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Her smile fades. “Yeah, well, that was unavoidable.”
I throw my pen down and lean back, staring at her. “Why was that?”
She composes herself. “Just because you pay me, doesn’t mean I have to tell you my life story.”
“Why did you end Ripper?”
She leans against the door frame, trying to remain unaffected by my questions, but I see how uncomfortable this is making her. “Why don’t you ask my President that?”
“I intend to, but seeing as you pulled the trigger, I’m asking you first.”
She walks over to my desk, placing her hands on it and leaning towards me like she’s suddenly gained power. “A word of warning . . . you rake up all that shit, and Meli will run a mile.”
“Not if I don’t let her.”
She gives a small laugh. “No one is untouchable, Arthur. She’s my best friend, and if you upset her, I’ll end you.”
I move fast, grabbing her throat, but she’s just as fast, taking my sharp letter opener from the desk and holding it to my eye. I grin. The thrill is addictive, and I see the heat in her eyes. “Do it,” she pushes. “So I can tell her what a shitbag you are. She’ll leave you in a heartbeat.”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you? To get between us. But I promise you something, Red. Her and I, we’re it. She’s not leaving me, and you’re not coming between us. I’m gonna marry that woman.”
“Then accept there will be parts you’ll never see, parts best left hidden.”
“To fester and tear her up inside? She doesn’t fucking sleep properly, it haunts her. Until I know what that is, I can’t help her.”
Rosey laughs again, and it’s cold. “You’re not her saviour. Stop trying to be the hero and just take her as she is.”
I shove her away, and she falls back into the chair behind her. “I am taking her as she is. Nothing will send me running, but there can’t be secrets between us. I wanna know it all.”
“So it can haunt you too? What’s the point.”
“The point is, she can’t ever move forward until she faces the monsters. Surely, you know that.”
She stands and heads for the door. “Sometimes, they’re too big to face. The best thing for her is if you love her as she is.”
I get to the clubhouse, where Albert is outside waiting for me. “Ready for this?” he asks. I nod, patting him on the back.
We head straight for Mav’s office. Rylee climbs from his lap, smiling as she passes us to leave. I want that. I want the wife and the love it brings. “Right, what’s this about?” asks Mav.
“It’s a heads-up,” begins Albert, taking a seat, and I join him.
“The E15 boys are trying to move in on Broughton estate,” I say. “It’s already happening. Our main man, Daryll, is missing.” Mav stares open-mouthed. “And we found out Leon and Max Clifton are both dead.”
Mav sits straighter. “Are you shitting me?”
“We’re not worried,” Albert says quickly, trying to calm the situation.
“Not worried? I’ve only heard a small part of this shitshow and I’m fucking worried.” He stands. “I’m calling church.”
“Look, Mav, now we know, we can get it under control,” I begin.
“Now you know,” he repeats, “which means they did all this under your nose, and you didn’t know. Is that because you’re too busy fucking around with my sister?” he yells.
Albert raises his eyebrows. “He’s good,” he mutters.
“I was gonna tell you about that today,” I explain.
He yells for the men to get into church, and one of the prospects rushes past to knock the brothers up from their rooms. “Don’t mention my sister in church. I haven’t told Grim,” he mutters.
