His Loyal Rebel - Debra Kayn Page 0,38

her body relaxed. Whip understood her. At least he hadn't blamed her for what had happened back at the clubhouse.

For the first time in her life, someone had made an effort to get closer to her instead of pushing her away.

Chapter 18

Whip

Black rubble scarred the ground, erasing any sign of the fifty-year-old cabin. Whip straightened from his squatted position, turning away from the remains. The cabin had withstood the harshest of Montana winters and had housed many Tarkio members when they needed a roof over their heads.

He scanned the area. There was no smoke, no heat, no signs of any coal still smoldering.

"Who do you think burned down the cabin?" Twyla rubbed her arms despite the warmth of the day.

He had a good idea who was responsible for starting the fire. Cusclan Motorcycle Club wanted to show Tarkio they were aware Twyla had stayed at the cabin.

"Don't know, but we'll find out." He reached for her. "I need to go back and let the others know what happened here."

"Sure, I understand." She walked with him toward her car and his motorcycle.

She rubbed his back, letting him have peace and quiet while he rolled around a few ideas about why someone would burn down the cabin.

Through the years, Tarkio used the cabin to house members or visit during the summer while they partied at the river. When they weren't here, most people gave the cabin a wide berth while recreating along the Clark Fork, respecting the private property signs posted.

Besides garbage strung around or a few stray pieces of clothing from a couple who decided to fuck in privacy or a broken window from the harsh winter that needed replacing, nobody had gone as far as arson. There were a hundred cabins strung along the Clark Fork for miles, all privately owned.

He had a feeling; Tarkio's cabin was the only one burned to the ground.

Twyla hesitated at the driver's door and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Are you okay?"

He smoothed her hair back from her face. She had no idea that she was in the middle of a war, and he'd put here there.

"Pissed." He kissed her hard and pulled back. "Nothing I won't fix."

"Anything I can do to help?"

Gazing down at her, willing and confident in a world that could hurt her, he wanted to send her far away. Far away from him. Far away from Tarkio.

Except, he couldn't set her out on her own with Big out there. If he was right and Cusclan was responsible for the fire, they'd use Twyla as a message for Tarkio—and she could die.

They'd kill her if only to hurt him.

He brought her to his chest, cupping her head with his hand. "Promise me you'll stay with me at the clubhouse."

"I will, but..." She pressed against him, but he refused to let her go. " Don't you think it would be better if I get an apartment or even room with someone? We can still see each other."

"Give me time to figure shit out." He kissed the top of her head and then patted her ass. "Once we get on the interstate, you'll take the lead. If you lose me, go directly to the police station and lay on the horn until someone comes out to help you."

She frowned. "Separated?"

"If we do."

"What do you think could happen—?"

"Just do what I said." He walked over to his motorcycle.

She needed to learn to listen without questioning. He couldn't be fighting with her every step if he was going to keep her safe.

Navigating the ruts on the trail, he rode away from Tarkio property and entered the highway. Guiding Twyla, he checked the traffic ahead and behind him, then moved into the left lane and signaled for Twyla to take the lead.

She passed him on the right, spending too long looking at him and not enough time on the road. He cut his speed and rode into the right lane, getting behind her.

His problems piled up. He hadn't had time to deal with Twyla's fight with her sister or find out what was going on between them. Still reeling from Tracy chewing him a new asshole for involving a woman in his life—a woman associated with Cusclan, pressure came from all sides of him.

Without informing Tracy of his reasons why Twyla was at the club, all he could do was assure her he had everything under control.

He glanced in his side mirror. Now that he was responsible for Twyla, the risks seemed too steep to