I took a deep breath. “Jared uses his mother’s maiden name. His father is Angelo Rossi.”
“And you know this because…?”
“Because Rossi is my last name too.”
The room erupted with noise and tension as everyone began speaking at once. Maddox pulled me protectively to his side, his expression deadly. “Everyone chill the fuck out,” he barked. The rest of his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as I stared wide-eyed at the room of angry bikers and their women.
Finally, Max seemed to calm down enough to hear me out, and I explained what I knew, about Jared bragging to my uncle about a home he’d purchased in Hawthorne.
A blond-haired man who reminded me of a Viking assessed me suspiciously. “You told Mad the Rossis were planning a drop, when really Jared had an attempted kidnapping planned. How do you explain that?”
Maddox growled but I quieted him, wanting to explain myself. “I think my family suspects something and purposefully fed me that information. It’s why I’m here. I think my cover is blown regardless.”
That was only partially true; I was here because Maddox needed me, because despite how they might feel about me, I cared about this group of people because Maddox did.
“Why risk it?” another blond man asked. I wasn’t sure who he was but given the deference the rest of the men treated him with, I guessed he was their prez, Cole.
I wasn’t comfortable disclosing the degree of hatred I felt for my uncle, or how far I’d be willing to go to help Maddox. So instead I answered vaguely. “I have my reasons.”
“I think I have something,” a man with black and gray tattoos spoke up, his eyes on a laptop.
And with that, the room spun into motion, their suspicion of me dismissed for the moment. But not forgotten, I was sure.
“You did good, baby,” Maddox murmured in my ear, still holding me close to his side.
I nodded, feeling defeated and exhausted. “I should go.”
His brow creased. “You just got here. You need to rest.”
I looked around the room where I was very obviously unwelcome, eager to get out of there. All the reasons why I’d always said Maddox and I would never work, they felt all too real right now.
“You need to be with your family right now,” I pressed quietly. “I’ll call you later.”
“Francesca.” His jaw was clenched, determination clear in his tired gaze. He looked about to say more when his name was called from across the room. He looked at me, torn.
I gave him a gentle push. “Go.”
I headed for the door before he could argue. I’d never get in the way of him and his family, and after today it was clear that’s what being with me would mean.
As I walked to my car I realized I hadn’t felt a loss this profound since Nonna had died.
It had been foolish to think I could be happy—I’d given up that dream long ago. It was time to face reality, alone.
Chapter 7
MADDOX
The sun was shining brightly with a hint of a chill in the air that hinted at winter as I made my way to my bike after a meet at headquarters. It was still midday, plenty of time to make the trip to Vegas I had planned.
The rumble of an engine announced Max’s arrival as he pulled up in a black Mustang. “Nice ride,” I commented as he cut the engine.
“It’s Wren’s,” he replied as he climbed out of the car. “You outta here?”
“Yeah.”
He leaned against the side of his car, arms crossed as he eyed me intently. “You good?” Max had known me most of my life. It didn’t surprise me he knew something was off. “You worried about your girl?” he guessed correctly.
“How could I not be fuckin’ worried?” I shot back. “She risked her life to save Wren’s. Those assholes know she worked with us. And it’s not like she’s getting the warmest reception from our side either,” I scoffed.
