“Family shit,” Rock said after yanking her to him.
She wriggled out of his grip. “I’m covered in sweat. I’ll be back.” She laughed when he smacked her behind as she walked away. He loved seeing her tight ass shake in her yoga pants.
When she was out of earshot, Isa—a dazed look on her face—wrung her hands over and over. “Have you told Lille and Henri about Pa? I can’t believe he spent twelve years locked up for something he didn’t do. Poor Pa.” Tears glistened in her eyes.
“You’re the first one I told. I wanna find out some more shit before I tell Henri and Lille.”
“Do you believe Tessa?” Isa stared wide-eyed.
He nodded. “There’s no reason for her to lie to me. And Madame sent me the mojo bag. Why the hell would she have reached out to me after all this time? And… someone murdered her. I checked it out with the public records.”
“Do the police have any leads on who may have done it?”
He shook his head. “Not that I can see. Poor old woman. If she would’ve just come clean that night, she’d still be alive. Fear is a terrible thing to have. It makes people do all sorts of crazy shit they’d never do.”
“Do you have any idea who would’ve killedMaman? She didn’t have an enemy in the world.”
“I have an idea. Working on how to put it all together. When I do, then I’ll tell Lille and Henri. Just keep it to yourself, okay? I wanted to tell you ‘cause I know you went to see Pa a lot, and you were the only one out of all of us who couldn’t believe he killedMaman.”
She shook her head. “I still can’t believe all this. Thanks for telling me. It makes the whole tragedy less horrific to know Pa was innocent.” Rock placed his hand over hers and squeezed it.
They stood like that until Clotille came in. “A good shower feels wonderful after a workout. It’s so quiet around since your kids went back to school. It was adorable the way Michael danced around the house after you came home with his school supplies. I don’t think I was everthatexcited about school.”
Isa laughed and wiped the corner of her eyes. She slid her hand from under Rock’s and stood up. “I have a ton of errands to do.” She glanced at the wall clock. “Damn, look at the time. I have to run.” She rushed out of the kitchen. Rock watched her until she was gone.
“Everything okay?” Clotille asked, grasping his hand.
“Yeah. We gotta think ‘bout heading back. The club business is going to be finished in a couple days. I gotta go back home.” He skimmed her face, noticing the way her eyes darted away from his. “You wanna go back with me, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Armand called. You were right about Suzette. Anyway, I promised him I’d call my mom. I was going to do that this morning.”
Rock’s face hardened. He didn’t like that she changed the fucking subject.Doesn’t she want to come back with me? What the fuck’s going on with her?“Isn’t your mom going to be pissed at you?”
“Probably, but Armand acted like a big brother to me.Finally. It’s taken what… twenty-nine years? Not too bad.” She rolled her eyes and laughed.
“That’s good. People can change as they get older. And sometimes life handing you a crock of shit can do it too. You and your family hit rock bottom after your dad died. That shit would have an impact on most people.”
“True.” She picked up his hand and kissed it. “I’m happy with you.”
“Then why the fuck are we talkin’ ‘bout everything butus? You comin’ back with me, or am I goin’ alone? Don’t fuckin’ bullshit me, Clotille.”
She kissed his hand again. “I’m going back with you.” She blinked several times.
She’s fuckin’ hedging. What the hell’s the matter with her?He nodded. “Good. You call your mom, and I’m going to hang with my brothers. We got shit to discuss. I’ll be back later.”
Her face dropped but he didn’t give a damn. The bitterness threatened to leak out of the compartment he’d locked it in for the last ten days.I gotta get outta here before I say something I’m going to regret.He rose from the table. “See you later.” He strode toward the back door.
“Aren’t you going to kiss me before you leave?” Her small voice held hurt, sadness, and regret.
He spun around, went up to her, and gave her a quick peck on her lips, moving away before her raised arms hooked around his neck. He slammed the screen door and sprinted to his Harley. Clenching the handlebars, he switched on his engine and broke the sound barrier with his cams. He sped away, forcing himself not to look back. If he did he would go to her, and he didn’t want to. He had a funny feeling she was going to shatter his heartagain. Hardness inched its way through him as he rode to the Devil’s Legions’ clubhouse to meet up with his Insurgents brothers.
***
She leaned againstthe kitchen counter looking out the window, hoping he’d turn around and smile at her as he rode away, but he didn’t. He hadn’t even looked back before he roared away.
Why did he have to bring up the future today? I was hoping we could ride into Abbeville, have lunch, stroll around the town, and hold each other. I love him so much, but I’m scared he’s going to run away from me when I tell him about all the lies and secrets I’ve kept in my heart. He deserves to know, but in telling him I’m pretty sure I’ll lose him forever. I can’t be selfish. If he walks away from me then he does. I love you so much, Roche.
She gripped the kitchen counter as she continued to stare out the window, hoping she’d see a flash of chrome come around the corner. He’d only been gone a few minutes and she was already missing him terribly.I can’t lose you, cher. I love you so much.He was everything she’d wanted. She breathed in deeply and vowed to talk to him when he came home and tell him everything she had in her heart—the past, the present, and, hopefully, the future. And she’d make sure nothing interrupted their conversation. That night would either be a new beginning for them, or their final good-bye. Either way, she had to come clean.
