so Tyler can take his turn. As we pass, his arm brushes mine. When he’s in place, he glances over at me, smirking.
Tyler narrows in on the target and hits the inner circle perfectly with his second dart. Katie squeals, and they give each other a hug. As he prepares to throw his third, Robert clears his throat and steps closer. “So Tyler. What’d you do to get yourself five years in prison?”
My head nearly explodes at his bluntness. I snap my attention to him and glare. “Robert!” I hiss, wishing he’d stop.
Tyler acts unfazed and continues playing, hitting the ring outside the center.
“Nah, it’s okay. I figured he’d ask eventually since we work together every day, all day.” The corner of Tyler’s lips tilts up in a smug, cocky grin.
Robert continues drinking, then scoops the darts off the table and gets ready to play.
“I got caught up with a mafia family,” Tyler says as Robert puffs his chest out and flicks his wrist forward. The dart lands on the edge of the board.
Robert faces Tyler who acts unaffected, but I feel as if I’m dying inside. Without content, this story sounds worse than it is. “The official charges were for having illegal guns and tons of drugs.”
Tyler lets him gnaw on that piece of information for a minute. Katie and I exchange looks, and I can tell she’s just as uncomfortable as I am.
“I was set up by the mob boss's daughter for betraying her. After my friend put a gun to her boyfriend’s head, she decided to cough up some cash and pay the judge to give me a lesser sentence.” Tyler glowers.
Robert turns and looks at me incredulously. I lower my gaze, knowing he’ll say something to me later.
“You’re lucky your sister talked Jerry into hiring you. If it were up to me, a criminal wouldn’t be anywhere near that garage.” Robert’s crass words have my heart racing. What the fuck?
“Well, fortunately that’s not up to you,” Tyler retorts, staring at Robert while taking a swig of beer.
“He’s not a criminal. He was framed,” I explain.
Robert glares at me with disapproval in his expression as if he’s my goddamn father. “Did you not hear the part where he worked for a mafia family? He’s far from innocent.”
I swallow hard, the tension nearly smothering me. “Well, you don’t know the whole story,” I say.
“Why are you defending him? He’s probably murdered people and robbed people.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as his words fuel my anger. “What? Don’t be insane! You’re making him sound like a monster when you don’t even know him.”
“Gemma.” Tyler says my name gently, and there’s too much rage burning inside me as I stare at Robert, but Tyler continues as our gazes lock. “It’s okay. You don’t have to argue on my behalf.” His eyes soften, and I feel awful about all of this.
Katie sucks in a deep breath as Tyler turns back to Robert.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was undercover to help out my friend. When his girlfriend was kidnapped, I infiltrated the mob and got hired as a bodyguard so I could help her escape. The mafia princess got even with me for betraying her. And I don’t fucking regret it.”
I smile but then quickly suppress it so Robert doesn’t catch me. He’ll never admit he was wrong for jumping to conclusions because in Robert’s world, he’s always right. He doesn’t say another word as he slams the darts on the table, then walks to the bar. I’m so infuriated and humiliated, but I can’t even hide it because my face is red hot.
“I’m so sorry,” I say to Tyler and Katie. “He doesn’t usually drink this much and—”
Tyler wraps an arm around Katie but keeps his eyes locked on me. “Nothing I can’t handle. Been dealing with assholes like him for most of my life.” He shrugs. A small part of me hoped they would’ve gotten along.
“He’s not usually an asshole,” I say. “The stress from work is getting to him.”
By the way his jaw clenches, I know Tyler doesn’t believe me. I’m making excuses for Robert when he should be the one apologizing to everyone.
“Well, anyway…” I wipe my palms down my dress. “You two have fun. We’re gonna head out.”
I give Katie a hug, and she squeezes me tight. Her demeanor changes, and she becomes more upbeat than she was just moments ago. I flash her a smile in return, and whisper in her ear,