Cal

Prologue

His palm itched as he sat parked outside her apartment building, willing her to appear. Just glimpses of that long dark hair and tight little body were about all he got lately. Those damn bikers and their bitches she’d been hanging out with kept her close—too close. She was his. Her and the boy.

She’d been a very bad girl, running out on him. She thought she could take his son from him? That she could up and disappear without him coming to claim her?

She was in for a rude awakening.

His breath caught when he saw her car appear out of the parking garage. He could see enough to confirm she still wore the cast she’d had for the last few months.

Sure, he may have had to put her in her place a time or two, but with him she’d never broken anything. Couldn’t she see she was safer with him?

He had to get her away from these people and this town. He had to make her see.

She was his. She’d always be his.

With that thought in mind he started his engine to follow her as he had been for the past several weeks, ever since he’d tracked her to Hawthorne.

He was content to bide his time; she’d be worth it in the end. And their time together? It was coming.

Soon.

Chapter 1

Spring was in full bloom in Hawthorne, Nevada, as I drove up the windy mountain road lined with pine and rugged landscape. After a colder than normal winter, spring was a perfect reprieve before the blistering heat of summer set in.

Being from New Mexico and after living in Texas, the heat and I had learned to coexist. At least the Nevada heat was dry. It was nothing like the humid summers of Texas where your clothes clung to you within seconds of leaving your house. I shuddered at the mere thought of that state, for more reasons than one.

I pulled up the gravel driveway that led to Sophie’s house, where hopefully Mason was up from his nap. After a difficult meeting with my divorce lawyer, I was eager to set eyes on my son.

The front door swung open as I was getting out of the car. Sophie stood with her son, Maddox, poised on her hip, balancing him alongside her pregnant belly. Hi Jilly. Bubs is still sleeping. She smiled warmly, referring to Mason, as I followed her inside their beautiful house.

I nodded as Axel strolled in, his large frame taking over any room.

Much like another biker I knew.

Hey, he greeted before his eyes narrowed on his wife. Baby, how many times have I told you to let me carry Mad? he demanded in his typical overprotective fashion.

She bit back a smile, used to his antics. I can carry him, she assured him. Honey, I’m pregnant, not crippled.

Axel made a growling noise and reached for his son without further comment. I smiled. I was so happy that my friend had such a good man in her life.

I heard Mason’s babble from the guest room and headed in that direction.

He was standing in his Pack ’n Play, his dark hair mussed from sleep and eyes wide with excitement.

At over a year old, Mason was a toddling, babbling ball of sweetness and quite the handful. He squealed in greeting when he saw me, music to my ears.

I grinned. There was nothing like seeing my little man to turn an otherwise shit day around.

Hi, sweetie. I bent over and picked up his stout little body, awkwardly cradling him against the cast that had covered my arm for what, at that point, felt like forever.

I kissed his neck, my favorite spot, and carried him out to the living room where Axel sat with Maddox on the carpet and Sophie was bustling about in the kitchen. Thank you both so much. I’m gonna take this guy home.

Sophie shot me a worried look. Wait, aren’t you tired? Do you want to stay for dinner? You could sit and put your feet up for a while.

I offered her a tired smile. I’m fine, I assured her.

You’re stubborn, is what you are. She reprimanded me in the loving way only a best friend could.

I’m also fine, I repeated with a laugh, looking at Axel in hopes he’d rescue me.

She’s all right, baby, he soothed his wife.

I shot him a grateful look and reached for Mason’s diaper bag.

Axel made his way over to me, halting my progress. Let me help you, he rumbled in his deep voice as he reached out to take Mason and the diaper bag.

My spine stiffened. You guys just watched Mason for hours. I can manage, I replied quietly.

In the time that I’d lived in Hawthorne, I couldn’t possibly measure the amount of help they’d given me both emotionally and financially. On top of frequently taking care of Mason, they were paying for my lawyer.

Sophie and Axel were one piece of an overwhelmingly helpful network of support I received from the friends I’d made since moving to town. Friends who were more like family.

Axel stooped low, his intense gray eyes staring down at me. "Jill, I’ll remind you what I tell you every time you pull this shit. When I wasn’t there and Soph had Maddox on her own—you were there. You took care of my son. You were a friend and support system for Sophie when she didn’t have anyone. Words will never convey my gratitude. You’re a part of our family whether you see that or not."

I swallowed hard, unable to speak.

And, he continued forcefully, who was there when that shit went down with the Black Riders and Sal got shot? Shit, you rebroke your arm taking care of him and everyone else. He rumbled, his eyes on my cast. Don’t ever think this just goes one way. Sure, we help you out. But you’ve given beyond measure to each of us. He stood to his full height, his hand outstretched toward my bag. Now, let me carry your goddamn bag.

I knew better than to argue when Axel went into growly rant mode.

Sophie laughed at my expression. It’s how he operates, you know that. You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? she asked again.

I shook my head. Thanks, but I’ve got some errands to run. I’ll call you tomorrow.

She nodded as Axel followed me out to the car with Mason and my bags in tow.

You sure I can’t go with you tomorrow? she called.

After twelve long weeks, I was finally due to get my cast off the next day.

I shook my head. I’m good. Thanks.

Let us know if you need us. I mean it, Jill, Axel said firmly once he’d strapped Mason in to his car seat.

I will, thanks, I agreed.

I drove home thinking about what Axel had said. I knew I’d been a good friend to Sophie and to the club. Being a nurse had come in handy on more than one occasion, being that the majority of my friends had husbands or boyfriends who belonged to the Knights Motorcycle Club. They kept themselves out of harm’s way for the most part, but on the occasions where they’d needed stitching up or worse, I’d been eager to help.

But Sophie was right. I was stubborn. It was important to me to stand on my own two feet, to do things on my own. After five years married to Tim, it was important to me to prove that I could.

I glanced at Mason in the rearview mirror. His big, intelligent brown eyes watched the landscape shoot past. Hawthorne had become home, the only one he remembered. It was a place of new beginnings.

Our future looked bright, if only I could let the past go.

Chapter 2

The low hum of the saw cutting through my cast sounded in the otherwise quiet room as Dr. Peters, a doctor I’d worked with frequently in the ER, removed my cast.

He split the plaster open, revealing pale but blissfully cast-free skin underneath.

I sighed with relief.

Feel good? He smiled kindly.

I nodded gratefully, holding my wrist gingerly. How long before I can get back to work?

I’d been on disability for weeks and desperately needed to get back to work.

A few more weeks, he answered, pushing his glasses further up his nose. You could risk reinjury here, Jill. It’s crucial you take it easy. Wear your brace every day. Do the physical therapy exercises that we talked about. I don’t want to put you in a cast again.

I groaned. That was the last thing I wanted. The last few months had been hell trying to take care of Mason on my own. My friends had been lifesavers, but there was only so much help I was comfortable accepting.

As a single mother it was important to me to establish our family, the two of us. Even when I’d been married, I’d taken care of Mason on my own most of the time. Now being free of that life, even though I was alone, was a hell of a lot easier than bracing anytime Tim walked through our door.

If you take it easy you should be able to come back in two to three weeks, Dr. Peters continued. We miss you around here. You’re a hell of a nurse.

I smiled gratefully. Thanks, Bill. I miss it. I promise to take it easy so I can get back to it.

How did it go?

The text from Sophie pinged as I was walking out to the parking lot.

Good. Free at last!

Awesome! The girls and I are at Dixie’s, why don’t you swing by?

Sounds good. I’ll pick up Mason from day care and be right over

See you soon. XO

I had my eyes to my phone as I made it to my car. I saw his boots first, crossed at the ankle. I looked up in surprise into the eyes that made my entire body hum in response.

Cal Jackson.

From the moment I’d first met Cal, I’d been completely overwhelmed. As president of the Knights Motorcycle Club, he was well-known, and depending on who you talked to, feared or revered in the town of Hawthorne.

It wasn’t fear that made my heart quicken every time I saw him.

With his strong build, startling blue eyes, and soft, full lips, the man was gorgeous.

I wasn’t sure exactly how old he was but I guessed somewhere in his mid to late forties. He had at least ten years on me, but his age did nothing to squelch his good looks. If anything it had the opposite effect.

He had a presence that owned any room he walked into and every available woman’s heart along with it.

Including mine, if it hadn’t been caged.

The man was a force of nature and I was in no place to weather that type of storm.

My heart thudded painfully in my chest as I fought the realization that I’d missed him.

I was careful about not asking too much about him. Sophie and the girls were all like rabid dogs when it came to Cal and me, wanting us to get together with a desperation I was more than daunted by. So I didn’t ask. Instead, I listened. What little I’d gleaned from careful eavesdropping was that he’d been in Las Vegas helping the Sinners, a club the Knights were close with, open a new chapter. The one abandoned since the Riders had been wiped out, a decimation I’d been closer to than I would have liked.

Hi, darlin’, he greeted, his voice a familiar deep rasp as he pushed off from my car, drawing close, leaving mere inches between us as he peered down at my face.

Hi, I replied, proud that my voice came out strong and firm without the tremor I felt in every cell of my body. What are you doing in town? I mean, er, here, I amended quickly.

His smile was nearly predatory as his gaze slid from my lips back to my eyes. How’d you know I wasn’t here? he challenged with a tilt of his head.

Dammit.

He took a step closer. You keeping tabs on me, babe?

I felt the blush that heated my cheeks but remained silent, determined not to give him the satisfaction of a reply.

He smiled knowingly, as though he could read my mind. His gaze tracked my face as though memorizing my features. Why am I here? he repeated my question, his eyes burning into mine. Well, I came to check on things.

Did I imagine the insinuation that I was one of those things?

I was suddenly all too aware that I was dressed in yoga pants and a tank, with my long dark hair thrown up in a haphazard bun, and winced at my dowdy appearance.

How’d you know I was here? I asked curiously.

Cal leaned casually against my car once more, his muscular arms folded across his chest, his gaze blazing against my skin as he assessed me. His eyes drifted over the plane of my face before landing a beat longer on my lips as he smiled. I asked Axel when you were getting your cast off.

The fact that he’d gone to the trouble sent a ripple of pleasure down my spine.

We stared at each other, that familiar chemistry lighting between us. I looked away, purposely breaking the spell. When I had the nerve to look at him again, a slow grin had spread across his handsome face.

What? I demanded, frustrated by the blush betraying my emotions.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he turned his attention to my arm. He reached out and ever so gently took my wrist in his large hand. His warmth encircled the bone as his thumb swept over my skin.

Does it feel okay? His voice was a deep rasp as he eyed my arm with concern.

I had to clear my throat before I was able to answer him. Yeah, it’s fine.

He looked up at me, his eyes blazing with a heat I was afraid to process. Where’s Mason?

My heart softened at the mention of my boy. He always asked about Mason and when given the chance seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with him.

At day care.

You need help with him while your arm heals up?

I shook my head. I’m fine.

If I had a fucking nickel for every time you said that, I’d be a rich man. He chuckled without humor. He stooped low to meet my gaze. I’m a patient man, darlin’. His voice was low and throaty as he peered into my eyes. But every man has his limit.

I let my gaze slip from his, overwhelmed by his intensity. It wasn’t the first proclamation of the sort he’d made.

The silence stretched between us and he growled in frustration. He sign the papers? he asked bizarrely.

I stared at him in confusion.

Jill, your bastard ex, he sign the papers? he demanded.

I shook my head, wishing I had a different answer to give him. Not yet.

Fuck, he clipped, looking to the side, appearing to fight for some sort of control. When his gaze returned to mine I saw a determination there I’d never seen in him before. Done waiting, babe. I’ll see you soon.

I watched in shock as he stalked to his motorcycle and threw a muscular thigh over it, revving the motor to life.

What in the hell?

****

Look who’s free and clear of plaster! Piper called when I walked into Dixie’s half an hour later, holding Mason with my good arm.

I grinned.

Piper owned Dixie’s, the cutest boutique in town, which had become a hangout of sorts for my friends and me. She was also engaged to a Knight member, Ryker. Dixie’s was often a better option than hanging out at the club, which had been the previous go-to spot—as far as I’d been told, anyway. I’d avoided the club for more reasons than one.

Connie, who was married to Wes, another member, reached up to take Mason out of my arms. Come here, Bubs, let Mama rest.

I sank gratefully into one of the comfortable couches Piper had in the store, for once accepting help without resistance.

Have you heard from him? Connie asked quietly.

She didn’t have to specify who she was talking about, all the girls inquired about Cal on a regular basis.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I didn’t dare, for fear of my very hormonal friend. Why on earth everyone was so interested in my love life, or lack thereof, was beyond my comprehension.

I may have, I said vaguely. I bit back a groan at the look of pure joy that lit all their faces at this news. You guys need to give it up already. We were never... anything. He’s been in Vegas, I’m sure he’s got a woman down there—or a few, I added. Even I heard the indecision in my tone.

I seriously doubt it, Jilly. Connie shook her head. You could never see it. The rest of us,—she gestured toward Scarlet, Piper, Ettie, and Sophie—we all see it. The man has it bad for you. Always has. And Christ, he’s hot. She sighed dramatically.

He may be my father-in-law, and even I can admit he’s hot, but I think your hormones are in overdrive, preggo, Scarlet cut in teasingly.

Connie rolled her eyes, her hands on her belly. Speak for yourself, she replied pointedly. With Scarlet, Connie, and Sophie all pregnant, the Knights had their hands full.

So did those of us whose hormones were within the normal stratosphere.

I just love how he looks at you. Ettie sighed blissfully.

Maybe you should go out with him, I muttered dryly, watching as Mason and Maddox toddled over to the box of toys Piper kept in the store.

I don’t think my man would like that very much. She laughed.

You have a point, I agreed with a smile.

Plus, you’re the only one he wants, Scarlet added knowingly. Scarlet was married to Cole, VP of the Knights MC and Cal’s son.

I groaned, dropping my face into my arm on the counter.

Let’s let poor Jilly out of the hot seat, shall we? Sophie cut in.

Yes, let’s, I replied, my voice muffled as I continued to bury my face.

I have to go home anyway. Scarlet spoke up. Cole took Gracie to the park this morning and I want to see her before she goes down for her nap. I’ll torture you another day, she teased, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and squeezing briefly.

I smiled good-naturedly, watching as she grabbed her bag and with a final wave headed out into the sunshine.

Gracie needs a nap and so do I. Connie yawned.

You feeling okay? I asked. The nurse in me wanted to ask while the friend in me had to.

I’m fine, just tired, Connie assured me. I don’t need another worrywart on my hands, she added dryly. Wes would bubble wrap the planet if he could. She rolled her eyes as she spoke of her husband.

Same with Axel. Sophie sighed.

I think it’s sweet. I smiled.

Connie snorted. Tell me how you feel when you join the club. She winked.

Not this again, I groaned.

Fine, she agreed, all too easily. God, I never thought I’d be too tired to give you shit about Cal. I must really need a nap.

You must. Why don’t you go do that then? I replied with exaggerated sweetness.

Piper burst out laughing at our antics as Connie wrapped me in a hug. Talk to you ladies later.

Later, Piper replied, still laughing as I waved.

You need help with anything, Pipe? Sophie asked. We frequently pitched in around the store. All of us knew how to ring customers up and had the inventory down pat.

I’m good, Piper replied. Eve will be here shortly to take over, she added, referring to her fiancé, Ryker’s, mom, who frequently worked at the boutique with her.

I turned to watch Maddox and Mason as they shared a toy.

They’re getting so big. Sophie sighed.

I know, I agreed wistfully. I should take him home for a nap.

Me too. Sophie nodded. I swear our town is quieter between the hours of twelve and two. She laughed.

I wouldn’t doubt it, I replied, lifting Mason into my arms.

Dinner tonight? she offered.

Uh, are you cooking? I asked cautiously. Sophie wasn’t exactly great in the kitchen.

She rolled her eyes. No, Ax is going to barbeque. Pipe, you and Ry are coming, right?

Yep. Piper nodded.

Sounds good, I agreed. Text me with what you want me to bring.

Cool, Sophie agreed with a wave.

Let’s go home, Bubs, I murmured to Mason.

Not surprisingly, Mason fell asleep in the car on the way home. I carried him into our apartment, loving the feel of his soft weight, made heavier in sleep.

Our home had been my friend Kat’s place, then Sophie’s, and the club had purchased it, wisely figuring they’d need it again.

They’d been right.

The large loft-style studio with a galley kitchen, high ceilings, and exposed brick was spacious enough for the two of us. Though it was only one large room, the walk-in closet was large enough to function as a small bedroom for Mason. I was able to fit his crib in there and kept the majority of my clothes in an armoire instead.

I’d tried to make the small space as cozy as possible with a mobile hanging from the ceiling and glow-in-the-dark stars on the walls. He seemed completely content and slept soundly nearly every night.

I laid him gently in his crib, watching his long eyelashes flutter with what I hoped were the sweetest of dreams.

If only I could be so lucky.

Chapter 3

The call came a few days later as I was putting Mason down for a nap. I don’t know how I knew—looking back, it had been the case with every meaningful event in my life. I just knew deep down