There is a tense stand-off for a few seconds before the bikers walk off, and a layer of stress peels off my shoulders.
“Let’s go.” Drew drills a look at Kaiden before swinging his gaze our way. His lips purse as Everett and I lift Roman up, his feet dragging behind us as we walk.
The bar is eerily silent as we make our way outside with copious eyeballs watching our every move. Kaiden has Jarvis in a headlock as he drags him out into the parking lot. Everett helps me lift Roman into the back seat, staying with me while I take care of my brother, even if every muscle in my body is straining to join the others outside. “Your brother and his friends are some seriously scary motherfuckers, Z,” he says as we watch them beat the ever-loving shit out of Jarvis.
“I know.”
“I’m glad they’re on your side.”
I stab him with a look because we both know that isn’t guaranteed. Not when they discover what I’ve done.
“Tell Kaiden.” Everett holds my gaze. “Tell him everything before it’s too late.” He looks out the window. “That guy will burn the world down for his family, and you’re his. He’ll understand.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
Everett grips my shoulder. “I just know he will.”
“Maybe.” I bite my lip as I look at my sleeping brother. Roman is out for the count, sleeping deeply, and I hope he’s okay. I want a doctor to check him out to make sure.
“What are you going to do about Emery now?”
I rest my head back. “Nothing has changed. She doesn’t care about him.” I remember her frowning when she got the flowers,and she wasn’t into that kiss or the exhibition he made in public. “He doesn’t know her like I do.”
“She seems determined to push you away,” Everett reminds me while the others spit on Jarvis outside. Van Hesten curls into a ball on the ground, covered in blood and nursing several broken bones I’m guessing.
The guys stand around talking.
“I can be patient.” If Ro is serious about staying here and going to Rydeville High, I have plenty of time to win Emery over. Mybrotheris not getting in my way. Can’t believe I ever liked that guy.
“I’ll see you back at the house,” Everett says as Kaiden, Lauder, and Hunt come this way. I nod at my buddy as he gets out and walks to his car. Drew and Charlie get into a black Maserati and drive off.
Kaiden climbs into the back on the other side, carefully lifting Ro’s head into his lap. We stare at one another, united in our concern for our little brother, as Lauder floors it out of there. A silent truce forms between us and we both nod in understanding.
For the first time, I can admit I’m grateful he was here tonight and can even acknowledge it feels good not to have to deal with this on my own anymore.
Chapter Thirty
Zayn
“Is he okay?” I scramble to my feet from the floor of the hallway when Rick emerges from Ro’s bedroom carrying his black medical bag. Kai had called our eldest brother when Ro went missing, and he instantly hopped on a plane. Rick was waiting at the house with Abby when we came back from the bar, and he immediately took control of the situation.
“He’ll be okay, but he’s lucky.” He sighs as he dumps his bag on the floor and scrubs his hands down his face. “That shit is lethal, and we need to get him off it.”
“Abby spoke to Olivia.” Kai walks toward us from the living room. He stifles a yawn as he approaches barefoot, wearing cotton sleep pants and a white top. “She’ll call her friend in the morning and see if they have a place for Roman.” Apparently, Olivia Manning is good friends with the director of a local rehab clinic. They have a month-long in-house program for teens struggling with addiction. They also have a specialized trauma therapy program, which seems ideal for our little brother.
If we can get him to go.
I have no clue what kind of mood he’ll be in when he wakes and discovers what went down. Or how he’ll react to the beating given to Jarvis.
“Good.” Rick’s nod is solemn.
“Do you need to get back?” Kai asks as Abby appears behind her husband, wearing a silk robe and slippers.
“I have a few friends covering my shifts for the next couple days,” Maverick drills me with a look. “I think we need a family meeting to sort through everything, and I want to be here for it.”
I’m tempted to give him shit, but honestly, I’m just too freaking tired.
“Everett is in the gray guest room, but you can take the blue one,” Abby says, coming up alongside her husband. “The bed is freshly made, and I left some towels and toiletries in the en suite bathroom. Kai can give you whatever clothing you need.”
