“If you’re expecting me to—”

 “Shut up, Bridge. I’m done listening to the shit coming out of your mouth. I came by for only one reason, and it’s to tell you that Willa’s refusing to press charges. Sissy won’t, either; she thinks she’s in love with you.”

 At Lucky’s disgusted expression, Bridge went on the defensive. “I didn’t touch that girl. I only gave her a room to sleep in while she hid out from everyone. I only wanted to use her to get to Willa. I didn’t intend to throw her, but she was biting the hell out of me. Her family’s already fucked her up enough.”

 “She needs counseling, which Willa tried to get for her, but she refused. She’s ready now, so hopefully it can help her. If not, she’ll walk the same road as her mother and uncle, and she won’t have anyone to blame but herself.”

 “Why isn’t Willa pressing charges? I figured she’d be pissed off with Sissy almost taking a nose dive off that cliff.” Lucky saw the regret in Bridge’s eyes that he would never voice. The man he had once loved like a brother had saved countless lives; therefore, to almost take one unintentionally must be a bitter pill to swallow.

 “Because she has faith that you’ll realize your actions almost cost them their lives. She’s praying that almost succeeding opened your eyes to the price your revenge could take.”

 “I see you’re not thinking the same way.”

 “No, I don’t, which is why I’m here.” Lucky turned his back on Bridge, no longer able to look at him. Talking about almost losing Willa without beating Bridge to a bloody pulp was testing his resolve.

 “During our last tour, Evie was hurt, and the men responsible not only nearly killed her, but got in a fight with Levi, Evie’s fiancé. When they were up for court martial, it looked like they were going to walk. Shade and the rest of the squad were ready to kill the fuckers before the trial was halfway over. One of the main attackers was a general who was using his rank. It was Evie’s word against four men. Levi’s death had already been ruled an accident, so the brothers were out for blood. I knew it was only a matter of time before Shade killed them, lost his career, and then spent the rest of his life in a military prison.

 “I pretended to be drunk and started a fight in the barracks, and they threw me in a cell for a week that was next to the men who had attacked Evie. It took three days before the arrogant pricks started bragging. They gave every fucking detail, and I remembered it all.

 “I testified against them, and with my record and past as a pastor, it was no longer just Evie’s word against theirs. They’ll be sitting in that prison until they need Viagra to get a hard-on, and even then, they probably won’t be saved from Shade.

 “All the men gave me their markers. Each promised to repay me for putting those fuckers away. I didn’t do it for their markers; I did it for Evie and Shade.” Lucky turned back to face Bridge.

 “I didn’t know anything happened to Evie.” Bridge’s face had gone pale, his body taut with anger.

 “No one did. It was kept quiet. They said it was out of respect for Evie, but everyone knew it was to protect General Lander and his son’s reputation. It happened two weeks after Kale died. You were stateside with your family.”

 “I served with Evie.”

 Lucky continued as if Bridge hadn’t spoken. “I never took any of them up on their markers until Viper and I returned from Kale’s memorial service, and Viper told me Shade was coming after you.”

 Lucky still remembered how harshly Bridge had told him to leave when he and Viper had arrived. Viper had heard every threat.

 “I called in his marker not to kill you, and he has kept it all these years. You were like a brother, and it’s not easy to kill a brother, even when Willa’s life hung in the balance. When Willa was in surgery, repairing her shoulder, I released him from that promise. Willa and I are trying to start a family. She could have been pregnant, and you could have succeeded in killing Willa and my child. I thought I could protect her from you, but I won’t take that chance again.

 “What it comes down to is a choice between you and Willa, and she will win every time, so I’m done fucking around with you. I have a better use for Shade’s and the rest of the brothers’ markers now, and it doesn’t involve you.

 “I’m giving you a last chance to move on, Bridge.” Lucky tossed a set of keys to Bridge who caught them in his hand. “Move on, leave Treepoint, and don’t come back. Kale is dead and gone, and there is nothing either of us can do to bring him back. If you ever try to come near Treepoint again, Shade will make sure it’s the last time you suck air.” Lucky went toward the office door, brushing past Bridge to open it.

 He paused without looking back. “Ride as far as you can, Bridge, and find a place that you can call home.” Lucky’s voice became choked, remembering all the times they had spent together when they were in the service. “I was fucked up when I came out of the service, too. The difference is I became a member of The Last Riders, and they helped me keep my sanity. You turned them down, and you’ve been lost ever since.

 “Goodbye, brother. I pray you find peace. I already have.”

 Lucky walked out of the office, coming to a stop at seeing all the brothers waiting outside the door. They were there to support him, just as they always had and always would.

 * * *

 Willa had lunch waiting for them when they arrived home. The men ate while sitting around and talking when Shade went to the counter, taking a cupcake.

 Lucky was eating his own meal as he looked up to see Shade take a bite. An expression of complete ecstasy came over his face as he took another bite.

 He turned to Willa who was sitting next to Lucky with Lily and John sitting on her other side. “What flavor are these?”

 Willa broke off her conversation with Lily to answer his question. “Oh, those are chocolate bourbon. The recipe was giving me trouble. I thought they would be a big seller during the Derby festival. I think I’ve finally got it right.”

 “You sure as fuck have. Willa, I love my wife, but woman, if I had never met Lily, that asshole husband of yours wouldn’t have caught you. I would have put a ring on your finger after the first bite.”

 Willa blushed, smiling in pride at her accomplishment.

 “Willa, I’m going to need that recipe.” Lily laughed, not at all upset by Shade’s comment.

 Lucky couldn’t say the same. He saw red.

 Why did the brothers all think Willa would have succumbed to them over him?

 “Willa wouldn’t have given you the fucking time of day.”

 Shade finished eating his cupcake. “It wouldn’t even have been a competition.”

 The last word wasn’t out of his mouth before Lucky was out of his chair and lunging toward Shade who dodged his first blow. Lucky, unable to stop his momentum, fell against the counter, sending a Crockpot full of macaroni and cheese crashing to the floor. This time, as Lucky twisted, going after Shade again, he managed to send Shade backward against the counter, nearly toppling the cupcake tray.