Page 91 of Tied to You

He frowns. “I’ve called him. He’ll be here. He can explain what’s going on.”

“So, you did know he was doing something?” I bang the table in frustration.

“Yes I fucking knew. Drop the attitude. I know what I’m doing.”

I look up, my jaw ticking. I need a drink. “Why?”

Rocco looks up, swallowing whatever frustration with me he’s holding. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Then help me to. He’s my best mate who’s been fucking gone for years. He shouldn’t be getting in this deep yet, you know that. He needs time to adjust.”

Rocco smiles, the corner of his mouth lifting before he lights a smoke, spinning the lighter between his fingers when he’s done. “He’s lucky he has you.”

“He’ll have me for life. Especially when he becomes my vice president. Ain’t no way I’ll leave his side. But I need to know what he’s up to and more importantly, why me and the guys know fuck all about it.”

He sucks on the cigarette, blowing the plume above his head. “I needed to let him have something to focus on. My actions hurt his family.”

I shake my head. Dean’s aunt’s death was a direct result of Rocco’s bad decision. The one where he retaliated for the death of thirty Rippers. “Is our business not going to be enough?”

“Yourbusiness will be good for both of you. But I needed to know he could handleourbusiness for the club.”

“You don’t think it’s too much for him?”

He’s quiet for the longest of moments. “Although I have no right, when he’s here, he’s my boy. Whether it’s too much or not, it’s my job to look out for him.”

I hold out my hand for the packet of smokes.

He hands it, and I light one as he continues. “I checked in on his family on Ronnie’s orders. Seeing the shit show that was his life…” He shakes his head, rubbing his chin. He’s picturing it. “You have to do whatever it takes for the ones you love to be safe. To be happy.”

I draw from the smoke in my hand, then trace my thumb across my brow, closing my eyes. The nicotine burns my already burning lungs, but it also brings a calmness that I need.

“I’m not saying what he’s done is right. But, you hear him out, you’ll understand. Then, like me, you’ll be onboard with what he has planned for this club.”

The door swings open, and we both turn seeing Dean standing at the threshold.

“Your ears must be burning,” I say.

“Why? You chatting shit about me?”

My shoulders bounce slightly with my laugh, but I flinch, feeling the pain in my chest. I turn and flick the ash into the glass tray. “Not yet.”

His face falls as he takes his seat opposite me, leaving a chair between him and Rocco. His eyes jump between us. “What happened?”

I take another inhale. “Some cunt drove his van through the restaurant me and Mollie were in. Then they did this,” I point to the cut and dried blood on my head, “before telling me we owe another cunt called Nathan fifty grand for some drugsapparentlyno one in this fucking charter knows anything about.”

Dean’s eyes have widened. He throws his head back, both palms covering his face.

“Wait, sorry, fifty grand for some drugs apparently no one in this fucking club knows about, except you.”

He looks at Rocco.

Rocco gives him a small nod.

I don’t miss it. “What is it, Dean?”

He’s unsure if he should tell me, but eventually he relaxes in his chair. “The kid. Elvis. I…” his voice trails.

“You killed him.”