“I would have been there for you.” Doug’s dark eyes glistened. “I would have come out. I would done everything I could to get him behind bars.”
“But it wasn’t you. And now I don’t know why I reported the assault. I just felt like I wanted some control over my life, but I never really thought it through. For some reason I thought you’d lock Jimmy up and throw away the key. But there’s a long period between arrest and trial, and it puts my girls and me at risk. There are other ways, Doug. Biker ways. I just never had the courage to try them.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Doug snapped, shocking her with the vehemence in his tone. “Everything will be different this time. I can make sure you’re protected. And … this is the second news I wanted to tell you…” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I’ve secured a place for you in the witness protection program. After you testify against Jimmy and the Brethren, you’ll get your girls back. A new life, Dawn. You’ll be safe. Forever.”
Safe. On the surface, it seemed to be a perfect solution—she would have her girls and her freedom away from the biker world she hated with a passion, and Jimmy would spend some time in jail. Except she’d be safe and alone. No Banks and Arianne. No Doug.
No Cade.
Curiously, the idea of running away with her tail between her legs didn’t appeal. Sinners didn’t run. Sinners didn’t hide. Sinners were fighters. They met their enemies with both guns blazing. They stepped into the ring and stayed there until there was only one man standing. This was her town. Her life. Her friends. Why would she let Jimmy chase her away?
“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” she said gently. “But this is all very sudden, and you should have discussed it with me first. Testifying against an outlaw MC is serious business, and I’m not sure if it’s the right path for me. And I’ve made a life here for myself. I have a job and friends. There’s only one way for me to have justice and it doesn’t involve—”
“No.” Doug thudded his hand on the table. “This isn’t you. You’re not a violent person. You’re not vengeful. You’re not a biker anymore. You’re a good, honest, upstanding citizen who’s been dealt a bad hand in life.”
“You don’t know me,” she said. “I’m not the person you think I am.”
He leaned in closer and his voice dropped to a quiet murmur. “I care about you, Dawn. Much more than as a friend. You know that. And I’ve waited all these years because I understand the trauma you went through. You could take your stand by testifying against Jimmy and the Brethren, and when you’re done, if you want, I could come with you in witness protection. I’ve already looked into it. I would be there to look after you and your girls. As a friend, or something more.”
Warning bells clanged in her mind, and yet his expression was so earnest she instantly felt guilty. Doug was a good man. He had started the self-defense class in his free time to help women feel more confident when they had to walk alone at night. Upstanding, conservative, and dedicated to his work—he was everything she should have wanted, and the total opposite of Cade. And yet he didn’t push any of her buttons. There was no wild in Doug. No blasting through stoplights or having sex in parking lots. No cheeky smiles and devil-may-care grins. She couldn’t imagine him tossing her on a table in a dingy office, shooting at his friends to keep them away, and giving her one of the best orgasms of her life.
“I’m sorry, Doug. I’m with Cade now.” Well, not entirely true, since the cut was only temporary, but maybe that would get the message across. “And I have no intention of running away from my home.”
“This is about you. Your safety. Your life. If you’re happy, your children will be happy. And more important, they’ll be with you. Please. Promise me you’ll think about it.” He stroked her cheek and she felt … nothing. No zing of excitement. No tingle between her thighs. No desire the throw him on the table and rip off his clothes. Cade could do that to her with just one look.
As if on cue, the door opened, and Cade stalked into the restaurant, the chain on his belt rattling as he walked. T-Rex and Gunner followed behind him.
Dawn’s lips tipped at the corners, but when she saw his face, his eyes cold and hard, jaw taut, lips pressed into a thin line, her smile faded. She’d seen that look before—at Banks Bar, and when he’d seen Jimmy in front of the school. That look meant someone was about to get hurt, and a sickening wave of dread rose in her stomach.
“Restaurant is closed,” Cade shouted. “You got one minute to clear out otherwise I’ll have my boys pay your table a visit.”