It wasn't a question anymore. It wasn't just about him being out there, doing things that could risk everything we were supposed to be building together—it was about how he was choosing to distance himself from me. Again.

I couldn't keep doing this.

I couldn't live in this back-and-forth, this hot-and-cold situation where I was always left wondering. I couldn't keep carrying the weight of uncertainty while I was carrying his child. I was supposed to be building a future, but instead, I was the one left picking up the pieces—alone.

With a heavy heart, I made up my mind. I needed to get away. I needed space. I needed to stop letting myself fall into this endless cycle of hurt.

My fingers hovered over my phone before a thought crossed my mind. The beach house. It was far enough to clear my head, a place to breathe and think without Everest's silence pressing down on me.

Just as I started to pull up the directions, Brooke's name popped up on my screen, and I answered instantly.

"Hey girl," she said, her voice light.

"Hey..." I dragged the word out, and it was enough for her to pick up on something being wrong.

"Everything okay?" Her tone shifted, concern lacing her words.

I let out a heavy sigh, resting my head back on the seat as I drove. "Have you talked to Austin at all?"

This time, it was her turn to groan. "Not really. Right before I left for Saint Augustine about this job, he started this huge fight with me—out of nowhere. We were literally fine that night, and then he just flipped. We haven't really talked since. He keeps sending me weird texts like, 'Don't come back if you know what's good for you,' and random shit like that."

Everything was slowly piecing together in my mind, and I felt my stomach sink.

"Same with Everest..." My voice cracked as the words slipped out. "He cheated on me, Brooke. I walked in on him with some chick."

"WHAT?!" She screamed so loud I jumped in my seat.

"I hope you unleashed hell on that man," she said, dead serious.

"That's the thing. I didn't go crazy. I didn't flip out." My voice was softer now, sadness settling into my bones. "I'm more upset that everyone's hiding something from me—even Bonnie and Tequila. They acted all suspicious. And Ghost... they all keep telling me I shouldn't be around. And there were Devil's Blood guys there, Brooke." I rubbed my temple, my head pounding as I glanced around town. I couldn't help but notice how many bikes were out today—more than usual. It was like the town had been overrun by them.

"I don't know, girl," Brooke sighed. "But I'm staying up here, and you're more than welcome to join me. This is too much stress for you and the baby."

She was right. When I'd seen my aunt, she had warned me that my blood pressure was elevated. I needed to take it easy—especially now that I knew I was carrying twice as much.

"I know... I'm heading back to the house now. I'll go from there."

We said our goodbyes, but I didn't tell her about the beach house. As much as I trusted Brooke, I needed to be alone. If she knew where I was going, she wouldn't hesitate to tell Austin or Everest.

My mind wandered as I drove, and then I saw it. The tattoo parlor.

Stump's bike was parked right out front, and the "Open" sign was glowing. I didn't hesitate—I whipped the car into the parking lot and hopped out.

When I walked in, I spotted Stump hunched over, working on a woman's back. I cleared my throat, trying to get his attention.

"Uh... hey." I gave him a nervous smile and a small wave.

Stump set the tattoo gun down and rolled his chair around, his brows furrowed as he took me in.

"Avery? What are you doing here?" His tone was laced with confusion. Everyone seemed to be asking me that lately.

I cleared my throat again, trying not to fidget. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted it—the key to the beach house. The only reason I noticed it was because of the surfboard keychain that said Clearwater. It was the same key Everest had when we stayed at the beach.

"I just figured I'd stop by, see how you were doing since I was passing through," I said, nervously pacing around the room.

"I can't give you no ink with you being that far along," he said, standing up and telling the woman he'd be right back.

"Oh, yeah. No—I know." I waved it off, trying to keep my cool. "I was just wondering if you could maybe sketch something up... for the baby's birth flower. You know, when they're born." I tried to sound casual, but Stump wasn't buying it. He watched me carefully, probably knowing better than to take anything I said at face value after everything I'd put him through with Everest.

"Shouldn't you be talkin' to Sin about that?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

"He's been busy." I shrugged, flipping through a tattoo book, keeping my tone light. "I was just passing through. Nothing to do."

I continued pacing until I "accidentally" bumped into a box, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" I scrambled to pick it up, but getting on the floor was a struggle.

"I got it. Don't hurt yourself." Stump knelt down to clean up the mess, and that was my moment.

I snatched the key, stuffing it into my purse before standing up.

"It was really good to see you, Stump. I gotta get going." I forced a smile, backing toward the door.

"Wait—" he called after me, but I didn't stop. I gave him a quick wave before slipping out the door and jumping into my car.

I didn't waste any time. I sped back to the house, heart pounding in my chest. Once I got there, I moved quickly, packing a bag. Not that much of my clothes fit me anymore, so I mostly threw in Everest's T-shirts and hoodies.

I needed to get away. I needed space to think. And if Everest wasn't going to give me answers. I didn't say anything to him. I didn't leave a note, didn't text him to tell him where I was going. I just packed a small bag, threw it in the backseat of the car, and left.

I didn't owe him an explanation.

I slammed the car door shut, started the engine, and drove without looking back.

I wasn't sure how far I'd go, but I knew I couldn't stay here anymore, waiting for him to come back and decide he was going to choose me again.

So I drove.

And as I pulled away from the house, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the silence between us—and I realized, for the first time in a long time, it wasn't just Everest who needed to make changes. It was me, too.

I couldn't keep letting him control the pace of everything, especially not when I was about to bring a new life into this world. I needed to find my own way, and I had to do it on my terms.

As I drove, I realized I wasn't running from him—I was running toward something else. Something I hadn't had in a long time. Peace.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

EVERESTS POV:

Five Days Earlier....

The air in Ghost's office felt suffocating, thick with tension and the stale scent of cigars. I stood near the door, arms crossed, my jaw clenched tight. Ghost sat at his desk, his expression unreadable, but I knew he was just as pissed as I was. Across from him sat Maddox—the leader of the Devil's Blood. He lounged back in his chair like he owned the damn place, that smug grin plastered across his face, but his eyes... those cold, calculating eyes never stopped watching.

"Long time, Sin." Maddox's grin widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You've been quiet."

I said nothing, keeping my face blank. Ghost's fingers tapped against the desk, a slow, steady rhythm that echoed in the tense silence.

"We're not here for small talk," Ghost finally said, his voice low and steady.

Maddox's grin faded. "Straight to business then." He reached into his cut, pulling out a small baggie and tossing it onto the desk between us. The fine white powder inside caught the dim light, and my stomach churned.

Coke.

"What the fuck is this?" I asked, my voice low but laced with disgust.

"Sample," Maddox said casually, like he was offering candy. "Cartel shit. Pure." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his expression turning serious. "And I need your crew to help move it."

Ghost's fingers stopped tapping. The air grew even thicker.

"You know we don't touch that shit," Ghost said, his tone cold, but there was an edge of warning in his voice.

"Guns, yeah," I added, my voice sharper than I intended. "But not this."

Maddox tilted his head, that damn smirk creeping back onto his face. "Maybe it's time to change that." His gaze hardened. "Because if you don't? I'll make sure the DEA and every cop from here to Mexico knows about the Sons' side business."

My blood turned ice-cold.

"The guns," Ghost murmured, barely above a whisper.

Maddox nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Yeah. And I'm guessing your club wouldn't survive that kind of heat."

I kept my face neutral, but inside, everything was spinning. The Sons of Silence had always been careful—keeping our gunrunning business tight, clean, and off the radar. But Maddox had intel. Enough to burn us to the ground if he wanted to.

"And if we help you?" Ghost asked, his voice tight.

"Then your club stays clean." Maddox's grin returned, but there was nothing friendly about it. "Simple as that."

I felt my jaw tighten, my fists itching to hit something—or someone.

"Why now?" Ghost asked, his tone clipped.

"Expansion," Maddox replied, shrugging. "The cartel's been generous, but that generosity comes with expectations. We need reliable hands on this side to handle distribution. And whether you like it or not..." His eyes settled on me, a glint of amusement in them. "You boys fit the bill."

My gut twisted. This wasn't about business. This was about leverage. Maddox didn't just want our help—he wanted control.

"Take a hit," Maddox said suddenly, pushing the bag closer to us.

My eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Try it." He leaned back again, smirking. "Show me you're serious."

Ghost and I exchanged a look. His jaw clenched, and I could see the same disgust I felt mirrored in his eyes. But we didn't have a choice. Refusing now would make us look weak—and weakness wasn't an option.

Ghost went first, dipping his pinky into the powder, rubbing it on his gums. His face stayed neutral, but I could see the tension in his shoulders.

My turn.

I did the same, the bitter taste burning the back of my throat and making my stomach lurch. I hated this shit. I didn't do drugs. Never had. Never would. But this wasn't about me.

Maddox looked satisfied. "Good boys," he murmured, that grin back on his face. But my mind was already somewhere else.

This wasn't just about drugs. Maddox had the club by the balls, and now he was pulling the strings. One wrong move, and he'd burn us to the ground.

I had to play this smart. And more than that—I had to keep her out of this.

Avery.

Maddox didn't know about her. Didn't know I was about to be a father. And I intended to keep it that way.

If he ever found out—if he realized I had something that could be used against me—Avery would become a target.

And I wasn't going to let that happen. I had to protect her. Even if it meant keeping her in the dark. Even if it meant pushing her away. Because if Maddox ever found out just how much she meant to me...

It would be open season. I wouldn't let that happen.

Not ever.

____________

Present day...

I hadn't been home in days.

Every night, I found a reason to stay at the club—burying myself in work, drinking until I was numb, or losing myself in meaningless conversations. Anything to avoid going home. Anything to avoid her.

Avery.

She'd know.

The moment she saw me, she'd see straight through the bullshit. She always did. Those eyes of hers could cut through the toughest armor, and I couldn't let her see me like this. Not now. Not when everything was falling apart, and I was barely keeping it together.

But I hadn't left her completely.

Every morning, when I could pull myself out of this damn haze, I checked on her. Quietly. Making sure she was okay. I watched from a distance—making sure she was safe. Safe from Maddox. Safe from this mess.

But today...

Today felt different.

I hadn't slept. Not really. I was running on fumes, and by the time the sun came up, I was still wide awake, the weight of everything pressing down harder than ever. I needed air. Needed to get out of my own damn head.

I headed downstairs, hoping to clear my mind, but the moment I stepped into the common room, my stomach dropped.

Maddox was there.

Sitting at the bar like he owned the damn place, that smug grin plastered across his face. Ghost stood nearby, arms crossed, looking as tense as I felt.

"Sin." Maddox's voice was smooth, too damn smooth. "Just the man I was hoping to see."

I stayed where I was, jaw clenched, already feeling the headache creeping in. "What do you want."

His grin widened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the bar. "I've been thinking," he said, his tone casual but laced with something darker. "About this partnership of ours."

My body tensed. "Partnership?" I echoed, not liking where this was going.

"Yeah." Maddox's eyes gleamed with something that made my blood run cold. "See, the way I see it... the Sons of Silence have a name. A reputation. Clean. Respected." I didn't say anything, but I could feel Ghost's eyes on me.

"The Devil's Blood?" Maddox shrugged, his grin fading. "We've got power. Connections. But we don't have the respect you boys do."

I clenched my jaw, already seeing where this was heading. "So here's what I'm thinking," Maddox continued, his tone smooth but deadly. "We merge. One club. Under one name."

I felt my heart drop.

"Devil's Blood takes the lead, of course," Maddox added, that damn smirk creeping back. "But to everyone else? It'll look like we took over the Sons."

"No," Ghost said instantly, his voice sharp and filled with warning. Maddox's eyes flicked to him, but he didn't look concerned. He was too damn confident.

"Think about it," Maddox said, his gaze shifting back to me. "With both clubs under one banner, we'd be unstoppable. No one would dare cross us." I said nothing. My mind was spinning, trying to think of a way out of this mess.

"And while you think on that..." Maddox's smirk deepened as he turned his head slightly. "I've got a little something to keep you entertained." That's when I saw her.

Trish.

Tall, blonde, and dressed in barely anything. She sauntered toward me, her lips painted blood-red and her eyes locked on me like I was her next meal.

"This is Trish," Maddox said, his voice dripping with amusement. "One of my girls." His grin turned wicked. "Why don't you give her a spin while the adults talk?"

My stomach turned, but I didn't react. Not on the outside.

"Trish," Maddox added, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Show Sin a good time."

I barely heard her purr some response.

I was on autopilot, my body moving, but my mind was miles away. Maddox was testing me, pushing to see how far I'd go. And I was too damn exhausted—too far gone—to think straight. I didn't want this.

Didn't want her.

But I was already slipping, the hit I'd taken earlier still buzzing in my veins. I'd told myself I wouldn't get dragged into this shit, but now? I could feel the haze pulling me under again, dulling the sharp edges of everything.

I let Trish press against me, her hands wandering, but I barely registered it. My mind was somewhere else.

Avery.

I kept seeing her face. Her smile. The way her eyes lit up when she talked about the baby.

Our baby.

Guilt burned in my chest, but I was too numb to feel it fully.

I was spiraling.

And then...

"Wake the fuck up!" I felt the sting before I registered anything else. A sharp smack across my face that jolted me out of the haze I'd been drowning in.

My head was pounding, my mouth dry as sandpaper, and the stale taste of whiskey coated my tongue.

"What the fuck..." I mumbled, my hand flying to my cheek as I blinked, trying to focus.And then I saw her.

Avery.

Standing in front of me, eyes wide, her face pale.

No.

Fuck.

"Avery?" My voice cracked, my brain still trying to catch up, trying to figure out if this was real or some sick nightmare. But the look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.

It was real.

The hurt in her eyes was enough to gut me right then and there. "You really doing this?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it hit me harder than any punch ever could.

I tried to blink the haze away, but I couldn't escape the truth staring me in the face. "Avery..." I whispered, but my voice was rough, slurred, and I hated myself for it.

And then I saw it. The way her nose wrinkled, her expression shifting as she caught the scent on me. "I told you to stay home," I mumbled, trying to get my bearings, but even I heard how pathetic it sounded.

Her eyes widened, and I knew right then—I'd fucked up. "Actually, Everest," she snapped, her voice cracking as her emotions bubbled over, "you haven't told me shit!" The sound of my name on her lips like that made my chest tighten.

Sin. That's all I was to everyone. But to her... to her, I was Everest. And I was ruining everything.

"Everyone's been so fucking secretive—Ghost, Teagan, you—and for what? To protect me from this?" Her hands flew up, her voice rising as the weight of everything crashed down on her.

I sat there, frozen, my head spinning as I watched her pace back and forth. "You know, Everest..." Her voice softened, but that only made it worse. Her pain was seeping into every word, cutting me deeper than any blade ever could.

"I'm starting to think you're only doing this because of the baby."

Her voice cracked.

"Maybe..." She swallowed hard, and I saw the tears she was trying to blink away. "Maybe you don't love me anymore."

No.

My heart clenched so damn tight it hurt. "Avery..." I barely got the words out, but she didn't stop.

She looked up, her eyes glistening, staring at the ceiling like she was holding herself together by a thread. "I'd fucking die for you." The words came out before I could think. Raw. Desperate. The truth.

I moved closer, my hand pressing gently against her belly. "For you and our kid." Her gaze dropped to where my hand rested, but the moment was shattered by the bitter reality of the situation.

Her body tensed, and I saw it. The way her eyes dulled. "But you don't love me." She whispered it so softly, I almost didn't hear it.

My heart dropped.

My hand fell away, and before I even realized what I was doing, my fingers were around her throat. Not to hurt her—never—but to pull her close. To make her see me. "I'll fucking love you until the day I die, Avery King."

The words were slurred, but the truth was there, buried under the mess I'd become. But it wasn't enough. Because she saw right through me.

"So you cheat on me?" Her voice trembled, but it was the strength in her eyes that ripped me apart.

"With that?" I didn't have to look to know who she was talking about.

Trish.

She was still standing there. Arms crossed. Fucking smirking. My stomach turned, but I couldn't look away from Avery. "How long did you think our perfect little life was going to last, Avery?" The words came out colder than I intended, but I didn't stop them. I couldn't.

Her eyes widened, her body going still, but I kept going. I had to. "This is who I am," I said, my voice steady, detached—like I was stating a fact she should've known all along. "A deranged biker who kills, drinks, and fucks. You really thought you could make me a family man?"

I saw the pain in her eyes, the way her face crumbled... and it tore me apart. But I didn't let it show.

Not now.

Not when this was the only way to keep her safe.

Hate me, baby. Hate me so you'll stay the fuck away.

I kept my expression hard, my jaw clenched as I forced myself to hold her gaze.

Because if I cracked—even for a second—she'd see right through me. She'd know I was lying. "No, Everest," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, but the hurt in her tone was deafening.

"I didn't expect you to change." Her eyes met mine, and for a moment... I saw it. The love. The hope. It was still there, burning even when I was doing everything I could to snuff it out.

"But I did expect you to be honest with me," she said softly, her voice steady even as her heart shattered. "I expected you to be loyal."

Her words hit harder than any bullet ever could, but I swallowed it down, burying it under the weight of the choices I had to make.

It's for her. For the baby.

If I let her stay... if I let her see what was coming... They'd take everything from me. From us. And I couldn't let that happen. So I stayed silent.

I clenched my jaw, forced my expression to stay cold, and didn't say a damn word.

I watched as her eyes filled with tears, her lips trembling as she searched for something in me—anything that told her I was lying.

But I gave her nothing. Because I needed her to walk away. And then she did.

She turned without another word, her head held high, but I could see it—the way her shoulders shook.

And I just stood there. I didn't stop her. Didn't say a damn thing.

Because if I had...

If I had said one word—if I had begged her to stay—

I wouldn't have been able to let her go.

And if she stayed, they would've destroyed her. So I let her leave. Even though it felt like I was ripping my own fucking heart out. Because once this was over—once I cleaned up this mess—I'd fix everything.

I'd get her back.

I'd make it right.

But right now...

She had to hate me.

It was the only way to save her.