Walking back to Prez, Romeo folded his arms across his chest. "What's up?"
All he wanted to do since getting back from the ride was grab something to eat at the diner before it was time to take Timber back to the house after her shift.
"Dice rode out earlier," said Onyx.
"Not my problem."
"He rode away hot, talking about getting his family back."
Romeo shook his head. "Timber knows the dangers now. Dice needs to step back and give her some space, or he'll lose her for good."
"What about the ex? Timber's mom?"
"Is she even around?" he asked.
Far as he knew, she left Spokane the same way she arrived, fast and without announcement.
"I heard she took a flight out this morning."
He shrugged. "No loss."
Onyx slapped Romeo's shoulder. "I'll let you go. I just wanted you to know what's going on, so you can take care of your woman."
"Thanks, Prez." He left the clubhouse, jogging down the steps, and headed toward the diner. His woman.
No one had called him out for claiming Timber. She belonged to him, but he'd spent most of his time staking out their territory, watching for trouble.
He had a desire to make sure Timber knew her place was with him. It still felt a lot like they were roommates.
Despite how much Timber wanted what she'd never received growing up, she still tended to ignore or flee when faced with conflict. He wouldn't want to come home one night and find her gone over something he could fix.
Walking in the front door of the diner, he gazed around. He found Timber with her back toward him, dealing with two truckers sitting in a booth across the room.
If he were a selfish son of a bitch, he'd take her away from the diner and let her stay home—at his beck and call. But, he recognized how having a job forced Timber out of the bubble she put herself in at home.
Taking the closest booth, he slid into the seat and planted his elbows on the table, lacing his fingers together.
The curve of Timber's hip swayed back and forth as she scribbled on the notepad in her hand. A sense of ownership came over him. He no longer viewed her as a young woman, too immature for him.
When it came down to it, he and Timber had a lot in common.
He had to grow up too soon after his mom's death and take responsibility for his brothers. Timber had only herself to rely on. That shit aged a person. The hardships he faced for all those years gave him the ability to see that bringing her into his life was the right thing to do.
Right now, he doubted if she ever trusted anyone else. No one had given her a chance. He wanted to be the man who showed her how to love.
He scoffed. Love. Who the fuck would've thought he was capable of loving a woman beyond the thirty minutes it took to get his cock wet?
Timber turned away from the table and checked in with the other customers as she worked her way across the room toward the kitchen. Only when she stood in front of his table to take his order had she realized he was here.
She bit her bottom lip, trying to hide the pleasure on her face. He held out his hand. Instead of putting her hand in his, she wrapped all her fingers around his index finger. He tugged her closer, guiding her into the booth.
"I can't visit with you." She looked over her shoulder and then faced him again, leaning closer. "I still have ten minutes to work until I'm off."
"It's okay. I know a guy who knows a guy..." He kissed her softly. "I'm hungry, doll."
"What do you want?"
"You." He grinned at the way her cheeks flushed. "I'll take a burger and fries. Order whatever you're going to eat when you're done working. We can eat together before we head home."
She cocked her head. "But it's Sander's night to cook. You know he'll want us there."
"There's always leftovers." He put her hand on his stomach. "I skipped lunch. I'm starving."
She rubbed his stomach. "Fine, but if your brother asks, it wasn't my idea to eat out."
"I'll take the blame." He grinned, watching her move away from him to get their orders going.
Creamer walked into the diner with Rager and Big Buck. He lifted his chin, letting them pass to the back booth where the Killere members usually sat.
Timber slid a mug of beer toward him on her way to another table. He lifted the glass and drank deep, letting the coldness quench his thirst. He was unaware if Timber knew Dice had skipped town or if she cared.
He had a hard time understanding the detachment.
"Hey, baby. When do you get off work?" A trucker at the closest table in front of Romeo stretched his legs out, blocking Timber from moving past him.
"Excuse me, please." Timber shifted sideways to step over the man's boots.
The trucker raised his leg, blocking her from leaving. Romeo bolted out of the booth, grabbed the knife at his side, and approached the guy from the back, sticking the blade against the man's throat.
"Romeo!" said Timber.
He sliced across skin before Rager grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the trucker. Screams in the background filled his ears as he stared at the trucker, grabbing his throat. A wall of bikers filled the space between him and Timber. He swung out, making it past a Killere member and lunging several feet to catch Timber as she fought to reach his side.
He wrapped her in his arms, lifting her off her feet. Going out the front door, he broke away from the crowd forming inside. He put her down and braced her face in his hands, looking her over and making sure she was okay.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"W-Why did you do that?" Her chin trembled.
"He was bothering you."
"I was working and can take care of myself at the diner, Romeo." She grabbed his vest. "That guy is probably going to call the cops. You hurt him."
"I should've killed him." He smoothed her hair away from her face. "He can't touch you. No one can, doll."
She exhaled loudly, frowning at him. "What do we do? I don't want you to get arrested."
"The guy won't go to the cops. He's on Killere territory."
"But—"
"Trust me. He won't go to the cops." He tucked her against his side. "Let's get out of here. We can eat at home after all."
"I need to get my purse out of the breakroom."
Rager and Creamer came outside. He sent his MC brother after Timber's bag and asked the old man about the trucker's condition.
"Your blade missed everything important." Creamer rubbed his whiskered chin. "Burt called Onyx. Prez will be here in a few minutes to make sure the guy doesn't talk."
He scoffed. If it were him, he'd take the fucker out of the city limits and let the coyotes have him.
"What the hell went on back there?" asked Creamer.
He glanced down at Timber in his arms. "He was bothering my woman."
Creamer raised his brows and nodded. Enough was said. Every Killere member protected their own.
Rager came out with Timber's purse and gave it to her. He walked her to the clubhouse and put her straight on his Harley. Scuffles and knife fights were a normal occurrence to him. But he'd never had to protect his woman before. The rage consumed him. No one was allowed to touch what belonged to him. Next time, he wouldn't stop. He'd sink the blade in and take a life.