26. Chapter 25
Kodi
“I’m so sorry, but the spot has been filled. We didn’t think you had enough experience for the level of the role,” Mandy says before me, trying to look professional despite her right eye twitching and my jaw ticks.
She knows this conversation is anything but professional. She knows she’s screwing me over, and I know something isn’t right. I can feel it in my gut, just like I did with all the other interviews that ended this exact way.
I raise a brow at the woman as the school bell rings in the background of our video chat. She clears her throat as she looks behind her for a moment, then looks my way again, guilt lacing her eyes.
Mandy Harris is the principal of Middle East High in Mexico and wanted nothing more than to speak to me, emailing me every day for the past five days since I inquired about the job.
Now that I’ve finally answered her email, now that I’m settled with Liam until he decides whether or not he will be staying within the MC, a choice I will not and refuse to help him make, video calling her five minutes after her fifth email about the job today alone, she’s telling me the spot for the assistant art teacher has suddenly been filled.
I mean, how stupid does she think I am?
I want to scream and call bull, I want to call her a liar but instead, I act like the professional that I am after years in the force and I ask, “Then why did you take my call?” as I sit back in my seat trying not to snap at her because honestly, I’m pissed, no, screw that, I’m completely livid.
This is the ninth interview I’ve had since being discharged from the hospital after Trick messed up my job offer with the school in Boston. Every single interviewer has declined me, and I’m beginning to get suspicious. No, actually, I’m more than suspicious because this has Trick all over it.
I swear he’s just as much of a menace in his adult years as he was in his teens when he wants to get his own way, and if it means keeping Liam in the state, then he’ll do anything, including ruining any chances I have at a job offer.
I tilt my head as I watch the woman try to come up with an excuse and I shake my head.
All my interviews are out of state because Liam has made it clear he will be leaving the club when I get a job.
Yet, despite the enthusiasm of the employers, by the time I speak to them, the role is filled, even five minutes before I call them, which makes me think my friend's meddling husband is monitoring my emails.
Mandy clears her throat and shifts slightly in her chair, her light brown eyes not looking my way, and I huff knowing there is no chance of trying to convince her that I’ll be the right fit for her school.
Knowing the club, they probably donated thousands to ensure they don’t employ me or threatened them, depending on what Trick could find.
“Okay, thank you for your time,” I say before hanging up without letting her explain herself, then I dial Clark's number and press the call button.
“Hey,” she answers after the third ring, “we need to make a play date kind of thing, Willow says she misses her auntie time, and honestly, I’m missing my Kodi time, Knuckles has become a hog since you let your relationship be known.”
“Yet she hasn’t complained about not seeing Belle,” I say, starting off slow as I tap my nail against my steering wheel and look at the gym where I know Liam is most likely grinding his back molars because I’m later than I said I would be.
The man doesn’t like me out of his sight since I woke up, and if I’m being honest, I don’t like him out of mine.
Is it healthy? Probably not, but do I care? Not one bit.
Liam is mine.
Clark sighs, “Willow was with Crash at the park a few days ago, you know trying to distract her from everything that keeps happening. The fact one of her favorite people nearly died and Belle was driving by when she saw them and god, Kodi, she was pissed. She lost it in front of Willow all because Crash didn’t call her and tell her that he had her.
She thought he’d allow her near her behind my back after she injured my husband all because they are together.
When he told her to leave she changed tactics and accused him of pulling away from her because he apparently wanted you.
Willow doesn’t want to be near her, which has made things a little easier for me.
But honestly, I don’t think my brother wants to see her either. ”
Crap.
“She’s been, I guess, territorial over your brother for as long as I can remember, Clark, and Willow for that matter,” I remind her softly, and she hums.
“Doesn’t give her the right to speak to people like crap all because she can’t control her emotions.
Crash chose her, she sought him out despite our friendship after we made a pact that you two stay clear of my brother, and he chose her.
This behavior has to stop, especially when she knows she can’t see Willow, even if Crash has her,” she whispers, hurt lacing her tone.
Belle had been there a lot for her over the years, but I’m also aware that she played the fence, especially with Clark’s pregnancy, and told Crash his sister was leaving after Belle helped her pack up.
“I called to yell at you, but I can’t when you’re this down,” I groan.
“Wait, why? What did I do?” she asks in shock, and I shake my head.
“Cut the crap, Clark, I know you are aware that your husband has been ensuring every interview I have had ended with a ‘sorry but no,’” I state, “And don’t try and fib either that it’s about experience, it isn’t because I was a cop.
Five minutes before I even call the places that I’m interested in, they are all for me working with them, then bam, they answer the phone, and they say the position has filled, heck, three positions went back up on the wanted sites! ”
“Teaching isn’t your calling, Kodi. Drawing and painting, owning your own gallery, that is your calling,” she whispers, and I shake my head as I look down.
“Ever since Mom died, I have had my life micromanaged, Clark. I need to make my own decisions without you and your husband trying to meddle. I know the club doesn’t want to lose their brother, but you know how horrible it is to have your life mapped out for you,” I say lowly, hating that I have to be blunt with her.
For years, Dad has controlled me because of Mom’s decisions, for years I have lost who I was until Liam and I chose each other.
She knows the feeling that I’ve had for years.
Trick forced her hand in marriage, Willow’s pregnancy was forced on her by a jealous club bunny, and even now, her pregnancy wasn’t planned by her.
She knows how I feel, yet she’s helping her husband…
I hear Clark sniffle before she chokes, “You’re my best friend, I can’t lose you.”
“You’re not losing me, Clark. I’m just trying to figure my life out now that I finally got it back. It doesn’t matter where I end up, I will always stay in contact with you,” I try to soothe her, and she sniffles again before I hear, “Buttercup? Why are you crying?”
I wince as I hear a scuffle and Clark’s protests before Trick growls, “Who in the fuck is this, and why have you made my girl cry?!”
“She’s crying, Trick, because she realizes she’s been taking my decisions away from me like my dad did after Mom died. Just like you took hers away after she had found out about Willow,” I answer with sass.
“Shit,” Trick mutters before he explains, “we don’t want to lose you, Kodi, or Knuckles, is that so bad?”
“It is when I’m trying to figure my life out, a life that requires me to work because I am not housewife material, I need to keep busy,” I reply, and he groans, “But out of state?”
“Yes, because nowhere else will hire me around town because of Dad. He’s tried to right his wrongs but not even the community center will take me back,” I say, “And don’t bring up me owning my own gallery, I can’t afford that and to live at the same time and no I won’t take a loan from the club.
We both know it will change to the club being a silent investor taking five percent instead of the original fifteen and I also won’t rely on Liam because funny enough, I’m not with him for that, I’m with him because I love him. ”
“Stubborn fucking woman!” I swear I hear Trick mutter before he says, “I won’t stop.
I’m sorry, I know you want to be proud, I know it takes a lot for you to lean on someone, let alone a club that missed the signs of Knuckles being abused, but we’re not letting you both leave.
Your family and Willow will hate you being gone. ”
With that, instead of letting me speak to my friend again, who he knows will be pissed off at him, the ass hangs up, and I roll my eyes.
What a jackass.
Groaning, I throw my phone on the passenger seat before grabbing my purse and climbing out of my truck, then I head to face the music with Liam.
It’s weird, since I woke up, he’s been, I guess, attentive, refusing to spend nights without me in his arms, proving to me every second of every single day that I am all he thinks about.
Gone is the man who feared commitment like me, and in his place, a man who refuses to lose me.
Don’t get me wrong, I still have my insecurities, I still think of the what ifs, but I’m also pushing them away or trying to at least because when a man like Liam grabs hold of you, you hold on even tighter.
He’s my world.
Smiling a little, despite the frustration I feel with Trick, I walk into my boyfriend's gym ready to spend the evening in his arms. My smile soon drops as I see Masters holding a gun to Liam's head, who has tensed at my arrival.
A woman, who looks like his mom, is lying face down on the floor, and my breathing picks up, seeing the blood.
Oh God, I forgot about the Masters…
Hearing my presence, the man who looks like he’s been sleeping on a park bench turns and grins as he moves the gun towards me and panic shoots through.
Not because of the crazy man holding a gun to my face with a smirk, his mouth open like he’s about to say something snarky, but because of my boyfriend who doesn’t hesitate, and everything slows down.
Masters hears Liam move and quickly turns the gun back to Liam, and my eyes widen before I stop thinking, just like I did three weeks ago and I saw him get shot.
I drop my bag and run towards Masters without a second thought, Liam roaring, “No!” just hitting my ears but sounding underwater, and Masters turns my way with a frown before I tackle him to the floor.
He grunts with the impact, and ignoring the throbbing in my left knee that I hit a little too hard on the floor, I lean up before punching him in the face, dazing him slightly, taking the opportunity and quickly scramble over him.
I grab his gun that dropped by his head, but before I can shoot him, Masters punches me in the stomach, making me choke out a cry, and he throws me off, causing me to spin before landing hard, and I swallow the scream that wants to come out.
I expect Masters to jump on me, but instead I hear grunts and sounds of smacking.
I quickly look to see Liam punching him several times, and I slowly move, my intent to check the woman for a pulse, but a grunt that doesn’t sound like Masters echoes, and I quickly look to see Liam fall off him, holding his stomach, and I suck in a breath.
No…
“Think you could get away with taking what is mine, huh?” Masters chokes as he stands, then grabs something from his pocket, a knife.
No, no, no!
“She was always mine!” Liam chokes, and I don’t hesitate.
Masters raises the knife, and I aim the gun and shoot, once, twice, three times.
One bullet hits his chest, the second his stomach, the third, his head and my hand trembles as Masters's body drops, blood instantly pouring. I take in a shuddered breath and drop the gun, then stumble over to Liam, who is staring at Masters and breathing heavily.
“Liam?” I choke as I grab his arm and help him up, and he cups my cheek, his eyes checking me, but I shake my head and choke, “Your mom!”
His head swings to where she’s lying face down, blood pooling beneath her, and he quickly moves over to her.
I follow and help him slowly turn her, and I choke back a sob seeing her eyes open but vacant.
“Mom?” Liam croaks as he checks her pulse, and tears fall as he leans over his mother’s dead body.
Oh God, this is all my fault…
“Knuckles?” I hear a faint shout, and Liam grabs his phone and puts it on speaker.
“ETA?” he chokes, and Cage replies, “Two minutes out, brother, we’re two minutes out.”
“I need my dad,” my boyfriend says, his tears falling, breaking my heart.
I quickly move, trying my hardest to control my own tears as I wrap my arms around his neck. Instead of pushing me away, instead of blaming me for this as he should, he holds me tighter as Cage rasps, “Your dad is with us, brother, he’s with us.”