He followed her through to the sitting room where she had a couch for them to talk. The moment he sat down, his mobile rang. Cursing, he pulled it out of his pocket to turn it off.
Stephen was calling him.
“Answer it. Don’t mind me. I’m going to go and make tea,” she said.
She left the room as he answered the call.
“Hello.”
“Could you come down to the club as soon as possible?” Stephen asked. No greeting, only instructions.
“Why?”
“We’ve got some news, and it’s better to do all this in person.”
“Okay. I’m meeting someone at the moment, and as soon as I’m done I’ll be on my way.”
The call cut off, and Rebecca walked into the room.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“I met someone. A woman. She’s young, and I think you’d like her.” With Rebecca, Cadeon had always been able to treat her like a sister. He didn’t see her as a sexual being. He cared for her, but he didn’t love her.
“Do I get more details?”
Cadeon smiled and was about to tell her all about Violet, when he stopped. All he was doing was postponing the inevitable. He took a deep breath. She deserved to know the truth.
“Actually, I’ve come about something much more important.” He sipped his tea and then turned to her, taking each of her hands in his. “It’s about Tate and Kevin.”
She pulled away, wrapping her arms around her body. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
“They’ve asked for you to give them some time.”
“Cadeon, I’m not ready. They’re going to want something from me, and I’m not going to be able to give it.”
“I made a deal with them that you’d at least see them. You’ve got to move on from this, Rebecca.”
“Move on? You don’t even know what he did to me. What happened isn’t something I can just walk away from. How could you agree to something and not involve me?” she asked. Tears were falling from her eyes.
“I care about you, honey. Doing this to yourself is not the answer.” Cadeon reached over and pulled her into his arms. Tate and Kevin would look after her. They would protect her. He had to believe they’d treat her better than her last protector. The scumbag could rot in jail for all he cared.
“I can’t. You promised you’d protect me. I can talk to Violet and come to an understanding. I don’t want anything from you, Cadeon.”
Shaking his head, Cadeon stood and walked over to the window.
“You know he’s not coming back. Everyone made sure he’d stay in that cell for the rest of his life,” he said.
“I know.” Her voice was so small and fragile.
“The club will protect you, Rebecca. All I ask is that you try. I know you liked Tate and Kevin. I’ve seen you with them when he wasn’t around. They made you smile and laugh. They gave you joy. Why won’t you give them some of your time?” he asked.
She was silent, and Cadeon turned back to face her.
“Because I’m afraid,” she said as a sob overcame her. He watched as she covered her face with her hands and cried.
He moved over to the couch and sat down, embracing her in his arms.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, but you’ve got to start living your life. He’s gone. Don’t let him ruin you any more.”
Cadeon held her as she cried. The tears were long overdue. He wondered how much pent-up emotion Violet kept within her. If her situation was anything like Rebecca’s then he knew he would be in for some damage control.
Only when she agreed and he’d got her settled and relaxed, did Cadeon leave. Getting in his car, he phoned Violet to tell her he wouldn’t be home until late and travelled across the city to get to the club, which lay at the far side surrounded by forestry and cut off from everyone else.
The drive took close to two hours, and the sun was already setting by the time he made it over to club. He punched in the twelve digit number, drove down the drive and parked in his usual place. The man on the door told him he’d find Stephen in his study and that they were expecting him.
During the early evening visits the club was only just starting its day’s worth of business. He saw the rooms being cleaned. The bar was having a restock of deliveries. Cadeon walked through until he found Stephen’s office. He knocked at the door and waited.
“Come in,” Stephen called.
“Sorry it took me so long. I was over the other side of the city. Traffic was a nightmare. But I guess you’ve got news for me? Why did you make me come here? Why not call me at home?” Cadeon asked as he entered the main office. Immediately he noted Tate wasn’t the only member present. Looking round he saw Kevin, Sean who was a nasty rich son of a bitch, and the man who owned the club, Stephen. “What’s going on?”