“Do not fear, son. No one from here will know we are traveling. No harm will follow. You think I am stupid now? I would not risk my jewel or my son who wants nothing to do with the business.”

“Papa—”

“Forget it. I am already getting the evil eye from your mama for saying this. I understand. Some days, I even wish I was as smart as you and got out when I could. It is too late and anyway, I will give it over to Michail soon. Then it will be his problem. Then your mama and I will visit more. Six months has been too long.”

“It has. I look forward to seeing you both.”

“Talk soon.”

“Yes,” I replied and hung up.

At least there was one good thing about my parents’ early arrival; it would distract me enough until I found out more about West. It could also save me from approaching him and making a fool of myself.

Now that I thought about it, there was a possibility I’d misheard his words that night.

West may not feel anything for me, and I—

No. I heard those words, and I would find out what happened, why West stopped our time together. Eventually. It may take time, but I was confident our paths would cross, and when they did, I would not let West slip through my fingers again.

I would make sure I hadn’t imagined our connection.

And when I did, I would make him mine.

It also meant I had to listen to Dimitri and tell my parents exactly who I was.

Chapter Six

West

I clenched my jaw when I saw Kylo in the hospital bed. Kylo, who Lucas and I had become fast friends with, worked at Polished. He’d been attacked by his biological father. Not only that, he’d witnessed his father shoot his mother before they beat Kylo for money. I never wanted to hurt a person more than I did Kylo’s dad when I found out. Unfortunately, he was still on the run, and since Kylo was a member of the Diamond MC, the club would do everything in their power to find the… the fucker, and rain justice down on him like he deserved.

“Are you just gonna stare at me all day or come here and give me a hug?” Kylo asked.

“Don’t fuckin’ touch him for too long, though,” Saint commented. It was only a few days ago when it happened, so I could understand Saint’s protectiveness. But then again, it seemed all of the MC brothers I’d met through Lucas and Kylo were the same. Though, Saint and Kylo were new to a relationship. Which they’d kept a secret. But I’d found out when I’d met Kylo at a café the day of the incident and told him about my crush on a client and how I needed advice.