Chapter 38

Thirty-Eight

Rook

I stared at the house, anger burning through me the longer I stayed there. I had nowhere else to go, and nowhere else I wanted to be. There was no home for me, and the rest of the pack would be waiting for word on what we were doing next.

Now Regan hated me, but she didn't understand the truth. Her dad was the actual monster, and mad at me or not, people would still be hunting her down, so leaving her alone here was out of the question.

There was only one option for me now, and I would happily take it.

I pulled out my phone, clicking into our group chat.

Rook

Pack up. Bring your shit to the Fletcher mansion.

Evie

Are we moving in or is it temporary?

Aiden

You think we would move in and what? Share the house with Cameron Fletcher?

Hero

He will love that. Maybe we can start having sit down family dinners.

Mason

So wholesome.

Hero

It will be really wholesome when Rook puts a fork in Cameron's eye.

Aiden

Fuck you, Hero. Please get over your disgusting eye mutilation fetish. I can't take anymore.

Hero

It's not a fetish. It's a fixation. Don't be disgusting.

Aiden

When does it end?

Hero

When I find a new fixation?

Rook

Shut the hell up and get over here. Bring everything.

A round of cursing and salutes came through before the chat went quiet, and I sat back.

The light in Regan's room was still on, and I knew had to be fuming at me. Maybe not even only at me, but at herself, too.

She gave in to her own hatred and love for me so fast, she couldn't help it.

I could understand why she was mad I hadn't told her the whole truth, but she couldn't be mad at me for who her father turned out to be.

And she couldn't only be mad at me when he was doing something way worse to her.

The group pulled up thirty minutes later and shut their bikes off fast, like I had told them to. I didn't want Regan to know what we were doing until it was too late to stop us.

"What are we doing?" Aiden asked.

"And why did I have to pack all my things?" Evie asked, pointing to the filled car.

"We are moving in."

Mouths dropped open, everyone staring at me like I had lost my mind.

"Just to be clear, we are moving in there…permanently?" Hero asked, pointing to the Fletcher mansion.

"Yes, in there," I said.

"And Cameron is…cool with this?" Aiden asked.

"No, he has no idea."

"And you don't think the police are going to raid this place the second he gets home and sees us?"

"No. He won't have a chance to call the police. Hence, the moving in and setting up before he gets home."

"Does that mean Regan is cool with this?" Evie asked.

I knew the scowl on my face got worse. "No, she's mad at me. I told her everything."

"Fuck," Aiden said. "Everything?"

"Everything," I confirmed.

"And she isn't going to kick us out?" Hero asked.

"Regan is going to be locked in her room until this is all taken care of. After that, she can choose what she wants to do."

"Rook, that is not how you keep a girl," Evie said, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a suitcase out of the car and started dragging it up the stone walkway.

"I got you a damn place to live, Evie. Can't you just give me a break?"

"You are stealing a place to live, big difference, but I'm excited to have such a nice bedroom. I would take the one by Regan, but I'm assuming I will want to be far away from that."

"I second that," Aiden said.

"Trying to get a room next to mine, Aiden?" she asked with a grin.

He groaned, mumbling about her as he grabbed another bag out of the back and headed up the walkway behind her.

Mason came to my side, staring up at the mansion. "You're locking her up in there?"

"For now."

"Is it already done?"

"No, she thinks I'm just sitting out here."

"Surprise." He grinned, following after them.

We made it into the foyer, everyone dropping bags and looking around.

"Honey," Hero screamed, "we're home!"

I smacked his arm. "Seriously? I was hoping to be a little more subtle."

"For what? You're breaking into her house to take it. Might as well make a scene."

I shook my head, but grinned as Regan walked up to the balcony that overlooked the foyer. Her eyes went wide, looking at us with all our bags and suitcases.

"What are you guys doing here?"

I didn't answer, already heading up the steps to her. "We need to talk," I said. "In your room."

I grabbed her arm, but she ripped it away with a frown. "You're not allowed in my room anymore. You need to go."

"I'm not going anywhere. Either get in your room or I'll carry you in there."

"No, you won't," she said, her hands on her hips now.

I didn't wait before leaning down and throwing her over my shoulder, and continued walking to the bedroom. "You're right. I won't carry you to your room. I will carry you to our room."

She smacked at my back. "What are you doing, Rook? Why is everyone here?" I slammed the door shut behind us and tossed her on the bed. She bounced once before getting up onto her knees and facing me. "What is your problem?"

"We are here because we need a place to live and my girlfriend has one of the biggest fucking houses in town that happens to be empty most of the time. It's private, too. No one to complain about our bikes, and it has a beautiful garage we can lock our stuff up in."

She scoffed, sitting back. "You think you are moving in?"

"No. I am moving in. All of us are."

"You are not," she said in disbelief, her mouth dropping open.

"What's the issue? You said you didn't want to be here alone all the time. Now you might never be alone in this big house ever again," I said with a laugh. "We are all busy, but with so many of us, someone is usually home. Which is great because you can't leave until I get rid of the price on your head."

"You think you're locking me up here?"

"I know I am," I said.

"What about my dad?"

"He's out."

Her eyes went wide. "Did you kill him?"

"No, Rebel. He isn't even back in town yet. But he's out of this house. If he's going to burn mine down, he technically owes me one. A garage, too."

She shook her head. "You seriously believe this. So you think my dad burned your house down, killed your family, and now burned your garage, all while putting a hit out on both of us? How do you think you know it was my dad?"

"When I came back and got settled back into life here, I started asking around. Friends, people who worked with my parents, any hint of information I could find, I went after it. Your dad stood to gain the most from their deaths. He took over their company and dissolved it immediately, putting every dollar and asset into his name. He made it seem like they had never even existed."

"Why would your parents sign everything over to him?" she asked, and I was relieved she was asking questions to make sense of it all.

"Their business was doing good, but they had debts. It made it impossible to grow, and they were looking to expand. Cameron promised them everything they needed if he was signed on as a partner. It was supposed to be a silent partnership, from what I understand. We never found the original paperwork, but Evie will be searching his office for it soon."

"So that's it? You are moving in, locking me away, and digging through my father's life to try to prove these ridiculous theories you have? And then what?"

"I'm going to give you undeniable proof. Once you believe me, you'll agree that we can live here. Then, I'll destroy your dad's life, and we'll have our future together."

"I understand I am mad at my dad, but I don't want his life ruined."

"Why? He ruined yours," I said.

"No, he didn't."

"He absolutely did. Are you happy? No. Are you doing what you want to be doing in life? Also no. And why? Because he told you to be here for him." I slid out my phone, already hitting Asher's name. "Asher is a friend, but he really doesn't care if I'm dead or not. At least, not completely. He will tell you the truth about the hit, whether it hurts me or not."

"Hello?" Asher asked.

"Hey, Regan's here. She wants the information on who is trying to kill her." I said.

She was already shaking her head. "How do I know you didn't just pay him off to lie?"

"Because I have more money than Rook. I don't need pennies to lie over something so simple," Asher said.

"I don't know how to trust either one of you. From what little I've heard, you're another criminal, and he's got me locked up in my own house."

Asher scoffed. "So you don't die. You should trust the guy trying to keep you alive a little. Rook already came down to my office to convince me to not go after the cash being offered for you. Luckily, I'm happy to keep Rook's help, and he will make me more money alive. You won't, though. The only reason you don't have another dozen men out looking for you tonight is because Rook offered free services for me to make it clear they couldn't pursue you."

Regan's eyes went wide, and I hoped that meant she was finally realizing that this was actually happening.

"So there really is someone willing to pay to have us killed?"

"There is," Asher said. "You should be flattered, it's a sizable amount. I usually only see that for high-ranking people. They are really needing you gone."

"Who?" Regan asked.

"Who wants you dead? Pretty sure you know him well."

"Who?" she asked again.

"Cameron Fletcher put out the request for Rook and the girl that rides with him. Gave their descriptions, their gear, and the bike."

She dropped back, her face blank as she stared off. "Did he give a name for the girl?"

Asher laughed. "Hoping Daddy isn't trying to kill you?"

"Wouldn't you?" she snapped. Pride swelled again in my chest that she wasn't scared of yelling back at Asher.

"No," he said. "If someone wants me dead, I kill them first."

"Even if it's your parent?"

" Especially if it's my parent. You better learn who your dad is before he gets his shot because I know him well enough, and I know for a fucking fact he will take that shot the second he has a clear one. Metaphorically, at least. Your dad is a coward when it comes to killing someone himself."

Her mouth dropped open, as her eyes went wide. "I've had enough."

"Do you believe me now?"

"Yeah. I'm done."

"Keep me updated, Asher."

"I would like to say the same to you, but I think you are going to be busy attempting to keep a girl. Although, let me know if locking one up works because I think I need a wife and can't seem to keep a woman around."

I groaned. "So far, not great, but I'll keep you posted. Talk later." I slipped my phone back in my pocket, facing Regan again. "Do you believe me at all yet?"

"I do."

"You do?" Hope filled my chest, and I forced myself not to reach out to her.

"I do, but it's obvious that my dad didn't know who I was. He just said the girl on the bike. There would be no way he could know it's me. In what world would I be dating some criminal guy that rides a motorcycle?"

I stalked over to her, pulling her hard against me. "In this world," I said, grabbing her chin and lifting it until her lips met mine. "In this world, that's who you are dating. Currently dating, and that won't be changing soon. You deserve to not be locked up anymore, Regan, but to do that, terrible things need to change fast. I will show you everything. Please, I just need you here so you aren't killed."

I pressed my lips against hers, surprised when her lips pressed harder against mine, but it was short-lived. Her hands pushed hard on my chest as she shoved me back.

"Get out. I'm tired and don't want to talk to anyone."

"I can't let you leave."

"And you can't force me to stay. Get out, Rook."

I watched as she crawled into bed, flipping until her back was to me.

"If you want to come down and talk, we will all be here all night."

"Great," she mumbled.

"And I'll cook you dinner."

"I'm not hungry."

"Okay, then come out when you're ready to rip me to pieces."

I slammed the door, stalking back downstairs to the group.

"That sounded like it went great," Evie said with a smart-ass grin.

"Shut up, Evie. You have a fucking house, don't you?"

"If you wanted to move in with your girlfriend, there are better ways to do it," Mason said. "I don't know, maybe find a house first, then ask her politely."

"I prefer storming the house and telling her I live there now, honestly," Hero said. "Less mess of emotion and more common sense."

"Congratulations," Aiden said. "You have lost your mind so bad that Hero agrees with you."

"It's my house now, so unless you all want to be kicked out of it," I said, "I would like to stop hearing all of your opinions. I'll be back in about thirty minutes. If I'm not, find me, preferably. If Regan comes out, call me immediately."

"Wait," Evie said. "Where are you going? You can't leave, either. Someone wants you dead, too, Rook."

"I have an errand. I'll be back. Just keep an eye on anyone coming here."

I grabbed my helmet and keys and headed out to my bike. The uncertainty in my plan was making my chest tighten. I glanced up to Regan's room again, the light off now. I knew she loved me. Or had loved me.

But I loved her, and I would do anything to keep her safe now.

Anything.

I sat downstairs in one of the weird, oversized chairs in Cameron Fletcher's personal living room after I got back from Asher's to check in. I didn't really understand the idea of having two living rooms, and I didn't understand why you would want to fill them with such uncomfortable furniture.

Aiden paced at the window as Hero and Mason tried to stretch out on two of the couches.

Evie stormed in, furious, as she handed me her tablet.

"What's this?"

"I got into Cameron's computer and since I had more time now, I could connect to his phone. I found his texts, Rook. He's sick."

I scrolled through the ones she pointed me to. Mainly conversations with Elliot. "So, he definitely burned our garage down," I said to the rest of them. She leaned over, scrolling into older texts, apparently searching for one in particular.

"They make jokes about him killing our parents, Rook. Jokes ."

"In all fairness," Hero said, "we also make murder jokes."

"Hero, I will put a knife in you. Shut up," Evie said.

"See, perfect example of a joke about murder."

Evie turned, her eyes wide as she stalked over to Hero. Aiden jumped between them.

"Easy, psycho. Tell us what else you found before you get into a fight."

She scowled and turned back to me. "He did absolutely take the hit out on you and Regan. It doesn't say if he knew who she was or not, but he ordered it."

My head fell back as I let out a hard breath. I finally had the proof. There would be no way for Regan to not believe me now.

A thump from above made us all freeze and listen. Nothing else came for a few seconds until I could hear the faint scuffle of feet on the roof.

"Someone find us?" Mason asked.

"Or Regan is trying to break free," Evie added. "That's what I would do."

"Shit," I mumbled, already getting up and handing her the tablet back. "You three go check the grounds outside. I'm going to check on Regan."

I nearly ran up the steps to her room, cursing when I didn't see her inside. The window was closed, but I still opened it to check, only to find a shivering Regan standing on the roof.

"What the fuck are you doing, Rebel?" I asked, offering her a hand.

"How do you get up and down onto this roof so easily?" she asked, nearly yelling. When she faced me, I could already see the aggravation all over it.

"I jump."

She glanced over the edge and back at me. "Off of this ledge?"

"That one exactly."

Her mouth dropped open. "How are your legs not broken?"

"It's not that high. Do you want to come inside before you freeze to death?"

"No. I want to sneak out of here."

I pressed my lips together, trying to fight my laugh. "You're trying to run away?"

"Yes. You locked me up in here, and I'm pissed."

"I get that, but trying to jump off the roof isn't going to help things. Come on."

"No, you are going to keep me locked up."

"Only for a few days. You will barely notice."

"You're the one who told me I shouldn't be locked up. Of course I'm going to notice."

"Get your ass inside, Rebel. You are not jumping off the roof, and even if you do, I will hunt you down on my bike just to drag you right back into this room."

She scowled, glaring at me as she came back to the window and slipped inside.

"You're the worst," she said.

"I know, but I like your head in one piece, so we are both going to have to live with it. Now come on, I have episodes of Dateline to catch up on and need your expertise to get me through it."

"You think I'm letting you spend any time in here?"

"I think you now need a guard before you try to escape and I am volunteering, so yes, I will be staying in here."

She dropped back in her chair and clicked on the TV, not saying a word as I laid back on the bed and started watching.

Even mad at me, I still enjoyed the company and knowing she couldn't run away now. All I could think about was how much better our lives were about to be.