I swallow over and over, unable to push the words from my head. He could love me. This can’t be right, surely there’s a mistake.

“You reactin’ like this ‘coz I said I’m fallin’ in love with you, yeah?”

I nod, feeling my eyes sting.

“Ain’t never had someone say that, and truly mean it, have you?”

I shake my head, and struggle to get a breath in.

“Well, I mean it, sugar, with everything I am. I don’t love easily, and I sure as shit don’t tell people when it’s happenin’. You’re different You’ve been different since the moment you walked into that compound.”

“That’s so cliché,” I say, then burst out into a fit of nervous giggles.

Cade chuckles, and leans down, kissing my lips softly. “Cliché I can do for you, sugar.”

“Now that’s love,” I whisper.

His green eyes scan my face, and then he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. We kiss softly for a long moment, just comforting each other in the only way we know how.

“Who is Ciara?” I ask when we finally pull apart.

“Ciara is Cheyenne’s sister.”

Oh. My. God.

“Why is she basically under the protection of the bikers?”

“Her and Spike don’t exactly see eye to eye. They have had more run ins then I can begin to count. She blamed him.”

“She doesn’t blame you?” I whisper.

“No. She thinks if Spike never married Chey, like they all wanted, then it wouldn’t have happened. He was warned away from her; he didn’t listen. Back then, Spike lived a far more dangerous life then he lives now. He was muddled up in some fucked up shit, and that’s how it ended for him.”

“And now Ciara hates him?”

“Ciara blamed him, but she doesn’t hate him. From what I know, Ciara had a massive crush on Spike before Chey came into the picture. Part of their issue goes back to that. The reason we protect her, is because when they start on each other, it’s hard to stop it.”

“Sounds complicated,” I murmur.

“It’s beyond complicated, sugar.”

I lay down on my pillow with a deep yawn. I’m exhausted and emotionally drained. Cade gives me a small grin, and leans down, brushing his lips across my head. “Get some sleep, yeah? I’ll be downstairs.”

“What?” I say, rubbing my eyes to stop them from closing.

“I’m not leavin’ you in a house alone when that crazy fucker is out there.”

“You can’t just sit downstairs and wait.”

He gives me a look. “Can’t I?”

“Cade…”

“Sugar…”

“Jackson will be home soon, I won’t sleep if you’re sitting down there alone.”

“Then I’ll sit here and watch you.”

“That’s creepy,” I grumble.

“Sugar, I’m fuckin’ stayin’. Now shut the fuck up, and get some sleep.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You know, you could say it nicely.”

“Nah, sugar. Only way that works with you is when I tell it how it is. Now close your eyes and sleep.”

“Yes, boss.”

He gives me a stern look, so with a sigh I close my eyes. I’m out before either of us can get another word in.

I guess I was exhausted.

PRESENT

There’s so much blood. It’s everywhere. I’m screaming, but no one can hear me. Why won’t anyone help me? I’m trapped. There’s so much blood I can’t find my way out. It’s everywhere. On the walls, on the floor, and the roof. God, I can’t escape it. I crawl, trying desperately to find a way out of this hell. I can hear screaming, high pitched, frightened. It’s filling my mind, burning into me. I shake my head from side to side. Please stop, just stop so I can get out.

“Snake, there you are.”

Jasper is suddenly in front of me, and at his feet is a dead woman. I scream at the sight of the gaping hole in her head. I can still hear screaming. It’s a man.

“Cheyenne!” the voice cries, and I realize it’s Spike.

The woman on the floor is Cheyenne, and the blood is hers. Jasper steps closer to me as I try to crawl away.

“I’ll find you, snake, and this will be you.”

God, help me, someone help me.

“Please, let me go!” I cry.

I bump into something, and I look down to see another dead body. It’s Cheyenne again. How did she get here? I scream, but no sound comes out. Suddenly, her face is my mother’s. Her skin is blue. She’s struggling to breathe. I scream, this time it’s ear splitting.

“Cheyenne,” Spike screams again.

“Snake, you’re mine,” Jasper growls. “I’ll kill you.”

I bolt upright, screaming. My hands frantically grab at the sheets. I can’t breathe. It hurts to even try. The door swings open, and Jackson comes running in, shirtless, sleep ruffled and waving a gun around.

“The fuck?” he roars.

I’m panting and sweating. The dream, it was awful. I wrap my arms around myself and I begin to cry. Jackson lowers the gun when he realizes there’s no one in the room.

“Addi?” he says gently.

“It was just a dream,” I croak through my tears.

“Ah shit,” he murmurs, walking over to the side of the bed and wrapping his arms around me. I fall into him, and I begin to cry harder.