When we got to the clubhouse, everyone got out of Billy’s truck and immediately started inside. I hadn’t gotten far when I felt a hand on my arm, tugging me back. I glanced back and found Matteo standing behind me with a worried look. “I should go.”
“What?” I waited for the others to head inside, then asked, “Where would you go?”
“I don’t know, but I got no business being here.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “These guys see me as the fucking enemy. It’s only a matter of time before they try and take me out.”
“That’s not going to happen, Matteo.” I placed my hand on his arm, trying my best to comfort him as I said, “They know you aren’t like the others and that you helped Kiersten and me.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He looked nervously over his shoulder like he was expecting one of the Sinners to come up behind him. “I’m tied to DeLuca, and that’s all that matters to guys like these.”
“If you’re thinking about leaving, don’t,” Davies warned. “Nothing screamsratmore than a runner. Best to stick around and see this thing through, or the brothers might get the wrong idea.”
“He’s right.” I knew Matteo was scared, and I didn’t blame him. His brief encounter with Billy and the brothers wasn’t exactly pleasant, but I truly believed that he should stay, which is why I told him, “The last thing you need is to find yourself in trouble with the Sinners.”
“Fine, I’ll stay, but if I end up in a ditch somewhere...”
“You won’t. Trust me.”
Matteo and I followed Davies inside, then joined the others in the bar. It was painfully quiet as we sat there waiting on some word from the guys which only seemed to make the wait feel that much longer. Since I couldn’t go there to find out how things were going myself, I did the only thing I could.
I waited.
And I waited some more.
Just when I thought I couldn’t stand it a second longer, Country got the call from Viper. I could tell by the relieved look on his face that everything had gone as planned, but I wasn’t certain until Country ordered us all a round of drinks. While the others were eager to join in, I was hesitant. I knew Billy was angry with me and would want to hash things out.
I didn’t want to make things worse by being inebriated, so when Kiersten passed me a beer, I told her, “I better pass.”
“Oh, come on,” Kiersten pleaded. “Don’t make me drink alone.”
“But Billy...”
“Dad will be fine.” She slid the beer a little closer as she said, “Besides, he’s going to be a while.”
I glanced over to the corner of the room where Matteo was sitting with Davies, and when I saw that he was having a beer of his own, I told her, “Okay, fine. I’ll have one, maybe even two...”
“Great.” Kiersten smiled. “Maybe now I can get some answers from you.”
“Answers about what?”
Kiersten’s eyes narrowed. “Like how did you really meet my father? ‘Cause I’m finding it doubtful that you met on some dating app.”
“Oooh.” Country leaned in and snickered, “I know this one.”
He hadn’t left Kiersten’s side since we left Antonio’s, and I got the feeling he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I didn’t blame him. After what she’d been through, it was understandable that he would be feeling extra protective. He slipped his arm around her waist and waited for me to respond, “It’s complicated.”
“Umm, it’s not all that complicated.” He shrugged casually. “Not when you think about it.”
“Just tell me,” Kiersten pushed.
“Okay, here goes... The man who had you kidnapped, Antonio DeLuca,shot me, along with several others, and he hired your father to deal with the aftermath.” I lifted my beer and took a drink, then continued, “Only I wasn’t dead.”
“Wait,” she gasped. “You were shot?”
“Hm-hmm. Three times.”
“And you survived?”
“Thanks to your father and Doc.” My throat tightened as I said, “He could’ve just let me die. It certainly would’ve been easier and safer, but for some crazy reason, he decided to take mercy on me.”