Page 28 of Towles

Diesel leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and looked down his crooked nose at me. “This motherfucker is in love.”

The room erupted in laughter, and for the first time in my life, I believed I was.

Church ended, and we headed outside. Manning and Paul Summers were waiting in the parking lot.

“What the fuck do you want?” I pointed at Summers.

“We have reason to believe April Summers is being held against her will,” Manning said. He stood like he had a corncob up his ass. Summers smirked behind him. I couldn’t figure out what in the hell April ever saw in him.

Beast walked past and stopped in front of Manning. “She doesn’t want to see this asshole.” He pointed at Summers. “You should get your ass off club property.”

“I need verification Mr. Summers’ wife isn’t being held against her will.” Manning put his hand on the butt of his holstered gun. “I’ll get a warrant and come in there and get a look for myself, Beast.”

“I know what you did,” I said to Summers. He stopped smiling. “Ten grand isn’t going to get me dead. You’re going to have to pay more than that.”

Manning turned to Summers.

Summers shrugged. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“I’ll go get her,” I said to Beast.

I found April in my room. She and the others had come through the back entrance when they received the call that Summers and Manning were on the premises.

“What do you want to do, babe?” I asked. “You don’t have to go out there.”

“To disappear.”

“We have a van out back. You and I can leave now.”

“I don’t want you in trouble.”

“Fuck this guy. What’s he going to do?”

April left the room, and I followed her outside. Summers stepped back when the entire club and their old ladies flanked April’s sides. The asshole was at a loss for words. She leaned toward me.

“I need to know I can handle these things,” she said. “He needs to know that I can and know what he lost.” She stood in front of Manning. “Obviously, I’m just fine, and I’m here because I want to be. If I go with you, I will be held against my will.”

Manning started to speak, but April stepped away to address Paul.

“It’s not too late to come home,” Paul said. “It’s okay to admit your mistake. I’ll forgive you.”

I noticed April’s hands ball into fists. “You son-of-a-bitch. How can you stand there and pretend none of this is on you? Tell me I’m wrong, Paul. Tell me.”

Paul nodded, and Beast and Diesel pulled me away.

“None of this is my fault, April.”

“You asshole,” I said.

Manning unbuckled his holster. “Best that you take him inside,” he told Beast. “I think Towles still needs anger management counseling.”

“Whenever I’ve been at my lowest, Paul, you’re always the last person to try and bring me back to a high. I’m done. Go back to your whores.”

April walked away and went back inside.

“You can have her,” Paul said. “Her light went out a long time ago.”

Both he and Manning climbed back into their cars and left.

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