Cursing silently, I closed the door behind me and leaned against the door for support. Whatever happened next would seal my fate. So, when several men stepped out of the shadows, I worried if I had bitten off more than I could chew.
“Gio, you said you’d be nice,” Player stated, making himself known.
“I am being very nice, cousin. I haven’t killed her yet.”
“Put the gun away, asshole. Reaper is gonna be pissed if you kill her.”
“I will as soon as she tells me what I want to know.”
Taking a deep breath, I asked, “And what do you want to know?”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Layla Marie Franks. I am the daughter of Donna Franks and James Doherty. My brother, Dylan Franks, is a member of the main chapter of the Golden Skulls. He goes by Bullseye. He’s the club’s assassin.”
“And why are you here?”
“I am here to keep you alive. The club needs your help, though Reaper will never ask for it. You must give him no choice but to accept your help. I know you’ve wanted to align your family with the club for years, but circumstances have made that impossible. Now, things have changed. The club is caught in the middle of a war. Only with your help will everyone survive.”
“What war?” Player asked, stepping closer. “We’re not in a war.”
I looked at the man and sighed. “Yes, you are. I know all about the original seven, Player. Kitty and I have known about them for years. Why do you think Kitty has been vocal all of a sudden?”
“That’s club business,” Massacre growled. “How do you know about that? Who told you?”
“Dwayne, let the woman speak,” Gio stated as I held up my hand and shook my head. “He needs to understand this is bigger than he thinks. And to answer your question, Massacre, Kitty told me. I’ve known Kitty for years. We were roommates in college. I introduced her to Dylan. We put two and two together quickly after that.”
“But you were kidnapped. Kitty told us.” Player said, lowering his gun.
“Kitty told you what we wanted you to believe. The fact was, I sent the message to the Vultures, knowing they worked with the original seven. When the cut arrived, I knew our plan was in play.”
“You allowed them to take you?” Player gasped.
I simply nodded.
“You knew what would happen,” he added in shock.
“Yes. I knew, and everything you are imagining did happen. My time away is not something I will ever discuss. It’s what I learned while away that needs to be addressed. Understood? Ask me anything, but don’t ask about what happened.”
Player nodded, and Massacre cursed. “Fuck woman, Bullseye is going to lose his shit. Do you know how long he looked for you? He never stopped. Every time he went out, he searched, looking for any information on you, and you planned it all. You wanted to be taken. You set all this in motion. Why?”
“To get to him,” I said, pointing at Giovanni Valentinetti.
“You couldn’t have known you’d end up here?” Massacre stated. I looked at the giant oaf and just stared at him as if he were stupid.
“I believe the beautiful Ms. Franks knew exactly what would happen and where it would lead her, Dwayne. But I would like to know why you went through all of that, just to get to me?”
“Because you are in danger.”
“How so?”
“Does the name Capribella mean anything to you?”
“Layla, don’t,” Player whispered, moving closer to me as Massacre moved to step in from of me, as to protect me. I knew that Player and Massacre knew of my parentage. However, I said nothing more as Giovanni Valentinetti slowly stood. His brothers all moved closer to their brother as if to protect him.
“What do they have to do with this?” Giovanni’s brother Salvatore asked.
“Everything. They have infiltrated your family and are backing the original seven. They want to eradicate the Golden Skulls and take down your family at the same time.”