Chapter 16 #2
I guess there was some truth to the old saying, Love isn’t something we go out and search for. Instead, love finds us, and when it does, it can be the best thing that will ever happen to us. It certainly was true for me.
Feeling more content than I had in my entire life, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d been napping when Noah’s phone started to ring.
He quickly jumped out of bed and grabbed it out of his jeans pocket.
After what seemed like a two-second conversation, he hung up, then looked over to me and announced, “You need to go pack your stuff.”
“What? Why?”
“We’re going back to the clubhouse.”
As I watched him start to dress, I asked, “And why are we doing that?”
“Remington, go pack your bags.”
I wanted to push him for a reason, but I could tell by his tone it wasn’t the time. I let out an exasperated sigh as I tossed back the covers and grumbled, “Fine. I’ll go pack.”
I wrapped the sheet around me, and as I started out of his room, he reached over and popped me on the behind with a smile. “That’s my girl.”
“You’re gonna pay for that, mister.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
While I had no idea why we were going back to the clubhouse, I was actually looking forward to it—not only for a change of scenery, but to see some of the brothers again. I liked Doc. He’d been so good to me, and I’d enjoyed the short time I’d spent with Rafe and Country.
They were Noah’s brothers, and I wanted a chance to get to know them better. Viper, on the other hand, worried me a little. When I was in the infirmary, he’d made it clear that he wasn’t happy about my being at his clubhouse, but I hoped those feelings had changed.
After I finished gathering my things, I cleaned up a bit, made both beds, and finished putting the dishes away in the kitchen.
By the time I was done with everything, Noah was already packed and waiting for me on the front porch.
He was leaning against the railing with his duffle bag at his feet, and I could tell by his expression that he was about to drop a bomb on me.
Dread washed over me as I asked, “What?”
“You’re not gonna like it.”
“Just tell me.”
“Alfonzo has to come back to the clubhouse with us.”
“Who’s Alfonzo?”
He motioned his head towards the office. “The guy you freaked out over.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Got no other choice.” He stood up and walked over to me. “I can’t leave him here.”
“And what if he tries to hurt me again?”
“He won’t.”
“But how can you be sure?”
“You said you trusted me.”
“That’s not fair,” I argued. “You’re using my words against me!”
“Well, it’s true.” He slipped his arm around my waist. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you again, Remington. You’ve got my word on that.”
“Okay, fine.” I sighed. “I won’t fuss about him coming with us, but I’m not going to talk to him or even look at him.”
“Understood.”
After he grabbed our bags, I followed him down the steps. When reached the SUV, I was surprised to find that Alfonzo was already secured in the back seat. I quickly turned to Noah, looking for some sort of explanation, but all I got was a shrug.
Grumbling under my breath, I opened the door and hopped in the passenger seat.
I’d never felt so uncomfortable. One of the men who’d hit me, kicked me, and eventually, stabbed me and threw me in a dumpster was sitting right behind me.
Sensing my unease, Noah placed his hand on my thigh and lightly squeezed it.
I gave him a slight smile, letting him know I was okay, and then we were on our way.
I kept my eyes trained on the road ahead and tried not to think about the man sitting behind me, but it didn’t matter. I knew he was there. I could feel the heat of his stare on the back of my neck. It made me wonder if, like me, he was thinking about the night of the attack.
One by one the memories flooded my mind, especially the moment when Detective Mathews appeared in the middle of the mayhem.
There was something about him, the way he spoke and the orders he gave, that made me think that he had a big part to play in what had happened—and not just with me.
He seemed to be a leader of sorts, and he might be our answer to putting an end to all of this craziness.
Having our guest sitting right behind me made it a bad time to bring it up, but that didn’t stop me from leaning over to Noah and asking, “What are we going to do about Detective Mathews?”
“There’s no we in this, Remington.”
“I don’t see why not,” I argued. “He’s clearly not a good guy, and I’m the one he—”
“Not the time or the place, Remington.”
“Okay, fine, but I do think it’s something that needs to be addressed.
And not only that—” Over the past few days, I’d thought a lot about my folks and how worried they had to be.
I’d tried to convince Noah several times to let me reach out to them, but he’d always refused.
Now I wondered what would happen when all this was finally over.
“You do realize that there’ve been people out there looking for me.
The police. My family. People I work with.
My friends. When this is all over, how am I supposed to explain where I’ve been all this time? ”
“Hadn’t really thought about it.”
“Don’t you think it’s something we should figure out? The police will want to know. So will my parents. I’ve gotta be able to tell them something.”
“We’ll figure it out, but for now, we just gotta get through the next couple of days.”
“I don’t guess I can ask you what you mean by that?”
“No, babe. You can’t.”
“Didn’t think so.”
We continued driving, and it wasn’t long before I heard the man in the back ask, “Hey, can I say something to her?”
“No,” Noah growled.
“It’s important to me. I need to say it.”
Before Noah could respond, I looked over to him. “It’s okay. Let him say what he’s got to say.”
“Fine.” Noah looked in the rearview mirror, and as he glared at Alfonzo, he ordered, “Keep it short.”
“Just wanted to say I was sorry ’bout what happened to you.
It wasn’t right. I didn’t want to be a part of it, but I didn’t have no choice.
” Maybe I was being foolish, but there was something in his voice that made me think he was actually telling me the truth.
It wasn’t something I wanted to believe.
It was easier to think he was a monster and that he’d enjoyed hurting me.
I could almost feel that knife jabbing into my chest when he said, “Tried to be careful when I stabbed you. Wanted to make sure I didn’t kill you. ”
When Noah noticed me wince, he glared back and Alfonzo. “That’s enough.”
“I’m sorry, man. I just had to tell her I was sorry.”
“Well, now you’ve said it. Don’t say any more.”
I never took my eyes off the road. Watching the buildings slip past my window was the only thing keeping me from having a complete breakdown.
It wasn’t his confession that had upset me.
I honestly believed what he’d said. I just wasn’t sure I had it in me to just forgive and forget.
But the longer I sat there thinking about it, I realized I was only hurting myself by not doing so.
When we arrived at the clubhouse, I didn’t move.
I just sat there waiting as Noah got out and walked around to Alfonzo’s door and opened it.
I had no idea what Noah’s plans were for this man, so I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him again.
With that in mind, I glanced over my shoulder, looking him right in the eye and said, “Thank you for telling me, and thank you for not killing me when you could have.”
Alfonzo nodded, then got out of the SUV and followed Noah around the back of the building. I had no idea where they were going, and the way things went with this club and their bothers, it was doubtful I’d ever find out.