When it came to the club, he could handle whatever was thrown at him. His personal fucking love life though, that had taken a sudden turn. Robin now belonged to him, and having her in his bed, his life, it was a fucking dream come true, and that was saying a lot because he didn’t believe in dreams or any of that bullshit, so it was all new to him. Being with Robin was new. Sneaking around was exhausting.
He’d never sneaked in his life, but until he got a handle on O’Klaren, he wasn’t about to talk to Bear.
Not to mention his son who’d come to him earlier to tell him about how weird Robin was becoming.
She wouldn’t let him kiss her and stopped him sleeping in her bed. She also didn’t drive to school with him anymore. He’d played the part of doting father because it was expected of him, but he didn’t have the time or the energy to pansy to his son.
Bishop was a problem, and Preacher knew the moment his son knew the truth, it would cause no end of trouble, which was why he had to handle O’Klaren now.
Climbing out of the car, he made his way up to her door and knocked.
It was opened by a small, petite woman, wearing a dress, her hair neatly pinned back, with lots of makeup, which didn’t hide the shiner on her face.
“I’m sorry. You shouldn’t be here,” she said.
“I take it your husband likes to leave a mark.”
She went to touch her cheek and shook her head. “It’s dangerous. Please, leave.”
“How about I come in, we have a talk, and I tell you I’ve got the answers to all of your prayers, you’ve just got to do something for me,” he said.
“I … you can’t help me. If he finds out you’ve been here, he’ll hurt me.”
“He does that a lot? Hurt you?”
“He does whatever he wants.”
“Then how about you and I work together so he stops hitting you,” he said. “Aren’t you tired of being a punching bag?”
Tears filled her eyes, and he watched as they fell down her face. “No one can help me.”
“Because he’s a cop? He’s got friends in high places. I can start making a whole lot of noise and he’ll be here within a second, or we can sit and chat about how we can make this work.”
She looked doubtful, but clearly his offer was too tempting for her to turn down. She let him walk right past her, and he took in the perfect, beautiful home.
The heavy scent of lavender filled the air.
Her hands clenched. “You can’t walk through the house in those boots.”
“I’m not leaving this spot. I only want to know how desperate you are to get rid of your husband.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I know about the hostels and the shelters you’ve tried to go to. I know you’ve tried to run from him a couple of times.”
“I can’t leave him. He’ll find me. He will always find me. The kids belong to him. I’m his. There’s no way out for me. No escape. I’m trapped. I know that now.”
“What if I tell you I have a way that means you will stay in this house? No one will ever question you. All you need to do is go upstairs, pack a bunch of his stuff, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“It can’t be that easy.”
“You tell anyone who comes by you had a fight and he said he was leaving you for another woman. You remove some of that paint on your face, and the bruises tell the story as to why you didn’t stop him from leaving.”
She touched her cheek again. “It couldn’t be that easy,” she said. “No way could it be that easy.”
“I’m not saying it won’t be easy. What I’m saying is this, he’s not coming back, but I need his stuff and an alibi that puts him out of town. Can you do that?” he asked.
“That’s all I have to do?”
“I’ll give you some money to tide you over for a job, or you can work for me.”
“What about my kids? They need a father.”
“Do they need the kind of father who abuses his son? Who allows people to rape his son?”
She covered her mouth. “Is that what happened to Thomas? You spoke to him? How is he? What’s happening?”
Preacher looked at her. “You don’t know about your eldest son?”
“He told me it wasn’t any of my business. He was taking care of everything and I shouldn’t worry.”
“Your husband is a real piece of work. I’ll have Thomas brought back to town by the end of the week. You and your family can live in peace. You’ve just got to do as I say. Can you do that?”