“Sorry you only get us today.” I climb off my bike. “Where is my wife?”
“If I had to guess, she’s giving her statement now. She was quite distraught, so it might be a while.”
Chaos stops me when I step forward, reminding me that Zane isn’t worth me getting locked up for life.
“What’s with all the anger, Soul?” Zane smirks, stepping forward. “If anyone has a right to be pissed here, it’s me. After all, you went after my niece—my family. If you think I’ll let that slide, you’re wrong.”
“You have no right to call her family after all the shit you’ve done.”
“What would that be? I cared for her when my brother died. I gave her a home, an education, everything she could ever want and need.”
“You tried to sell her hand in marriage to close a business deal.”
“So you swept in to save her, is that it?” His eyes narrow. “You’re lucky I’m not completely heartless. If this little bit of rebellion makes her happy for now, then I suppose there’s no harm. She’ll remember where she belongs.”
“You say that like you think you’re ever getting her back.”
“I don’t need to get her back when I’ve never lost control of her.” Zane steps forward, finally getting into my space and dropping his voice. “Or did you forget where you’re standing right now? Outside waiting for her to walk out because there is nothing you can say or do to change the situation.”
My hands clench at my sides because he’s right. I can’t do anything but wait, and I hate it.
“This is your fault, Soul. It was one thing for you and your club to mess with my businesses, but you came for my family, and you need to know that anything that happens after this point is on you.” His jaw tightens. “I want you to think about that as I personally dismantle your club bit by bit. As you watch your brothers get thrown behind bars. As their children are dragged away by Child Protective Services. As their women disappear.You took something of mine; it’s only fair I get something in return.”
This time, it’s Chaos stepping forward, and Venom is barely there to stop him from pulling his gun on Zane.
“You even think about touching my old lady, I’ll kill you myself,” Chaos threatens. “I’ll cut you up into so many pieces, you’ll be missing every finger, toe, eye, and limb before I end your miserable life.”
Zane grins, not the least bit threatened. “And how do you expect to do that when you’re behind bars?”
“What the fuck do you want?” I shove myself between Chaos and Zane. “Clearly, you’re out here for a reason or you would have just driven away.”
Zane steps back, putting space between us. His guards stand at either side, watching the situation. They haven’t bothered to move because they know that with the Feds watching, we can’t do anything.
“I’m here to remind you that no matter where you keep them, I can get to them, and there is nothing you can do about it. But for now, I’m willing to see how this plays out. Who knows, maybe you playing house with my niece will work out for both of us. After all, she said she wasn’t taken against her will. Maybe I’m inclined to believe her.”
There’s no way Zane isn’t working an angle, especially if he’s offering to let Emery stay with me.
“Send Steel my regards.” He steps back. “I hope he enjoys the little time he has left. I hope you all do.”
Zane grins, turning to walk away. My fingers flex at my sides, itching to grab my gun. But movement at thebuilding’s entrance stops me as Emery walks through. Even from here, I can make out the red around her eyes.
He made her fucking cry.
I’m going to bury him.
Emery clutches Charlie, and the air leaves my lungs. My feet are moving before I realize that I’ve started walking forward. I’m practically running to them as fresh tears stream down Emery’s cheeks.
Her gaze darts between her uncle and me, but that only makes her sob more. When I reach her, I pull her against me, cradling Charlie between us as Emery shakes in my arms. Over her head, Zane is grinning, watching us as he climbs into his car.
“You came for me.” Emery sobs as Zane’s car pulls away. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather fucking be.”
Emery cries against my chest, her tears soaking my shirt. Her scent floods my lungs. Orange blossoms and cloves and heartbreak. I can’t hold her tight enough.
“You shouldn’t have come for me.”
“I’ll always come for you two. Always. You’re my family.”
