Sanctuary (Freaks MC Book 2) by Sarah Osborne

true. Despite hitting them hard, the Freaks seemed to have had no impact, and there were cookhouses springing up all over town, and more businesses under the club's protection were being targeted. “Heads up, brother.” The sound of bikes approaching broke the silence, and the gangbangers climbed out of the car parked on the lot.
    Neither man spoke as they watched an exchange take place. The fuckers were doing business right under their noses, and both knew that this could mean an end to the longstanding truce between the rival clubs. Tiny ran his hand over his head. “This is bad, bro. Ain't no way we can let this go.”
    Samson said nothing. He knew both Wolf and Vince were keen to avoid a war, and Vince, as President of Bay View – the unspoken mother chapter – had been reluctant to believe that the Serpiente would break the terms of the treaty. Now though, the evidence was indisputable, and war seemed inevitable. Things were going to get bloody. His girl was coming to live in a war zone.
    As the cars and bikes pulled away, Tiny started the engine and gave his companion a rueful grin. “I know that face, brother. We'll keep our families safe. Your girl too.”
     
    ~ oOo ~
     
    If she didn't find a house soon, she was going to end up living in her car. Emma closed the laptop with a sigh and watched as Blue struggled to his feet and made his way slowly to his food bowl. He sniffed it, then lay back down, exhausted. Crossing the kitchen, she bent over stroked his now bony back. “S'okay, boy. By tonight it will all be over.” She pushed aside the feeling of guilt. Not for ending the old hound's suffering... He'd had enough, and she knew she was doing the right thing. But she had promised Deke she'd let him know when the time came. Now, though, she couldn't bring herself to do it; she knew something was worrying him and Blue was her responsibility. She had meant what she said when she'd told him she didn't need him holding her hand.
     
    The veterinary office was in an old farmhouse on the outskirts of Boise. Blue had always been one of those dogs that enjoyed visiting the vet. Emma wondered if it was because he'd been neglected for the first few years of his life that he'd put up with any indignities or discomfort if it was accompanied by a fuss and a treat. Even now, as he limped behind her for the last time, his tail was wagging. The vet lifted him onto the table and ran her hand over his head. “You ready for this?”
    Emma nodded and blinked away her tears. “Yeah.” She bent and kissed the dog on the nose. “Night boy. Dream of bunnies.” Blue closed his eyes for the last time, and as his chest fell still, she really wanted to feel that big hand wrapped around hers.
     
     
    ~ oOo ~
     
    “Emma?” Deke let himself in and made his way past the boxes up to her attic studio. “You up here?” He rarely went up there; not only did he spend most of the time cracking his skull on the low beams, but he always felt as though he was invading her space.
    He looked around the empty room. Unlike the rest of the house, everything, including the floor, was painted white. The only color came from the canvases leaning on the wall and the pots of paint on the small table next to the easel.
    He hadn't understood her paintings at first. They had just looked like random splashes of color thrown on the canvases. She'd laughed as he'd tried to think of something polite to say when she'd told him they had been inspired by her walks through the forest or drives through the desert. Then one day as they'd walked the dog through the trees, the sunlight had filtered through the leaves, and he'd finally got it.
    Feeling like an interloper, he headed back downstairs and into the kitchen. Wherever she was, she couldn't have gone far – her car was parked outside and there was a full pot of coffee on the counter. He guessed she'd gone for a walk. Pouring himself a cup, he sat down at the table to wait.
    “ Hey.” Emma walked through