Chapter 138: Hansel 8

Hansel

It was worse this time.

When she had left after our argument, I didn't know what was happening. I had presumed, wrongly, that she would be back. That she was just taking some time to clear her head. When she hadn't come back, when she continued to not come home, I had spiralled into a pit of self-loathing so deep and black that I thought I would never come out of it.

When she sent divorce papers, I had thrown myself into anything that would distract me. Alcohol, drugs, women. Anything to take the edge off the misery I was feeling.

But this time was worse. She had kissed me and then left anyway without giving me any definite promises except the one that she would think about it. She loved me still, I knew that. That was never in question. The question was whether she loved me enough to give me another shot.

“Are you still moping around?” Cyber folded his huge, tattooed frame onto a stool next to me, motioning for the barmaid to pour him his usual drink.

“Drinking, not moping.” I tapped idly on the glass in front of me. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you would be at home with the family being all domesticated and shit.”

Cyber’s eyes narrowed. “Jealousy doesn't suit you, brother. But, yeah, I would rather be with them than here with you. Iris kicked me out, supposedly I get under her feet and don't tidy up properly.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m allowed back in a few hours.”

I grinned before I could help myself. He was right: I was jealous. I wanted what he had. What a lot of my brothers had. And I wanted it with Gretal. That had always been the dream.

“It looks a lot like moping. Pope said you are struggling since seeing Gretal again. I’m not surprised to find you here after what happened.”

Happened? My head snapped up. What the hell did he mean happened?

“What are you on about?”

Cyber fell silent. His face was impassive.

“Cyber, if something has happened then I want to know what it is.” I wanted to shake the answers from him. “Just fucking tell me.”

“I don't think it's serious, so don't go wrecking yourself to try and get to her.”

My heart slammed into my chest. “She came off her bike?” Even as I said the words, I was already pushing myself up and onto my feet. “How bad?”

Fuck. Panic ripped through me. I was her husband and yet I was the last person to know that Gretal was hurt.

“When?”

Cyber’s hand came down hard on my shoulder, pushing me back down onto the stool. “The day she left, it's not serious, Hansel. She's already out of the hospital. She will be here tonight at some point.”

She had come off her bike the day I had seen her? That had been days ago. And I was just being told now? Had she been lying on the side of the road scared and in pain? Had she been wishing I was with her whilst I drank myself into oblivion?

“She's coming here?”

“Fang and Gypsy have gone to pick her up from Gio’s.” Cyber searched my face. “She was leaving Gio’s when it happened.”

He still hadn't told me exactly what had happened but I couldn't dwell on that yet. She had been with Gio just a few hours after kissing me. They were working together. Gretal was helping him, but it still made my blood boil with rage.

“I'm sorry, brother, I know you care for her.”

Care for her? That didn't even begin to cover it. “Yeah. So, she's staying with Fang?” I couldn't dwell on what my club brother thought was going on in my wife's life. I had to concentrate on what I could control. And that was Gretal.

“Yeah, they are heading to pick her up.” Cyber grinned. “Want to go and give her a proper welcome home?”

“Yeah.” Yeah I wanted to be there when Fang pulled up. For no other reason than I needed to see with my own eyes that Gretal was ok. And when I was sure she was fine, then I was going to rip her a new one for not calling me. And kiss her until she was breathless with need.

“Bring my man some coffee.” Cyber called to the bartender with a laugh. “He has a wife to win back.” A cheer went up from the small lunchtime crowd. “And for what it's worth, Hansel. I hope you do get her back. Gio doesn't deserve her. Although Monster is happy about Gio and Gretal.”

It took me several seconds to work out why Monster would give a shit who Gio had in his bed before it hit me.

“Ah, Keeley.”

Monster's young cousin had been firmly on Gio’s radar for the last few months. And no one wanted the head of The Family anywhere near her.

I didn't want him anywhere near my wife either.

“What…?” Fang took one look at me and then his eyes swivelled over to Cyber. “You told him?”

Cyber shrugged in answer.

“You should have told me, Fang. She's my wife.” I searched the dark confines of his truck but couldn't see anything in the gloom. “Where is she?”

“She's behind in Gio’s car.” Fang took a step forward, “And you aren't going to start anything with him, Hansel. She's made her choice and it's time to let her move on.”

It was comical that he thought I could let that happen. “If the roles were reversed, if Gypsy wanted to leave you, would you be ok with it?”

Fang's face darkened. “Difference is, Gypsy and me are solid. We are good together. She doesn't hate my guts.”

I wanted to scream at him that Gretal didn't hate me either. But she had told me not to say anything and I wouldn't.

“I’m not starting anything. I just want to see for myself that she is ok. What happened?”

Flicking my eyes towards Cyber, I scowled. “Cyber couldn't or wouldn't tell me shit.”

“She wrecked her bike.”

“You're not telling me something. Spit it out, Fang.” In the distance, headlights filled the dusk air. A sleek black car was coming along the road slowly.

Fucking Gio.

“Someone tampered with her bike. I've seen the report. If she hadn't been so competent, then she would have been badly hurt. You taught that girl well.”

I barely heard him. Someone had purposely tried to hurt her?

“It wasn't an accident.”

“Not unless she's been neglecting…”

I waved his words away. “Gretal loves that damn bike. She treats it like it’s her kid. She looks after it. Someone did this.” I slammed my fist into the brick wall, not caring about the pain that ricocheted through my split knuckles.

“Gio has enemies. Gretal knew what she was getting into. She’s a kick ass woman.” His voice lowered as the sedan pulled to a stop. The windows were heavily tinted. But the man driving wasn't Gio.

“Fuck that shit. I don't care if she knows how to handle herself.” Closing my hand around the door handle, I swung it open, expecting to find Gretal sat on the back seat.

Gio looked up at me, his face split wide with a cruel smile. His damn hand was on Gretal's knee.

“Can I help you?”