Chapter 12

When I walk into the room, Aria is sitting in the middle of the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest. Tears spill down her cheeks. She’s huddled into herself. It rips me apart inside that she had to see me the way I am, the monster I am.

“I don’t know how to tell you I’m sorry, Aria.” I fiddle with my hands not knowing what to do with myself. I don’t want to hurt her, that is the farthest thing from my mind.

“So, that’s it?” Her sniffles eat me alive.

“We have a strict rule here. No witnesses.” Aria nods her head as if she understands me. She has no clue how this world works, and it’s my fault that she’s in the middle of it.

“You know I’d never say anything, Roc.” Her puffy red eyes lock onto mine. My world is crumbling around me.

“I know that. They don’t.” My tone is calm and my voice is low. This isn’t me. I don’t hurt women. I don’t kill women! Aria swallows hard before pushing herself up. She walks slowly toward me while my heart's beating rapidly in my chest. Her hand comes up to her neck, snapping the chain that I’ve seen her wearing. She presses it into my hand.

“You made me rethink a lot about my life in this short time. You gave me the chance to breathe and let go for once. This was my mom’s. It’s all I really had of hers. I like to think it has brought me luck. Until now anyway. Look, I just wanted to say that when I first met you, I thought there was something else to you. I thought you were hot as hell but you made me feel differently. That really meant a lot to me. Thank you, Roc.” Aria says before pressing up on her toes. She kisses me slowly, making my world spin.

Aria pulls away from me slowly. All the breath is ripped from my lungs when I hear that door close behind me.  I look down at the chain in my hand.  Who the fuck am I to take away her life? I killed that man. I should take the wrath of whatever comes my way. Even if that means serving a prison sentence. I turn quickly on my heel and rush toward the door.

As soon as I hit the hallway, I yell, “You have to tell. You have to go to the police.” Ghost and Aria spin around at the same time to look at me.

“What the fuck, Roc?” Ghost is confused but he doesn’t understand. If I can get out from under Martin this way and keep Aria alive, I’ll do it.

“You leave here. You go straight to the police. You tell them you saw Rocland Bishop shoot that man,” I say.  Aria walks toward me slowly, as Ghost runs his hand through his hair.

Her hands come up to my cheeks and that touch right there is all the reason in the world to do this.

“I can’t,” She says softly. I shake my head before I grab her shoulders. I give her a slight shake, making her look at me.

“You have to. I can’t kill you. I don’t want to. This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I drug you into this shit. Now, look at me. You have to go to the police. Tell them you saw Rocland Bishop kill him. When they ask you why you took so long to come forward, you tell them you were scared. I threatened you. Understand?” I need her to say yes. I need her to do this for me.  Tears well up in her eyes again. I hate it.

“Say it, Aria. Say it!” I shake her a little harder before she blinks her eyes rapidly.

“Ok. I will.” 

***

Ghost paces the room. They should have been here by now. He called Dragon and let him know what was happening. We decided it was better if they didn’t come back right away.

“What the fuck is takin’ them so long?” I check the clock once again. They should have been here by now.

“The fuck if I know,” Ghost says bringing the bottle of beer to his lips. He takes a long pull before he speaks again.

“Can I ask you somethin’?” I nod. He never needs to ask me that.

“What do you feel with her?” Huffing out a breath, that’s hard to say.

“I don’t know, brother. She makes me feel different. Cared about. I just fuckin’ met her, and I feel like she could hold every secret I’ve ever had,” I say with all honesty. Ghost nods as if he knows what I mean. Maybe he does. I was around when his girlfriend left him. It was hell on earth for him.

“This Tomlin fuck, what’s his angle?” Ghost asks before passing me a cigarette.

“I don’t know, Ghost. He’s always kept me at arm’s length. He only calls me when he needs someone to become dead.” Ghost chuckles.  He blows out a breath before asking, “I don’t get it. Why hold that over your head? Who was the prick in the alley, then?” I shake my head. I have no clue who he was or how he played any part with Tomlin.

“Promise me you’ll keep an eye on her.” I tell Ghost. Ghost looks torn, as what to even say right now.

“Keep an eye on her yourself.” Dragon’s voice booms through the room. I spin around to him and the other guys coming through the front door.

“What the hell does that mean?” I ask, the cigarette hanging between my lips.

“It means−she didn’t turn you in−Roc. I checked in with Wiley. There ain’t shit on you at headquarters,” Dragon says with sureness.  Wiley, is a cop that Hell’s Fire has on payroll. He keeps us in the know of anything that pertains to us.

“FUCK!” I slam my hands on the table in front of me as Devil takes the seat next to me.

“You’re gonna sit here and tell us what the fuck is goin’ on, so we can handle it,” Devils says as Dragon nods. I knew this was going to be coming.

“I don’t want you guys in the middle of it.” Stating a fact, they all laugh. Dragon levels me with his gaze.

“No one gives two shits what you want, Roc! We’re family! Spit it out.” He roars. With all the pent-up emotion I feel, I let it all out for the guys. I tell them every last thing that has happened in the last ten years. Devil is pissed, as I knew he would be. Dragon, though, I feel like I betrayed a trust there. I feel like I’ve ruined a brotherhood.

“You kept all this shit from me? From me of all people!” Dragon’s tone is harsh and full of anger but it’s that faint hint of betrayal that kills me.

“Tomlin knew I was runnin’ with you guys. I could have walked away when it all started, but I didn’t. This club was the only thing that made sense to me. It was a home I never had.” I say. Ghost nods as I talk. He already knows this about me. Dragon runs his hand through his hair before looking back at me.

“I know how that feels. Before this club, I was fucked in the head. I may never be right, but my brothers are what holds me together. We don’t have fuckin’ secrets here, Roc, not from each other.” I start to speak when he raises his hand to stop me.

“Let me finish. You kept the club out of a world of shit. For that, I am thankful. But right now, we’re one. Now, does that girl mean somethin’ to you−or is she disposable?”