“How do you know something's going on?”
“Because you have been avoiding Mom, and you never call me,”he snarks, and I scoff.
“Fine. We have a problem here at the club, and I need a pickup. Someone needs to help me dispose of the trash.”
“Never a dull moment in this family. Okay, I'll send someone in an hour.”
He ends the call, and I walk over to Shina. I sit on the bed and pull her onto my lap. “It's all going to be okay. You're safe now and so are the kids.”
She looks at me and wipes her eyes. “You're always saving me.”
I kiss her head and sigh. “You know that I'm in love with you right? I understand you're not ready, but you know where I stand.”
She leans in and kisses me. It's slow, sweet and perfect.
“Thank you, Rock.”
“Always, but right now we need to get out of here, change and then wait for my family.”
She nods and lets me pull her off the bed. I grab a robe for myself, then slowly open the door, checking that the hall is clear.
Loud bass thumps from the club and bar, but no one is back here.
We walk to her office in a slow, casual manner. We don't need to raise any suspicion.
Once behind the door she walks to a small closet and grabs a change of clothes for herself and I.
I take the large black sweatpants with the club's logo on the leg and tight grey T-shirt. I am going to be a walking and talking ad for the club, but it's better than wearing blood-soaked clothes.
Once ready, we head out to the bar and wait. Rosie and Patience are there laughing and chatting.
Shina grabs us both a drink, and we sit with them. Everything is good until my brother, Nixen walks inside, and Patience freaks out.
She's under the table in a blink and to say I'm confused is an understatement.
“What are you doing?” I mumble, and she looks up at me with panicked eyes.
“He can't know that I am here,” she hisses and I sigh.
I push my chair back and stand, then take Shina's hand and lead her over to greet my brother.
“Thanks for coming. Marco called you?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“No, what's going on? Shina called, and I figured I would swing by before leaving town. I'm going to Maine to see Cal.”
I look at my girl and raise an eyebrow. “How do you know my brother?”
She looks between us and opens, then closes her mouth. “Umm, he's my old business partner?”
Nixen laughs, and I cringe. I don't like that they have a previous relationship. Even if it was business only.
My brother is a psycho. My whole family is. Comes with being in the mafia.
“Why was Marco called? Does this have to do with the voicemail you left me?” he asks Shina, and she shakes her head, then stops and nods.
“Yes, and no. It wasn’t the purpose for my call, but now it’s escalated, and they are tied together.”
“Now I’m the one confused,” I mumble, and she looks at me.
