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“Well, it’s you and your new biker friends. It worries me. I just don’t want anyone to think I’m connected to them in any way. My business is just over a year old and can’t weather that kind of storm.”
I hope he understands, but the expression on his face tells me that wish is more of a pipe dream.
“You’re happy for the Reckless Souls to hang out in here, but my family is too dirty for you, is that it?”
“No. The Reckless Souls are customers. They come in and buy my product, eat it and then leave. They don’t hang out, and they certainly don’t burst in after hours, call me names, and spout their very private business for all to hear.”
Those words alone might be enough to put me and Willow and me in danger, and I can’t have that on my conscience.
“Come on, babe,” he grins and reaches out to me. “This is all just temporary, and it’s not what you think anyway. Nogales—I mean, Billy— just wants some help looking for his buddy, Hector.” He gives me the bright smile he uses to get me to shut up about something.
“I don’t want you getting hurt,” I say and then sigh when his hand grazes my cheek.
“I won’t, I promise. Besides, nothing bad ever happens in Angel Harbor, right?”
"Nothing except the Iron Kings. I know they burned down the Destiny of Life Church. And now my boyfriend wants to be a part of that." I shake my head and turn away from him. "I can't be with a man who is associated with the Iron Kings. I just can't. I won’t."
Cyrus grabs my arm. "What do you mean you can't? You won’t. Are you breaking up with me?"
"Cyrus, you're hurting me!" I cry out as he squeezes my arm tighter.
“Look, Maven, this is us. Me and you, and we’re good together. Come on, babe.”
I agree. “We are, but why do you have to be involved in this at all? Surely they have enough actual bikers to do this that you don’t need to be involved?”
His jaw clenches, his nostrils flare, and instinctively, I pull back. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” he roars as the back of his left hand makes startling contact with my cheek.
I cry out and fall against the table, sending a few baking pans to the floor.
“Get out!” I yell at him, my emotions caught somewhere between hurt and outrage.
“Oh, I don’t think so,babe.You think you can just end things with me? Don’t you know who I am?” He’s in my face, and those brown eyes I once found so alluring turn dark and cold, lacking any life or kindness.
I shake my head. “I guess I do now! This is the real you.” My words are full of shock and awe as Willow’s advice came back to me in vivid color.He can’t be trusted.No matter what else turns out to be true, that much is true. I don’t know the man standing before me, angry and threatening.
“I’m sorry, Cyrus, I really am, but I didn’t sign up for this.”
His hand reaches out to my throat, and he squeezes. Hard. And not in a good way.
“You think you’re better than Nogales and his club?” He lets out a scary laugh. “They aren’t to be fucked with, which means I’m not to be fucked with either. Got it?” His hand tightens until I can’t catch my breath even a little.
“Sound like great guys,” I say sarcastically and he squeezes a little harder.
“Look, this is how it has to be right now, Maven. You and me are fine. This has nothing to do with us. We’re rock solid, babe.” He smiles and says the words as if he isn’t on the verge of killing me.
“Hey,” Willow shouts when she bursts into the room. “Get your fucking hands off her!”
“Shut up, bitch! You talk too much.” His voice dips about three octaves lower, and I’m certain this is a man I’ve never truly known. He’s got to be on something.
“Yeah? Well, I’ve already called the cops, and they’re on their way, asshole. I hope they lock you up for life!”
“Willow, no!” The words are barely audible with Cyrus’ hand still around my throat. “Don’t.”
But Willow is young and fearless. “Leave right now, or I swear I will make up a ton of bad shit you did to Maven and to me.”
Cyrus’ hand releases, and I collapse to the kitchen floor. “Willow, stop. Don’t antagonize him.”
“This pansy ass? I’m hardly scared of a used car salesman.”
