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“Other things?”

“Like I said before,” his tone became firm as he said, “There are things we have to talk about.”

“Yeah.” I grimaced. “It’s going to be bad, isn’t it?”

“Some of it, but it’s a means to an end.” He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. “Get dressed.”

With that, he tossed the covers back and got out of bed. I didn’t want to move. I was happy and content in his bed, and I knew what waited for us outside of this room would change things. But I had Holt, and as long as I had him, I could make it through anything.

23

SEVEN

“But how could you just leave him there?” I could still hear her voice, the sharp edge of betrayal cutting through every word.“He’s my brother, and I know you’ve had your differences, but there was a time when he was your best friend?”

“It wasn’t my choice to make.”

She’d looked at me like I was someone she didn’t recognize, like I was some kind of monster, and she could barely stand to breathe the same air as me. And maybe she was right.

Maybe I was a monster.

But I’d done what I had to do.

Rooks was a dead man the second he tried to steal from the Volkovs. The club lived by the same code. So, I got it. I understood why they wouldn’t let him get away with it. They had to set an example so no one else would think they could get away with doing the same.

Still feeling the weight of Tallie’s glare, I ran my hand down my face and sighed. I hated seeing her so upset with me. Hell, her entire body trembled with anger and heartbreak. I hadn’t even tried to defend myself. There was no point. Nothing I couldsay would’ve taken her hurt away. She had to process it on her own, and once she did, she’d see that I’d had no other choice.

“He had consequences to face.”

“Consequences for what?” she gasped. “He didn’t have anything to do with any of this.”

“But he did.” I tried to keep my tone calm as I told her, “He tried to steal their money, but that was only after he’d tried to steal your father’s.”

“What?” she gasped. “But why?”

I should’ve broken it to her gently.

I should’ve found a way to soften the blow, but she needed to know the facts. And there was no gentle way to say, “His business had gone south, and he was looking for a way out.”

She didn’t respond, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. She was starting to piece it together. “So, he asked Dad for money, and he wouldn’t give it to him?”

“That’s right, so Rooks decided to take it.”

The realization hit her all at once. Her face went pale as she muttered, “Oh, God. Please tell me he didn’t have something to do with Dad’s death.”

“I wish I could. I really do.”

“No.” I watched as the truth settled over her like a weight too heavy to bear. It was too much. I knew it would be, and I hated that I was the one who had to break the news to her. But it had to be done. Defeat in her eyes, she muttered, “I can’t believe it. He was behind it all the whole time.”

“Afraid so.”

“Oh, Rooks. Why would you do this? I just don’t understand.” Tears started streaming down her face, and her voice cracked as she said, “And he knew that he’d put Mom and me in danger, and he still…”

“His bad choices caught up with him, Tal, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to catch up with you. I’m not going to let that happen. Not now. Not ever.”

When her tears started to fall even harder, I stepped over and wrapped my arms around her, holding tight as she started to sob. She cried and cried some more, and my heart ached for her. She’d been through so much, and I wanted nothing more than to take all her hurt away.

When she finally collected herself, she stepped back and looked up at me with worry in her eyes. “What am I supposed to tell Mom?”

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