Page 64 of Loyal
“God, no wonder she left you. You’re a miserable bastard,” a woman says, shaking her head.
“Who says she left me?” Billy snaps.
Phone guy chuckles. “Dude, it’s obvious she left you. You got some serious anger issues, and no one cares about an ex this much unless they are the one left behind.”
“You don’t know shit!” Billy looks over at me. “I know you preyed on her when she was down. I know all about your little club of misfits owning the PI firm I hired to look into her when she filed for divorce. The only reason you know who she is is because of me. I hired you to collect dirt on her, and you didn’t hold up your end. Instead, you saw a woman at her lowest and took advantage of it. I know it, and I’ll prove it.”
I nod. “You’re right, my club does own a PI business, but if I remember correctly, we turned you away. As for my woman, the only thing that matters is when we met, she was single and ready to move on. She entered into a relationship with me on her own because she wanted to. Because she was already over you. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but that’s the truth.”
“Bullshit. She’s mine. Always has been, always will be.”
“It’s the twenty-first century, Billy. She’s a woman and isn’t an object you can own. She has her own free will, and it’s best you remember that.”
“Sir, I think it’s time you leave,” Antonio cuts in.
Billy looks around and sees everyone looking at him in disgust.
“Whatever. This isn’t over.” He snatches his keys off the counter and rushes out the door.
“Good fucking riddance,” a guy mutters.
“No wonder she left him. The guy couldn’t find a G-spot if he tried,” the woman says quietly, making a few people laugh.
I take a deep breath as I watch him peel out of the parking lot.
A list starts forming in my mind. I need to call Savage and fill him in on what happened. Need to check in with Dex to see if he’s found anything yet. Call Sami and give her a heads-up because Lord knows this asshole isn’t done. But first…
I turn toward Antonio. “Sorry about that.”
He shakes his head. “That wasn’t your fault. Honest to God, I don’t blame you at all.” He pauses. “Is he always like that?”
“I haven’t had a run-in with him where he wasn’t just like that.”
Antonio shakes his head. “That’s messed up. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” I shrug. “But if that’s all, there are some things I need to go take care of.”
“Go. I’ll talk to you later and finish setting up those travel plans,” he says quietly.
“Sounds good. Later.”
Turning, I leave the shop cursing Billy’s name six ways from Sunday. He’s a goddamn thorn in my side, but she’s worth it.
Pulling up to the clubhouse unexpectedly is a little bit scary. Instead of the gate opening, the man at the gate comes over to my window.
“Hello, ma’am. How can I help you?”
I didn’t think when I drove over here. I only knew I wanted to see Loyal, and this is where he told me he would be this morning.
“Hi. I’m here to see Loyal. My name is Sami.”
The man pulls out his phone and looks at it a moment before he nods. “Sorry ma’am. I’m still new. You are on the list. You are free to go through.”
My eyes widen. I’m on a list.
“Thank you,” I manage as he backs up and opens the gate for me.
I pull through, parking in the same area as I parked last time. When I get out of my car, I turn and wave at the man at the gate who waves back. Then I head inside.
