AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Before I could stop him, Cyrus grabbed Tanner by the collar of his hoodie and lifted him from the couch.
My eyes widened. “Cyrus.” I rushed to him, trying to get him to let go of Tanner who was clearly in no condition to be manhandled.
“What the fuck do you want, Tanner? Got more of our members to kill? Want to ruin more lives?” Cyrus released him roughly.
Tanner stumbled back, landing on his ass with an oomph. “Fucking hell. I showed up here because I saw the lights on. I didn’t know who lived here.”
I went to Tanner, helping him to his feet.
“Thank you, Busy” he said gently.
My heart stuttered at the unexpected nickname he had given me.
“I know the Hell’s Harlem clubhouse is a couple hours from here,” Tanner added. “I would have gone there directly but I think I would have died on the way.”
“Too bad,” Sammy muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Sammy.” I glared at him.
He only shrugged.
Tanner lifted his arm, wincing when he couldn’t lift it far. “I didn’t know she was your property.”
“I am no one’s property,” I snapped.
Something flashed behind his eyes. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it sent a shiver racing down my spine. Something happened to him. Long ago. Maybe recently. Besides losing his dog, he was struggling. I knew because I had seen it in the men I had grown up with. Either way, I had a feeling that there was more to Tanner’s story than just his dog dying.
“You have no idea who lives here. Do you?” Cyrus asked, taking a step toward Tanner.
“How the fuck could I know?” Tanner held on to the back of the couch for support. “I’ve been keeping to myself for months. I don’t know shit.”
“Right.” Sammy’s brows narrowed in the middle. “Like you don’t have any contacts that you keep in touch with. I’m sure you could get any information you’re looking for.”
“No.” Tanner shook his head. “I’ve laid low. Kept to myself and took care of Trigger. That’s it.”
“Who’s Trigger?” Cyrus asked, leaning against the wall.
“He was my dog,” Tanner’s voice cracked.
The pain etched on his face tore at my heart.
“Was?” Cyrus stuck an unlit smoke between his lips.
“He…uh…he was killed in front of me.” Tanner rubbed the back of his neck.
It took everything in me not to go to him and comfort him as best I could. No matter what the twins said, no one should have to watch their pet die like that in front of them. Even though Cyrus and Sammy stood nearby, I moved to the couch beside Tanner.
He looked down at me.
“You gave him a good life and I’m sure he knew that,” I said gently.
“Bee,” Sammy barked.
Tanner continued to stare at me.
I gave him a small smile, lifting my shoulders in a shrug.
“Johnny.” Cyrus’s rough voice pulled me from Tanner’s intense scrutiny. “We need to get this shit sorted. He can’t stay here.”
