Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(12)
“Fair enough, just don’t get too attached. He’s a widower. If anything were to happen between you and him, well, we’d have to break his legs for going behind our backs and you would only be his rebound. He’d only hurt you if you fall for him, so we’d then have to kick his ass again and we don’t want that. He’s a good asset to the club and the alliance.” Aleck explains as he tries to keep calm but I can tell he’s not happy about the situation.
“You two are impossible. As if I didn’t have enough trouble with Gabe before, now I have you breathing down my neck as well.” I say pointing at Aleck. “When will you get it into your thick f*cking skulls that I’m being a friend to him? Stop seeing more than what is there for f*ck’s sake.” I groan and go back to Jason. “Sorry about that, but I’m going to go, I can’t deal with them right now. Call me if you need anything.” I smile at him softly.
“They are right.” He sighs and gets up, facing me.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing good will come of anything happening between us.” He says as he brushes a few strands of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering a few seconds too long on my cheek.
“You didn’t used to say that.” I sigh. “I should go. Call me if you need me.” I put my mug in the sink and get my bag. I walk out of the house to find Callum sat in his Impala waiting for me. “Great, you’re back on ladysitting duty.” I groan, slamming the door.
“Be nice to Hilly and don’t slam her door like that. And yes, don’t make me regret it.” He chuckles and drives off.
“Right. Hilly. What kind of name is that for a car?”
“Don’t judge. How is he?”
“He’s as good as any man who just buried their wife can be.” I frown.
“You care a lot more about him than you want to let on.”
“Why do you say that?” I look at him raising my eyebrow.
“It shows, Love. I don’t know what happened between the two of you but be careful, that kind of secret is hard to keep and the consequences can be dangerous, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Nothing happened.”
“Right, keep telling yourself that.” He chuckles.
“Whatever. Where have you been anyway? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“Here and there.” He keeps his eyes glued to the road, obviously ignoring my question.
“Now who’s the one keeping secrets.”
He chuckles. “Some secrets should be kept secret.”
“Are you alright though?” I look at him. I haven’t really gotten to know Callum but he’s always been kind to me.
“I’m alright, don’t worry about me. I just have to solve some problems from my past. That’s all.” He smiles at me as he parks in my driveway.
“Well, I’m always here if you want to talk. Thanks for the drive.” I kiss his cheek and climb out of the car.
“Nic.” He calls after me. I poke my head through the window and lean against the car door. “Thank you and I’m here for you too if you need someone to talk to.” He winks at me and puts the car into reverse. I walk inside the house, making sure I rearm the alarm and plop on the couch. I take a moment to think about the past few days and all that’s been said. It all takes me back to two years ago, the first night I met Detective Jason Sanders…
CHAPTER 4
Jason
March 2, 2015
I speed to the compound. I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago and I know how much they hate it when someone is late at a planned meeting but I had to catch up on some f*cking paperwork at the station. I sigh to myself as I park in the back. The last thing I need is for someone from work seeing me with the MC now that the Kings case is over.
“Where’s Sanders?” I hear Gabe say through the chapel door.
“He’s la-”
“Right here, sorry, work is f*cking chaos.” I explain, sitting down next to Aleck.
“They made you go back to work already?” Ant asks me in disbelief.
“Yeah, I was only allowed two f*cking weeks.”
“That’s bullshit. How have you been?” Aleck asks.
“Struggling. Some days are better than others. I’m still hoping I’ll wake up from this nightmare and she’ll walk through the front door.” I sigh, trying to sound like I’m deeply affected by her loss.
“You know we’re here if you need anything,” Gabe says.
“I know, thank you. I just need to sort this on my own. You have enough on your plate.” We talk about how we’re all coping and what’s been happening for a few minutes until everybody involved is seated around the table.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming. Today we’ll discuss the alliance between our three clubs, see if we keep it or call a truce and go our separate ways, but also something that was brought to my attention yesterday.”
“What happened?” Gabe asks him instantly.
“First, the club alliance.”
Ric starts talking. “I’ve talked to my men. It’s good working alongside your two clubs. We’ve never had an alliance with anyone before, so it was all new, but the outcome has been beneficial, despite us losing two members. We don’t know what your two clubs are looking for, but we’re in if this is approved. Not gonna lie, the fact that we are outnumbering every other club out there is a huge f*cking bonus. Things were rough for a couple of days with your woman getting shot and yours getting killed, but we’ve managed to take them down and word on the street is that it’s a lot better to live in the Kings’ old area. Not as much crime anymore.”