Twist of Fate (Kings of Chaos 6)

“No.” I glance down at the bottle of whiskey in front of me. I was close, though. “We’re both willing to work at this until we get it right. There are no time limits.”

“What happens when you go back home?” she asks softly.

“One thing at a time, Xi. Breathe.”

She exhales, and the distance between us shrinks.

***

Xia is exhausted. After three weeks, we’re neck and neck with Sunny Side Eggery. Apparently, bacon and eggs is an irresistible combination. We’ve got one last shot at coming out on top and the week is going to be grueling. We’ve got one day to recoup.

Coming up behind her, I massage her neck. “You trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Come with me tonight.”

“What? No. I have way too much to do. The last thing I need to do right now is slack off. I have to come up with a plan.”

“Xia. You need to step away from this and regroup. Do you know what next week challenges will be?”

“No.”

“So stressing will do what?”

“I-I don’t. Make me feel like I’m doing something?”

“It’ll wear you down. No. You need a break, and I need to show you where I come from.”

She gasps. “San Mateo?”

“If you’ll come with me. I have someone I need you to meet.”

“You want to take me home?” Her countenance softens.

“Of course I do, baby. We’ve been pressed for time, but this feels like the perfect opportunity to get away. You and me on the bike under the moon. I’ll have you back in time for the contest on Monday morning, and you’ll be a hell of a lot more rested than you would be if you remain here.”

“Shayne—”

“No. You need this.” Burying my fingers in her hair, I pull her head back and stare into her pain-filled eyes. “You need me to take control and direct you? You’re burning yourself out. It’s time to take a step back. Do you want to learn about me? I’m giving you a front row seat to my past.” I bend down and nip her bottom lip. “You’re going to go home, pack a bag while I run home to change and fill the tank.”

She nods her head. “Okay.”

I kiss her soundly. “Good girl.” I pull back. “Now into the car you go.” I take the key from hand, unlock the vehicle, and help her inside the passenger seat. As I slip behind the wheel and pull out of the parking lot, I think, This is my shot. I feel like a teenage boy about to ask his crush to the school dance. I want her to see beyond the intimidating persona of bikers in leather breaking the law. We’re a family that always has each other’s back. Seeing them all show up for us last week reminded me of that.

I have been so focused on the negatives I lost sight of the things that more than make up for it. I need to separate my father from K.O.C. They’re working not only to right the wrongs done by their outdated by-laws that prevented other races from joining, but they’ve instated new laws that prevent the bigoted people from continuing with the club. I can take solace in that. I can’t expect to be forgiven if I can’t do the same. Time away was exactly what I needed to screw my head on straight.

She’s quiet during the ride. For the first time since the truth came out its comfortable, the way it used to be when we didn’t second guess what the other was feeling or try to fill up the hush. I can see her weariness as she closes her eyes and rests against the seat. I reach across and twine our fingers. Her acceptance of my help is the sign I’ve been searching for

that’s she’s willing to trust me again. I won’t be letting her down a second time.

Chapter Twelve

Xia

The farther we ride from L.A. the lighter I become. With the wind rushing past, and the solid man in front of me an unmovable anchor, I’m able to breathe again. He was right. I needed to take a step away. His uncanny habit of seeing what I can’t is infuriating and comforting. I rest my head against his back. I’m making a choice to trust him again. Being at odds is just too damn draining, and it only prolongs the inevitable if he’s not the man I thought him to be. Better to find out early on.

For now, I’m focused on the smell of leather and male and the feel of his lean frame. I’ve missed the closeness we shared, so I’m soaking up every moment we have. It’s a beautiful night for a drive. The moon is full, and the night is an inky black on the back roads he’s using to get us to San Mateo. I can make out the hills and curves in the silvery light. On a bike, you’re doing more than traveling from point A to point B. You’re a part of your environment.