Teaching Aleck (The Last Hangman MC #2)(12)

Even if I were to give Line and I a chance, it’s not just us. Things aren’t as simple as they seem. She would never accept my past and my present life. I wouldn’t want to put her through it anyway. She’s too precious and deserves a normal guy who can make her happy.

I get out of the room and head for the bar, downing a couple of shots.

“Line problem?” Cabe asks from behind me.

“Yes, Sir.” I sigh and turn around pouring us another shot. “I f*cked things up, yet again.”

“What have you done now?” He chuckles and downs the shot.

“Took things too far and she wasn’t ready. She wants a relationship and I don’t. Broke her heart yet again and I feel like the biggest f*cking * for doing so.”

“Yes, you are a f*cking * for pushing her away. If I were you, I’d think long and hard about it. She obviously likes you a lot. I don’t see why, but hey, each to their own.” He chuckles as I glare at him. “Anyway, she likes you, she will wait for you to come around, but don’t wait too long because she won’t wait forever. She’ll meet someone and you’ll end up alone, and watch her be happy with someone else.”

“She deserves to be with someone else, someone good for her who can make her happy the way she deserves to.” I down another shot.

“Slow down with the drinking and have you ever thought that maybe you are the one who can make her happy? She never dated through high school and she’s still single. She is either really into you and doesn't want to date anyone else, or just not into relationships and she’s proven her point twice that she wants you so…” He shrugs.

“I guess you’re right, but you know why I don’t do relationships.”

“Yes, I know, and it’s bullshit. You can’t let your past mess with your present. Things were rough for you sure, but open your eyes and see the beauty that’s in front of you…” He glares at me.

“No offence, but you’re not my type.” I smirk and down one last shot.

“Smartass.” He chuckles and downs one too before we both join the party. I try to find Line, but she’s nowhere to be found.

I guess I really f*cked things up.

I sigh to myself and try to enjoy the party, but it’s just not the same anymore.

******

I never thought I’d feel this helpless ever again.

When Ayden disappeared the first time, it crushed me, it crushed all of us. I was only part of the club for a little over a year when it first happened, but we grew very close very quick. She was like a little sister to me, and I wanted to protect her and make sure she was happy. Of course, Ant was always a jealous ass about it and taking the fun out of it, but still, good times.

It nearly killed me when we couldn’t find her. I slipped again and took some hits. I’m not proud of it, but it was my coping mechanism for so long that instinctively fell back into it. I was relieved when we heard she was back, but f*ck if she didn’t break what was left of my heart when she left for New York without so much as a goodbye. To this day, no one knows what happened to her, what caused her to run half way across the country. Well, I think Ant does now, but I’m not too sure. They don’t talk about what happened around others.

I can’t believe we’re force to go through this mess again. One time was bad enough. I don’t know how we’re all going to cope if anything were to happen to Ayd. I’m on my way to St Bernard to save Ayden from Michael, the f*cking psycho managed to take her, even under Callum’s watch. He’s an ex-marine for f*ck’s sake!

The bastard better not touch one hair on her head or I swear to God I’ll kill him with my bare hands.

Gabe and I are on our way to the location Ant gave us. He left before us so hopefully, if anything happens, he will be able to stop it soon enough. I don’t know why Michael took her away and why it will benefit him, but it can’t be good.

******

I am truly and utterly disgusted. Not only Michael is, well was, thanks to the bullet Ayden put in his head, a f*cking psycho, but he’s also the one behind Ayden disappearing the first time? The shit she went through because of that f*cking wacko is just f*cking disturbing. I don’t know how she’s managed to stay strong all this time.

I had to stand there and listen to that f*cker gloat about what he did to Ayden, and how his sick and twisted mind made him think they actually were in a relationship. This is beyond f*cked up.

As Gabe and I are currently burying the bodies in the woods behind the house, I can’t stop thinking about how I would react if it were Charline in Ayd’s position. How would I react if some f*cker was after her to get back at us?

That’s one of greatest my fears, that if I get in a relationship someone from another club is going to try to use it as leverage and f*ck with us, with me. I couldn’t forgive myself if something were to happen to Charline because of us.

“You alright brother?” Gabe asks me.

“No, I’m not, thinking about all that went down now and back then. How she survived this nightmare and seems stronger than ever now that she has her answers? How I would react if it had been Charline in her position? It’s really messed with my head.” I sigh and keep digging.

“Don’t go down that path, trust me. It’s dangerous.” I can see the muscles in his jaw tick.