“I did. And you picked a great spot to hide, Squirt. We almost didn’t see you,” I praise. “You girls ready to go? Pres will have the guys clean up and talk to the police. If they want to talk to you, they can meet us out at the clubhouse. I need to get you two someplace safe and away from here.”
Everly doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s go.”
Ever sits in the back seat with Kaylie, stroking her hair and watching her closely. It’s almost as if she can’t believe Kaylie is okay. Outside of being scared and being left to hide for so long alone, Kaylie seems to be fine. I’m sure we’ll know for sure if she has nightmares or anything going forward.
When we pull into the clubhouse, we’re greeted by Linzie and Liz first. They meet us in the lot near my truck. Liz reaches for Kaylie, holding her close to her chest.
“Come child. Let’s get you some hot chocolate and a snack inside. What do you say?” Liz coasts over the fact we were just shot at or involved in any mayhem. She simply turns on that grandmotherly charm and caters to the little girl who needs attention and distraction. Kaylie looks at me and then at Ever.
“Go ahead, baby. Get a snack with Miss Liz and I’ll come find you in the kitchen. I just need to freshen up first,” Ever explains, and Kaylie, although slightly hesitant, does as she’s told. Kaylie takes a few steps, releases Liz’s hand and runs to me. I catch her easily, lifting her into my arms.
“Remember what you promised,” Kaylie whispers, looking as serious as can be.
“Of course. You have my word. I never break it.” Kaylie nods, kisses my cheek, then squirms to get down. I release her onto her feet and watch as she retakes Liz’s hand and goes inside.
“You think she knows what happened at the salon today?” Ever asks, her voice trembling.
I take her hand in mine. “No, baby. I think she did what she was told and hid herself out of the way. If she heard anything, I don’t think she would know what it was. And the guys were good about keeping her from seeing the mess when we escorted you both out the back. She’ll be fine, Ever. She has us to help her if she’s not.”
Ever looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. Whatever she finds staring back at her must be enough because she nods, then walks toward the clubhouse. We’re about to step through the double doors when three blacked-out SUVs come pulling into the yard, and I know immediately who they belong to.
Shit.
I get Ever inside and seat her beside Kaylie, kissing them both. “Whatever happens, stay here until I get you.” Ever’s eyes widen, but I see the moment she understands.
Gabe isn’t pleased to see Vincenzo in the clubhouse. Santiago and Matto have entered along with a small woman who is standing very close to Matteo with her head down. She looks frail, has long dark hair, and a slender body. She doesn’t look directly at anyone, but her head is on a swivel, like she expects someone to jump out at her.
Matteo reaches for her chin, lifting it with two fingers. When her eyes meet his, he shakes his head slowly. “You do not hide yourself, Piccola Tesoro. You are safe here. With me. Understood?”
She’s soft-spoken, but I hear her reply, “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need for apologies.” Matteo kisses her forehead. “You will learn not to cower from any man. You are a queen. Men will bow to you.” She brushes her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks are pink and her smile faint, but she straightens her spine at his words and earns herself a smile and nod of approval.
We all watch in awe. All except Hawk, who tries to cut past Gabe to reach his sister. Gabe’s arm shoots out, stopping him when he notices how quickly Matteo pushes Shea behind him in a protective measure. Matteo shakes his head at Hawk.
“She will see you on her own terms and not before. This is merely to allow her closure. Nothing more,” Matteo says matter-of-factly. Hawk looks at his sister, but she drops her head once more.
“Mr. Wright,” Vincenzo turns his attention to me. “We need to talk.” I lean my forehead against Ever’s and whisper, “Please don’t hate me when this is over.”
“The fuck is going on here?” Pres asks, standing between me and the mobster trio.
“Ah, Gabriel. It’s good to see you. I’ve come to speak with Mr. Wright. He and I have business to discuss,” Vincenzo drawls.
Gabe crosses his arms over his chest and raises his brow. “What business could you possibly have with Mason that I don’t know about?” His glare moves to me.
“You didn’t tell him.” It’s not a question. “Well, it seems you have someone in your basement that belongs to me. I fulfilled my end of our little contract and Mr. Wright now needs to fulfill his.”
“What contract? And who do you think is in my basement?” Gabe’s getting madder by the second.
“Pres, I got this. I, uh, made a deal with Vincenzo. I asked for his help when Ever shut me and the club out. I asked him to have some of his men keep watch over Everly and Kaylie, and in return I promised to hand over Torch to him and his men.”
“Torch isn’t in my basement,” Pres says, shrugging. “Maybe you should try the local sheriff's station.”
“The police don’t have him.” Vincenzo looks at me with a smirk that tells me I’m about to be in a shit ton of trouble. “They don’t even know about the mess that took place at Mrs. Wright’s salon. They were called away on an anonymous tip about a burning building at the edge of town.”
“What burning building?” Gabe’s phone chimes, and I watch as he reads the screen, then snaps his eyes to a still smirking Parisi.
“What is it, Pres?” I’m not sure I want to know, based on the way his nostrils have flared and his breathing has picked up. Seconds later, Ghost comes running past us, hobbling with his one bad leg as he shouts to the room, “Those Devil bastards set fire to my strip club!”
