“Raven is acting as my … fiancée,” Carlos said.
“No,” Sebastian said. “Raven’s been around before.”
“And I doubt she garnered too much attention before. The only person who truly knows her identity is you. I want you to keep it that way.” Carlos stood, rounding his desk and perching on the edge.
“Something is going on here. You have no interest in taking a wife and now all of a sudden you’re playing engaged with the MC princess. Why?”
Carlos knew it was stupid to keep Sebastian in the dark. The man had a right to know what he planned.
“You will need to help me sell Raven as my wife.”
“Human trafficking?”
“What? No. I will never … fuck me, no, hell, no.” Just the thought of Raven being hurt or sent away was enough to make his blood boil. “Raven will be my wife, Sebastian.”
He laughed, but Carlos wasn’t amused. He meant what he said. There was no way he was going to give up Raven. Not for anyone.
“What game are you playing, Carlos? This one is not … funny.”
“Nor do I intend it to be funny,” Carlos said. “Smokey and I have an arrangement.”
“Smokey is aware you’re trying to take one of his own from him?”
Carlos pursed his lips and weighed up his options. There was nothing wrong with telling him what was going to happen. He believed Sebastian had no intention of taking over. There was nothing for Sebastian to lose in admitting the truth.
“Smokey is doing what is best for his wife,” Carlos said. “I’m sure you can appreciate that.”
“You mean it’s true, the rumors?”
Carlos nodded.
“Smokey is cleaning shop. You do realize this would potentially put the club in danger?”
“I’m aware of that, which is why I need you to track down every single club whore he has removed from the club.”
“Carlos, this is not your place to get involved.”
“Raven would never forgive herself if anything was to happen to the club while she is here. It is my duty to protect her. She will be my wife, Sebastian, and carry my children. This is not up for discussion. What you need to do is sell it. To get on my side and see that I am right.”
“And if I don’t think you’re right?” Sebastian asked.
Carlos sighed. “Then I will step down and you can find someone else to rule this place. I’m willing to continue as the Boss, for my ass to be constantly on the firing line, but you’ve got to bring me some compromise, and marrying those fucking quivering bitches is not the answer.” He was never into women who were afraid of their own skin. He liked a woman who could handle her own.
A woman exactly like Raven.
The first day he met her, it was like she had walked straight out of his own personal wet dream, only so much better, and he wasn’t willing to give her up easily.
Sebastian sighed, but he clearly knew he was onto a losing battle. “Fine, I will make all the necessary arrangements, but you have to … make her aware of what you planned.”
“Raven only knows that she is here to keep me safe. Smokey’s orders.”
“This is going to end in disaster. You realize this?” Sebastian asked.
Carlos shook his head. “She will never find out.”
“Everyone always finds out, eventually, especially those we don’t want to.” Sebastian got to his feet. “Do you know who would hire a hit on you?”
He would love to trust Sebastian with that information, but he refused. “No, I don’t.”
“Then it is something that I will take care of,” Sebastian said. “I will investigate all leads. I’ve heard rumors of another president of the Twisted Bastards MC.”
Carlos tensed up. “And?”
“That is all I’ve heard. There is a new leader, but I’ve also heard they’ve gone to ground. Abandoned their clubhouse and are intent on building their club back up.”
“Find any leads you can.”
Sebastian nodded.
Twisted Bastards MC had worked for Garofalo, but Carlos would never work with the club and would be more than happy to see them completely wiped out. Creed had hurt Raven, nearly killed her and his men. He’d never allow them to get to any kind of power. They would suffer the way Raven had suffered.
She didn’t know that he’d bought a house in Fort Clover to be close to her. He had to make sure she was okay, to watch her get better. Seeing her in that hospital bed, face bruised and looking so damn small and vulnerable, he knew that Raven needed taking care of. Saw how broken she was after what happened with Ava.
No one saw it.
Smokey didn’t, as he was too consumed with his own guilt. The club had their role to play, some members more than others, but none of them had looked at Raven.
He didn’t even know how he knew she was falling apart. Each time he saw her, she looked more tired, more withdrawn than ever before. He’d also noticed how her leather cut went from fitting her curvy frame to hanging off. The clothes she wore seemed to drown her. She still had her curves, but she had lost some weight, and he didn’t like that.