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Chapter five

Novo

I was already heading back to the café when I got Matty's text. It had been a frustrating few hours. I'd spoken to Digger, Cruise, and my uncle about club business and the current problems surrounding the businesses we ran.

We needed to discuss our four prospects and decide who we were going to give a cut to. As far as I was concerned Risk and Tik Tac were solid, but the other two weren't up to much.

Daisy, my uncle's wife, was having problems with some of the sweetbutts who thought they had the same rights as old-ladies, but that was nothing new and I was all up in my head about Matty, more than I cared about what Cindy had done to get in Tex's pants.

Besides, I was eager to avoid Sophie, who had marked me as her ticket in.

I'd deliberately left early so I could grab a coffee and wait for Matty. See what he was like at work. I didn't know why I felt so protective already. It wasn't part of the plan. This was about revenge, not about actually being a husband.

I'd just parked across the street when I saw him stand from the bench he was sitting on. His shoulders were hunched, his face tense, and even from this distance, I could tell he'd been crying. My body tensed instinctively. Something had happened.

Then I saw the black sedan and how it sped up. It jumped the curb, engine roaring, heading straight for Matty, who stood frozen like a deer in headlights. I was out of my truck in an instant, boots hitting the pavement at a run.

"MATTY," I roared, sprinting toward him.

At the last possible second, I tackled him, wrapping my body around his smaller frame as we hit the ground and rolled.

The car missed us by inches, its side mirror clipping my shoulder with enough force to send pain shooting down my arm.

The sedan screeched away, tires smoking as it veered back onto the road and sped off.

"Are you okay?" I demanded, my hands moving over Matty's body, checking for injuries. His eyes were wide with shock, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. "Matty, talk to me."

"I-I'm okay," he stammered, though his whole body was trembling.

I helped him sit up, keeping one arm around his shoulders. People were gathering now, voices raised in alarm. Someone was calling the police.

"Did you see the license plate?" a bystander asked.

I shook my head, my focus still on Matty. "Black sedan, tinted windows. That's all I caught." I turned back to my husband. "Can you stand?"

He nodded, but when I helped him to his feet, his knees buckled. Without hesitation, I scooped him up in my arms, cradling him against my chest. He was so light—too light, really. Had he always been this thin? I'd noticed yesterday he barely weighed anything but had given it no thought afterwards.

"My truck's across the street," I said, nodding toward it. "We're going home."

"But the cops—" someone started.

"We'll make a statement later," I cut them off. I needed to get Matty somewhere safe, needed to process what had just happened. That car hadn't been an accident. It had deliberately targeted him.

The realization hit me like a freight train. Someone had just tried to kill my new husband.

Matty didn't protest as I carried him to the truck.

He remained silent as I set him gently in the passenger seat and buckled him in.

His face was ashen, his hands still trembling in his lap.

I rounded to the driver's side, my mind racing.

This had Coombes written all over it. The bastard must have found out about our marriage.

"What happened at work?" I asked as I pulled away from the curb, wanting to distract him.

"I got fired," Matty whispered, his voice breaking. "Mrs. Kazinsky—she grabbed my wrist, and I spilled coffee on her. Helena said I did it on purpose."

I glanced over at him, noting the way he curled in on himself, like he was expecting to be hit. My hand tightened on the steering wheel. "Who's Helena?"

"The assistant manager," he murmured. "She's been trying to get me fired for months. Wants her niece to have my job."

The pieces clicked together in my mind. "And this Mrs. Kazinsky?"

"Helena's friend. Comes in just to make my life miserable." He wiped at his eyes with trembling hands. "I'm sorry. This is stupid. It's just a job."

"It's not stupid," I said firmly. "And someone just tried to run you down. That's not a coincidence."

Matty went even paler. "But why? I don't know anyone," but then Matty's eyes widened. "You think... you think that was because of the wedding?"

I nodded grimly. "Your godfather must have found out."

"Oh God," Matty whispered, wrapping his arms around himself. "He tried to kill me. He actually tried to kill me."

I reached across the console to squeeze his knee. "He failed. And he's not getting another chance."

Instead of driving back to Matty's apartment, I took a different turn.

We needed somewhere safe, somewhere Coombes couldn't find us easily.

The clubhouse was secure, not ideal for Matty in his current state, but it would keep him safe.

You could take him home , a little voice needled me, which was true.

I had my own place in the compound, but I firmly shut that thought down.

"Where are we going?" Matty asked, noticing the unfamiliar route.

"Clubhouse," I answered. "It's secure. You'll be safe there until we figure out what to do next."

His eyes widened. "Your motorcycle club? But—"

"It's a building with good security and brothers I trust with my life. No one will hurt you there."

Matty fell silent, staring out the window.

I could see the thoughts racing behind his eyes, the fear and uncertainty.

After a few minutes, he spoke again, his voice small.

"I understand if you want a divorce, annulment, whatever.

" I blinked in shock, but he added," It's not like you signed up for this. "

I shrugged, trying to dial it back a little. "You're not getting out of paying me that easily," but as soon as I saw the tears, I knew I'd said the wrong thing.

"He really tried to kill me," he repeated, as if still trying to process it. "My own godfather. What if you get hurt? It's one thing for him to aim for me, but not an innocent guy as well."

I clamped my lips shut because guilt stabbed me like a knife. I was anything but innocent. I'd gone into this for revenge. I was ex-army and had a whole club behind me. Matty had to be a hundred pounds soaking wet, and he didn't seem to have any close friends.

"Maybe there's more going on than you realized," I said, keeping my voice neutral. I couldn't let on how much I already knew about Coombes. Not yet.

"But why not just... I don't know, contest the marriage or something? Why try to kill me?"

I considered this. "Maybe he's desperate. Or maybe he knows something we don't."

Matty hugged himself tighter. "I never thought he'd go this far. He's always been controlling, even cruel sometimes, but this..."

I reached over and squeezed his knee again, surprised by how natural the gesture felt. "We'll figure it out. Right now, we need to keep you safe."

The clubhouse came into view—a large, converted warehouse with the Diamond Kings logo emblazoned across the front, behind a high wired fence.

Several motorcycles were parked outside, along with a few trucks and cars.

I got waved through by the prospect on the gate, pulled into my usual spot, and cut the engine.

"Stay close to me," I instructed as we got out. "Some of the guys can be... abrasive at first, but they're family. No one will disrespect you."

Matty nodded, moving to stand beside me. I placed a protective hand on his lower back as we approached the entrance. I could feel the tension in his body, the slight tremor that still hadn't subsided from the shock.

The door swung open before we reached it, revealing Cruise's tall frame. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Matty.

"Wasn't expecting company," he said, his gaze flicking to me with a silent question.

"Someone tried to run him down outside his work," I said bluntly. "Need a secure place until we figure things out."

Cruise's expression hardened immediately. "Shit. Come in."

The main room of the clubhouse was thankfully quiet—just a few brothers playing pool and Tex behind the bar. All eyes turned to us as we entered, conversation dying as they took in Matty's small form beside me.

"This is Matty," I announced. "My husband. He's under club protection."

The words hung in the air for a moment before Tex broke the silence. "Well, damn, Bear. When we heard you got hitched, I thought Cruise was fucking with us." He grinned, stepping forward, then hesitating when he clocked Matty shrinking back into me.

Tex raised his hands in a placating gesture. "No offense intended, little man. We're just surprised to see Bear with—" he caught my warning glare and quickly changed tack, "—with anyone, really. He's not usually the bringing-home-type."

I felt Matty press closer to my side, his body practically vibrating with tension. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?" I asked Cruise, keeping my voice low.

Cruise nodded. "Office is empty. Jono's out till later."

"Thanks," I murmured, then guided Matty through the main room, keeping my body between him and the curious stares of my brothers. I could feel their questions burning in the air, but everyone knew better than to push right now.

The club's office was small but comfortable—a desk, a worn leather couch against one wall, and a mini-fridge in the corner. I closed the door behind us, shutting out the low murmur of voices that had resumed once we passed.

"Sit," I said gently, guiding Matty to the couch. "You want water? Something stronger?"

Matty shook his head, then changed his mind. "Water, please."