Page 16 of Gray’s Surrender

“Which one?”

“He had pale eyes. Crescent down his left cheek.”

Gray’s expression goes cold. “I’ll find him.” Gray’s attention doesn’t leave me until Kane’s bike arrives behind him, followed by Judge, Tank and Cash. Tank sees my face and the sound he makes is barely human.

Cash catches Tank’s arm before he crosses the yard. “She’s standing. Let her tell you before you react.” My brother looks at me. Rage shakes through his huge frame.

“I’m all right,” I say. “Ruby is safe.”

He comes close enough to touch me, then stops when Gray’s hand settles at my back. Tank’s gaze drops to it. Not now. There’ll be time for that kind of trouble later. Kane walks through the damaged door with Judge. He sees the red words on the wall, then looks at Gray.

“Church,” Kane says. “Right here.”

Gray gives him everything. No private version. No softened edge. He stands in the wrecked kitchen with me, Tank, Judge and Cash listening and tells Kane about Bishop’s message, the old landing, the single clear window and the order not to report it.

“I refused,” Gray says. “I gave him nothing.”

Kane looks at the paint on the wall. “And then?”

“I didn’t bring it to you.”

“Why?”

“Didn’t want the table asking why Bishop thought I might turn.”

Tank’s head comes up. Judge remains still beside Kane. Kane’s jaw hardens. “So you kept another club’s approach quiet because you didn’t want us looking at you.”

“I refused him.”

“And left every brother here blind.” His gaze moves to the broken door, then the red words across the wall. “You don’t decide alone what your president needs to know.”

“I know.”

“You know now. After they came through your door with your kid inside.”

Gray takes the hit without looking away. “Yeah.”

“We’re not finishing this here. We deal with your mistake after your people are behind Kingdom Come gates.” He looks at Cash. “Get the truck. Tessa takes Ruby. Tank, check the rear road. Judge calls every brother in. Gray stays with Meg.”

Gray takes Kane’s calm order harder than he would have taken a punch. He turns to me. “You need hospital?”

“No.”

“Meg.”

“Urgent care can clean the cuts and check my ribs. I don’t need an emergency room unless they find something worse.”

“Cash knows a clinic that stays open,” Kane says.

Gray asks, “Can you walk?”

“Yes.”

Gray keeps his hand around mine while we leave.

The clinic confirms what I already know.

Split lip. Bruised cheek. A scraped shoulder and deep muscle soreness along my side, but no broken ribs or concussion. By dusk, Gray, Ruby and I are behind the Kingdom Come compound gates.