Until I see what’s written on the side of one of the boxes.
“You found my supplies!”
Tony appears looking tired but with a triumphant look on his face. “You’re back in business, baby.”
I can’t hide the grin on my face. I want to ask how he found them, but it’s probably best that I don’t know. If Seth’s involved, then it’s bound to be in some sneaky and not-quite-legal way.
The boxes are jammed into Amy’s old room, stacked to the ceiling.
“We’ll store the rest for you at the clubhouse,” says one of the biker guys.
“Thank you.” I’m so grateful that I clasp his hand in mine, and he gives me a warm smile through his beard.
“Hey,” Tony growls, coming between us.
The biker puts his hands in the air, backing off. “Just happy to help out a veteran and his old lady.”
Tony eyes the man warily, and the spark of jealousy in him makes my heart flutter.
I’d wondered if Tony was doing all this out of a sense of obligation, but if he’s getting territorial over me, then I know he’s still got feelings. And that makes me feel warm inside, in a way that shouldn’t happen when it’s about your ex.
“I got your money back too, honey.”
“My money?”
“Back in your account, and your passwords are changed so Paul can’t access it.”
The words finally sink in. I’ve got my money and I’ve got my supplies. Which means I don’t need to go bankrupt. I don’t need to close the business.
“Tony!”
I throw my arms around him excitedly, and he lifts me into the air. On the way down, I plant a big, sloppy kiss on his mouth.
That’s when I see the blood—red spots splattered across his polo shirt.
My body goes tense as Tony lowers me to the floor.
“Tony, what did you do?” It comes out as a whisper as my elation turns to comprehension. What did he have to do to Paul to get my supplies and money back?
Tony’s gaze follows mine to the blood spots that trail over his shoulder in a streak as if they’ve been splattered.
“I asked you not to hurt him.”
Tony clenches his jaw. “I did less than what he deserves.”
A shiver goes through me. This is the other side to Tony. On one hand, he’s a loveable gentle giant that buys flowers and cooks omelets, but there’s also the dark side, the brutal side. The side that he always kept hidden from me.
I back up, my feet edging down the hallway, needing to put distance between us. Tony takes a step toward me, the fire going out of his eyes when he sees my look. He’s about to say something when Lyle interrupts.
“We’re off, man.”
Tony reluctantly drags his gaze away and turns to his buddies.
“Thanks for the help, guys. Appreciate it.”
“Anytime.”
While they say their goodbyes, I creep to the spare room. It was a mistake to come back here. It was a mistake to think that things would be any different.
