Page 113 of Fang
“I’m in a hurry,” I tell him.
He nods. “It’ll only take a second. I want to apologize for my behavior. It was wrong of me to act the way I did. I guess you can say I have a chip on my shoulder. I didn’t have the best home, which is no excuse, but I hope it tells you where my mind was at. I realize I fucked up, and I hope you will forgive me.”
My heart softens a little. I understand having a shitty childhood. Look at how it shaped my life. I can see why he would have issues connecting with others.
“You don’t owe me an apology. I understand. You might want to talk to some of your brothers, though. They didn’t like the way you acted either.”
“I know, but they will all tell me to apologize to you first, so here I am.” He actually looks like he might be telling the truth.
Sighing, I tell him, “Then you have my forgiveness.”
“Thank you. Let me walk you to your car.”
Reluctantly, I agree.
He holds the door open for me, following me down the steps. I still feel on edge around him, but at least out here, there is a prospect at the gate. We are no longer alone. He walks me all the way over to my car, opening the door for me.
“Thank you again, Cami. I’m hoping I can find my home here so I hope we can move forward as friends.”
I force a smile. “Of course.”
He shuts the door for me, stepping back as he waves. I wave back, feeling weird.
That was awkward.
I don’t think he will ever get into this chapter of the Lotus. He’s caused too much damage in the little bit of time he has been here. While I am empathetic to his childhood, having experienced it for myself, it would be better if he moves on. Ihope the guys see that too and send him on his way. If they do, I wonder if this newfound humility will disappear.
Pushing it out of my head, I focus back on the task at hand.
The interview.
Bailey and Viv went over it with me last night. I don’t want to seem too innocent because then people will think it’s a part I’m playing, especially when they find out about my stripping background. I also want to be conservative, though.
We also discussed the possibility of me telling the reporter about my stripping to get ahead of it. I’m playing it by ear based on how the reporter acts. I don’t know if it will be for the best or not.
So many things to consider.
I’m about a mile away from the clubhouse when I hear a motorcycle in the distance. The sound brings me comfort now. I know it’s not Fang. He’s on the other side of town, but maybe it’s one of the others I have grown to love as brothers.
I glance in my rearview as the sound gets closer. That’s when a pit forms in my stomach.
This bike is flying. It has to be going more than one hundred miles an hour. None of the guys would be driving that recklessly unless something happened.
I try to remind myself that they might not even be Lotus. There is more than one club around here, but this deep into Lotus territory is unlikely. This is a desolate road that leads out to the clubhouse. We don’t see too many people on this road.
An eerie feeling settles in as the bike gets closer, slowing down behind me.
The man is wearing a mask over his face, but it doesn’t matter. I recognize the bike.
It’s Biggy.
Grabbing for my phone, I attempt to dial Fang’s number.
Biggy speeds up next to me and swerves over. My phone flies to the floorboard as I attempt to get my car back on the road.
He is trying to kill me.
So much for the apologetic man from before.
