“Probably the best idea,” Pic said.

“That covers the show,” I said. “But what about protecting Gage afterward? If Marsh has gone paranoid, what’s to say he won’t decide he’s a risk and put a bullet in the back of his head?”

Nobody at the table spoke.

“Let’s pull him out,” Ruger said. “Give him cover down at the show, then have him ride for home.”

“Marsh could send someone after him,” Duck pointed out. “We extract, we need to give him an escort. Either that or blow his cover, which risks a confrontation.”

“Marsh knows me,” I said, thinking fast. “He asked about me. I can go in, stick with Gage, and it won’t set off any alarms. Then whatever happens, Gage won’t be alone.”

They all fell silent.

“The Evans bitch is determined to send your ass back to prison,” Bam Bam said slowly. “It’s a big risk, Painter. It was one thing, sending you out when we had Torres in our pockets, but this . . . The rally will be crawling with cops, events like that always are. They only cut you loose today—maybe you should sit this one out.”

Mel’s face flashed in front of my eyes. I needed to go find her, figure the situation out . . . but what the hell was I going to say? I had too much energy trapped inside, too much frustration and fear and a sick feeling, all mixed up with the sinking certainty that I was going to fuck this parenting shit up in a bad way.

You’ll be a terrible father and you know it.

“We all know I’m the best one to go,” I said, pushing her out of my mind. I couldn’t think about all that right now—she’d be fine. We’d figure it out later. “He shouldn’t have to do this alone and I’m the only one who can get in there without blowing our plan to hell. We have to protect the pipeline.”

My brothers shared looks across the table.

“This have anything to do with whatever the fuck’s been going on with Melanie?” Picnic asked bluntly. “Saw her tearing out of here, crying her eyes out. Loni chased after her. You got a death wish or something?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I mean, yes. Me and Mel have an . . . issue. But trust me, it’s not going anywhere. I need some space to clear my head and no fuckin’ way we can leave Gage hanging high and dry. It’s a risk, but we all take risks every day. Isn’t that what the 1% patch means?”

Picnic sighed.

“Okay, guess it’s your call,” he said. “Anyone else?”

Nobody else said anything, and for once nobody gave me any shit. We were all too busy imagining what might lie ahead of us and whether Gage would make it to Ellensburg safe.

It was a legitimate concern.

If Marsh wanted to execute him, he’d probably lure him out with a story just like this. Made sense, too—it’s what we’d do in his place. And I’d call Melanie just as soon as I got back. Maybe I didn’t want kids, but life was twisty like that. We’d figure it out.

I loved her.

That would be enough. It had to be.

“Okay, I want to roll out in the next twenty minutes,” Pic said. “Party’s canceled, obviously, but I want all the girls safe at the Armory. Duck, you’ll hold things together here. We’ll leave you the prospects and”—he shot a look around the room—“Banks. You stay here, make sure they’re safe. Probably paranoid, but if they wanted to lure us out for an attack, this would be a great way to do it.”

“Mind if I call Puck, ask him to stick around?” I asked. “He was heading over for the party already. I’d like him to keep an eye on Mel.”

“Good plan,” Pic said. “Not just him—I’ll talk to Boonie, too. I know some of them were hoping to make it tonight anyway. I’d be more comfortable knowing London’s safe. I’ll call her, tell her to get her ass back out here, along with Jess and Mel. Now, anything else?”

Nobody spoke.

“Okay, then. Pull your shit together, brothers. Let’s not fuck this up.”

MELANIE

“We’ll start with toothpicks,” Jessica said darkly, stirring her coffee. “Underneath his fingernails, one by one . . . Then I’ll use the pliers to rip the nails off before we skin his balls. All I need is twenty-four hours. He’ll be begging for his life, and then blammo! I’ll cut out his kidneys with his own fucking knife, we sell them on the black market and set up a college fund for the baby. Problem solved.”

I reached for a tissue, wishing I was even slightly surprised by how bloodthirsty she was.

“You can’t kill Painter,” I said, blowing my nose loudly. “Even if he deserves it. He’s this kid’s daddy. I’m not going to hate him, because that’s not what’s important here. The baby is important. I need to figure out a plan, make sure that I have every last thing figured out because if I don’t—”

“Stop,” Loni said, reaching across the table to catch my hand. She gave it a tight squeeze. “Mellie, look at me.”

I met her eyes, wishing my real mom were here. London tried her best, but deep down inside I just wanted to crawl into my mother’s arms until she made everything better. Why’d she have to take off like that? Why’d she leave me?

My hand stole down to my stomach, rubbing softly. I’d never do that to my baby. Never. I’d die before I abandoned her.

I love you already, baby. Mommy’s here.