Crossroads (Beautiful Biker MC Romance Series) - DD Prince Page 0,132

you’d left the Wyld Jackals, sweetie. Truly.”

“You know the circumstances around that?” he asked.

“I know a little.” She looked down at the jewelry box in front of her and traced the swirled brocade design with her fingertips.

“Shot him in the leg. Left him on the road before I went underground, lookin’ for ways to stop them.”

The room was silent.

“He’s wanted. And he’s probably gonna come back to get back at me if I don’t stop him first. If I see him again, he’s dead if I get the opportunity.”

I squeezed his thigh. He looked at me with surprise. And concern. I couldn’t get a read on why. He flexed his jaw and stared at his brother.

“Good,” Jonathan said. “You need help burying the body, I’m your guy.”

“Got a bunch of brothers, Jonny,” Christian said, and I saw Jonathan’s expression drop. “Jojo’s got three. Got the rest of the club to help with the dirty work.”

Jonathan looked at his older brother with pain on his face.

“But though I won’t want you gettin’ your hands dirty diggin’ that hole, you’re the first call I make so you can spit on it when he’s buried there.”

Jolene made a choking sound and then she seemed to hold it together, but her eyes were filled with wet.

“I wish you came with us. I do, Chris. I wished it every single day, wishing I could’ve spared you from him, but you wouldn’t let---”

“I’m good. You both got out; that was enough for me.”

What?

I’d thought he was bitter about being left with his father. Now I could see things were a lot more complicated than that. It sounded to me like he had made himself a sacrificial lamb despite that they didn’t want that. I stared at him for a second and then I looked at his mom and his brother. Yep. That was what he did. God; I loved him more than ever.

“You don’t live here now, do you?” Christian asked his brother.

“Naw, man. Still workin’ in Rapid City for the construction company. She called me last night. I met her here this morning so I could see you. Been wanting to see you a long time, big brother.”

“Come to the wedding,” I blurted. “We’ll call you and let you know the details. It’ll be Saturday if we can organize it, which… it’s Vegas so I’m sure we can.”

The room went dead quiet.

“Jojo,” Christian said and gave me a shake of his head.

“I have to work, unfortunately,” Jolene said. “I really wish I didn’t.”

“Oh,” I said. It was obvious she was covering for Christian not wanting her there. “It was no notice; we understand. We only decided yesterday, or we’d have given you more---"

“I can come,” Jonathan said. “Mom, call in sick. Switch a shift. Something. Gotta be someone that owes you. You’re always takin’ shifts for those girls when their kids get sick or whatever.”

She chewed her lip and looked at Christian.

“Come,” Christian said.

“I’ll be there,” she said immediately.

“We gotta roll.” He got to his feet.

I took a sip of the coffee and picked up the donut. “This is coming with me.”

“You wanna take some?” Jolene asked. “Here…”

“We’re good,” Christian put his hand up. “We had breakfast. She just has a sweet tooth.”

“No, just this one is good for me,” I said. “It was lovely to meet you. I’ll add you on Facebook and I’ll get you the details as soon as we know. My family will be there, some of the club members, and my brothers, of course. Oh, and Ella and I think her parents, too.”

“Ella?” Jolene asked, looking at Christian. “Elizabelle?”

“Yeah. She’s with Jojo’s oldest brother. Uncle Rob and Aunt Bertie will likely come, too. Uncle Rob’s joined The Brotherhood with me. Shot him because he was gonna hurt Ella. Gonna hurt her bad.”

Jolene blinked hard.

“I thought that was Robert on the news, but they only showed him just quick and his face was mostly covered so I couldn’t be sure.”

“Yeah. We’ve gotten close in the last few months.”

“He’s a great guy,” Jolene said. “Always liked him. I’d love to see him and Bertha.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll get Jojo to message you both.”

She threw her arms around Christian and held on tight and then her shoulders were shaking. “I’m so proud of you. I worried so much about you being with him, but you just wouldn’t let us help you get away and…”

“He left you two alone as long as he had me,” Christian gruffly said this into her hair and then his