Chapter 9: The Man Behind the Club
Nobody moved.
The message stayed on the screens.
Simple.
Short.
Powerful.
Ask Cole what he promised me.
I looked at Cole.
He looked like a man who had just watched his past walk through the door.
“Who sent that?””
He didn’t answer.
“Cole.””
His eyes stayed on the phone.
“I don’t know.””
I almost laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because I was tired of those words.
“You don’t know a lot.””
His jaw tightened.
“I know enough.””
“Then start talking.””
Eli looked between us.
I lowered my voice.
“Not here.””
Cole nodded.
We moved outside.
The parking lot was nearly empty now.
The diner lights reflected off the motorcycles.
For a moment, everything was quiet.
Then I said:
“What did you promise?””
Cole stared at the ground.
“When Nia came to me, she was scared.””
I waited.
“She had proof someone inside the club was working against you.””
“Marcus?””
“I thought so.””
“You thought?””
Cole looked at me.
“Because Marcus wasn’t the only person with access.””
I crossed my arms.
“Then who else?””
Cole hesitated.
“Myself.””
The answer surprised me.
“What?””
“Nia found out someone had been using my account.””
I stared.
“Your account?””
“To move information.””
A cold feeling entered my chest.
“You were framed.””
Cole nodded.
“I think so.””
“Think?””
He looked frustrated.
“Bear, fifteen years ago, everything happened too fast. Nia came to me with evidence. She said someone was trying to make it look like I was the traitor.””
I went quiet.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
His eyes filled with anger.
“At the time? Because Nia told me you wouldn’t believe me.””
I looked away.
That hurt because I knew my own brother.
Back then, I was angry.
Protective.
Quick to judge.
“She was right,” Cole said.
I didn’t respond.
Because he was.
Cole continued.
“She knew if you thought I betrayed you, you would come after me.””
“And?””
“And the real person would disappear.””
The logic was terrifying.
Someone had planned every move.
Someone had known exactly how I would react.
I looked toward the diner window.
Eli was watching us.
Waiting.
I walked back inside.
I needed him to know something.
“You’re coming with us.””
His eyes widened.
“Where?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“My mom said—”
“I know what your mom said.””
I crouched beside him.
“But your mom also trusted me enough to send you here.””
His eyes filled.
“She’s really coming back?””
I paused.
I wanted to promise.
I wanted to tell him everything would be okay.
But I had learned what promises could do.
“I’m going to bring her back.””
That was the only promise I could make.
As we walked outside, a motorcycle engine suddenly roared.
Not ours.
A bike parked across the street.
A man sitting on it lifted his helmet visor.
Marcus.
My vice president.
The man who had stood beside me for twelve years.
The man I had trusted with my life.
He looked at Eli.
Then at me.
And his expression wasn’t surprise.
It was disappointment.
Like I had done something wrong.
I stepped forward.
“Marcus.””
He removed his helmet.
“Bear.””
The air between us changed.
Cole immediately moved closer.
Marcus noticed.
And smiled.
“So you finally told him.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Told me what?””
Marcus looked at Cole.
Then back at me.
“That your best friend has been lying to you for fifteen years.””
Cole’s fists tightened.
“Don’t do this.””
Marcus laughed softly.
“You still protect him?””
I stepped forward.
“Explain.””
Marcus looked at Eli.
Then lowered his voice.
“You really don’t know, do you?””
“Know what?””
He smiled sadly.
“Nia didn’t disappear because she was afraid of someone inside the club.””
My stomach tightened.
“Then why?””
Marcus looked directly into my eyes.
“Because she found out what Cole did.””
Cole froze.
I turned.
“What?””
Marcus continued.
“She found out Cole made a deal.””
The parking lot went silent.
I looked at Cole.
His face had changed.
Not anger.
Not confusion.
Fear.
“Cole?””
He didn’t speak.
Marcus stepped closer.
“He promised to keep Nia hidden.””
A pause.
“Because he knew if you found out the truth…”
Marcus looked at Eli.
“…you would never forgive him.””
I stared at Cole.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Needing him to deny it.
But he didn’t.
And that silence was louder than any confession.
Then Cole finally whispered:
“Bear…”
His voice broke.
“I didn’t hide Nia from you to protect myself.””
He looked at Eli.
“I hid her because your sister asked me to.””
I froze.
Because behind Cole’s fear…
I saw the truth.
May you like
He wasn’t afraid of being exposed.
He was afraid of what would happen when I learned why Nia asked him to disappear.
