He pulled back to sit up on his knees. With his hands gripping my hips, he worked them as he thrust hard in and out of me. Our bodies became covered with a sheen of sweat from our efforts. After a few minutes, he pulled me up to where I could wrap my arms around him. I was once again riding him in a way, but I loved it more because we were chest to chest and face to face.

It was wonderful coming with his eyes locked on mine, sharing in the emotions and feelings. Rev followed me a few seconds later. When he eased me onto my back again, I cradled his head to my chest. My fingers naturally went to the long strands of his hair. “So we’re engaged now,” I mused once we had finally caught our breath.

“Yep. I’ll need to get you a cut of your own that says ‘Rev’s Property’ on it.”

“You’re not serious?”

He raised his head up to grin at me. “I sure as hell am. Haven’t you seen them on the other women?”

“I haven’t noticed Alexandra wearing one.”

“I don’t think they come in maternity sizes.”

“What would you say if I said I didn’t think I liked the idea of wearing a cut?”

“I would say I would be very disappointed and sad that you didn’t want to share that part of my life.” His serious tone took me by surprise.

“It really means that much to you?” When he nodded, I sighed. The feminist in me wanted to tell him where he could shove his little “property of” patch, but then I realized that relationships were all about compromise. He might’ve been the president of an MC club, but he wasn’t the type of Neanderthal to demand things of me. I appreciated him for that. “If I only have to wear it within the compound, then I’ll be happy to.”

Rev’s face lit up. “You mean it?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Mmm, let me show you just how happy you make me.”

When his head dipped between my legs, it was him making me very, very happy.

TWENTY

ANNABEL

Things continued to speed along with absolute perfection for Rev and me. A few days before Christmas, we got our first tree together—hand cut by Rev himself from the woods behind the house. We spent Christmas Day at Mama Beth’s, where both Alexandra and I helped her prepare a huge feast. As I sat around the table so full of delicious food that I couldn’t breathe, I once again had to thank God that going through hell had led me to the most divine existence I could ever imagine.

As New Year’s Eve approached, Rev and his brothers were busy planning a huge party at the roadhouse. I found myself at home sitting around the tree while working on my admissions essay to the veterinary program at the University of Georgia. I had already talked to an adviser, who, after reviewing my transcripts and work experience, put me at ease about having missed almost a year of school after what had happened to me.

When Rev suddenly burst through the front door, I didn’t have to ask what he was doing home. His darkened expression told me something bad had happened. “What’s going on?” I demanded as I rose off the couch.

He didn’t even stop to look at me. From the kitchen he called, “I need to you pack up enough clothes and personal items for a week or two.”

I didn’t bother arguing with him that most of my possessions were still en route from Virginia. My parents were more than happy to have some of the maids box up my belongings.

As he blew around the house, snatching and grabbing things, my chest tightened with worry. “Rev, please talk to me.”

At my pleading tone, he set the items down on the kitchen table and turned to me. “The club is going on lockdown.” When I stared blankly at him, he asked, “Do you know what that is?”

“Like on campus if there was a threat of a gunman we were put on lockdown in classrooms until the police could get there?” I said.

He nodded. “It’s somewhat like that. When the club receives a threat, we go into protection mode where everyone comes together in the compound, including wives and children.”

My mind whirled as I processed what was happening. “If we stay within the compound, why can’t we stay here?”

“We just can’t risk it.”

“But why?”

Rev’s expression darkened. “Because the last time we thought our houses were safe, Case got blown up and killed.”

I didn’t have any response to that.

Once again, I remained rooted to the floor as I tried not to be overwhelmed with this aspect of Rev’s life. Then a thought came to me—one that made me shiver. “What was the threat?”

“Nothing you need to worry yourself with.”

When he refused to look at me, I closed the gap between us. “Rev, who did the threat come from?”

The moment his haunted eyes met mine, I knew. Mendoza. Rev’s involvement with my past had come back to haunt his club. His family. “Please tell me everything. We’ve been through too much together not to be honest with each other now.”

After jerking his hands through his hair, Rev sighed. “The El Paso Raiders’ clubhouse was attacked today and two guys were killed.”

I gasped in horror and felt sick. I couldn’t help thinking of the Raiders who had come to the hospital to see me. They had been so kind to me. “One of the ones we knew?”

Rev shook his head. I could tell our conversation was having an effect on him. He was becoming visibly rattled. “No. It wasn’t one of them.”

The relief I felt was fleeting. “How did they know it was Mendoza?”