Page 83 of Genesis

One month two days missing

Bexley has slept against my leg the last three nights. Having her near helps, but I’m slipping. Even the strongest men fall eventually. I’ve been strong my whole goddamn life. I’ve fought, I’ve clawed my way to the top, and I’ve stayed there when I didn’t necessarily want to.

During all that, I’ve stood by and watched the woman I love have a life with another man. I’m not sure what’s been harder—being stuck here like a caged animal or witnessing another man get her smiles, her love, and her affection.

It’s nearly killed me.

The sound of a truck pulling up has me lifting my head. I hear the door shut, but like always, the truck stays running, and moments later, I hear keys.

The stranger steps inside, holding two coats.

“Thought you two might like a little extra warmth.”

I scoff, wondering why he’s going through all the trouble when he plans to kill us anyway.

“Tell me,” I say weakly. “How is your plan working out?” I want to laugh at this fool. I know Moretti is protecting my family, and this guy appears to be a one-man show. There’s no way he could get through to them.

“Just fine,” he says.

“Are you lying?” I ask skeptically.

“Come on, Bones. Do you really want to fuck with me?”

I tilt my head up, looking over his mask and the coats in his hand. “I must have really done something, huh?” I say lowly.

I see him tense up.

“I must have ruined your whole life for you to go to all this trouble.” I shake my head. “Tell me, man who’s so big and bad he has to hide behind a mask and voice disguiser. What was it? Did I fuck your wife? Did I kill your brother, your father? What did I do for you to keep us here like your little pets?”

He drops the coats onto the floor, going to the window.

I watch him.

“I’ve always thought you were a smart man, Bones. But it appears that you’re not.”

He gazes out, but I look down at Bexley. Her eyes are wide, telling me to shut up.

I smirk, but then I hear something that makes me turn stone-cold.

Snap, snap, snap. A rubber band cracking against skin. I look up at him as my mouth goes slack, my body starts to shake, and my chest caves.

No. Trig?

Chapter Thirty-Five

Danny

2006

“She’s fucking crazy,” Carson says from the back seat. “I fucked her once, and now I can’t keep her away from me.”

“Shouldn’t have given her that golden dick of yours,” Mickey says sarcastically from the passenger seat of my car.

He looks over at me and I smirk while holding on to the wheel.

“Hey, I’m serious, man. I think she’s stalking me. Can’t we ban her from the clubhouse or something?”

“We’re not banning a chick from the clubhouse,” Mickey says. “If you want her to leave you alone, then grow some balls and tell her.”

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