Ruthless Hold (Back Down Devil MC #9)(54)

“Ripper had been saying things about Miller,” Jenn said. “He was filling the guys heads with bad information. Every time there was a shooting, a fight, an attack, Ripper would point to it. Your war from a year ago was a big deal to Ripper. I know it’s been quiet around your charter…” Jenn looked at Trev. “Ripper has been making it clear that he’s been watching Miller and sees something bad on the horizon. He’s pulled reports that show people talking to the police about Back Down Devil MC. I can tell you this though, the men at that table are fiercely loyal to the cut. Not to the man behind the cut. I think they all know something is wrong, they just don’t know where.”

“This is our shot,” Trev said. “To fix a problem. A problem that could end up with all of us dead if we don’t act. Beautiful, I think Ripper was the one who set up that attack on you. The tattoo shop. Having some of his other crew digging around for money.”

“How did he know about me?”

“Maybe he was on the look,” Trev said. “With Griffin gone. You didn’t show up at the club, did you?”

Eden shuddered. “No.”

“Don’t feel guilty, sweetie,” Jenn said. “You followed your heart when you needed to. That takes guts. You’re safe here and this can work.”

“Listen,” Trev said. “I go up there, running outlaw. I make it clear that Jenn came down to Frelen. That will piss him off. I can turn him in a second, Eden. I can twist him up. He’ll slip. He’ll f*ck up. And then we have the truth and we can take action.”

“Action,” Eden said. “Your version of justice.”

“Exactly,” Trev said.

“You’re going to kill him.”

“There’s no other choice,” Jenn said. “Look what he did to me. This has been years of it.”

Eden looked right at Trev. “What if you get killed?”

Then there was silence. Nobody responded to the question.

Eden started to cry.

Bad enough she had been forced into this life, she now had to face the possibility of losing someone she loved.

Her mother went to her side and rubbed her back. “It’s what we all do, sweetie. We all know the risk of survival. I’m sorry it has to be this way.”

Trev came forward. He took Eden’s hand and kissed it. “I’m not going to get killed.”

“You can’t promise me that.”

“Of course I can’t. But I’m not going up there with that f*cking thought in my head. And you’re not going to wait down here thinking the same. You’re going to spend time with Jenn, your mother. You’re going to wait for me. And I’m going to come back and this club is going to be on the right path again. No bullshit here. No bullshit up north.”

“Who’s going to run the club then?” Eden asked.

Trev smiled. He touched Eden’s cheek. “I don’t know and I don’t care. That’s up to Miller and Gaige to decide. Maybe he’ll move Gaige up north. Maybe he’ll give the patch to someone up in Daurian that’s worthy. Jasper, maybe. That’s not my problem. I promised Miller I would be on the front line for this thing.”

“Send someone else!” Eden cried out. “You’ve done enough.”

“Eden,” Jenn whispered.

“No,” Eden said. She broke away. “Fuck you. You’re not my mother. You abandoned me. You couldn’t even stand up for yourself!”

Eden ran from the kitchen, a fiery anger in her heart. She ran toward the bedroom and tried to slam the door. Trev was there, catching the door.

“Go away,” Eden said.

“That I won’t do,” Trev said.

“That’s exactly what you’re going to do. You’re leaving me.”

Trev stepped up behind Eden. He put his hands to her hips. His body touched hers. She was still angry, but his touch was soothing. Very soothing.

“I’m the only one who can do this,” Trev said. “I’ve been outlaw before. It makes sense. Everyone knows I’m a transplant. Everyone knows I’m a hot head. Anyone else it looks funny. With me, I can sell it. I will sell it. I’m doing this for the MC. For you and me, beautiful. I’m also doing it for your parents. Okay?”

Eden looked back at Trev. “Why?”

“Because if someone told me I couldn’t love you the way I want, I wouldn’t want to live. Yet that’s what happened to Griffin and Jenn. And they created life and had no real choice but to give you up to protect you. I want to avenge that feeling. I don’t believe for a second that Griffin was trying to hurt the club. I want to clear his name and I want Ripper to suffer for all he’s done.”

Trev slid a hand around to Eden’s stomach. She put her hand to his. “Trev, it’s so dangerous.”

“Everything in life is dangerous. Falling in love with you is dangerous. I’m not afraid of danger, beautiful. I’m not afraid of falling in love with you either. Your mother needs you right now.”

“I said some bad stuff to her.”

“So what? It’s just words. Prove your actions. That’s what I’m doing.” Trev kissed Eden. “I have to go to a meeting. Then I’ll be back.”

“Trev, when is this happening?”