Unveiled Wishes (Iron Shield MC #2)

12. Gaining An Ally

Chapter 12

Gaining An Ally

E mily

I paced in front of the bed, angry, my hands flailing around, not understanding any of the words that I was muttering. How dare he do this to me? The first time he had told me to move on, it had hurt. I had taken his words at face value and gone about my life as if those two years had never happened. I hadn’t stopped to analyze that I might not be over him, and now it was going to explode in my face. Turning around at the edge of the bed, I trotted to the other side, still angry.

“Why wasn’t he just honest with me?” I muttered to the empty room, raising my arms above my head. “What would you have even done?” I answered myself, officially losing it. I tried to remember everything all at once, but my head pounded. A low whine escaped into the silence of the room as I remembered my favorite letter of his.

My Emily,

I am done, Em.

They served my papers today, so it’s official. They’ll discharge me in six months, and then I’ll be free. I am not sure how to feel about that. All I know is that I wanted to tell you immediately. I scribbled this as quickly as I could. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. They’ll drill me harder until they kick me out to make sure they get their money’s worth. Please get me through this because it will be the longest six months…ever.

-Tyler

I sat on the floor in front of the bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. I let my head rest against the edge of the bed with my eyes closed, trying to rub the migraine away. If Tyler had told me that our relationship had ended over money, I would have never believed him then. However, I could see it all falling apart clearly now, in a fiery blaze with nothing to save it. I was used to using my family’s money then. I wouldn't make my own until I started working for Nelson's, but Tyler would never have accepted a handout.

I thought about Christopher, and my nose instantly crinkled. My parents were happy with each other. They just weren’t necessarily happy being parents. If I had agreed to the marriage, Christopher would have taken everything from me. My money, my family’s company, and even my soul, without so much as a thank you, just an expectation. A tear streamed down my face. Tyler had let me go and sacrificed himself. Could I forgive him?

As a few pieces of folded paper slid under the door, another tear streamed down my cheek. I jumped up from the floor and opened the door, but he was gone.

Picking up the sheets of paper, I flipped them around in my hand, not sure what I was looking at. There was a new piece of paper that was wrapped around several yellow pages. They looked like they were older, and the creases weren’t crisp, as if they been read more than once.

My Emily,

Your light was still on, and I didn’t want to disturb you, but I thought you should have these. They are the rough drafts of the original letter I sent you. I hope they tell you how angry I was to let you go. It wasn’t the easiest decision, and I agonized over it for years. I might still when my mind quiets down. I thought you had moved on, which helped. It was a bandage on my soul.

I need you. I am not whole without you, and I think you need me, too. You can keep telling yourself you’re here for Christmas, but I won’t believe that’s the complete truth.

-Tyler

Sitting back down on the floor in front of the bed, I opened the first draft. It was mostly the same story that he had told me on the couch, but I could read the happiness pouring from the words. He was trying for me.

I don’t want to give you up, but I don’t know of any bright outcomes.

The second draft was the same thing, except this time he had suggested I pick the school of my dreams, and he’d find work somewhere. As long as I rented out a reasonable accommodation, he’d work two or three jobs to support me.

It’ll only be temporary until I can make enough. I don’t know how I’ve fucked this up when I don’t spend a dime.

The last letter was where I could feel his anger pouring off of the page.

Emily-

I think I’ve given you the wrong impression about me and about us. There’s no us, and there never was. I asked you to write to me to make the time go faster, but that’s all it was. Whatever little girl fantasies you’ve developed, let them go. I’m not a prince who’s going to ride my horse to the tallest tower and rescue you. Perfect men only exist within romance books. I’m the bad guy.

You should be spending your life with someone of equal status. Pick one of those wealthy Wall Street guys who will treat you the way you deserve. Not Christopher, but someone else with money. I’m not the man for you, and I’ll never amount to anything. You’d be stuck living well below your means because I can’t provide for you.

In a few weeks, you will have forgotten all about me. Honestly, that’s the way it should be. Live your life the way you want, and not as the repressed girl who’s following her family’s plan.

Tyler

Somewhere around the third paragraph, I broke. The little girl, who had sent her soldier letters, had her heart officially broken. The tears streamed down my cheeks, as I curled up with them on the carpet.

***

Zook

“Was she alright today when you two went out?” I asked How, sitting across from him on one couch in the main room. I didn’t want to make her nervous after last night, but I had watched Emily as closely as I could without getting caught. She seemed to be her normal self, but there were a few times when her smile hadn’t been as bright as it should have been. I didn’t want her in pain, but I had to make her see she belonged to me.

“Yeah, she seemed to be okay. Maybe a little tired.” He shrugged. “What did you do?”

“Why would you automatically assume I did something?” I had, but I wouldn’t tell him. After laying out most of my cards, I was waiting for Emily to approach me, but I wasn’t giving her very much space, either.

“We want her to stay, not lug her happy self back to New York.”

“You want her to stay?” I asked him. I didn’t want him pushing her towards me just to make her stay. If she wanted that on her own, I’d make it work, even though it would fucking kill me.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?” He shrugged again, taking a sip from his beer.

“I am confused. Do you want her to stay for you or for me?” This was important.

“For us. Ugh, that sounds wrong.” He wiped his face with his hand and took a gulp. “If she’s going to live on her own in the city, she might as well live here. At least I could see her all the time.”

“She wouldn’t have to deal with winter anymore.” I smiled, remembering my promise that I hadn’t made to her.

“So, has she forgiven you yet?” How turned towards me, his eyes analyzing mine. I knew he was looking for any detail he could exploit. It didn’t have to be good or bad. How would use it to his advantage.

“I am not sure she should after last night. She was in the main room when I came back downstairs. Neither one of us could sleep and I sat next to her to explain. I am not sure if I made it better or worse, but she took off running to her room,” I said, shifting in my cushion so that my ass cheeks wouldn’t fall asleep.

“Have you actually apologized, or did you just tell her all the reasons you did what you did?”

“I didn’t use the actual words.” It was my turn to rub my hand over my face.

“I know you’re trying to do the whole ‘actions speak louder’ bullshit, but you should apologize. It might be the missing piece you need to get her to see reason.”

“It’s not bullshit. What’s going to happen when you actually find a woman?” How had never shown an interest in anyone, but with as much relationship advice as he was giving out, it made me wonder.

“That’ll never happen. I am not tameable.” He let his head fall back to the couch cushion and closed his eyes.

“Now, that’s fucking bullshit.” I laughed so hard that I ended up doubling over and holding my stomach.

“Nah, I'm not a good man, so there’s no point in trying to be something I'm not.”

I let it go, not feeling like arguing with him. Our circumstances had shaped us differently, but we came from the same mold. If he thought he was a dangerous man, then I didn’t want to remind him I was, too. Most of the brothers were as well.

“You think they’re having a good time?” I changed the subject. The Old Ladies had decided they wanted a night out alone before Christmas. Since this was the last night that the bar would be open, Sabre had let them go. Flo had invited Emily, claiming there was too much testosterone in the club.

“They should be. Raven, Bear and Stands were supposed to meet them there.”

“Do you find it unusual they didn’t let anyone see what they were wearing?” I’d been sitting in the main room, hoping to get a peek at Em, when the women had walked around the clubhouse and slipped into Flo’s car undetected.

“I don’t want to think about it, but it was probably stuff they shouldn’t have. They’re living it up. Hell, it’s the club’s bar. If something’s wrong, they’ll call Prez.”

“Maybe,” I said, trying to relax again.

Another hour went by, but my anxiety over the situation didn’t dissipate. It only increased as I tried to picture what Emily was wearing. I wasn’t the only one, as I watched Grizz and Sabre try to act normal, sitting at the bar. Sabre cradled JR in his arm, looking over the main room.

“We could go get them,” Grizz said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence that had formed.

“I am not listening to the complaints about how we didn’t trust them to be on their own,” Sabre said, jiggling JR to make him giggle.

“We’re bored, and we can use that as an excuse.” Count lifted his head from the pool table before lining his shot back up.

Sabre bounced JR in his arms. “I am on daddy duty, so how is that going to work out?”

“You said doody.” Pretty laughed from his spot on the couch. More than one head shook at his antics.

“What if we drive by and someone sneaks in to check on them?” Scrub added. Dr. Matthews usually took the overnights, so it was a rare occasion that he was hanging out with us in the main room.

“That will not win you any favors,” How said, finishing his beer.

“How would you know? You weren’t even a brother when she walked out.”

“I’ve heard you pine enough to know what happened. Man up, dude.” How stood up from the couch, heading towards the bar to get a new beer.

“Who the fuck are you talking about? You’re trying to pass your sister off to your best friend.”

Was he really doing that? I’d wondered why he was suddenly okay with it.

“Don’t even fuck with me with that fucking shit.” How grabbed his beer from the prospect and raised it towards Scrub. “Zook gave her up because he thought he wasn’t good enough. You didn’t go to bat for your woman, and now you expect her to fall on her knees and thank her lucky stars.”

“Are you saying I'm selfish?” Scrub stood from the stool, where he’d been watching the pool game.

“Hey!” Sabre shouted at them. “Knock it off. We’re not having a brawl over stupidity in the middle of the clubhouse.” JR cooed at just the right minute, as if he agreed, causing all of us to laugh.

Cyph lined up his shot on the pool table. “If you really wanted to spy on them, I could tap into the security feed at the bar, but all non-club information comes with a price,” he said quietly.

“How much?” someone asked.

I didn’t care how much it was. If the rest of the brothers paid, I’d pay too. I told myself that it was to make to sure Emily was safe, but it was a lie. I wanted to see her having fun with the other women. It would be another layer, beyond How and me, that would make her want to stay.

“Two hundred for each brother that has an interest. That includes both Slate and Thunder.” Cyph said it so smoothly that most of us had to make sure that we’d heard him correctly.

“I am not paying two hundred,” Slate huffed from where he played poker with the older brothers.

“You’re sleeping with Bear. You pay.” Cyph took his turn at the pool table.

“He’s an extortionist, Slate. You won’t win this one.” Grizz turned to ask Sabre, “What are you doing?”

“Putting JR to bed. If we all paid, word would get back to them. Like I said, I am not starting that shit when I can just ask Grace when she gets back.” He stood from his chair, shifted JR in his arm, and went to walk upstairs. “Come on, kid. It’s bedtime. You don’t get to spy on Mama.”

“Does that mean we still can?” someone yelled towards the stairs.

Sabre pivoted and looked at the men in the main room. “Leave them alone. We won’t set a dangerous precedent when they could make our lives hell. Meredith already does.” He smiled, causing the room to laugh.

“That’s my wife.” Grizz puffed out his chest, proud as a peacock.

“Until she kills you in your sleep.” Pretty fell off the couch from laughing so hard. He hit the floor with a loud thump .

Time seemed to stand still for me as Grizz’s phone rang. My stomach clenched as he reached for it in his back pocket. I didn’t care what Meredith had gotten herself into now, but Emily was with her. The room went deadly silent as we waited, and even Sabre stopped at the top of the stairs.

“Hello?” Grizz said into the phone. He nodded his head a few times, like he was agreeing with whatever was being said. “Where are you?” He paused.

I wanted to walk over and grab the phone from him, demanding to speak to Emily. I’d make sure that she was safe. Neither How nor I had given her a rundown of the club’s run-ins with the cartel. We hadn’t thought it was important at the time because she wasn’t staying. I’d have to rectify that soon.

“Baby, hang on. I am going to put you on speaker.” Grizz pulled the phone from his ear and turned the volume up. “Say that again.”

“We’re on our way back, but when Grace pulled out of the parking lot, an SUV followed us. We didn’t notice it until we got on the highway.”

“How close are they?” Sabre called from upstairs.

“Grace says about two car lengths. If she speeds up, they speed up but don’t approach us. Same if she slows down. She said it reminded her of when they brought JR home.”

“Baby, how far out are you?” Grizz looked up at Sabre, having a silent conversation that none of us were privy to.

“Less than two miles. Grace is about to exit the highway.”

“They’ll be gone before we can mount up and give chase,” Sabre called to Grizz. “Have the prospect open the gates when he sees their lights on the hill. They should be able to pull directly into the yard.”

Grizz took his phone off speaker and repeated the instructions. Wreck pulled his phone out, probably to text the prospect out at the gate.

Pretty quickly stood from the floor and ran up the stairs. “Give him to me. I'll put him to bed, and you make sure they’re alright.” They made the exchange at the top of the stairs.

“Alright, I’ll let him know, and we’ll meet you out there.” Grizz ended the call and stood from his bar stool. “They’re turning onto our road, and the SUV went straight. This seems almost protective.”

“I’ve had Cyph tracking down where these SUVs are coming from, but there has been nothing yet. I have a feeling this is protective as well. We might have earned an ally we didn’t know we had.” Sabre headed to the front door with the rest of us close on his heels.

We stood in a line as the headlights reflected off the open land. They crested the hill, and there was a collective sigh of relief as Grace’s SUV appeared. She pulled through the open gates and parked right in front of where we stood in a line. We moved before the car was even turned off. I didn’t pay attention to anyone else as I opened Emily’s door.

She startled as I held out my hand to help her from the car. Emily placed her hand in mine, stood, and then wrapped her arms around me. I didn’t hesitate to tighten mine around her. “You’re alright,” I said.

Emily murmured against my flannel, “I followed their lead. No fear.” She raised her head and pulled back enough to kiss me.

I thought it would be a light peck, considering everyone was still outside, but her hands coming up and burrowing into my hair took me aback. She locked my head in the place where she wanted me.

“I don’t want to be without you,” she whispered against my lips.