Tabby glanced up at him and got up. He drew her close, hugging her tight.
Matthieu felt a strange tug in his chest. Something like longing. Or need.
Bizarre. He’d never felt that way before when looking at another couple. These people were obviously getting to him.
That wasn’t good.
He’d shut off his heart and he didn’t intend to reopen it.
Not for anyone.
“Razor is upset because one of the guys he was training as a mechanic was beaten up two days ago,” Sav explained. “Set upon by three guys who are gang members. They seemed to think he was a dealer on their territory when he was just trying to get home. Cops were called and actually came. They blamed the kid who was beaten. Said he shouldn’t be dealing. They had no proof of that, but they couldn’t even be bothered to pretend to look for the people who beat him. Cops have been by the garage a few times too. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start to press Razor for protection money. Or some of the guys that work for him, since a few of us have criminal records.”
Aidan Savage had ended up in jail after beating up the guy who had raped and hurt his sister.
If Matthieu had been that judge, he would have given him an award not a jail sentence.
Abusers deserved every punishment they got. Especially those that hurt those weaker than them.
“They are turning their backs to criminal activity, which isn’t our problem. Except that it’s creating more violence and hostility,” Reyes said in a dark voice.
“It’s getting to the point where we’re gonna have to stop our women going anywhere alone,” Spike said. “Millie went to a yoga class yesterday with Livvy without telling me or taking her phone. Nearly lost my mind.”
“Surprised she can sit today,” Duke said.
“She’s not sitting comfortably.”
Matthieu couldn’t help but glance over at Millie who was wearing a fifties style dress with a wide ribbon around her waist.She had on a fluffy green cardigan. An image of a pink dinosaur ran around the back of the cardigan to the front.
Spike had punished her for going to a yoga class without telling him?
Matthieu couldn’t imagine needing to know where his girlfriend was at all times.
Then again, it had been years since he’d had a girlfriend. And he’d never lived with any of them.
Perhaps because you never loved them.
“Yeah, I don’t want Sunny driving around on her own anymore,” Duke said.
“Emme certainly isn’t allowed to,” Reyes said. “She has a driver at all times. She could easily be targeted just for being Markovich’s daughter.”
Drew Markovich was the head of a criminal enterprise, so that was understandable.
“One of the customers at the garage told me that some cops have started pulling people over for trumped up charges, then demanding money or other things to let them off. They target people they know can’t fight back,” Sav said.
“Other things?” Matthieu questioned.
Sav grimaced. “Fucking sexual things.”
Putain.
Was he serious?
Matthieu glanced around at all of the men. Then he nodded.
“Fine. I’ll come to the meeting. But that is all.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” Ink said innocently.
