Page 17 of Unruly Defender
“Like I said, I was set up.Rush betrayed me by forging papers about shit I didn’t do.Then I thought I could trust the club’s attorney but she was fucking Rush so they were working together.By the time I figured it all out I was in jail.And no, we don’t do any shady business like drugs or guns.I have several businesses and one of those is being a silent partner in a construction company that used to be my father’s but now belongs to my mother.It’s where most of my brothers work.So, you can say this MC works in construction.And before you comment with things that pop up in your head...no, we’ve never hidden a body in a foundation or covered one up with cement or plastered one behind a wall.”
“You know that’s kinda disappointing when you put it like that.No excitement at all?You guys don’t do the whole gangs, trade guns, shootouts for turf thing?You make it sound less action movie and more like a boring documentary.Not that documentaries are boring.I like them.And I’m glad you keep those guys on a straight path.Though I have to say, the whole construction thing does offer opportunities for hiding a body...are you sure you guys never used the company to hide your enemies?”
A chuckle escapes me and I shake my head at the way she’s clearly teasing me with her tone of voice and the twinkle in her eyes.
“That wasn’t my father’s intention when he started the construction company.He did it to create a job opportunity for himself and a few guys he grew up with.He built a solid friendship with five others, that’s when they founded Unruly Defenders.For a place they could enjoy when they were done with work and with riding their bikes.To take a break from the workload and so on.It grew into something more, a brotherhood, a family.And I hate how Rush put an end to it.He not only stole my freedom but he ripped everything apart that my father built.My father’s death might have been classified as an accident, but I have my reasons to assume Rush is responsible for the death of my father.I’m fairly sure, but I can’t prove anything.And as if it wasn’t enough, he also killed his dream by taking Unruly Defenders MC from me and ripping it apart by being a dictator who only cares about himself.”My voice cracks due to all the emotion flowing through my veins.
Gracy slides around the table to sit next to me and leans her head on my shoulder.“You’re already making a change to turn it all around, Henley.These things take time and if what you mentioned is true, then Rush has been planning everything for a long time and you have to be careful.You’ve only been out for a handful of days, and you’re just one man.Don’t carry the weight of all of this on your own shoulders.You have to trust others like how Rush is also reaching out to Spencer.Hey, was that why you had a meeting with Clemente?”
Fuck it.I’ve shared too much anyway, and talking with her takes away some of my stress and helps me get things in order inside my head.“No, like I said, I thought I was meeting with his uncle, he was the one in charge when I went away years back.We have worked together in the past when my father was still alive.Clemente’s family practically run the underworld of California and have knowledge and contacts.I wanted information about Rush.Clemente warned me about him because Rush is making too many waves.He’s drawing attention from both the law and the underworld.”
“That’s why Clemente doesn’t want me near you,” she muses.
“Clemente wants you safe, and so do I.”I wrap my arm around her and pull her close.“But I’m afraid both of us may want the impossible because you’re tied to all of it.Clemente, Spencer...”I place a swift kiss on the top of her head.“And to me.”
Admitting that last part out loud is a necessity.With everything we talked about—throwing it out in the open—I’m not about to cut the one thing out of my life that feels right.The reminder of my cellmate, Beck, vivid in my thoughts how he spared the woman he cared about but ended up hurting both of them in the end.
They did manage to end up together after a long road to get there, but those years were hell for both of them.And this also is a reminder.If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.So why the hell should I fight it, or punish myself even more?I’ve done my sentence, it’s time to move forward and take what’s mine.
CHAPTER SIX
– GRACY –
Iwake slowly and instantlyrealize the pillow my head is resting on is in fact not so much a pillow but Henley’s chest.Pushing myself up, I glance down and a slow smile slides across my face as the memories of last night resurface.
After dinner we talked some more and eventually took Finn for a walk and we ended up watching a movie in bed.Both of us are still dressed and I guess somewhere during the movie we fell asleep.
I reach for Finn who’s sleeping near our feet and take him in my arms as I slide off the bed.Finn knows the routine.I need to find my shoes and coat before we head out for a walk.I grab my purse and decide to swing by the tiny place near the marina to get some coffee and breakfast to take back to the boat.
Henley is still sleeping when we get back, but as I place the coffee on the table and the bag with fresh pastries, his phone suddenly starts to ring, waking him up.He groans and grabs his phone.
With a groggy voice he says, “Yeah?”
Clearly, the person on the other end said something important because he flashes up and his eyes are wide open.“When?”Henley scoots off the bed and rubs a hand over his face.“Then we’re going to speed things up.Two hours from now I’m walking into the clubhouse.Yes.Make sure everything is set.Good.See you there, brother.”
Henley stands and puts his phone away to free up his hands so he can rub his face.Finn dashes off to him and starts to claw with his one front paw at Henley’s pants.He reaches down and scoops him up, earning him a facewash from Finn.The way that rugged man cradles his little dog in his arms makes me swoon.
