Wed to the Bad Boy(71)

Everyone you’ve ever loved is going to die, until there are no more of you left. Wives, daughters, children. All dead so that we can take over your turf. We’re coming for you.

It wasn’t the most eloquent note I’d ever seen. But whoever had killed my brother had made their point.

“Between that, and the fact that these assholes could be anywhere, it’s enough to make us think you’d be safer. Here.”

Bones tugged on his cut, the leather straightening, reminding me that he wore the President’s patch. He was in charge. I watched as he swayed a little, his eyes bloodshot, his nose red, and I wondered how much he had to drink.

I couldn’t accept this. It wasn’t right.

“I have an entire life in Chicago. You can’t expect me just to abandon it to live here. And you can’t stop me.”

I shouldn’t have said that. Shit. I might as well of stomped my foot and cried. I was acting like a spoiled little teenager, and I knew it. I didn’t care because I was too mad. Red-hot.

“You aren’t going anywhere. Your father wouldn’t have it.”

As soon as Eric said it, the men moved. They were covering the exits just like that.

“What? You have to be shitting me. You’re going to fucking keep me captive?”

“You know that wouldn’t happen, Layla. We wouldn’t make you stay, but we want you to. We think it’s what’s best,” Uncle Mick said, his shoulders slumped, his eyes vacant. Totally defeated. Something told me he’d voted for this measure.

“Your aunt and I worry about you since… well, since your brother was gunned down. We need you here. And we need you working with us. You don’t want to stress her out any more than she already is, do you?”

It was a bullshit excuse. Donna lived to take care of people in times of crisis. It was her calling.

“Working with you?”

“You’re smart. You do books, right? That was your last job.” Like he didn’t know. He’d been calling me for weeks, trying to get all kinds of help. I’d been double-checking the club’s accounting for almost a year now. This must’ve been some kind of tactic. He didn’t want anyone else to know I was as experienced as I was.

“Just a part-time gig at a Jujitsu place, Uncle Mick. I’m not, like, great, or anything.” Okay, I was pretty good. But there was no way I was about to admit that. I didn’t want this job.

“Look, you have to stay. You know it’s the most reasonable thing to do. So, what else are you doing to do for a job?”

Maybe Uncle Mick was right. Chicago held nothing for me, and if I wasn’t safe, I needed to lay low. With the MC to protect me, I at least stood a chance. Okay, so I wasn’t captive, but I was damn pissed that I didn’t really have a choice.

I resented it.

“Are you suggesting I take a job with you? Working for the club?”

“Yeah, why not do our books?” Bones asked. I already had experience with them, but it had consequences.

If I was wrong, if something went bad, I could lose my life.

I knew that was the way things went. I wasn’t stupid.

“You are more than good enough, kid. Look, we need one. Curly, well, the COPD finally got him. We’ve been making do these past few months here at the club, but we really do need you.” He paused, and then gave me his most pathetic stare, the one that had guilted me into accepting college money from him four years ago. “Please, kid. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

I sighed. I was trapped. If not actually, then by my sense of responsibility. But really, I had nothing but more problems.

“Fine, but nothing illegal.” None of that shit I already knew they were involved in.

“All legit.” Uncle Mick held up his hands like he was surrendering to me. I wouldn’t do it otherwise.

“It’s settled. She stays. And she stays with me.” Cullen leaned against the doorframe of the conference room.

“No. I stay with my Uncle.” There was no way in hell I was going to stay under the same roof as Cullen. It would be too hard.

“Our house isn’t really fit for guests, Lala. Aunt Donna’s having it remodeled.” Uncle Mick said.

“And there’s no where else I can go?”

Cullen spoke. “No, you stay with me. Where it’s safe. Here. There are only two truly secure places for you, Lala. In the clubhouse, and in my house.”

I highly doubted this piece of shit shack could keep me safe.

“Look, no one would dare attack it. No one would so much as come near you if I was in your presence. You understand?”

“Why you? Why not Eric?” I wanted to know his motivations.