Moose nodded.
"Agreed."
"But we can stay close to her."
"Agreed."
Dean pulled up a chair.
"The question is whether Mara wants help."
Rex stared at him.
"I don't know."
"Then let her decide."
Rex nodded.
"Last time, we tried to save someone by deciding for her."
He looked at Claire's motorcycle.
"This time, we don't."
That was what Claire had needed.
Not a brother who arrived too late.
A person who stayed close enough for her to open the door herself.
The Broken Phone
Three days later, Mara came to work with a fresh scratch on her wrist.
Rex wasn't there.
Dean was.
He was working on the club's pickup truck in the garage across the road.
Mara stepped outside to take out the trash.
Dean noticed.
"Mara."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"You're hurt."
"No."
He pointed toward her wrist.
"That?"
"I hit it on the door."
Dean didn't ask another question.
"Okay."
She turned away.
"But if you need—"
Mara stopped.
Dean spoke slowly.
"You don't have to explain."
She looked at him.
"You're a doctor?"
"Medic."
"Different?"
"Very."
She gave a faint smile.
Dean held out a bottle of water.
"Take it."
"I'm not thirsty."
"That's okay."
Mara accepted it.
Then her phone vibrated.
Her smile disappeared.
Only one name appeared on the screen.
Wade.
She answered.
"Yes?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm outside."
"With who?"
Mara looked at Dean.
"No one."
"Come inside."
"I'm just—"
"Now."
The call ended.
Mara put the phone away.
Dean said nothing.
She looked at him.
"Don't tell anyone."
"Okay."
"Seriously."
"Okay."
She walked back inside.
An hour later, Wade threw her phone onto the floor.
The screen shattered.
"How many times have I told you?"
Mara knelt to pick it up.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"I don't know."
"That's the problem."
Wade crouched in front of her.
"You think those Riders are going to save you?"
Mara said nothing.
"You tell them anything?"
"No."
Wade grabbed her chin.
The old bruise hurt.
"Don't talk to them."
Mara stared into his eyes.
And for the first time in years, she thought:
Maybe I should.
Table Six
Friday night brought a full house.
Rex and nearly twenty members of the Iron Valley Riders walked in.
Nobody knew they had deliberately chosen that night.
They simply knew they had all arrived.
Wade immediately stiffened.
"We don't have enough tables."
Rex looked around.
"We'll take the counter."
"Not enough room."
"We'll stand."
Wade clenched his jaw.
Mara stepped forward.
"I can move a couple of tables."
"No."
Wade cut her off.
"Let them leave."
Rex looked at him.
"We'll pay."
"I said no."
Mara spoke quietly.
"Wade, there are still tables."
Wade turned toward her.
"Shut up."
The entire diner went silent.
Mara lowered her head.
But this time, Rex stood.
"You don't need to speak to her like that."
Wade stepped closer.
"Are you getting involved in my business?"
"No."
Rex's voice remained calm.
"I'm talking about how you speak to an employee."
"She's my wife."
"Then you should respect her even more."
The air froze.
Moose stood behind Rex.
Dean placed his coffee down.
The others said nothing.
Wade looked around.
He realized he was being watched.
And that was what he hated most.
Being seen.
"Get out," Wade said.
Rex sat back down.
"We're eating."
Wade walked away.
Mara brought water to Rex.
Her hands shook.
Rex spoke quietly.
"It's okay."
"No, it isn't."
"What?"
"You don't know who you're dealing with."
Rex looked at her.
"Maybe I don't."
"You should leave."
"What about you?"
"I'm staying."
Rex was silent.
Then he nodded.
"Okay."
It was the answer she hadn't expected.
He didn't order her to leave.
He didn't tell her to leave her husband.
He didn't claim to know what was best for her.
He simply said:
"Okay."
And for the first time, Mara felt as if the decision still belonged to her.
The Back Room
That night, Wade took Mara into the storage room.
The door closed.
Outside, Rex remained seated in the diner.