Avenging Angel by Naomi Porter

5

Storm

Track and I headed to Casitas, the Mexican restaurant in Bastion, to meet Toby. The club managed its security. Maria, the wife of the owner, kept a booth reserved for the club’s exec members.

My leg bounced under the table as I waited for my old best friend to enter the restaurant. I wished I hadn’t cut him out of my life. Toby and I had been thick as thieves when we were young. We’d spent all our free time together, galavanting around town like we owned everything within the city limits. Those were some of the best years of my life—the good old days.

It had been the Hamilton family who mended the brokenness inside me. I felt worthless and unlovable after my mom abandoned me. What kind of mother leaves her child behind? I couldn’t get past the feeling I was why she left. My fuckin’ father never told me different.

I’d turned into a spoiled brat, being the only kid in the club. Everyone treated me like a little prince. My “uncles,” the members of the club, let me raise hell. They taught me how to fight, shoot a gun, and ride a motorcycle. They had said they were preparing me to become part of the Legion.

When I was old enough, they taught me all about sex. Fuck knows I’d seen and experienced a lot at the clubhouse with the club whores.

“Stop shaking your leg. People are starting to notice,” Track whispered.

I put my hand on my knee to stop it. “My nerves are going nuts.” I took a long pull of my beer, but it wouldn’t do shit to calm my racing heart.

“I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.”

The bell on the entrance door rang as Toby entered. The asshole was dressed in gray slacks and a white button-down shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Toby strutted in confidently, turning heads as if he were a goddamn celebrity.

I stood when our eyes connected. Toby’s blue depths raked over me with a cocky curl to his lip.

“Well, you grew into a scary and ugly motherfucker.” Toby reeled me in for a brotherly hug and slapped my back. “You look good, Kaleb. I’m damn happy to see you.”

Jesus, his genuine tone hit me like a ton of bricks, slamming onto my chest. This was how all the Hamiltons had treated me. Like I deserved love. I hadn’t realized until now how much I missed them. It made sense now how Madeline could calm the smoldering storm inside me... she was a Hamilton.

We pulled apart and slid into the booth.

“Beer?” I offered.

Toby clasped his hands on the table. “That’d be great.”

I raised my bottle, catching Maria’s attention. “Three.”

She nodded with a smile.

I hiked an eyebrow. “You look good, Mr. Businessman. Clean-shaven even.”

Toby laughed. “My job comes with a dress code. Much like your own, aye?”

I chuckled, tugging on the collar of my cut. “Standard uniform.” I jerked my chin toward Track. “This here is my road captain, Track.”

Toby shook Track’s hand. “Good to meet you.” He turned to me. “So the president of the club. Crazy shit. I remember you saying one day you’d be president.”

“Yeah. It didn’t go down quite as I planned. Several years back, my Uncle Matt lost his battle with cancer. I was voted in to take his place.”

A pained expression appeared on Toby’s face. “Damn, I’m sorry. I know how much he meant to you.”

I nodded, a tightness forming in my throat. Maria brought the beers and we ordered our food. Toby talked a little about his job and how it took him around the world. I was proud of him. He’d always been the smarter one out of the two of us.

“Enough about me. Go ahead. Ask.” Toby took a pull of his beer. His demeanor changed as he narrowed his eyes. It was as if a dozen years hadn’t passed. Toby still knew when I had something to say.

I asked the one question burning on my tongue. “How is she?”

He set his bottle on the table and cocked his head. “Do you actually care?”

“Fuck,” I muttered. “Yes, I care.”

“Then why’d you push her away?” Toby’s gaze hardened. I felt Track’s on me too.

The restaurant was busy with the lunch crowd. I let my eyes wander around the dining room as I drank my beer. Maria and another woman rushed around, delivering baskets of chips and salsa to tables. All the while, I could only think of one response.

I leveled my gaze on Toby’s. “She deserves better.”

He ripped off part of the label on his bottle, nodding. “Maybe, but she wants you.”

“And that doesn’t concern you? I’m the president of an outlaw MC. I have enemies. We’ve been dealing with a lot of shit from a nomad club. They’re trying to take over our territory. Shit, they’ve even been to her house. Why do you think I called you?” I slammed my hand down. “She’s better off without me.”

“Sounds like she needs you to keep her safe.” Toby gritted his teeth and fisted his hand on the table. He wasn’t wrong. Madeline did need me to keep her safe.

I dragged my hand across my cheek. “If you felt that way, why’d you let her leave the compound?”

“Man, don’t throw this shit on me. I only discovered you were with my little sister last night.” Toby guzzled his beer.

“She doesn’t know I killed Tommy. Once she knows the truth, she’ll hate me.” I rubbed my sweaty palms on my thighs. Talking about Madeline put me on edge, not knowing what she thought of me.

“She knows.”

I blinked several times. “What?”

“I told her about it last night. Stop saying you killed Tommy. You’re such an idiot.” Toby sagged in his seat. “It was an accident. We were both there. You never would’ve hurt him on purpose. I know it. You know it. Stop with the ‘I killed him’ shit.”

“Thank you!” Track threw his hands up. “I never believed he killed your brother, but I only knew his side.” He turned toward me. “You gotta let it go, brother.”

“I can’t.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, focusing on Toby. “I destroyed your family. You were all so good to me. You took me in when I didn’t have a mother around and treated me like a Hamilton. I broke your happy little family. I hate myself for it.”

“Why’d you finally call me after all these years?” Toby’s question threw me for a loop.

I could tell Toby didn’t like dwelling on the past, but it was alive in me. “What do you mean?’

“You called wanting to get together. After not hearing from you in a dozen years, you sounded happy. It was because of Maddy, wasn’t it?” He searched my face, making me shift in my seat. His eyes were hard. “Having her in your life lifted the crushing weight of guilt you placed on yourself, didn’t it? Having her in your life set you free, didn’t it?”

“None of it matters. She’s Tommy’s little sister.” I didn’t deserve to be happy or in love when Tommy’s life was cut short by my hands.

“She’s my little sister, asshole.” He leaned forward in his seat. “You’re breaking her heart. I’m not okay with that. If she loves you, don’t screw it up.”

“You’re seriously okay with us being together?” I cut my eyes to his. Leave it to Toby to not complicate things. It was how all the Hamiltons were. They were kind, understanding people. Accepting, non-judging, and loving. Dammit. Those were all the qualities Madeline stole my heart with, along with her sexy curves, sultry voice, and those baby blues that sucked me in. No wonder I fell in love with her.

“If it’s what you both want, you have my blessing. Not sure my parents would feel the same, but everyone knows Maddy does as she pleases.” The corner of his lip curled.

I chuckled. “Don’t I know it. Your sister has given me hell from the very beginning.”

Damn, I loved her.

“I bet she has. She’s smart, independent, and strong. She’s going to fight for you.” Toby put his elbows on the table and leaned toward me, leveling his gaze on mine. “You want her fighting for you, brother, because the moment she stops, you’ve lost her for good. You think long and hard about if you want her before making any rash decisions.”

The ache in my chest eased up and I could breathe a little better. No question I wanted, Madeline… Maddy. There was nothing to think about. I loved her and didn’t want to go through life without her.

I only hoped she wanted me because I sure as hell wanted her.