Rivals ? - Chapter 60: Chapter 60

The two-banded ring—made of black and scratched silver—was more than the run-up to a promise of undying loyalty and unconditional love. It was a promise of a life without bloodshed, without suspicion—the promise of a life in which he could be who he wanted to be and openly love the one he loved.
The jewel was a constant reminder of the promise that this life—in which he didn't fit in anymore—was temporary and would eventually go by. That was also the reason he wore the ring when he was at the club. At first, he'd hesitated—he wasn't in the mood for the degrading comments of the others. It was no shame, but why seek out the pain? Now, however, it felt like support—it was a reminder of the fact that he wasn't alone. Every time he looked at his hand, the image of Juice crossed his mind, on one knee, fumbling nervously with the jewelry box. Then, a warm storm would rage through his body, dragging butterflies along.
The comments hadn't been that bad. Phantom had hit him on the shoulder amicably and also Alvarez—who felt a little like a godfather—had mustered up the courtesy to congratulate him. The others hadn't said much and Raine suspected the club president of ordering them to leave him alone.
Raine tried to give it not too much thought, but it was still painful. Back in the day, an engagement had been an obvious reason for a crazy party, and he would have an unforgettable bachelor party. Now, he was just glad they weren't mocking him.  He sighed. So be it.
Shaking off the thoughts, Raine returned his attention to the brake pipe he needed to fix. Soon, his work absorbed all his attention.
It was Esai who distracted him again. "Is your phone off?"
The presence of his former best friend made his shoulders tense. They hadn't spoken since the truth came out and Raine didn't feel the need to do it now. He just wanted to make it through until he could leave the club and thereafter, he didn't plan to see that asshole ever again.
"Why?"
"Sammy called me—and she ain't a big fan of me lately."
There was an accusing tone in his voice, making Raine clench his jaw. Sammy and Esai had sometimes been a little too close to his liking—although he'd always believed Esai would never try something, which he doubted since he drugged him—but it was absolutely Esai's own fault that Sammy was mad at him.
Raine stood up, annoyed because Esai didn't start talking right away. "Well? I'm sure she didn't call you to tell you she misses you."
Esai rolled his eyes. "It was about some guy—I didn't really get it. She's at the petting zoo and there was some prick in a suit talking to Sasha and I guess you know him."
Was it Timothy? The guy from the playground?
They'd informed Sammy about him too. Alarmed, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. Dead. "Shit. Gimme your phone."
"Oh, and now—"
"Give me your fucking phone!"
Esai glared at him for interrupting him but handed Raine his phone. Immediately, Raine called his sister.
"Is he still there?" he asked, the moment she took the call.
"Yes, but at a distance." Her voice sounded tense.
"Stay around other people. I'm on my way."
There was a pang in his stomach. The thought that his sister or his foster daughter would be shoved into a dark van...
"Where are you?"
Sammy gave him the address and without returning the phone to Esai, Raine stormed towards the exit.
"Hey, what's going on?"
From the corner of his eye, he watched Esai walking up with him. He ignored the guy.
Esai grabbed his arm, clearly not planning to let him walk away. "Whatever it is—I won't let you leave alone."
Raine scoffed. "Oh, now you care?"
"I always cared about you, Raine. If not, I never would've pulled that stunt with that puta."
He needed all his self-control not the punch him in the face. His family came first—he didn't care what Esai would do. Raine got on his bike and left. Under normal circumstances, he would have told the others what he was about to do, but by now he could care less about formalities. Esai could tell the others he was leaving.
The moment he heard the rumbling of another bike, he realized Esai had other plans.
So he's coming with me. Whatever.
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the petting zoo. He got off his bike and walked past the welcoming sign. Esai followed him as if he were his shadow.
This time, Raine would leave nothing to chance. Nobody touched his family. He would make that clear, for once and for all.
Already after a few minutes, he found his sister standing next to a seesaw; Sasha and another child were playing with it. His glance crossed the playground—and only a second later, he found the fucker, standing on the side, hands deep in his pockets. He was looking at the little girl. The thought that he had encouraged Skye to flirt with that creep the last time, made him feel sick.
"So, who's getting a beat up?" Esai came to stand next to him.
Raine forced himself to relax his clenched fists. There were seven other kids around; they couldn't attack Timothy here. He glanced at his former friend. On the one hand, this whole forced collaboration disgusted him, on the other hand, he was secretly relieved that he wasn't alone. At first sight he could have that idiot, but he might as well have some henchmen around. The other adults at the playground were mothers or older women—granny's, he supposed—not the type of people he expected trouble from. However, it would be stupid to assume that Timothy—or whatever his real name was—was operating alone.
"That guy at the side."
What would he do once he saw them? Run? Would he lead them into a trap?
"Walk over there." Raine nodded to a trail leading through the bushes to a field with goats. If the guy would try to escape, he would run into Esai.
Esai nodded and walked to the designated area.
"Uncle Raine!" Suddenly, a girl's voice blared across the playgrounds. So far the element of surprise. Sasha climbed off the seesaw and wanted to run to him, but Sammy grabbed her arm.
Creating the impression that he hadn't seen Timothy yet, he spread his arms and walked to his niece, giving her a hug and resisting the urge to look around to find Timothy.
"Is he still there?" he whispered to Sammy, who'd stepped aside and had a better view than him.
"He does."
Raine gave her a nod and let go of little Sasha. "Go get an ice cream with auntie Sammy."
"Yeah!!" Thrilled, the girl clapped her hands. "Buy ice cream!"
He exchanged one more look with his sister; then, he placed his hand on his gun tucked behind his waistband and walked to Timothy, who stood about ten feet away from them. He didn't seem to be shocked to see him, nor did he walk away.
Raine grabbed his upper arm. "Let's have a little walk."
He pulled the gun and pushed it against Timothy's side, making sure his body and kutte shielded off the weapon.
The man turned pale, his eyes wide in shock.
"Walk," Raine grumbled.
"This is—"
"Walk." He pressed the gun closer against the man's body, who nodded quickly and walked with him clumsily.
The man looked confused, maybe even shocked. Raine tried not to be fooled by it, but he had a feeling something was off. Unless his behavior was an act, he didn't come off as someone who was part of an organization provoking motor gangs.
They moved around the corner, walking across the fence. Goats followed them, bleating.
Esai showed up on Timothy's other side. On any other day his friend would have made taunting comments, but now he only studied Raine's face, as if he wasn't sure what Raine expected of him.
Raine didn't know what he expected from him either.
He pushed the man further until they passed some kind of shed next to a large chicken coop. Hoes were leaving against the wooden wall. Stepping over a few buckets, he pulled Timothy along. Out of sight of any visitors, he pushed the man against the wall.
"This is the first and the last warning. If I ever see you around that little girl again, I will blow you to pieces."
The man was shaking, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.
"Who are you?" Esai asked. "What do you want from Sasha. Are you a filthy pedo?"
"No!" the man answered in a heated voice. "I'm — I'm her father."
Abruptly, Raine lowered the gun. Suddenly, it felt like his breath was cut off.
"W-what?"