Page 37 of Sinner's Malice
Saying nothing, I sat there in silence when Sin added, “Brother, you’ve been in love with Arianwen since Vegas. You stayed away because she was a minor. Your genetic material wouldn’t have done that. Over the years, you’ve kept your distance to punish yourself because you desired something pure and let’s face it, regardless of her past, Arianwen is pure as the driven snow.”
“She’s too good for me.”
Sin chuckled, leaning forward. “Now, that’s the truth. Look, Gideon. You don’t need my help with this. What you need is a swift kick in the ass and I’m more than happy to oblige, but I think it’s best if you go back to your clubhouse and face what awaits you. But I know you, and I know you won’t. So, go do what you need to do to get your head on straight. I will take care of things here.”
Changing the subject, I narrowed my eyes.
“Got an email. You want my club?”
Sin nodded.
“Why?”
Shrugging, he replied. “What’s life without whimsy?”
“I hate you.”
“You’ll sell it to me, anyway.”
Getting to my feet, I muttered, “Don’t count on it.”
“Before I forget. Jimmy said you can pick up your bike before you head back to the clubhouse at a thirty percent increase.”
Groaning, I cursed, “Fucking slimy bastard.”
Sin laughed, reaching into his desk, before throwing me a few grand. “Consider it a down payment. I expect to see the contracts for the sale of the Playground by the end of the week. Oh, and, Gideon, don’t stay gone too long because if I have to come find you, you will not like me at all.”
Pocketing the cash, I nodded, then left.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Fuck.
I hated my life.
Chapter Nine
Silver
It had been a week since anyone had heard from or seen Malice.
No one knew where he was or if he was still alive.
Okay, we knew the answer to the last one. We weren’t stupid.
Still, it was strange not seeing him around the clubhouse, hiding in the shadows, listening and watching everything. By day three, Montana sent word to all the clubs to be on the lookout for Malice. He wasn’t messing around anymore. He wanted Malice home. And though I wasn’t ready to admit it, I did too.
There was something calming about having him lurking in the shadows, having my back. In a way, it relaxed me. It made me feel invincible, untouchable, secure. Without him, I felt adrift. I wasn’t sleeping. I found myself skittish and always on guard.
I hated it.
I hated the way his absence made me feel.
To make matters worse, the club brothers gave me a wide berth. They seemed hesitant to engage me. Most just kept their distance. Word had spread throughout the clubhouse that Malice had claimed me.
Now, I was persona non grata.
The only ones who dared to even approach me were Montana, Bane and Torment, and the last two only checked onhow I was healing. Bane was the utmost medical professional. Torment stuck to clinical talk, wanting to know my feelings and shit. As for Montana, he too, had changed. Before, our relationship was carefree. Easy. Now, it was strained and difficult, almost as if he couldn’t bear to look at me but did so out of some warped obligation.