Olivia chats happily as we drive back to the clubhouse.
“I can’t believe it’s already August!”
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out her phone. “We’ve been texting your friends, so they didn’t worry about you. Your roommate, Lucy, has been very persistent.”
“Oh my gosh, I didn’t even think about texting her!” She scrolls through her phone and lets out a laugh. “Pneumonia, huh?”
“We figured it would explain why you didn’t feel like getting out. Better than telling her you were shot by an outlaw.”
This makes her frown. “I still can’t believe Mama Bear did that to the club.”
“After looking into her past, I’m not surprised. What’s shocking is that she waited so long. Apparently she was gunning for me to die for years.”
“Any word on Jas?”
I shake my head. “Nothing new.”
She looks out her window. “I wish I could have done more to protect her.”
“You saved her life.”
We arrive to the clubhouse where Bash, Razor, and King wait. The fuckers made a banner, welcoming her home. I frown. There’s that word again.
I park and King opens her door.
“Welcome home, sugar.”
He kisses her until she giggles. Bash and Razor each have similar moments with her. I get out, motioning for a Prospect to come over.
“Help her to her room,” I say. “Tell her I’ll be in there in a bit to talk to her.”
Then I get my men’s attention. They follow me to the conference room. When we get inside, I close the door.
“I’ve made a decision about Olivia.”
I swear to god, they freeze. Bash looks scared. Razor can’t look me in the eyes. And King -fucking King knows me better than anyone - he knows what I’m about to say.
He shakes his head. “No, brother. It doesn’t have to be like this.”
“It does.”
Razor says, “She didn’t do anything wrong.”
“She lied to us and was working with the Feds.”
“This is fucking bullshit, Saint!”
“Call it what you want, but the others won’t want her around when they know what she did.”
“Then don’t fucking tell them.”
I shake my head. “That isn’t how we work as a club, Razor. You, out of everyone, should know that.”
King asks, “Have you told her?”
“No. I wanted to give you each time to say goodbye.” I pause. “And that’s what this has to be. A goodbye.”
“How will we know she’s safe?” Bash questions. “What if Maniac and Psycho had more men than we know about?”
“We can keep tabs on her, but, for her sake, she can’t know we’re there. She deserves a chance to move on from this. From us. Hell, Agent Hill is offering to give her a brand new life. She won’t get that if we don’t cut all ties here and now.”
They sit there, soaking in what I’ve said.
But, it’s time to deal the final blow.
“Her roommate is moving into their new townhouse today. I’m going to have one of the Prospects take her and her things there after you’ve each talked to her. And tomorrow we have Church.”
“Business as fucking usual,” Razor mutters.
“That’s right, Razor.” I stand. “You each have thirty minutes to say goodbye to her, unless anyone objects to this ruling?”
They don’t say anything, because when it comes down to it, they know I’m right. We’re bad for Olivia and she deserves the best.
As I walk away from my most loyal men, I pray they can forgive me for this. Because I’m not sure I can forgive myself.
32
Olivia
There’s a knock on my door. When I open it, King is there, but he’s not smiling.
“Can we talk?”
“Sure. Come in.” I step aside, so he can enter.
When I close the door, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me. I run my fingers through his long hair.
“Hey now, I’m okay.” I whisper. “I promise.”
“Olivia-” His voice breaks and he kisses me again.
He kisses me like a man saying goodbye.
“King?”
He cups my face with his hands. “I care about you. So. Damn. Much. I’m just sorry we didn’t have much time together.”
“King, you’re scaring me.”
“We voted today,” he says. “Olivia-”
Again, he can’t finish his sentence, but I think I know what he’s going to say.
“When?”
“Today.”
No!
“King.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “I’ll never forget you, Olivia Mayhem.”
“I won’t forget you, either, King.”
He pulls away, looking pained. “One day you will. This will be a distant memory. You’ll meet a nice guy and then you won’t think of us again.”
I shake my head. “I’ll think about you until the day I die.”
He gives me a heartbreaking smile. “I selfishly hope so.”
There’s a knock on the door and I realize they’re each going to say goodbye to me. My heart shatters, but I have to let them do this. After all, that’s what you do for the ones you love.
King leaves and Razor enters, looking even more dejected than King.
“He told you?”
“Yes.”
He nods. Looking at him in this moment, I see a wall going up around him. My sweet Razor doesn’t do well with goodbyes, so I won’t drag this out for him.
Brushing my lips against his cheek, I say, “It’s okay, Razor. We’ll both make it through this.”
“Promise?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
His mouth crashes over mine and he kisses me until I’m breathless. He pulls away just as fast and leaves, slamming the door behind him.
Tears fill my eyes, but I have to be strong.
There’s a soft knock on the door and I close my eyes, regaining my composure.
“Liv? Can I come in?”
I open the door. Bash isn’t like me and allows his tears to fall freely.
“Are you okay? I know this is a lot to take in, especially after just getting out of the hospital.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I expected this.”
The thing is, I’ve lied so much in my life that he actually believes me. I can see it all over his face and in his body, as a weight is lifted from his shoulders.
He lets out a sigh. “I don’t want you to go, Liv, but I know it’s for the best.”
I brush my lips against his. “I know, Bash. I know.”
“Do you need help packing?”
Packing? My heart falls even more and I understand what is happening. Saint is making sure I’m gone before anyone can change their minds.
I shake my head. “No, I’ve got it. Thank you.”
He nods, looking uncomfortable.
“Bash, I promise, I’m good. But I should start packing.”
“Okay.” He gives me one last look before leaving.