Julian shifts and sits forward. “So, you killed Donovan?” I look at him and the tension in his features is obvious.
“He didn’t give me much of a choice,” Victor says. “Donovan said he was there to take back what belonged to him.” He looks at me and gives me a small smile. “I’m proud of you for standing up to that asshole,” he says. My cheeks heat up, knowing everyone is looking at me, but I still melt at his praise.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I want to hear more about that,” Ansley says.
I shrug. “I just told him I didn’t belong to him. That’s not something I would have done before Victor, though.”
Ansley beams at me with a proud look. “Good for you.”
“She was definitely a badass,” Lincoln says, and Arden nods in agreement. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, not used to this kind of attention.
“Arden and I had a plan if anything like this were to ever happen. He was to get Olivia away. When Lane showed up, I saw our opportunity. Arden grabbed her and took off. Donovan raised his gun, but I was prepared. I always carry a gun at myankle, so I dropped to my knees, grabbed it, and shot him in the head. Malachi showed up with some of The Outsiders too.” Victor looks at Malachi. “I don’t even know how you knew to come there.”
“We heard the bomb too. James tried to call me, but it got cut off, so I sent out a text to everyone and told them to meet me there,” Malachi explains. “Not everyone received it, but enough did.”
I sigh at the mention of James. “Is James alright?” I ask.
Malachi nods. “He broke his ankle, but he’s fine.” Everyone looks back at Victor, waiting for him to continue.
“There was so much chaos it took me a few moments to realize Leo had been shot. Lincoln and I pulled him behind a car. Arden and Lane came to where we were and Arden took him to get help. Everything was over by that point. All of Donovan’s men were down, and those who weren’t ran away. Then I came out to find Olivia.”
“What happened to the men that got killed?” Julian asks.
“We took care of it,” Malachi says. Julian looks around the table and sighs. Bailey pats his arm.
“Julian, baby, I know this goes against your moral code, but it was them or our friends. What would you have done?” she asks.
He interlaces his fingers with hers and takes a deep breath. He looks around the table. “I don’t have a problem with what happened. I killed for Bailey, then I let the police handle it from there,” he says.
“Julian, that guy wasn’t part of the mafia or connected with others that would come and try to take vengeance on his behalf,” Victor tells him. Understanding lights up Julian’s eyes.
“You’re right. I saw my fair share of those types of crimes when I was a detective. I’m not trying to be difficult, but it’s part of my DNA to do things within the law and allow justice to handle things,” he says. Bailey leans up and kisses his jaw.
Victor nods in understanding. “I get it. I really do.” He looks at Malachi. “Your turn.”
Malachi is standing with his hands in his pockets. He has brown hair that always looks like he’s run his fingers through it, a close shaved beard and mustache, and both of his arms are covered in tattoos. He’s wearing a white T-shirt under his leather motorcycle vest and jeans.
“I’ve heard of Donovan and the things he did. I didn’t care so much about the weapons he moved or even the money laundering until it affected one of my own.” He looks at Victor, and I know he’s referring to how Donovan used one of his restaurants. “Then he was on my radar, so I paid closer attention. That’s when I found out about the human trafficking. I wasn’t aware of him doing that, but when he disappeared for a while, he became a back burner problem for us.” He gestures to the other members that were there.
“I saw him one day and that put him back on my radar. So, we kept an eye on him, then found out one of The Outsiders was involved with him. I gave specific instructions to everyone not to do that. I interrogated him and found out he was involved with a woman by the name of Alice Brighton. The girls he got off the street he would take to this auction that Alice was a part of and sell them against their will.” I gasp at that name and Victor stiffens under me.
I glance back at him as my stomach swirls with anxiety.Did he recognize that name too?“That’s who took me,” I say.
He nods like this isn’t news to him. “When I was searching for you, one of the EMTs said she was supposed to be taking care of you, but she drove off with the ambulance.”
“Oh.” I look down. “The doctor that stitched up my arm. His name was Dr. Chamberland. I recognized him,” I whisper the last part so only he can hear.
Victor raises his eyebrows at me. “From where?” He keeps his voice low too.
I swallow, trying to wet my dry throat. “He was the doctor that Donovan used.” I’m being cryptic, but he understands what I mean right away. He pulls me close and kisses my forehead.
“I’m so sorry, Olivia.”
No one asks what’s going on because I’m assuming they all understand if I wanted to talk about it, I would. I’m grateful they don’t ask questions because I don’t know if that’s something I’ll ever talk about again. Betsy comes in at that moment, pushing a serving tray. The smell of fried chicken and bread fills my senses.
“Dinners served,” she says, heading for me.
