Page 191 of Devil’s Disciples

She raised her wine glass. “Start wherever you’d like.”

“Some son-of-a-bitch hacked into my account and stole my money. I’m flat broke.”

“Wait? What?” she gasped. “What money?”

“My money,” I said through my teeth. “All my money.”

I told her of the money, the mysterious accounts, and of there not being a name or an account number to find. The more I spoke, the angrier I became. By the time I was finished, I wasn’t crying.

I was furious.

“If I find out who did this,” I said through my teeth. “They’ll need a bucket to carry him away in, because I’m going to hack him to pieces.”

“I can’t imagine,” she said. “I’m so sorry. Do you have a plan to try and retrieve it? To catch the guy?”

“I’ve got a longshot. I’m going to throw a Hail Mary and hope.”

I finished my glass of wine and stomped to the kitchen to pour another. After realizing that we’d finished the bottle she brought with her, I opened the door to my wine fridge.

Empty.

I opened cabinet doors, looked in the refrigerator, and double checked the wine fridge.

In the last month, I’d somehow consumed every ounce of alcohol in my home.

“I’m sorry,” I said with a laugh. “It looks like I’ve been raided. Probably my neighbor.”

“Were you done with your story?” she asked.

“I guess so,” I said. “I’m too mad to talk about it anymore.”

She stood and turned to face me. “I’ve met my fair share of assholes in my life. I could tell you stories of cheating, physical abuse, and everything in between. Instead, I’m going to tell you about men who are better than that. Well, not men, but one man.”

I started to interrupt her, but she took a quick breath and continued.

“Cash is a good man. No differently than any of the rest of us, he’s made a few mistakes. According to you, he made one at the barbeque. According to Baker, he didn’t. I guess it depends on how you look at it and who you ask. He’s apologized to Reno, and Reno’s apologized to him. There’s not much to worry about.”

“That’s not really what this is all about,” I explained. “That threat of violence might one day expose itself to someone who could hurt him or kill him. Losing him is something I can’t chance. As long as he’s doing what he’s doing, that threat is all too real.”

“Believe me,” she said. “He’s nothing but a Teddy Bear unless someone does something to threaten those he loves.”

“I know. I’ve seen that side of him. That’s the man I fell in love with. The Teddy Bear.”

Her brows raised. “You’re not willing to give him another chance?”

“I’m not willing to risk losing him permanently. Because of him beating up the wrong person. You have no idea how much pain I’m in. I can’t go through this again.”

“Believe me, I know the pain you’re in. I’ve been in it myself,” she said. “He beat up two people who he felt were threatening you. Because he loves you. You don’t love him enough to forgive him for it?”

“Does he know you’re here?”

She shook her head. “He does not.”

“Why did you come?” I asked. “Why are you here?”

“Because I don’t want you to walk away from what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance at love. And, I need some company. When they’re out doing their biker thing, I get lonely. I could use a good friend, and I think you’re awesome.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I can’t. It’s just. I’m afraid I can’t handle another loss. I lost my parents and losing him would kill me. I care too much for him already. You might know about pain, but you have no idea how bad it hurts when something like that happens. The pain’s intolerable.”