Chapter 12
Torch
It’s been a week since Kurti’s true identity was revealed. Swede and Jade got back earlier today and have been with Ruby and Evie since.
Sitting in the office across from Judge, we’re going over details about the new purchase and how it’ll be managed along with our other businesses.
The funeral home and land were originally opened when the town was founded.
For years, the Knights have been trying to purchase it, but the family finally decided to sell it to the club after realizing we had cornered the market in caring for the town’s deceased.
It was one of the final large pieces of town property not owned by us.
“Let’s go to church,” Mal says from the doorway, and both Judge and I stand. We’d planned a club meeting for this weekend to go over what we’d learned about Kurti, but after Mal approached Judge earlier with urgent information, we decided to set up a meeting tonight.
As we all put our cell phones in the chamber on the way in, we step into the secure room. Swede joins us but doesn’t take a seat at the table. Older members can still partake in the meetings but don’t vote. Because this pertains to his family and Ruby, we’re making an exception.
I look out to the kitchen and see Ruby standing there with her mother and several others. She glances my way, and I nod. She had her checkup with Dr. Ashlyn and is doing everything that was suggested, including switching her workout routine to something less combative.
She’s become a bit frazzled by cabin fever, not being able to go out and about. Judge put Evie on lockdown too, and both have been working on art projects and finishing up their semesters online.
I’ve talked Ruby into continuing with distance learning until after the baby is born. She agreed after I assured her that I’d be her study partner and gave her new ways to memorize terms using her body as our canvas. I can’t stop smiling, thinking about that night.
I sit in my seat on Judge’s right and wait while the other members finish entering the room, wondering what could possibly be of such emergency.
When everyone finally settles in their seats, along with some members standing around the room, I stretch my neck and wait for Mal to boot up his computer.
He’s the only person allowed an electronic device.
“Okay, I got good news and bad news. After the alert I got today, I decided to do some more searching, and that’s when I found out information we didn’t and couldn’t anticipate.” Sometimes, Mal pisses me off with his long-winded explanations.
“Get on with it.” Judge is at the end of his rope too.
“Okay. Okay. Besnik was killed a couple days ago.”
“Wait.” Swede jumps away from the wall. “What the fuck does that mean for the treaty?”
“I couldn’t find anything on that until I got a call from Bersha this afternoon.
He said that he will honor the pact unless he finds out we had something to do with Besnik’s murder.
He did confirm that Luan has been in the country for a few months, and Besnik was trying to talk him into going back to Europe. ”
“Motherfucker,” I growl as I rip my hands through my hair.
“Yeah, that was my thought too. Bersha asked me if I could run some surveillance on the Gashi mansion. He thinks it’s an inside job. He stated that only a small handful of men are loyal to Kurti. He said he’ll be in touch with more information once he has it confirmed.”
“After hearing all this, we should lock down all the women. We already know that Kurti isn’t afraid to bring family into the mix,” Judge orders before continuing to quickly explain to the rest of the members what Kurti did to Ruby.
“How many of the Knight women do we need to protect?” Lach asks, and I look at him, shocked. Shit, he’s right. If Kurti found out that Dr. Ashlyn and Lach were former lovers, he’d go after her too.
“I did set alerts on all the Knights,” Mal answers. “Your name was searched, but I couldn’t find if Dr. Neighbors was as well. Jade, Ruby, and Evie were all investigated. I also inputted all our names, and Boost, yours came up flagged.”
“Fuck. Okay, I’ll lock down Lyra.”
“There’s more,” Mal says, and I watch as Boost’s body slowly reacts. Arm muscles bulge, and his jaw under his beard locks up so tight I wonder if his teeth are good.
“Don’t say anything; I’ll message and make sure they are safe,” Boost cuts off Mal.
We adjourn after some brainstorming ways to help Bersha if he needs it. Everyone leaves but Swede, Judge, and me.
“Have you told the girls you are marrying them right away?” Swede asks, and both Judge and I look at each other.
“I haven’t discussed it with Ruby. She did say she wanted to get married with Evie, so they are on that page with us.”
I level a look at Swede. He already gave me his blessing but is upset we have to push to get this done in the next couple of weeks because of their pregnancies and the danger we’re in.
Swede and Jade wanted me to wait, while Evie’s parents were in the same boat.
They all want to give the girls big weddings.
I turn back to Judge after answering Swede’s question, wondering if he’ll change his mind. I don’t want to wait. I’ve waited long enough for Ruby to officially and legally be mine. She already wears my property patch, but I want my ring and name on her too.
“I already told you the same thing I told Cameron: I’m not waiting. We can do something elaborate next year, but before this year ends in a few weeks, I’m marrying my girl.”
Thank god, Judge didn’t change his mind.
Ruby
I see guys moving around again, indicating that church is done.
I need to talk to Ben and tell him my thoughts.
Mom cornered me today and said that Judge and Ben wanted to get married next week.
I’m honestly okay with that and want him to know.
I want to tie Ben to me so no other women can come forward and try to take him.
He’s faithful to me, but I’m a jealous girl, just like he’s a jealous guy.
Evie isn’t sure if she wants to get married that fast, but since there’s no putting it off, she’s happy we’ll have a double wedding.
I look at the pile of bridal magazines in the center of the table and reach for one. My mom and Jade jumped the gun; as soon as they heard we were pregnant and had property patches, they started planning our wedding anyway.
Glancing at my mother, whose height I was not fortunate to get either, I see her standing with Lyra, their heads together planning something.
Evie’s mom and gigi sit at the table across from me, while I flip through pages, finding nothing that jumps out at me except for a cake.
I dog-ear the page and continue through the pile until a dress stops me.
It’s similar to the prom dress I wore the night of the attack—so many layers of fluffy tulle skirting, the sequin top that was ripped from my body when they attempted to rape me.
My body trembles as memories flash through my mind.
Sweat drips down my back, and my body chills too.
I can’t stop my hand from clutching the page and tearing it from the book.
The ripping paper catches the other women’s attention, and my mom wraps her arms around me, trying to get me to calm down, but I pant and sob.
“I hate that man. I want him to die. I want to kill him with my own hands.”
I smell Ben before his arms wrap around me. His scent of earth, wood, leather, and bourbon soothes me. I lean back into his body as the tears stream down my face. I sit there for a moment, thinking of everything he’s done for me. I’m going to give him this wedding because it’s what he wants.
“I love you,” I weep as he holds me tighter. “I’m so broken, but when you hold me, I feel like you’re putting me back together again.”
“You aren’t broken, princess. I’ll always be here for you.”
I lean my head into the crook of his arm and sigh as I just take him in—my love.