Chapter Seven
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“How’s he doing?” Spike asks as I step into the war room.
“He’s finally asleep,” I say, dropping into the empty seat beside Tank. “Abby’s over there now in case he wakes up and needs help with something.”
“Speaking of Abby,” Spike says, rubbing a hand down his face, “I’ve agreed to officially let her open her shop. Her and Lila are heading over tomorrow to get things started. She plans to open next month.”
“It’s not safe for her to be working outside the compound right now,” Tank says, voice flat.
“I know,” Spike sighs. “Last damn thing I want is those girls beyond these walls. But you know Abby, Tank. If I keep saying no, she’s gonna feel trapped.
And I can’t have that. Not after everything she’s been through.
We’ll have men with them at all times, and Foster is making sure the security system is top-notch. ”
“We don’t have the extra men,” Tank snaps. “Not to stand around all fucking day watching over them simply because the woman doesn’t want to do as she’s fucking told.”
Damn it. I should’ve sat beside Bones.
“The only reason I’m not jumping up to kick your ass for talking about my sister like that,” Spike growls, “is because I know exactly how you feel about her. But let’s get something straight, brother.”
Tank stiffens beside me, but Spike doesn’t give him a chance to speak.
“You’ve made your place in her life pretty fucking clear. You’ve pushed her away while she was practically begging you for attention for years. Years, Tank. You don’t want her close. You don’t want her attention. You don’t want her love. You sure as hell don’t want her wearing your property patch.”
Spike’s voice is low and dangerous.
“So you have zero fucking rights to argue with me about my decisions for my sister.”
Tank looks like he’s been punched in the gut, but Spike isn’t done.
“And in case your math skills need refreshing, vice fucking president?” Spike snaps. “We’ve got well over three hundred men. Plenty to keep Abby and Lila safe while she opens her damn shop.”
The room falls quiet.
Spike leans back in his chair like he didn’t just verbally skin the second-in-command alive. Meanwhile, Tank sits there like he’s wrestling a demon inside his own chest. And I know that demon well…hell, we all do.
Tank’s been brushing off Abby’s crush for years. Not because he’s not into her. Not because he doesn’t want her. The man fucking loves her.
But because he doesn’t think he’s good enough for our club princess.
And even though Spike has given his blessing a dozen damn times over, Tank still keeps pushing her away.
He’s fighting a battle he’s destined to lose.
Because when it comes to Abby, Tank’s heart doesn’t stand a chance.
One day…maybe sooner than he thinks…he’ll cave. He’ll give in. He’ll admit the truth we all already know. And he’ll put his patch on her the way he’s always secretly wanted to.
I just hope the stubborn bastard isn’t too late when that day finally comes.
Abby’s been through hell. A hell that she’s still not fully recovered from.
But none of that diminishes how fucking beautiful she is…
inside and out. And if she ever decides to let herself love someone else…
it won’t take long before some lucky bastard swoops in and treats her exactly like the precious woman she is.
Tank better wake the hell up…or he’ll lose her without ever having her at all.
“Now, the reason I called you all over here this late is that we’ve just received an email,” Spike says. “Our presence has been requested.”
“Our presence has been requested?” I smirk. “Where to? Buckingham Palace?”
“Better,” Foster laughs. “The Moretti Estate.”
“The Italians?” I stare at him. “I think I’d rather go to London.”
“Do you think he has info on Cortéz?” asks Knuckles. “The bastard’s been way too fucking quiet lately. That’s never a good sign.”
“More likely he wants to trade or bargain for something,” Bones says. “Remember…Moretti’s a Don. His family is his first and only concern.”
“No different than our main concern,” I add.
Bones nods once. “True. But the big difference is that he’s a mafia crime boss. We frown on hurting innocent people. The mafia uses it as a threat. One they’re not afraid to follow through on.”
Spike leans forward in his chair, elbows on the table.
“The email was short,” he says. “One line. ‘Don Moretti requests the presence of the Shadows at his estate. As soon as possible.’”
The room goes still.
“That’s it?” Bones asks.
“That’s it,” Spike confirms. “Formal and to the point.”
“It could be a trap?” Foster says.
“Possible,” Spike nods. “But remember, Moretti’s not an enemy. We have an agreement. He keeps his business out of our territory, and we don’t interfere with his. If he’s calling us in, it’s important.”
Bones nods. “A Don doesn’t waste words. If he wanted a war, we’d already be dead.”
“Exactly,” Spike agrees, “This isn’t a threat. It’s a summons. And ignoring it would be spitting on a handshake deal we’ve kept solid for years.”
He scans the room, then starts assigning positions.
“Bones,” Spike says. “You’re coming with me. You read people better than anyone here.”
Bones grunts his agreement.
“Tank, you’re coming too. I need your size and your presence at my back. Maverick will be meeting us in the morning before we head out. With you, him, and Skip, no one will think twice about fucking with us.”
Tank nods.
Then Spike’s eyes land on me, and he smirks.
“Apart from your size...You’re fucking crazy, and I’m looking forward to seeing your work when we meet our local Don for the very first time.”
“Me, too,” I laugh. Yeah, I do go a bit wild from time to time. Keeps our enemies on their toes and me in their radar.
I like being the center of attention after all.
“Knuckles, you’re staying here.”
“With Foster?” Knuckles asks, making a face like Spike just told him to babysit a pot of soup.
“Yes. With Foster,” Spike says firmly. “We need someone who can spot trouble from a mile away, planted right here in the compound.”
Knuckles huffs. “Feels a hell of a lot like punishment.”
“It’s not,” Spike says. “It’s an assignment. And an important one.”
Foster grins. “I’ll make us snacks.”
Knuckles groans into his palms. “Spike, please. Please don’t do this to me. I’m dying, man…remember? You trying to kill me faster?”
“Consider it an opportunity for character growth,” Spike deadpans.
I snort before I can stop myself.
Spike looks around the table. “Rollout at ten a.m. I want everyone cleaned up and sharp. We’re not walking into that estate looking like street trash. We represent the Shadows.”
Bones cracks his neck. “A mafia estate, huh? Sounds fun.”
“It will be,” Spike says. “As long as everyone remembers…the Moretti clan respects us because we respect them. This is business. Nothing more.”
He stands.
“Meeting adjourned.”
“Does this mean I can’t make friends with the mafia?” I ask as I follow Spike out of the room. “Maybe he’ll make me the Underboss. Is that the right term, Bones?”
“How the hell would I know?” he grumbles, brushing past me.
“Tell Sunny I love her and give her a big, warm hug from me!” I shout after him, just to stir the pot.
He freezes. Turns. Points a finger at my chest.
“You’re not touching my fucking wife. Don’t even think about giving her a hug. In real life or that crazy-ass mind of yours.”
“You can’t stop me from thinking what I want, Bones,” I say with a smile, absolutely poking the bear. “If I want to think about hugging Sunny, I will. Hell, I might even think about planting a sweet kiss on her cheek.”
Yep. That’s all it took.
I may be bigger and physically stronger than Bones…but he’s a monster. And when it comes to Sunny, he’s the devil himself.
And man-oh-man, do I love playing with fire.
Laughing, I rush around Spike and head straight for Bones’ house.
Sunny’s curled up on the porch in her rocking chair, reading a book.
“One of these days, he’s actually going to hurt you,” she says, laughing when I stop beside her.
“Maybe,” I grin as I hear Bones stomping across the yard. “Until then, and probably after, I’m gonna keep playing. I live for danger. Now… how close is he?”
“He’s walking by Spike and Riley’s house now,” she smiles. “Best hurry up.”
Shaking her head, she tilts her cheek toward me…inviting the chaos. God, I love this woman.
I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek.
“Did he just fucking kiss you?” Bones roars from down the path.
“Better run,” Sunny whispers.
This isn’t the first time we’ve played this game… and it sure as shit won’t be the last.
“I’ll never love another like you!” I yell dramatically before I jump off the side of the porch and bolt toward my house.
One of these days, Bones is going to catch me and beat the shit out of me…but he’d never really hurt me. He knows I’m just messing.
He just hates anyone besides him loving on his wife.
“I’m gonna skin you alive if you ever touch my wife again!” he hollers as I slam my front door.
Laughing, I head into the kitchen for a snack.
“I almost believed him that time,” Abby says from behind me. “Did you hug his wife again?”
“Nope,” I say, taking a bite of an apple. “I kissed her cheek.”
Her eyes widen, and then she bursts into laughter.
“You have a death wish,” she wheezes.
“Nah,” I shrug. “Someone’s gotta keep the grouchy bastard on his toes. Otherwise, he’ll start thinking the whole world fears him.”
“They do,” she snorts, shaking her head. “Anyway, I’m heading home. Eli woke up half an hour ago and said he needs to wake up in the middle of the night to drink water. He asked for his phone, but I couldn’t find it.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “And I’m excited for you about finally opening your shop. I’m proud of you, Abigail.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. “I just wish everyone was.”
“He’s proud of you, too,” I murmur.
“I know. He’s a good big brother.”
“Not who I was talking about, sweetheart,” I say gently.
She stiffens, knowing exactly which idiot I mean.