Teaching Aleck (The Last Hangman MC #2)(16)
“Do you really think this is a good f*cking idea?” Ant asks me, clearly not happy. I shrug and take a small amount. This might be a really f*cked up idea, but they can’t be trusted. After a minute, I nod at Ant who does the exchange. I instantly regret taking that hit. I shouldn’t have. I don’t know what the f*ck I was trying to prove, but I’m going down a dangerous path.
“Always a pleasure to do business with you Ant.” Ray smirks.
“Yeah, yeah, you keep repeating yourself. We’ll be in touch for the rest.” They shake hands and we all leave. Blades smirks at us as we make our way to our bikes, that man is up to something. I’ve never trusted any of them, but f*ck, Blades creeps me out the most. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t have to do anything, he just is f*cking creepy.
We load the back of the van where Ryan and Callum were waiting, and get back on our bikes. I’m glad this was quick and we don’t have to spend more time than needed here. As lame as I’m going to sound, I want to go make sure Charline is okay. She’s spending the day alone with Ayden. I know Bennett is keeping an eye on her, but I need to see her.
I should listen to Cabe and leave her alone so she’s not connected to the club whatsoever, to make sure she’s safe and stays safe. I now know the Bastards know who she is and that she means something to us, but the less people know, the better. I just can’t help myself when it comes to her.
The last thing I want is for her to be used as payback on us. I couldn’t forgive myself.
She’s too precious to me.
Sure, she was all cute and innocent when we were younger, but now? She’s a triple threat. She’s still as cute and innocent, has a f*cking banging body and a stronger personality than before, she’s not scared to lay into me and stand her ground. I like that in a woman.
She needs to know the truth, my truth, before anything else could be considered. Some have had it worse than me, I get that. I was pretty lucky with the conditions I grew up in, but on an emotional level, I’m scarred. Nothing can change the way things went for me.
I drive into the city and head straight to Charline’s street. I know she’s not home yet, I just want to be there before her and make sure everything is okay. She’s going to hate me if she ever finds out that ever since the incident with Ayden, whenever she comes home late I’ve been here to make sure no one is hiding in her house.
Fucking pathetic.
CHAPTER 7
Charline
December 24, 2013
It’s Christmas Eve and I couldn’t be happier.
Sure, things have been messed up lately, what with Aleck being a douche nozzle and ignoring the hell out of me, to me seeing bikers I never saw before, everywhere I go. I can’t forget what happened to Ayden. It’s still creeping me out. I also met a cute guy at the coffee shop who seems interested in me. One hell of a way to end the year.
It’s the first year I’m not spending Christmas with my parents. They decided to go on a cruise around the Bahamas since I’m all grown up and living on my own. I’m not blaming them, it looks beautiful and it’s time they start living for themselves again. They have always been selfless, taking care of everyone around them, without thinking of themselves. They were supposed to go only for a couple of days, but I decided to extend their trip to a full twelve days. They’ve done so much for me; I couldn’t not do something for them.
Last week, Ayd and I decked her place for Christmas and it looks amazing. I would have loved to see Ant’s face when he saw the house. It’s like Christmas threw up everywhere. We did leave him the manly stuff like the lights and also the tree topper. I feel like it’s something they should start together. I wish I had someone like that around Christmas, starting traditions and maybe a family.
We finish putting everything away for the food preparation and I join everyone outside, I wish I hadn’t. I walked in in the middle of a conversation I wish I hadn’t heard.
“Very mature you three, you’ll see when you meet the one, if you’re not * whipped too.” Ant smirks. “I can’t wait for that day. Revenge will be very, very sweet.” He chuckles
“Not going to happen for me bro,” Aleck says as I join them. Great!
“Asshole,” Ayd mutters loud enough for him to hear and he glares at her. “Can we talk Aleck?” He sighs and looks at Ant who shrugs.
“Sure,” he says and walks with her to one of the lounge chairs by the pool.
I have no idea what they are talking about, but my heart broke a little bit more. I sigh, my party mood quickly leaves me, and I start to walk inside to take my mind off Aleck and make myself useful, when Ant stops me.
“He’s being a stubborn dickhead, he’ll come around, trust me. He just needs some time. He has a bad past with relationships, that’s all I’m going to say. Be patient with him. He really likes you, even if he’s too much of a f*cking * to admit it.” He finishes on a grin.
“Thanks, Ant. I just don’t know how much more of his rejection I can take.” I shrug.
“Hopefully Ayd will put him in his place and he’ll come around.” I nod and walk inside.
A few minutes later, Aleck comes back inside. I look up at him from the potato salad I’m making. “Can we talk?” he asks nervously.
I sigh. “Sure.”