

I tied Selena up next to his horse, giving her a gentle pat before making my way toward the pond. My boots crunched softly against the grass and dried leaves, the sound barely carrying over the gentle rustling of the wind. But Everest wasn't swimming this time.

He was sitting at the edge of the old fishing dock, his boots off, jeans rolled up to his knees, feet dangling lazily in the water. A cigarette hung loosely between his fingers, a thin trail of smoke drifting lazily upward as he exhaled.

"Hey..." I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper as I eased down beside him.

He didn't look at me right away, just kept staring out at the water, the cigarette between his fingers burning down slowly. His jaw was clenched tight, and the quiet tension surrounding him was almost suffocating. I knew that look—like the weight of the world was pressing down on him.

"Hey." he murmured finally, his voice low and gruff, barely audible over the quiet lapping of the water against the dock.

"You okay?" I whispered back, nudging my shoulder lightly against his.

Everest didn't answer right away. Instead, he took another drag from his cigarette before tossing it into the water, watching as the embers fizzled out.

"Not really," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

I wanted to tell him it was okay to not be okay, to remind him that he didn't have to carry everything on his own. But before I could say anything, Everest turned to face me, and the raw emotion in his eyes knocked the breath from my lungs.

"Come here," he murmured, his voice rough with need.

Before I could think, he was leaning in, his lips crashing against mine with an urgency that made my head spin. His hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as if he needed me to breathe, to stay grounded.

"Everest..." I murmured, breaking away just enough to catch my breath. My hand pressed gently against his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart beneath my palm. "I'm just... I'm here for you. If you wanna talk, we can—"

"Not right now," he whispered, his forehead resting against mine as his eyes squeezed shut. His voice was barely a plea. "I just... I need this, Ava. I need you."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt the walls I had been holding up slowly crumble. I could see the pain he was trying to bury, the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface. He wasn't ready to talk. Not yet.

"Okay," I whispered softly, giving in as my lips found his again.

His kiss was desperate this time—needy and full of raw emotion. His hands roamed over my body, pulling me closer, as if the space between us was unbearable. I melted into him, feeling every ounce of tension in his body slowly unravel as his lips moved against mine.

We barely made it off the dock, our bodies tangling together as he laid me down on the soft grass, the warmth of the sun beating down on us. His hands explored me with a hunger that made my skin tingle, and when his lips trailed down my neck, I couldn't help but arch into him.

"You're mine, Ava," he murmured between kisses, his voice low and possessive. "Mine and no one else's."

I moaned softly as his mouth claimed mine again, his body pressing down on me in a way that made me ache for more.

"Say it," he breathed, his lips brushing against my ear, sending shivers through me.

"I'm yours," I whispered, my voice barely audible but filled with certainty.

His lips captured mine once more, and this time, there was no hesitation. Just raw, unfiltered need as Everest poured everything he was feeling into me. Every touch, every kiss, spoke volumes of the pain he was trying to escape—of the love he was too scared to put into words.

"Ahhh, Sin..." I moaned breathlessly, my voice barely recognizable as Everest's fingers worked their magic, slipping beneath my pants and finding exactly where I needed him most. My back arched, my nails digging into his shoulders as I tried to ground myself, but the sensation was overwhelming. I was losing control, my body responding to him like it was made for this.

His lips traveled down my neck, his tongue flicking and teasing as he sucked gently on the sensitive skin. Every kiss, every touch, was driving me closer to the edge, and I was powerless to stop it. His mouth found my nipple, and when he sucked softly, my body trembled, and I felt the heat building, ready to consume me.

I whimpered, my hips grinding against his hand, desperate for release. I was right there—so close I could taste it. But then... it stopped.

"Wha—" I whined, my eyes fluttering open, the sudden loss leaving me breathless and aching. But before I could protest, I saw him.

Everest was standing above me, a wicked smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it aside like it was nothing. His abs flexed, his body radiating heat and raw masculinity. My eyes followed his movements as he unbuckled his belt, his jeans hanging low on his hips.

"You ain't coming before me, baby," he murmured, his voice husky and full of promise, making my core clench in anticipation. "You're coming with me."

My breath hitched, and before I could respond, he reached down, gripping the hem of my shirt and tearing it down the middle like it was paper. The cool breeze danced over my bare skin, but the heat radiating between us made me forget everything except the way his eyes devoured me.

"Sin..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I lay beneath him, completely exposed.

"Look at you," he growled, his gaze raking over my body, dark and full of hunger. "So fuckin' perfect."

I barely had time to process his words before he positioned himself between my thighs, his tip brushing against my entrance, sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

"Sin, please..." I begged, my body already trembling with need.

And then, with one swift, powerful thrust, he was inside me.

"Oh, fuck!" I cried out, the sound echoing through the open field. My body arched off the ground, my hands flying to his back, nails digging into his skin as he filled me completely.

The stretch, the heat—it was almost too much. But it was exactly what I needed. Everest didn't move slowly, didn't ease into it. He took me like a man on a mission, thrusting deep and hard, each movement sending a shockwave of pleasure through my entire body.

"Fuck, Ava..." he growled, his lips crashing down onto mine, muffling the moans that spilled from my mouth.

He wasn't just fucking me. He was claiming me.

His pace was relentless, his thrusts deep and punishing, but I didn't want him to stop. I didn't need him to be gentle—I needed him to take all the pain, all the chaos swirling inside him, and pour it into this moment. And that's exactly what he did.

"You're mine," he growled against my lips, his breath hot as his pace quickened. "Say it."

"I'm yours," I gasped, my body tightening around him, the pleasure building again with each thrust.

"Louder," he demanded, his voice rough and possessive.

"I'm yours, Sin," I moaned, my head falling back as the pressure built to an unbearable peak. I knew that using his club name gave him a sense of power and control, and in this moment, that was exactly where his mind was. He wasn't Everest right now—he was Sin.

"Damn right you are," he growled, his hand gripping my thigh tighter, pulling me closer as he drove into me harder, deeper.

My body was on fire, every nerve ending alive and pulsing with pleasure. I was so close, teetering on the edge.

"Come with me, baby," he whispered against my skin, his lips trailing down my neck, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. "Come with me."

I couldn't hold back anymore. My body gave in, and the orgasm tore through me like a tidal wave, crashing over me with an intensity that left me gasping for air.

"Everest!" I cried out, my body convulsing around him as he drove me higher and higher. I couldn't help it.

"Fuck..." he groaned, his body shuddering as he found his own release, spilling into me as his lips claimed mine in a desperate, searing kiss.

For a moment, the world faded away. It was just us—raw, connected, and completely consumed by one another.

As our breathing slowed and our bodies relaxed, Everest didn't pull away. He stayed close, his forehead resting against mine, his fingers lazily tracing circles along my side.

And in that moment, I gave him everything I had. Every piece of me. Because no matter how broken he felt, I wasn't going anywhere.

I was his. And he was mine.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

By the time we rode back and put the horses away, Austin was already gone. I stopped by to sit with Mrs. Johnson for a few minutes, but Everest stayed outside. He couldn't bring himself to see her like that—so fragile and barely holding on. It was like he was already preparing himself for the inevitable, shutting down to avoid the raw emotion that would come with facing her condition. I didn't push him. I knew he was dealing with it in his own way.

When we finally made it back home, Everest went straight into the kitchen, probably needing a drink to clear his head. I, on the other hand, headed upstairs, stripping off my clothes as I stepped into the bathroom. A bath was exactly what I needed. My body was sore, and I was pretty sure I still had grass stains on my ass, a reminder of what had happened back on the hill. I smirked to myself at the thought, shaking my head as I turned on the water and let the tub fill.

The hot water felt like heaven as I slid in, letting it soak away the tension in my muscles. I leaned back, closing my eyes, and let out a long, satisfied sigh. The heat was soothing, and for the first time all day, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I grabbed my headphones from the counter, popped them in, and pressed play. The familiar hum of my favorite playlist filled my ears, drowning out everything else.

Minutes passed as I let myself get lost in the music, my mind drifting as the steam rose around me. The bathroom was a warm cocoon, and I felt myself slowly starting to relax. But that calm didn't last long.

A sudden chill crawled up my spine, cutting through the heat of the water. I blinked, opening my eyes slowly, and that's when I saw it.

A shadow.

My heart stopped.

There was a dark figure standing outside the window, barely visible through the fogged glass. For a moment, I couldn't move, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing. But then panic kicked in, and I ripped the headphones out of my ears.

"Everest!" My voice was shaky, barely above a whisper at first as I tried to convince myself I was imagining things. But when the figure didn't move, just stood there, watching, the fear hit me like a freight train.

"Everest!" I shouted louder this time, sitting up so fast that water sloshed over the edge of the tub. My hands fumbled to grab a towel, but I couldn't take my eyes off the window.

"Everest!" I screamed again, pure panic now taking over. I was slipping, trying to climb out of the tub, water splashing everywhere as I frantically reached for the edge. My pulse pounded in my ears as the figure remained still, unmoving.

"Avery!" Everest's voice echoed down the hallway, his footsteps pounding as he ran toward me.

"Avery!" Everest's voice echoed down the hallway, the urgency in his tone sending a wave of panic through me. His footsteps thundered toward the bathroom, and before I could even think, he burst through the door.

"What the fuck," he growled, his eyes immediately locking onto the window. His whole body tensed, his jaw clenched so tightly that I thought it might shatter. Without another word, he spun on his heel and stormed out of the bathroom.

"Everest!" I called after him, but he was already gone.

I scrambled to get out of the tub, water sloshing everywhere as I clutched the towel to my dripping body. My hands were trembling so badly that I could barely wrap the towel around myself. Heart pounding in my ears, I stumbled after him, my wet feet sliding against the tile as I rushed toward the bedroom.

By the time I got there, Everest was already at the nightstand, grabbing his gun. I watched as he loaded it with practiced precision, his face a mask of deadly focus.

"Lock yourself in the closet," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. His eyes met mine for the briefest moment, filled with a mix of fear and determination. "Now, Avery."

But I couldn't move. My feet felt like they were glued to the floor, and all I could do was stand there, shaking, as the weight of the moment crashed over me. My mind was screaming at me to do what he said, to run, to hide, but I was frozen.

"Everest," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Lock. The. Damn. Door." His voice was sharper this time, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes.

But before I could even force myself to move, he was gone, disappearing out the front door like a man on a mission.

A second later, the sound of a gunshot echoed through the air.

"Everest!" I screamed, my panic overriding any sense of logic or self-preservation. I didn't think—I just ran. My bare feet slapped against the cold ground as I sprinted out of the house, the towel barely clinging to my body as I stumbled toward the noise.

What I saw made my blood run cold.

Everest had a kid—no older than fifteen—pinned face-down on the ground. His knee was pressed firmly into the boy's back, and his gun was aimed directly at the back of the kid's head. The boy's face was contorted in fear, his eyes wide and full of terror as he squirmed beneath Everest's grip.

"Everest, stop!" I cried, my voice trembling as I stumbled toward them. "Please! He's just a kid!"

Everest didn't move. His jaw was clenched so tight I could see the muscle ticking in his cheek. His knuckles were white from how tightly he was gripping the gun.

"He was watching you, Avery," Everest growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Outside. In the damn window."

"I know," I said softly, my voice shaking as I knelt beside him, my hand gently touching his arm. "But look at him. He's scared. He's just a kid, Everest."

For a moment, Everest didn't respond. His breathing was ragged, his entire body coiled so tight I thought he might snap.

"Please," I whispered, my eyes pleading with his. "Don't do this."

Seconds felt like hours as I watched the internal war play out in Everest's eyes. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, his jaw unclenched, and his grip on the gun loosened ever so slightly.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his body finally relaxing just enough to pull the barrel of the gun away from the kid's head.

As the kid scrambled to his feet, I finally noticed the patch on the back of his worn leather jacket. My stomach dropped. The blood-red emblem was unmistakable—the mark of the Devil's Blood MC.

"Everest..." I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared at the jacket.

Everest's head snapped toward me, and his gaze followed mine. His entire body went rigid as he saw it too, the air between us growing thick with tension. His eyes darkened with barely restrained rage as he stood, towering over me and watching the kid disappear into the tree line.

"Call Austin," Everest ordered, his voice low but firm as he reached into his pocket and handed me his phone.

"Now."

My hands were still trembling as I took the phone, quickly pulling up Austin's number. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited, the ringing seeming to stretch on forever until Austin's voice finally came through.

"Yo, what's up?"

"Austin," I said, my voice shaky. "We've got a problem. A big one."

I didn't need to say more. Austin's tone immediately shifted, all traces of casualness gone.

"Where are you?"

"Home," I whispered. "Everest—he just—there was a kid...he had a Devil's Blood cut on."

"Fuck," Austin hissed. "I'm on my way."

________________

Less than an hour later, Everest and I were walking through the doors of the club, the tension inside so thick it was suffocating. The place was chaos. Brothers were scrambling, their voices overlapping as they relayed information, everyone clearly on high alert.

"They hit three houses tonight," I heard one of the guys mutter as we passed. "Tried to take out a couple of our guys while they were at home with their families."

"Same MO," another voice chimed in. "Snuck up in the dark. No warning."

The air was charged, filled with an unspoken understanding that things were about to get a lot worse before they got better.

I barely had time to process any of it before I spotted Brooke across the room, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she stood near the bar, looking completely out of place amidst all the chaos.

"Brooke!" I called out, relief flooding through me as I rushed over to her.

Her head snapped up, and the moment our eyes met, her face crumpled. I pulled her into a tight hug, feeling her body tremble against mine.

"What happened?" I whispered, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes.

"I was walking home from class," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wasn't even paying attention...I had my headphones in, and the next thing I knew, this guy was walking beside me."

My stomach twisted. "What did he say?"

"He was trying to get me to go with him," she said, her voice trembling. "Kept saying he just wanted to talk, that I looked familiar... I didn't think anything of it at first, but then I saw the jacket." Her eyes filled with tears. "It was Devil's Blood, Avery."

"Jesus..." I whispered, my grip tightening around her.

"I didn't know what to do," Brooke continued, her voice cracking. "But then, out of nowhere, Austin pulled up. I've never seen him so pissed. He beat the shit out of that guy, Avery. I thought he was going to kill him."

"Everest just almost put a bullet in a kid's head," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I leaned in closer to Brooke. We were both pressed as far back against the bar as possible, trying to stay out of the way of the chaos unfolding around us.

Brooke's eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and understanding. Her hand trembled as she lifted her beer, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the bottle.

"They must be recruiting the delinquents again," she muttered, her voice tight. "The ones who aren't completely strung out on crack and meth."

I nodded, my jaw clenched as I tried to process everything. Just when we thought we were past this nightmare, it was starting all over again.

I caught Bonnie's eye as she rushed behind the bar, her movements frantic as she tried to keep up with the steady flow of orders. She didn't hesitate when I waved her down, popping the cap off a bottle and sliding it in front of me before dashing off again.

Brooke let out a shaky breath, her voice quieter this time. "Austin took me back to the sorority house after it happened," she murmured. "Had me pack a bag and said we were gonna stay here for a while." Her eyes met mine, the fear and uncertainty clear. "I don't even know where we're supposed to stay, though. Our house is literally on club property, and Everest said it's not safe. Austin's got his old room now, so..."

Her words trailed off as we both instinctively glanced behind us, watching the chaos erupting around the club. The air was thick with tension, voices overlapping as brothers barked orders and cocked their guns. The talk was no longer about defense—it was about going on the offensive.

"They're done playing games," I whispered, my throat tight as I took a long swig of my beer. Brooke's gaze was fixed on the scene in front of us, her expression grim.

"Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the noise. I didn't need to say anything else. We both knew what came next.

We were on the brink of something far worse than any of us had prepared for.