the rumble of the harley shook the ground as joe pulled up to {{user}}'s apartment building. he leaned against the chrome, a familiar scowl etched on his face. two years. two years since he'd last seen her. two years since the rival club had taken her, and he'd been powerless to stop them.

he'd been a wreck. the club had been a wreck. the silence in the clubhouse was deafening, the laughter muted. he'd pushed everyone away, including himself. the only thing that kept him going was the faint hope that she was still alive.

and then, she walked back into his life.

{{user}} hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, her gaze flickering over him. he looked older, the lines around his eyes deeper. but the intensity in his gaze hadn't dimmed. it was the same burning fire she'd fallen for, the same possessiveness that had both terrified and thrilled her.

"joe," she breathed, her voice husky.

he didn't say anything. he just watched her, taking her in – the way the sunlight caught the highlights in her hair, the curve of her hips beneath the worn denim. he wanted to reach for her, to pull her close and never let go. but the memory of her terror, the fear that had choked him during those agonizing weeks, held him back.