It was only when she saw Natalie move in to hug the large man that it had all fallen into place.
Lucius.
The biker who had been part of the Chaos Bleeds Nomad Chapter. The man who had lost his best friend to cancer and hadn’t been able to stick around because of the pain of losing her, Roxy.
It had happened so long ago. Lucius hadn’t wanted to be found. The only person who had been able to remain in contact with him had been Natalie.
“I’m so pleased you could make it,” Natalie said.
Lucius nodded.
She turned toward them. “I er, I hope this is okay. I texted Lucius about us coming here for Christmas and that it might be good for him to join us.”
“I can leave,” Lucius said.
“Don’t be silly,” Angel said.
“There’s always room,” Lash said, giving her hand a squeeze. They had all experienced loss in their lives.
One look at Lucius, and she saw that he was still struggling with losing his best friend. She leaned against Lash, hoping she never had to feel what Lucius must be feeling.
****
Anthony gritted his teeth as, for the hundredth time, Daisy ignored him. She treated him like he didn’t exist, and it was starting to piss him off.
“Are you just going to pretend I’m not here?” he asked.
Daisy stopped. She had stepped a few feet behind him. He saw her hands clench at her sides, and he had to wonder what was going on in her head.
“Do you want me to leave?” he asked. “Is that it? You want me out of your life so I stop causing you so much trouble?”
She turned toward him. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you to fucking talk to me.”
“I’m talking to you, Anthony, or am I talking to a brick fucking wall? Is that it?”
“You’re not talking to me, and you know it.”
She took a step toward him. “I don’t think I am. I think I’m talking to a guy who is so blinded by something that he cannot see what he risks. The lives he puts in jeopardy.” She turned her head left and right and kept her voice lowered so only he would hear.
“They don’t deserve to live. You know that and you agree with me.”
“And what about everything else? It’s not as clear cut as they’re the bad guys and should be killed, Anthony. There are more lives at stake, and you’re not seeing that. You’re too damn blinded by your love for Tabitha and righting the wrong that happened to her to see clearly. Maybe you should consider your place in this club and follow her like the loving little puppy that you are.”
Anthony frowned as he looked at Daisy.
His love for Tabitha?
Loving little puppy?
Righting the wrong?
What the fuck was Daisy talking about?
Yes, he cared about Tabitha. She was his friend and had always accepted him for being different. She hadn’t tried to force him to be different to fit in, or to appearnormal. They were close. Always had been, and he had no doubt they always would be. He wasn’t in love with her.
Not even close.