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“Cedric, there are other rooms. Why are you putting her in here with you?” Vex asks from the doorway, slightly behind Finley and Mara-Lee, who are standing just inside the room.
“Because of who she is,” Finley mutters calmly, not taking her eyes off the girl. “What happened?”
Sighing, I give Arwen one last look, turn back to the women, and nod to the hallway. “Let’s talk out there, I don’t wanna wake her up.”
Nodding, the three of them walk out of my room and back to the kitchen.
Rubbing a hand across my face, I sigh heavily and plop down on one of the tall chairs sitting at the counter. I brace my elbows in front of me—clasping my fingers together—I meet Mara-Lee’s gaze, then Finley’s.
“Three of Preacher’s men were at Night’s Bliss tonight.” I start seeing Finley tense. “Ciro, Tito, and Sylvain. Ciro was talking up Libby at the bar while the other two were on the dance floor. I personally followed them out the front doors after telling them to leave, but not before Ciro told me they were looking for Arwen. Since I was already outside, I went ahead and walked to my car. Soon as I passed the dumpster, I noticed someone next to it. She didn’t move or even budge when I touched her. When I noticed who she was, I picked her and brought her here. I think she got away from Ciro and those other two. She’s got bruises on her neck.”
“Have you called Danti or one of his brothers?” Finley asks, her features unreadable. But I don’t have to read her face to know what she’s thinking. I know Finley and how her mind works.
“No, I’m not calling him. Not until I hear from Arwen what’s going on,” I grumble.
“Does someone want to tell me who you’re speaking about?” Vex asks. I know she and Finley keep what they do separate from each other, but at the same time, they don’t hide anything. Vex knows when it comes to Finley’s businesses, her decisions are final—doesn’t mean Fin won’t listen. The same goes vice versa. Finley doesn’t get involved with club business. That is unless she’s asked to, or it involves Vex being harmed. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet. Unfortunately, it was Finley who had ended up being hurt.
“Arwen is Danti Petruccelli’s little sister,” Finley says, glancing to Vex. “She’s the only daughter to the Petruccelli family and is supposed to be married off to someone Danti doesn’t want her with. It’s why I’ve made the arrangement with Danti I did.”
Vex nods and seems to contemplate what Finley’s just said.
“Do we know who she’s supposed to marry?” Mara-Lee asks quietly, still looking slightly pale. I hate that she’s being reminded tonight of things she would much rather keep buried in the past.
“No, Danti didn’t tell me,” Finley mutters and looks directly at me. “What are you wanting to do with Arwen?”
“First, I’m going to go help clean her up a little, at least until she wakes up. Then I’ll talk to her and find out what happened,” I say, unclasping my hands and laying them flat on the counter as I stand from the stool. “I’ll also let Arwen know she’s safe with me, That I won’t let anything happen to her.”
With that, I leave them to it, not wanting to hear anymore. I’m tired, but need to take care of Arwen first.
Right now, she’s what’s important, and I wish I truly understood my emotions when it comes to her. It’s like I’m entranced by her, and I haven’t even seen her open her eyes yet.
Chapter Five
Mara-Lee
Watching Cedric leave the kitchen, I take several deep breaths.
“You okay, Mara-Lee?” Finley asks, coming to stand next to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
I nod and give her a smile I don’t really feel like giving. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Finley grumbles and releases my shoulder.
“Seriously, I’ll be okay. I’m just surprised, is all,” I whisper.
“It’s gonna be okay. I don’t think Arwen will even remember you,” Finley says soothingly.
I flinch at the reminder. I know Arwen, or well knew her when she was little, when I was very close with her brothers. Especially Amer. Then everything had changed. My life changed. I haven’t been back, and I’ve made sure they never realized I’m here. Because I don’t want to seehim. If I do, I riskhimtaking me once more, and this time I don’t think I’d survive.
“Did you talk to Cedric earlier?” Finley asks, changing the subject.
“Yeah, I did. He’s good, and I think he’s gonna get what he wants,” I murmur, thinking about the way Cedric held onto Arwen and him putting her in his room instead of another.
“What do you mean? What he wants?” Vex mumbles.
Smiling, I look at the two of them. “Cedric just wants to be happy like you two.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Eliya standing there silently listening. I wonder if she’s eavesdropping. Since finding the woman the way I did months ago, I’ve had mixed feelings about her. Not because I see myself as bisexual, either. More like something doesn’t sit right with me, but I can’t put my finger on it. She seems frightened most of the time.
