Custom Built

by Chantal Fernando

  And he’s not going to be on top of fucking anything, not if I have anything to do about it.

  “You okay?” Crow asks, touching my shoulder.

  I don’t know what the two of them have been saying this entire time. I’ve blocked it out, too in my head.

  “I will be,” I reply, exhaling deeply. “What do you think we should do? I want to take him down. I want to make sure he can’t hurt my uncle, or anyone for that matter.”

  “I think we should talk to your uncle,” Crow says, and Nadia nods. “He needs to know what’s going on, and who is coming for him.” Crow turns to me, opens his mouth, and then closes it, seemingly trying to choose his words carefully. “You need to let us handle this now, okay? And you need to not ask questions that you don’t want the answers to. Think about what you can and can’t handle, Bronte.”

  “Nadia?” I press.

  “Why don’t we just call the police and get them involved?” she says.

  “What are they going to do?” Crow replies, brow furrowing. “You’re going to leave this in the hands of the people who wouldn’t even press for a further investigation? As far as they’re concerned, Freddy died from an overdose. We’ll probably be the ones that end up getting arrested.”

  I know what Crow is saying, and he’s right. I can’t trust the cops to sort this out, not the way I want it handled. Now it’s out of my hands and I need to leave it up to the MC and my uncle.

  Jasper might end up in a ditch somewhere, and I need to be okay with that. I can’t come this far, say that I want him gone, but then be a bleeding heart and feel bad about it.

  And if I can’t handle it, then I need to step back and not ask any questions.

  “I know what you’re saying. It’s just hard because this is my fight. I can’t expect anyone else to—”

  “You are both nice girls,” Dee says, cutting me off. “You don’t need to go down this route. We can handle it along with your uncle, okay? We’re not good men, Bronte. And neither is your uncle. We’re all good to you, and we always will be good to you, but that doesn’t make us good men. In this case, we’re the only ones who are going to be able to give you the revenge you want.”

  I don’t know what to say. I know they are right, but it doesn’t feel good leaving everyone else to fight my fight.

  Nadia heads home after I thank her for her help. I know she doesn’t like the way it ended, but I need to go with my gut. And the cops aren’t the answer this time.

  “Can we go to my uncle’s now?”

  Crow nods. “Sure. Do you want to give him a call and make sure he’s home?”

  I call him up and ask him where he is.

  “I’m at home, why? Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I was just wondering if Crow and I could drop in? I wanted to talk to you about a few things.”

  And to play him that recording Nadia sent us so he can hear it for himself.

  “Of course,” he says quickly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Okay, see you soon.” We hang up and I look to Crow. “Let’s go.”

  Standing, I give Dee a hug. “Thank you for all that you do. To me, you’re not a bad man. Just an honest one.”

  And I mean that.

  I guess he’s right, though—when you decide if someone is a good person, you judge them by how they treat you, not others. Our perception of people is only as we see them, not as they are.

  We get in the car and head to see my uncle.

  It’s time that the truth got out.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Uncle Neville’s waiting out front by the gate when we arrive, two bodyguards behind him. He presses a code and signals us to drive in. We park behind his black Mercedes and hop out.

  “Is everything okay?” he says as he gives me a hug. He looks worried, lips tight and brow tense. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “Can we go inside first?” I suggest.

  “Of course.”

  He leads us inside his beautiful mansion, and to the living room. He offers us refreshments, which we decline, wanting to get straight to business. Crow pulls out his phone, his finger lingering on the play button.

  “We have something we want to you listen to,” I say, taking Uncle Neville’s hand in mine and giving it a squeeze. This is going to be hard for him to listen to, too. “We found out what happened to Dad.”

  We press play, and I watch the myriad emotions flicker in his eyes.

  Pain.

  Anger.

  Regret.

  Disbelief.

  “That fucking piece of shit,” he growls, stands up and starts pacing. The vein in his forehead looks like it’s going to burst. His anger justifies my own—he feels the same way that I do.

  “You know him personally, then?” Crow guesses, sliding his phone back in his jean pocket. “What are we up against here?”

  “I’ve done business with Jasper,” he admits, hands clenching to fists. He then brings his eyes to me. “And I’ve met Jean. Once.”

  “So she and Dad were together?” I ask, swallowing hard.

  And once again I was the last to know something. I wish people would just be honest and let me decide what I can and can’t handle.

  “He introduced her as a friend,” he explains, sitting back down, scrubbing his hand down his face. “I think there was something more going on, yes. I’m so sorry, Bronte. This all must be so hard for you.”

  It is, but I need to know all of it. “I wanted the truth, and I got it. I just need to know what’s going to happen now,” I say, looking him in the eye. “They’re going to come after you next. What are we going to do?”

  “If he could get to me, he would have already,” he says, tapping his foot on the tiles. “I upped my security, and this place was already secure to begin with. I have cameras everywhere, so even if something happened, it would be seen. His only chance would be to get to me when I’m out somewhere, but I have my security with me, and he’s clearly a coward, going by the way Freddy died. There was no fight. He simply poisoned him using Jean, I’m assuming. You don’t have to worry about me. He’s the one who needs to worry. Now that I know the truth, I’m going to fuck shit up.”

  The look he has in his eyes, I’ve never seen it before. He’s furious, and out for revenge.

  “What can I do to help?” I ask.

  “Stay safe.” He turns to Crow. “Keep her safe. They know that she knows something. Tell me if you want some of my men to watch her. Whatever you need, I’ve got.”

  “She’s safe with me,” Crow replies, lifting his chin. “Always will be.”

  “I know.” Neville nods, respect in his eyes. “Thank you for finding out the truth, Bronte. You’re a strong girl, you know that? And you were the apple of your father’s eye. He loved you more than he loved anything or anyone in the world.”

  And the feeling was reciprocated.

  “I know,” I whisper, forcing a smile and giving him a hug. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” he says, squeezing me tightly. We stay like that for a few moments, and then I leave, feeling emotional but happy that the conversation transpired.

  Billie calls me on the way home. “Hey, what are you up to?” she asks.

  I expel a deep sigh. “Just left my uncle’s house. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing much,” she admits. “I just miss you, so I thought I’d call and annoy you a little bit. Did you still want me to stop by your dad’s place and get the box the movers forgot?”

  “Yes, please, if you don’t mind. That would be awesome,” I say. I asked her to do it since it’s still hard for me to go there.

  “When am I seeing you next?”

  “I’ll drop in tomorrow night.”

  “Sounds perfect. See you then. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”


  We hang up. Crow and I head back to the clubhouse, and all I can think is, what the hell is going to happen next?

  * * *

  A beautiful blonde walks into the warehouse, black heels clicking with each step. Her white bodysuit tucked into denim shorts show off her stunning figure, and her light eyes scan the room.

  “Hey,” she says, smiling at me. “Is Crow here?”

  “Ummm, yes, he is,” I reply, eyes slightly narrowing. “One second.”

  Disappearing out the back, I approach Crow, who is kneeling near a motorcycle, examining it. “Crow, there’s a gorgeous blonde at the front desk asking for you.”

  He lifts his head, brows drawing together. “What?”

  “Yep,” I reply, trying to keep my expression neutral.

  I have no idea who she is or what she wants, but after reading a romance novel last night, I picture the same thing that happened to the heroine happening to me. Now this woman is here to tell Crow she’s pregnant from before he met me, and he’s going to be a dad.

  Just what I need right now.

  Wincing, I walk beside him back to her. It better not be the case, because I’m not dealing with any baby mamas.

  “Crow!” the woman yells out, smiling widely as she runs to him and throws herself in his arms. “I’m home. And I need the spare house keys. I accidentally left mine in my room.”

  “Heidi,” he murmurs, smiling. He puts her down and pulls me next to him. “That definitely sounds like you. This is Bronte. Bronte, this is my baby sister.”

  “Oh,” I mutter, eyes widening. Of course it’s his sister. Blonde. Attractive. Why the hell didn’t I think of that? This is the second time I’ve assumed something out of nothing and looked like an asshole. I don’t miss Crow’s smirk as he introduces us. I should be glad that it’s not an ex or baby mama, yet I still feel a little on the embarrassed side.

  Good one, Bronte.

  I need to control my jealousy around this man, because it’s really not that cute.

  “Nice to finally meet you, Heidi.”

  “You too,” she replies, glancing between the two of us. “My brother can’t stop talking about you, and I can see why—you’re absolutely gorgeous. I’d expect nothing else from Crow.”

  “I was thinking the same about you,” I reply, smiling.

  Crow fishes a set of keys out of his pocket and removes one. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks,” she replies, sliding the keys into her own pocket. “What are you both doing tonight? Do you want to come over for dinner?”

  Crow looks down at me, and I nod. “Sure, why not?”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you both around seven?”

  “Sounds good,” Crow replies. I ignore his gaze while Heidi clicks away.

  “You thought it was an ex-girlfriend or something, didn’t you?” He laughs, lifting me up and setting me down on my desk. “You should have seen your face.”

  “She’s young and beautiful,” I reply, raising my chin and shrugging. “And she was asking for you. It’s a valid conclusion.”

  “Even if someone came here looking for me, it doesn’t matter. I choose you over anyone, past, present or future, all right? You’re it for me, and my eyes sure as hell aren’t wandering,” he assures me, kissing my cheek. “Although you look cute when you’re mad.”

  He laughs as he walks away.

  Jerk.

  Still, his words are comforting to hear. He’s a good-looking man, and I know he’ll have women wanting him always. But he’s mine.

  And I’m not going to share.

  Nadia comes into the garage, which is a first, but the second I see the look on her face, I know that something is very wrong. Her eyes are red like she’s been crying, and her arms are wrapped around herself.

  “What is it?” I ask, getting up and going to her. I place my hands on her shoulders. “Nadia? What’s happened?”

  “It’s Billie,” she explains. “I’m so sorry, Bronte.”

  “Billie? What about Billie?” I ask, my heart in my throat. “I just spoke to her yesterday, and she’s fine.”

  “She’s gone,” Nadia whispers, swallowing hard. “I heard it over the police radio, and then I called my contacts to be certain and...” She takes a deep breath. “She was shot at your dad’s house. His address is what drew my attention first.”

  “What?” I whisper, shaking my head.

  “Police responded to shots fired at your dad’s address and they found her in front of the house. Do you know why she was...” Nadia can’t seem to continue as I start to fall apart.

  “It was because of me. I was such a baby and didn’t want to go back to my dad’s house to pick up the last box there. So I asked her to go for me. Why did I ask her? Why couldn’t I just do something on my own for once? Why...”

  Nadia pulls me in for a hug. “Shhh, stop that right there.”

  I just lost my dad, and now Billie, the girl who’s like a sister to me.

  This can’t be happening.

  I sit down on my chair and cover my face with my hands, just straight out sobbing. How much more of this am I supposed to take before I break?

  Cam comes out of the staff room and rushes over to me. “Why are you crying, Bronte? What’s wrong?”

  I’m crying too hard, I can’t even reply, so Nadia informs her.

  And then I have to watch Cam’s heart break in front of my eyes.

  She shakes her head in disbelief. “No, she can’t be gone.”

  She takes one look at my face, and starts crying with me, holding me. I don’t know who is comforting who, but we both need it.

  “This is all my fault,” I say to them both.

  “The only person at fault is whoever shot her,” Nadia replies, wiping tears away from my face. “And I know who my bet is on.”

  Nadia obviously assumes it has something to do with our case, and if that’s true then it’s my fault Billie is gone right now. Why would someone want to harm her? It makes no sense.

  What the fuck have I done, getting her involved in all of this?

  * * *

  “I’m not going to let them hurt anyone else that I love!” I yell at Crow in the car. We cancel on dinner with Heidi and tell her we will make it up to her. When she hears what has happened, she understands instantly and sends her condolences.

  I know I shouldn’t take my pain out on Crow, but he’s the only one here and he’s the closest person to me in the world. I never thought a man other than my dad would ever be that for me.

  “I know,” he says gently, reaching over and taking my hand. “But this isn’t your fault.”

  “I should have just stayed away from her until this was over,” I whisper to myself, my hands clenching to fists. “I can’t believe this has happened.”

  It all feels unreal, like a dream. Or maybe I haven’t processed it properly yet. I feel numb, just when I was starting to feel again. I feel so damn guilty that it’s eating me inside. Billie was a good person, and she didn’t deserve this.

  “It’s not your fault,” Crow repeats, pulling into the police station. We’re going to speak to them about Billie, to get any extra information they might have for us. We’re also meeting my dad’s lawyer here, because I know that they are going to want to question me.

  Crow can tell me it’s not my fault all he likes. He can scream it at me until he’s blue in the face. It wouldn’t make a difference.

  I brought her into this.

  If it weren’t for me, she’d still be alive and happy, maybe in love with Cam.

  Another innocent life, lost.

  And I’m the thing they all have in common.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I take the rest of the week off work. After talking to the police, they let me know that I’m not a suspect and I don’t have to go back to the station. Cr
ow hires two new people, so I don’t feel so guilty about sitting around in my underwear for a few days. Crow, Saint, Renny and Temper come to my apartment to install security cameras and put extra locks on all the doors and windows. Better to be safe than sorry, they say.

  But it’s too late for Billie, and right now I don’t really care what happens to me. I just want everyone else to be safe.

  Am I supposed to just hang around until my uncle sorts this out? Is he going to kill Jasper? What’s going to happen to Jean? I wish I knew what his plan was. I’d rather the two of them end up in prison than be killed, if I’m being honest, but I know it’s up to them to handle the situation as they see fit.

  “Hey,” Crow says as he steps inside, locking the door behind him. “Have you moved from that spot since I left this morning?”

  “Yes, I went to the fridge and the bathroom,” I reply, smiling at him sadly. “How was work? How are the new staff?”

  Small talk. Small talk is safe, and I’d rather talk about anything other than how I feel right now.

  “They’re good. I should have hired people sooner,” he admits, sitting down close to me. “Everyone is worried about you, and asking when you’ll be back.”

  “I’m the worst employee ever,” I say, sighing and resting my cheek on his shoulder. “Lucky I have a good boss, huh?” Any other job and I’d definitely be fired by now.

  “Your job is always there for you,” he promises, pressing his lips against my temple. “And if you don’t want it, and you need to take a break from work completely, that’s okay too. You’ve been through more than any one person should, so no one would blame you if you need a break.”

  “I want to work,” I tell him, frowning. I’ve never not worked, and I’m not someone who would ever be okay with not paying my own way. I wasn’t raised like that. But I appreciate his offer and understand where he’s coming from, wanting me to put my mental health first. Crow really is a man who looks after his woman, physically, mentally, emotionally...and even financially. Even though I wouldn’t accept that, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

  “Just saying, you do have options,” he says gently. “I spoke to your uncle today.”