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“Meg must not have been around,” Apollo laughed.
“She was actually the voice of reason this time.” I shook my head and motioned for Royal to get in the backseat. “It was her friend who wasn’t going to let me leave with her.”
“That Meg is always a wildcard.” Apollo looked around. “Though I am going to keep my eyes peeled. That could have all been an act and she plans to ambush us yet.”
Royal ducked into the car and scooted across the seat without a word.
I clapped Apollo on the shoulder. “Always be alert, Pol.” Even if it was for crazy ol’ ladies who always thought they knew better than the men who were trying to keep them safe.
I ducked into the backseat, and Apollo shut the door.
Royal pressed herself against the door and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“To my estate.”
“Estate?” she asked.
Apollo got into the front seat and shifted the car into drive. He pulled around the building and through the lot filled with bikes and cars.
“Yes,” I replied simply. She would see soon enough what I meant.
“And where is this estate?”
I turned to look at her. “About fifteen miles from here.”
“You think Meeks really isn’t going to be able to get me there?” she asked.
I leaned toward her. “I fully expect him to find us, lovely.”
“Then why are you making me leave?”
“Because that’s all part of the plan.”
“It doesn’t sound like a very good plan to me,” she whispered.
“I don’t know if I’ll take advice from the woman who decided she was going to become involved with a man who she knew wasn’t good.”
“As if you have any room to talk,” she spat.
I leaned back in my seat and unbuttoned my coat. “Don’t confuse a man with his business.”
“As if you want me to believe that you’re some amazing man when you clock out from being a mafia boss.” She turned back to the window. “I was dumb to think I could change Rider Meeks. I’ll never be stupid enough to have any faith in another man again.”
“Yet you’re in my car because you can’t handle your own business.” Apollo turned the car in the direction of the estate, glanced at me in the rearview mirror, and shook his head.
Apollo had been married for ten years. His wife, Greer, was more than a handful who kept him on his toes. I’m sure he wanted me to just stop arguing.
“Because you gave me no choice. Yes, I got myself into a mess with Meeks, but you made it even worse.”
“And I admit I made a mistake handling Meeks.”
“You got my brother killed,” she spat.
“I don’t need your constant reminder of what happened, Royal. I tried everything I could to prevent it from happening. If I could go back and change it, I would.” It was still fresh and new. I expected the blame to be laid at my door. She had a couple of weeks of being upset and blaming me, but she wouldn’t be able to talk to me this way forever. I had walked out of church with the Knights because I wasn’t being respected.
If I had to, once I was done fixing my mistake with Meeks, I would walk out on Royal, too.
When I had first met Royal, there had been a pull to her. She had a light and air that called to my dark soul. Years of working for Leo Banachi changed a man. The light and innocence of the world had faded years ago for me. I had seen the bad in the world, and it had tainted me.
