CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
– LINA –
“Nothing,” Karev roars and it makes me wince.
Heart’s arm slides around my waist and I can feel the rumble of his words when he says, “Watch your tone, asshole.”
Karev glares at Heart, but when his gaze lands on me some of his anger fades. “Let’s go to the shop and go over the items you brought there.”
“Okay. But what if we can’t find them there either?” I wonder.
My half-brother shrugs. “Then I’m going to make a few calls to get to the other side of the country fast to question the woman who sold you the stuff.
She might have gone inside and took them before you showed up.
Who knows, she might have known the fucker stole shit from Calvania.
The fucker worked as his butler for decades before he retired and took a little something from his boss...
more than the golden handshake he received. He might have wanted to reconcile?”
He says question the woman, but the look in his eyes tells me there will be torture involved. All of this shit because of one thief, who then caught the attention of a few more greedy people, which resulted in us trying to clean up this damn mess.
A sigh rips from me. “Let’s check the store first. But seriously, who the hell knows where that man put the coins. He could have buried them in the garden, swallowed them himself, or had a can with a hidden compartment and then someone threw it away.”
“The someone being you? Since you bought all of the inventory,” Tybal wonders out loud.
I turn to face him and say, “I buy inventory. Throwing out the trash and cleaning isn’t one of my services.
I did box up all the man’s belongings, but going through the refrigerator and such is out of the question.
I mean, normally I buy stuff that’s already in boxes or I come out to inspect some stuff. ”
Tybal nods. “Like buying a storage unit unseen, those types of auctions.”
I wince. “Yeah, but getting lucky with such things is rare. If you do buy one, you’re also responsible for the trash.”
“So, you do take out the trash,” Tybal states and I flip him off.
Heart snorts and slides his arm around my waist to pull me close. “Enough fucking around. Let’s head to my old lady’s shop to search there. Time is ticking away here and we have enough stuff to go through.”
He guides me toward the door and the rest of the men slip out before us.
I hand Heart the keys and he locks up while I put on my helmet.
Riding on the back of Heart’s bike is an amazing experience.
It feels like putting a pin in everything and simply enjoying the world flashing by.
There’s nothing I need to do except hold onto Heart and enjoy the ride.
During my life I’ve only been able to count on myself. Karev might have offered to be there in case I need him, but growing up I learned not to depend on anyone. Failure and betrayal make you count less on others, and only on yourself.
Karev was there when I needed him...well, he sent Heart to help because he was closer to where I was.
Without Karev I would never have met the man, so I am thankful he’s the one who put Heart in my life.
Which is also why I need to find those coins for him.
It would be horrible to know something I was wrapped up in exploded and ruined his life.
“Hey now,” Heart rumbles and pinches my chin with his thumb and finger to let my gaze collide with his.
“Everything will be fine. Whether we find those damn coins or not, Karev can handle himself, you hear? He’s the vice president of a Kings of Anarchy chapter, Lina.
No one fucks with the Kings. Even the fucker who rules the underworld knows it. ”
I stare into his dark eyes, giving me the strength and comfort to express my worries. “Indirectly it’s still my fault. If we can’t find those coins, he’ll have to marry someone he doesn’t even know or...don’t give me that look. You met me before you claimed me, that’s different.”
“There’s nothing you can do. Besides, it’s club business, darlin’. Leave it be. Leave him be, yeah?” he rumbles.
Inhaling deep to fill my lungs, I slowly release my breath. “Fine, but I still don’t like it.”
The corner of his mouth twitches when he leans in and murmurs against my lips, “That’s okay, babe.”
We get on the bike and ride with all the others to my shop. We go through everything again, and by the end of the night we have no other option but to return to the clubhouse. I make a quick run upstairs to my small apartment above the shop to pack a bag with some more clothes.
When I come back down, I see Karev and Heart leaning in close while they’re talking. They break apart as soon as I get closer.
“Gotta go, Lina. Call me if this fucker treats you badly,” Karev tells me and leans in to place a kiss against my forehead.
A lump of emotion clogs my throat and Karev spins around to stalk off before I can say something.
“It’ll work out, don’t worry,” Heart murmurs as he guides me to the door.
Mindlessly, I bob my head and lock up the store. The ride back to the clubhouse is uneventful and I can’t enjoy it with all the thoughts running through my head. All too soon Heart parks the bike in front of the clubhouse and we all get inside.
“Maybe we should go through the whole warehouse, just to be sure,” I sigh when Heart hands me a bottle of water.
Norie steps closer and we both take a seat on the couch. “You guys searched all the items from the right date this time, and the store. Those coins should have been found already.”
“Maybe the guy hid them somewhere? We should check the house, under the floorboards...whatever.” My voice sounds desperate.
Fatal takes a seat across from me and shakes his head. “Karev already went to the house, scanned the place and the garden. Nothing.”
I press my lips together and don’t even want to think about what Karev is doing right now. What a freaking mess. Sipping my water, I fall silent while Fatal and Heart start to talk. Some of the other bikers join in the discussion. They’re talking about a motorcycle one of them bought recently.
Norie places a hand on my knee and whispers, “You know it’s okay to worry, right?
Though, there’s no reason to beat yourself up about things you can’t control.
These guys handle business in their own special way.
They have multiple chapters who have their back all over the country. Everything will work out, I’m sure.”
“Yeah,” I muse and get to my feet. “I’m pretty tired and think I’m going to lay down for a bit.”
“Sure. We’ll chat tomorrow over coffee.” She gives me a friendly smile and I return it.
I’m walking to Heart’s room when I hear footsteps behind me. Turning, I notice Heart is following close.
Waving my hand in the direction of the main room, I let him know, “Stay with your friends. You don’t need to keep me company.”
He tilts his head. “Don’t you know by now that I never do shit I don’t need or want to do?”
My eyes start to burn and I want to stay strong. Just as strong as the friends Heart surrounds himself with. Though, at this moment it feels as if everything is falling apart.
His lips part and it takes all my strength to tell him, “If anyone tells me everything will be fine one more time, I’m going to grab my knife and slice through multiple vocal cords.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, and the man holds no fear as he steps closer. “I was going to tell you that you look like you could use a hot shower and bed.”
His arms wrap around me and I place my cheek on his chest.
Breathing in his spicy scent I murmur, “That does sound good.”
He gives me a kiss and says against my lips, “Why don’t you take that shower while I grab us one of the pizzas they ordered?”
“No mushrooms.” I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t like them, and no anchovies either. Way too salty.”
Heart grins. “I’ll double check.”
He turns and walks in the direction of the main room.
I keep staring at his ass. The man has a fine ass.
Taking a calming breath as I watch Heart, I finally take in the words everyone keeps repeating.
Maybe it all will work out. Only time will tell, and right now worrying about it won’t help anyone...
except give me a headache I really don’t need.