Page 97 of Tormented Kings

“She’s not the only one I’ve reached out to for help. I have an old buddy I went to school with. He’s a part of the Princes of Anarchy MC. They’ve done business with our father, and in good old true fashion, Dad fucked them over big time. My buddy didn’t tell me how, but he did say that they would be willing to work together on bringing him down. Once I get more information, we'll have a better idea on how to move things along.”

“It’s taking forever, Collin.”

“It’s only been a few weeks. Yes, we might have money, and I’m sure if it was just a regular person in society, we would be able to wave our money around and get our answers, but you damn well know in this situation, it doesn’t work like that.”

My jaw ticks because I know he’s right.

He sighs, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Soon. Soon we will be rid of him and be free to be able to live our lives the way we want.”

“And what if we don’t find something to use against him? Or if we do, and it backfires?”

He looks me dead in the eye and declares, “Then we kill him.”

Chapter 22

Sadie

“Soooo, how are things going?” Mia sing-songs, grinning like a damn fool.

I eye her suspiciously as I slowly take a bite of my pasta salad. She’s been really weird today. Oddly... perky. It’s like she has something she wants to say. She’s bursting with the need to spill it but won’t.

We’ve asked her a million times what’s up, but she just bites her lips together and grins.

“You're being really weird today,” I tell her then chew my pasta.

“I am not,” she huffs, laughing.

“Are too.” Alice shrugs, eating one of her fries. Mia shoots her a look, and they hold eye contact for a moment before a flush creeps up Alice’s cheeks. Something is going on between them, but I have no idea what. I want to know, I want to ask questions, but for once, they're looking at each other with heat and not longing or pain. Something happened between them, I just know it. I can feel it in my bones.

I shoot Emma a smile, and she grins back like a fool. She can sense it, too. But these two are like deer, easily scared if they feel cornered with sensitive subjects.

“To answer your question, I’m doing fine.” They all look at me with raised brows. “I said fine, not okay.” I roll my eyes. “Am I still pissed about the bullshit Tina spewed? Yes. Am I letting it get to me?” I stare at them all as I eat another bite of my food, showing them I’m trying my best not to let my stress affect my eating. I swallow. “No.”

“Good,” Emma declares. “Have you told the guys?”

“About what? Tina?” I nod. “Yeah, Declan and Grayson know about what she said the night of the party.”

“No. Not that.” Emma shakes her head. “You know. The ED,” she whispers the last part.

My brows furrow in confusion. “Erectile dysfunction?” I blink.

“Wait?” Mia’s eyes go wide. “One of your guys has erectile dysfunction?” She snorts a laugh. “Oh my god, please tell me it’s Preston.”

“Mia! That’s not nice. Erectile dysfunction is not something to joke about,” Alice scolds while trying to hide a damn massive grin.

“No.” Emma slaps Mia’s arm. “Not fucking erectile dysfunction.” She groans and looks around before meeting my eyes. “The eating disorder,” she whispers.

My stomach sinks as my heart races. I lick my lips a few times before shaking my head. “No,” I murmur. “I don’t see the reason to. I have it under control. Yes, I felt myself slipping a few times, but it never went further than a few missed meals. I’m okay. I’m eating fine. I promise.”

“I still think that it’s something you should let them know about,” Emma sighs. “It’s a big part of your past. They won’t judge.”

I know they won't. But with everything going on in my life, bringing up the past when it’s not needed isn’t something I see the point in doing. It has nothing to do with what’s going on now, and it’s only going to make them worry and start watching me with new eyes. Making sure I’m eating, asking if I’m okay all the time... they have enough to worry about when it comes to me; I don’t want to add more to their plates.

Mia perks up, a Joker-style smile stretching over her face. “What has you so–” I start to ask but stop when a piece of cake is placed on the table in front of me.

My heart speeds up for a whole new reason, and my own stupid smile finds my lips as I look over, knowing it’s Declan who’s gone and done something sweet yet again.

My lips part, eyes widening when I see him sit down next to me with a huge bouquet of red roses.