I woke up to an empty bed but it didn't surprise me after what happened last night that Cole would be off alone somewhere, but I needed to know what happened, so I got out of bed to find him.

"Cole?!" I called out walking down the hallway towards the kitchen pulling my robe tight around me as I walked.

"Kitchen" he answered

My feet froze on the cold tile when my eyes fell onto the one person I haven't really liked since I got here. Sitting at the table with a coffee cup in front of him, across from Cole, was his dad. I clenched my jaw at the sight.

"Morning, Rex" I said after I composed myself

"Hailey" he said flatly.

I crossed over to Cole and pulled a chair close to him and sat down.

"Can I talk to you?" I asked quietly making it obvious I didn't want to talk in front of his dad.

"Can't, Gotta go, I'll be back later tonight" he said with no emotions at all. Rex found it amusing and I wanted to smack the smug look off his face. They both stood up to leave.

The kiss Cole left me with was cold.

Whatever happened has completely fucked him up and his dad being here is the absolute last thing he needs.

I wasn't going to put up with no explanations today, so I turned on my heel and I followed them out of the kitchen and then the front door.

"Cole? What are you doing? You're going to get yourself kill-

"You stay out of it!" Rex yelled as he pointed at me, interrupting me.

"This wouldn't-

"Fuck you Rex! What are you doing here anyway?" I screamed, interrupting him right back, sending daggers at him with my eyes.

I fucking hate him

"ENOUGH!" Cole yelled and turned to me

"Cole bellowed with such anger and hatred in His eyes that it made me cower back and run into the front door with my heart pounding.

He didn't come after me.

Within minutes of the outburst in front of the shop, I heard a lot of bikes roar to life and pull out one at a time, with Cole leading the way.

I watched him ride off down the dirt road out of my bedroom window, without single look back.

Hot tears flowed out of my burning eyes and I shook my head trying to figure out what the fuck had happened.

I'm not stupid and I know whatever Rex is doing here with his club has everything to do with last night and the gallons of blood Cole showed up soaked in.

"Are you ok?" I heard Bennie ask from outside my bedroom door as she knocked twice on it.

I shook my head no and walked over to my door and it opened to Bennie, who's sympathetic look just pissed me off.

"I want to hit something" I said through clenched teeth as I looked at her.

She smiled and gave me a single head nod

"Let's go" She encouraged. I knew exactly what she meant and we went to the workshop and worked the bag until my hands were red and hurting through my gloves.

My arms felt like jello but the anger still built inside me to explosive level.

"I hate that motherfucker!" I screamed as I punched it one last time as hard as I could picturing Rex's face as I connected.

"You're getting good. You're using your power right finally" she smiled "look" she held the bag back so I couldn't swing again.

"I know Rex is a huge asshole but-

"No Bennie don't" I held up my hand

"That man has hated me, for absolutely NO reason, since I came into the club! He'd rather have Cole sleep with every whore around, than be with one person who loves him, and would do anything for him. I can't deal with him. I can't-

"Or won't" she asked cutting me off

"What?" I said caught off guard

"What I was going to say when you cut me off was, he may be an asshole but he loves his son, and would die for him and any of their brothers. Have you ever wondered if he's just testing you? He loves Cole more than anything, he isn't going to just want anyone getting their claws into him, women make or break a club. So, maybe he's testing you" she didn't say it as a question "so you could deal with him and show him you are not just some patch chasing whore, which I don't think babe, you know I love you Phoenix; I'm just saying" she held up her hands in defense with smirk "he wants to see what you got"

That struck me

Holy Shit

I didn't really buy that though

"Or he's just a dick" I smirked at her and she dropped the bag at me, sending it swinging towards me but I stepped right and dogged it as I laughed at her.

"Are you better now?" She asked sincerely

I sighed "Yes, he's just never yelled at me like that or every looked that..

"Scary?" She asked

"Yes"

"Cole didn't get to be President by being a pantie charmer Hailey, he's ruthless, and you haven't even met that Cole yet. What you saw today, that was just the wink before the hello" Bennie warned

I nodded, taking in what she was saying.

"Thanks for everything but you know there is something else I need to talk to someone about. I was supposed to make a pick up at the bank, but Cole got shot and then last night happened, the bank manager called me and told me they can't sit on that money anymore, I have to go get it" I explained

"I could go with you but not without letting Duck know and if you don't tell Cole, that's definitely coming back on you"

"Fuck him for yelling like that. He's not the only one that has other shit going on, I'm literally being hunted by a psycho, besides he didn't act like he gives a shit so..."

"Oh Stop it, so you think he doesn't care about you because he yelled at you? Jesus Phoenix, you really are a princess"

"Ok Bennie, don't get carried away, I get what you're saying. I'm still not calling him on principle, can you call Duck please? I'm going to shower"

"Yeah, I'll get a hold of him"

—————————

By the time I got out of the shower and dressed, Drew was waiting for me in the kitchen.

"What do you want?" I asked harshly with a glare.

All I wanted to do was get my money and try to get out of this nightmare with Ryan that has been my life for so long, if it will even work.

"Listen, I have to do what I'm told, you know that, so I'm shadowing you and Bennie to the bank" Drew said and I looked up at him, pissed, clenching my jaw.

"Fine, whatever, let's go" I ordered

——————-

"Thank you again Mr Elliot, I had an unexpected business meeting come up that delayed me" I said to the bank manager, as I sat at his desk that held a chestnut brown leather briefcase, with 2.5 million dollars in it.

I stood up from my chair and so did he, I reached over the desk, shook his hand and grabbed the briefcase. Bennie stood up next to me and nodded him as she turned towards the door. I looked up at her like a scared rabbit, as I held that much money in my hand, terrified something would happen before I reached the car but that didn't happen, and in no time we made it out of the bank and into the car, without having drawn any attention to ourselves.

It had taken about three hours to get the money picked up and by the time we rolled onto the property it was dinner time.

People had shown up while we were out and now grills were burning and people were spread out everywhere. Some were playing yard darts and corn hole.

The ones that can never control their drunken testosterone were throwing hands in the center of a group of guys, the guys lined up around the fighting pair, as a makeshift boxing ring, bets were being placed.

I didn't want all these people here, and I have 2.5 million in my hands, what was he thinking?

I decided to go see Lana and hide the money at her place. At least until Cole removes the stick in his ass, talks to me and works the details of the plan to give the money to Ryan.

I don't consider this running in my defense. I have a purpose to leave. I'm not having someone take this money. I only trust the magnificent seven, and most of them aren't here right now.

I grabbed a backpack and packed just a change of clothes for the night with Lana, like I said I wasn't running, but I am taking time for me tonight; it's what I need.

I text Lana that I was coming over to spend the night.

Then I sent Cole at text letting him know I was spending the night with Lana and for him to enjoy the night with his father. I reassured him I wasn't running. I don't want him shot, again. He left me on read the dick but I wasn't going to let it bother me.

Once I slipped away easily because of all the people partying, I was bouncing down the gravel road in my Jeep, blasting my radio and singing at the top of my lungs with a smile on my face.

In this moment I was happy and proud of how I handled that situation. I didn't run from my fear and I stood up for myself to Rex as well. I'm getting stronger day by day. I may not have seen the side of Cole Bennie says is in there, but for some reason, I feel confident I'll be able to handle it if it happens.