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Only then.
CHAPTER36
ARCHIE
“You know, I could see the way she looked at you. I’d heard all about you. Even her parents never shut up about how much they loved you. Even at our wedding, the best friend that she fell in love with. I supposed it was only a matter of time before she wanted a divorce. It’s not like she could get pregnant.”
Archie swallowed. He really didn’t know what she did towards the end, what she went through. He couldn’t blame her for not wanting a child with this devil.
“Stay away from her.”
“Are you going to shoot me?” Ryan sneered.
He was so fucking tempted, but it was too early. He knew there was a plan in motion and he had to wait for Ryan to make a move so they could finally put an end to this. Patience was never Archie’s strong suit and right now he was ready to put this mother fucker six feet under.
“She’s got people watching out for her. Do yourself a favor and keep your distance, then we won’t have a problem.” Archie didn’t move.
Ryan took a step towards him, slowly.
“I believe he told you to get back to the party, fuckface.” James’s voice came from behind him.
He hadn’t even heard him approach them.
Ryan held his hands up in surrender and took slow steps backwards. “I get it. You won’t find me near her again.” He turned and walked back to the festivities.
“What are you doing here?” Archie didn’t turn around.
James walked in front of him and turned to face him. “Tabitha asked if a few of us could step away for the weekend incase Ryan showed up.”
Archie couldn’t believe she asked the club to be here. Didn’t she know he would protect her? He didn’t think the guys knew she’d asked them, not without telling him. The club was like his second family.
“How did she know he’d show up?” Archie shook his head.
James tapped the side of his nose. “She knew the types that would be here and knew there was a big possibility, but she didn’t know for a fact. I don’t think you did either.”
“Who all is here?”
“Enough.” James crossed his arms.
“I can’t believe she didn’t think we’d protect her.” Fuck, it was what they were hired to do.
James laughed. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
Archie shook his head. “What?” He wasn’t a mind reader.
“It wasn’t just her safety she was worried about, it was yours.” James sighed. “That girl has loved you for as long as I can remember. The way she worries. Fuck, man!”
No. He didn’t need her to worry about him. “I can look after myself.”
“Do you remember a year after the academy, when your plane went down and you were missing?.” James shook his head. “Tab was unreachable. I’d never seen her so gutted.”
“She doesn’t need to worry about me.” Archie remembered alright. It was the one nightmare that replayed in his head when he got too comfortable.
“Arch, she’s always cared. You can push her away. That doesn’t mean she’ll worry any less. Hell, wasn’t half the reason you went to the academy was to make a life you could bring her in on? What happened to your plan?” James rubbed at the back of his neck.
Fifteen YearsEarlier - Age 17
His hands shookas he held the large envelope in his hand. It wasn’t what he was expecting. Shouldn’t it be smaller? He heard if it was a big envelope; you knew you could breathe as you opened it. That knowledge didn’t make things any easier.
