I nodded, lying. If I let on how I was really feeling to Op, he’d either call this whole thing off or give me a pep talk. I wasn’t sure which would be worse.
“Thunder fucked up,” Dead told Op as he exited the car.
“I was married once. I lost her because I never said what I should’ve.” Op’s eyes dropped. “Whatever he did, I need you to bury it for now, but when the time’s right, give him the benefit of the doubt. We’re fuckers.”
“That’s what I said.”
Op stood, holding his arm out for me. I slid my feet to the side, grabbing the door frame for leverage. I held my purse in my hand, but Op wrapped his arm around mine, holding me steady until I took the first step on my own. As soon as we entered the lobby, How and Zook flanked us on either side.
“This is swanky,” How said under his breath.
The rest of the brothers stepped in behind us, making two lines until Twig stood in the middle, the odd man out.
“Remember, the minute you say Bobby, we’re out of here,” Op whispered. I nodded, knowing what my code word was.
We walked past the entrance, but I didn’t bother checking out the decor. It would always hold memories of tonight for me, and I’d never come back. I stopped, and Op instantly pulled back, letting me lead.
“Do you need a minute?”
The entrance was empty. An eerie calm settled in the room as if it didn’t know the importance of this evening. I let it settle over me, hardening me to anything but the now. I took the first step, and my procession followed behind me. The doors to the dining were open, and I could clearly see six cartel members standing throughout the room. It wasn’t until we approached that Alex’s nephew appeared, twirling his silver dagger.
“Mi amor.” Alex was standing in the middle of the dining room. He leaned against the back of a chair, tucked into a table set for two.
Op let me go, standing in front of me, while the other two closed ranks. “I could easily put a bullet in his brain, but you don’t see me twirling my gun.”
“We have guests, sobrino.”
I couldn’t see anything over Op, but the brothers behind me spread out. They were supposed to find vantage points in the room, watching me, even when I wasn’t sure I couldn’t see them. Zook and How peeled off, and Op took a step back, holding his arm out for me. He led me to the table, pulling out my chair until I was comfortable. He then faded into the background with the rest.
“Sabre allows you an entourage but doesn’t do the same for the others?”
“Stop.” I held up my hand. “This is about…you.” I wouldn’t let him lead me into a pissing contest.
“Are they prepared to surrender?” Alex raised his water glass, bringing it to his lips.
I shook my head. “We’re not…doing this. These men…trained. They could…eliminate you. You couldn’t…even steal…a car right.”
I’d timed the words right, and Alex had to swallow the water quickly. He hit his chest as he coughed, and when it subsided, he laughed. “There’s no money in cars.”
“There’s no money…in being…a motherfucker…either.” It wasn’t only the bikers who had to hide their laughter behind coughs.
“Now, now, mi amor. You’ve never spoken with such…harsh words.”
I stared at him, not saying a word. There were a lot of things I’d never done before. Never got the chance to raise my child. Never got to watch my sister grow old with me. She would never meet the love of my life. I wasn’t about to explain that to the man who’d set off the chain reaction. I shrugged. It was all he was going to get from me.
“You know I won’t allow that marriage of yours to stand.”
Allow.
I smirked as I held up my ring finger. “You don’t…allow. No control.” The diamond in my wedding ring glistened under the restaurant’s lights.
I pulled a bottle of water from my purse, breaking the seal. “I’ll go home…to my husband. Thunder.”
I thought I’d locked down my emotions to get through this evening, but snippets of life with Thunder played in my head. The early mornings, lying in bed. The late nights discussing our days. Times he’d held me, making sure I knew I wasn’t alone.
Was he still going to be my husband? He’d offered a divorce, but I hadn’t stopped long enough to consider the implications. I’d loved him as my friend, letting my feelings grow. If I believed him, he’d seen an opportunity to claim me. He’d called it fear of losing me, but I wasn’t sure if it was love or betrayal. Now wasn’t the time to figure it out.
“There’s water on the table.”
