Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC #1)(33)

“Good!” I exclaimed. “Today is the first day since we opened we haven’t been run off our feet.”

Luke looked at me sideways while we keep walking. “That’s good to hear sweetheart.”

“So how’s business with you? Crime running rampant on the streets of our little town?” I joked. My words did not have my intended comedic effect, and Luke’s face turned hard.

“Been quiet, since the boys been out of town.” He said roughly, still watching me closely.

“The boys?” I parrot, my voice sounding high.

“Yeah, the Sons have been off on some ride, no doubt causing trouble in another county.” His tone was bitter.

Guess that explained why I hadn’t heard the roar of Harley pipes down the mean streets of our town, and why I hadn’t seen Cade.

“Um, so I’m guessing there’s no love lost between you and the club?” I asked softy, trying to tread carefully. Luke gave me a look, then gestured for me to sit on one of the tables outside the deli. We hadn’t really addressed what happened the night of the opening, I was sure Luke didn’t miss what went on with Cade and I.

“That’s a bit of an understatement Gwen.” He replied, voice tight. “They’re a gang. Not a club, whatever the say different is a lie. They are criminals, and they’ve brought trouble and death to this town. I’m doing everything I can to stop that, to put them where they belong, which is behind bars.”

I blinked. Shocked at not only his statement but the raw emotion in his voice.

“Death?” I asked, a sick feeling curled up in the put of my stomach.

“Yep, every now and them one of the Son’s is killed in some shady way or another, or someone connected to them. They never used to hurt women though.” He looked away, as if he was remembering someone.

I struggled with nausea. “They hurt women?”

Luke nodded sharply and was silent for a moment.

“Her name was Laurie, sweetest girl you’d ever meet, I grew up with her. She fell for one of the boys and fell hard. Didn’t matter what he was into, what her parents thought, trust me they were not impressed to say the least, but they also loved their daughter, wanted her to be happy.” His gaze was intense and full of anguish. “Guess the boys had something going with a rival gang, drugs, * I don’t know what it was about. Anyway the gang decided enough was enough needed to teach the boys a lesson. Grabbed Laurie one day, said they would kill her the boys didn’t back down.”

I gulped, knowing the story didn’t have a happy ending. Luke continued, eyes on mine.

“They didn’t give a shit, even f*ckin Bull he was supposed to love that girl, didn’t leave the god damn clubhouse. The next day, Laurie was dropped off in front of the clubhouse. Raped, savagely beaten, stabbed. Her f*cking face tattooed. She died in hospital the next day.” His voice was flat, almost devoid of emotion, but his jaw was hard.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “How long ago did this happen?” I asked with a shaky voice.

Luke still had that faraway look in his eyes. “Just under a year ago.”

A year? Tears ran down my face, this story sounded too similar to what happened to me, shit it almost happened at the same time! Was this some kind of sick karmic joke?

Luke seemed to shake himself out of his trance and he saw my tears. He gently pulled me into his arms. “Fuck Gwen, you okay? I’m sorry didn’t mean to be that harsh.” He sounded truly apologetic.

The words didn’t register and I continued crying, my breath hitching. This was meant to be my quiet little town, I was meant to heal here, not have my wounds ripped open again. How cruel could fate be, to thrust me into a situation, which posed so many similarities to one that almost killed me. How stupid could I be? To jump straight into bed with someone who came from a world that almost killed me. I was so out of it I didn’t hear the approaching bikes, didn’t notice Luke’s hands tightening on my shoulders. I was so angry with myself for breaking down, but I had been holding this all in since I first encountered Cade, this was the last straw.

“What the f*ck?” I heard Cades voice from behind.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

I blinked the tears out of my eyes glancing up to see Cade standing in front of us, arms crossed, stance threatening. When he got a good look at my face, his anger turned palpable, he was flanked by Lucky and Bull, both wearing blank expressions under their sunglasses.

“Crawford. Take your hands off my woman, then explain to me why in the f*ck she is in that state.” Cade commanded, his voice full of restrained fury.

“Watch your mouth, you forget who your talking to Fletcher.” Luke clipped “As far as I know Gwen is not your woman.” Still, he took his hands off me.

“Not forgetting anything Crawford, I know I am currently talking to a prick who not only had his hands on my woman but made her f*cking cry. And trust me, she’s f*cking mine.” Cade promised, shades on me.

I stood on shaky feet. Cade took a step towards me stopping when I retreated.

“Baby...” His was voice gentle, as if it was just the two of us.

“Stay away from me.” I whispered brokenly.

Luke stood in front of me protectively. “You heard her Fletcher, beat it.”

Cade scowled at Luke, then dismissed him, focusing on me. “Whatever he said to you…”