Saving Sami

Chapter 10 Troubles Knocking

SAMI –
The silence after the door clicked shut was deafening.
Sami sat up in bed, Ace’s scent still clinging to her skin, her heart still fluttering from everything they’d just shared — and yet the air had shifted. The warmth was being swallowed by something colder. He told her to lock the door. That alone made her stomach twist.


She reached over and did as he said, sliding the bolt into place, fingers trembling. Then she sat on the edge of the bed, wrapping his blanket around herself and staring at the floor like it might give her answers.
What kind of problem would pull him away like that?
Was it club business? Tank? Her mother?
Her mind spun in spirals. The calm she felt in his arms was already slipping, replaced by the old familiar knot in her chest — that fear she knew too well. Of not being enough. Of people walking away.
She got up and padded barefoot to the window. Outside, bikes were parked like a line of metal soldiers under the glow of the streetlight. Everything looked still. But it didn’t feel still.


Sami backed away and sat in his chair, pulling her knees to her chest. The room smelled like motor oil and skin and safety — but that safety felt thinner now. Like it could be ripped away at any second.
She didn’t know how long he’d be gone. Didn’t know if whatever waited on the other side of that door was something she could fix — or something that would break them both.
But she knew this: she couldn’t lose him. Not now. Not when she’d finally let herself fall.


ACE –
“What kind of problem?” Ace asked, voice low as he shut the door behind him.
Grimm didn’t waste time. “Someone ran their mouth at the bar down on 9th. Said your girl was seen at the clubhouse. Said she’s Reaper’s new chew toy.”
Ace’s fists clenched. “They said what?”
Grimm held up a hand, trying to steady him. “It’s bull. But it’s spreading fast. Tank’s crew was there — probably helped it along.”
“I knew that bastard was gonna be a problem,” Ace muttered.
They walked down the hall, out the back exit where the clubhouse was quieter. Reaper was already outside, leaning against a table, cigarette in hand, eyes narrowed at the fire pit like it had personally offended him.


“You talk to Tank?” Ace asked.
“Yeah,” Grimm said. “He laughed. Said he just mentioned Sami’s name in passing. Called it harmless club gossip.”
“Club gossip?” Ace’s voice was sharp now. “They’re talking about her like she’s some kind of property.”
Reaper looked up. “Welcome to the MC, kid.”
“She’s not a damn patch bunny,” Ace snapped. “She’s mine.”
Reaper’s brow arched slowly. “Yours?”
Ace didn’t blink. “Yeah. Mine.”
A long pause.
“Then you better start acting like it,” Reaper said. “Because the more people think she’s yours, the more they’re gonna test how far you’ll go to protect her.”


Ace’s jaw ticked. “Then let ‘em test me.”
“Careful,” Grimm muttered. “That kind of talk gets blood on your boots.”
Reaper put out his cigarette. “We’re not there yet. But you need to keep her outta sight. Keep her safe. That girl’s gonna draw fire just for walking in this world. Especially if they think she’s your soft spot.”
“She’s not my soft spot,” Ace said flatly. “She’s my reason.”
That made both men pause.
Grimm stared at his cousin, quiet and still. Then, finally, he nodded.
“Then we’ll back your play,” he said. “But you better be damn sure she’s worth it.”
“I already am,” Ace said.
And with that, he turned and headed back toward the building — faster now, like something in his gut had started twisting.


SAMI –
She startled when the knock came again.
Not a heavy one. Just two soft raps.
“Sami. It’s me.”
She didn’t wait. She was already across the room, unlocking the door and pulling it open.
Ace stood there, his jaw still tight, but his eyes softened the second they landed on her.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I should be asking you that.”
He stepped in and closed the door. For a beat, he just stared at her like he was counting the seconds he’d been gone. Then he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.


She melted into him instantly, breathing him in.
“What happened?” she asked quietly.
Ace didn’t answer at first. He held her tighter.
“They’re talking,” he said finally. “Club guys. Outsiders. Tank’s people. They’re dragging your name through the mud just to get at me.”
Sami stiffened. “Because of us?”
“Because of me,” he corrected. “Because they know I care. That makes you a target.”
Her eyes searched his. “So what now?”
Ace pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her face in his hands.
“Now?” he said. “Now I make it real clear to everyone what happens when they come for what’s mine.”
End of Chapter 10 – Part 1