Page 157 of Tied to You

Touching the box with the tip of my finger, I retract, leaving it where it is. I push it back under the bed and grab my phone. Typing out a message to Dean, I quickly delete it, my subconscious leading my actions.

I owe him nothing, but I’m running on autopilot.

I already know Travis won’t show at their deal tonight. The drugs are here where I am. He won’t come by and get them. He would have done that already. He won’t care for seeing Matthew, either. A part of me wishes it was enough of an incentivetogo—one last chance to let out his frustrations. If he has any? He might not be feeling the same way I am. But, knowing him, and considering Dean hasn’t heard from him either, my money’s on him being drunk since he left, wallowing somewhere, knee deep in Vodka, trying to forget everything.

Trying to forget me?

If hedoesn’tshow at that deal, everything they worked hard for—everything I did to help secure it, it could all be jeopardised. For everyone. It’s not my fault he walked away. But itisbecause of me. I can’t imagine anyone getting hurt or things getting violent again because of one wrong decision.

I should call Dean. Instead, wiping my eye one last time, I grabmy jacket and my shoes, and head out.

When I pull up at Matthew’s house, the place is immediately busier than I was anticipating. Although, knowing Matthew the way that I do, the huge crowd shouldn’t surprise me. There’s no way he’d deal anywhere he didn’t know. Plus, they embarrassed him last time. It makes sense as to why he’d make sure there were people here. Witnesses. It’s even more of a reason why coming by myself is the right thing to do. After the way things have gonebetween us, this would only end in disaster if Travis were here.

I only knew this was the location after overhearing Travis and Dean the other night. Things are all square between me and Matthew, but he will never be a man anyone should trust. If I get this done, nothing can fall back on Travis or the club. No one will get hurt. Everything will be fine.

Taking a deep breath, there’s no sign of Dean’s bike anywhere. He hasn’t called me since I spoke to him, either. Perhaps he’s looking for Travis. I step out my car and take the bag, my steps precise and steady as I make my way to the front door. It’s open as always when there’s a party, allowing for guests to let themselves in.

Moving through the house, I follow the beat of the music out to the garden. I don’t miss this shit at all. How they can do this every weekend and never get bored, ceases to amaze me. I step around two people fucking in the hall, ignoring the grunts and groans as my eyes search for the man I came to see.

My life and where it’s now headed has moved on from this one in such a dramatic way, I can’t imagine ever going back. I know whatever happens going forward, I’m going to have new responsibilities. New challenges. A completely different life.

Checking my phone, there’s still no word from the man I wantinthat life.

Hearing a door open, I slip my phone in my back pocket and turn, crashing straight into a hard wall. When I stagger back, the face looking back at me isn’t a sight for the faint-hearted. An angry line shimmers in the light coming from outside, and his eyes burn with a bitterness so bright, I can almost taste it. “Mollie.”

“Matthew.” Where did he get that scar?

His eyes drop to the bag. “Your boyfriend’s got you dealing now?”

Boyfriend? Fiancé? Gritting my teeth, I will myself not to be smart mouthed or make this more difficult. “I’m only here to help the club,” I say matter-of-factly.

There’s nothing. No emotion. Just a blackness in his eyes staring back at me. “Follow me,” he says, turning his back and trudging away from the crowd enjoying the music and the drink.

I double take, not wanting to go anywhere with him. “Why can’t you take it here?”

Pausing by the door, he looks over his shoulder, casting his eyes tooutside. “Too many people.”

Nervousness skates through my bones, but I’m not given a second more to contemplate my position, as Matthew leaves me, standing on my own. He seems off. Distant. He’s no longer challenging or trying to belittle me for the sake of it. It makes me fear him as I reluctantly follow him out of sight from everyone else.

Our deal to let the past be the past still stands as far as I’m concerned. He knows one word from me, and all this ends. He won’t blow this. I just wish I knew what was going on inside his head. Wish I could see his next move.

I catch sight of his back entering a room on our right. Taking one last look behind me, I follow him in, keeping myself close to the door should I need to get out fast.

“Put the bag on the table.”

I swing it off my shoulder, wanting this done. I take a meek step forward, placing the bag down and immediately step back. I watch Matthew’s face break into a small smile. “You don’t know how these deals usually work, do you?”

“I don’t need to. You want your drugs. I’ve brought them to you. Now you pay and you can get back to your friends.”

He looks at me. Still blank. “They used to be your friends, too.”

“Used to be. I’m no longer interested in partying.”

His smile is terrifying. “That’s right, you’re into bikers now.”

I shouldn’t have come here. This was a mistake. But the club? Travis could have missed this deal and ruined it for everyone. Because of our argument. I try to keep my face straight. Try to ignore the balling of my fists. “That’s right.”

“So where are they?”