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“He deserves a much more violent death than a bullet in the head.”
“True,” Christian agrees.
“But killing him wouldn’t solve the bigger issue going on. His family is making a power move to make some noise out West, and I think they’d do it with or without Fabre. They’ve been planning this for a long time.”
“And that’s the bigger issue than him kidnapping Megan?” Vaughn asks, confused by my reaction.
“I know you don’t understand it, but yes. Megan is home, and she and the baby are fine. The bigger issue is them coming out here and making things difficult for us. It’s taken me years to reach this level. I can’t have him and his fucked up family coming out here trying to shake things up.”
“We could get some local gangs involved and keep our hands clean.”
“I don’t want another war on my streets, Christian. The city’s only just recovering from the Bloods and Crips thing from twenty years ago.”
“True.”
“Plus, the whole reason why people come to me is to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. He took Megan to get my attention. He wanted me to know that I wasn’t untouchable and that I had stuck my nose in where it didn’t belong.”
“We didn’t know that Naomi was some mafia heiress. Hell, I thought she was from the Bay Area.”
“But I knew.”
“Not the whole time.”
“There’s a protocol to this kind of thing. You both know this. When I found out who she was, I should have sent her home or at the very least, called down there and told them where she was.”
“Are you justifying that psychopath’s actions, Hunt?”
“No, I’m simply saying that I understand them, which is why I’m going to make the meeting happen.”
“You’re a better man than me,” Vaughn mutters under his breath.
“Oh, shut the fuck up,” Christian says to him. “We’re having dinner a thousand miles from the club, so you can spy on a woman who doesn’t give two shits about you. You’re not one to talk about how anyone should handle their relationship.”
“When we get out of this car, I’m going to body slam you to the ground. Be ready,” Vaughn threatens.
“You’ve gained ten pounds since you ran away from home. I don’t even know if you’re capable of body slamming anyone, much less me,” Christian jests, and for a moment, I release the biggest belly laugh.
“You two.” I laugh some more. “Are so full of shit.”
My laughter seems to be contagious as Vaughn begins cackling, and I notice Christian’s chest vibrating with chuckles as well.
Things have been so serious these past few months that I’m sure we haven’t laughed like this for the longest time.
It feels good.
Like old times.
Then my chest tightens because I can’t seem to have a moment of joy without thinking about the one person who has made me the happiest ever in my life.
I used to laugh like this with Megan. Yet lately, all I’ve seemed to make her do is feel anger or sadness. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen her smile in weeks. The baby isn’t even here yet, and already I’ve proven to be a shitty dad.
“What is it?” Vaughn turns his head, concern etched on his forehead. "What's wrong?"
“I’m an asshole,” I say flatly, and they both know exactly what I mean.
“I’m glad you said it,” Vaughn agrees.
“Yeah, because if she were mine–” Christian starts.