I jerk my chin at the people around us. “All these men? They’re at my back. Not yours. I can have you tied up like a hog in less than a minute, without lifting a finger. And then I’d let you hang in the middle of that forest in the back.”
I take a step away, glance at the blood on my knife, study it like it’s nothing. “Of course, I’d cut that poisoned tongue out of your mouth first. Leave it for the animals. You’d rot while I watch. And you wouldn’t even be able to scream.”
I sigh. Tilt my head. Time for the killshot.
“How long do you think Theresa will be able to survive with you gone? Now that everyone and their mother knows she was your mistress? How many do you think are waiting in the shadows right now, ready to take her? Find out what secrets of yours she knows?”
At the mention of Theresa, his mask cracks. And then it crumbles. Rage burns in his eyes, but he doesn’t say a word. Good.
I look at the men around us. Make a little show of it. It’s time to bury this fucker.
“Mindfuck,” I call out.
He snaps to attention instantly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He knows judgment is coming, and it’s going to be fun.
“Tonight was one hell of a party, wasn’t it?”
“Sure was, boss,” Mindfuck nods, mock-serious.
“I bet the prospects are tired. They deserve a night off.” I turn back to Luca. A deadly smile on my face. “Tell them they’re free to do whatever. Silk here is gonna scrub the toilets in their place.”
I tap my chin with the tip of my knife, pretending to think. “In fact, he’ll do it for the rest of the month. That’s how good of a brother he is to the entire club. Even the prospects. Isn’t that right, Silk?”
Luca starts working his jaw like it’s on overtime and the pay is double. But there’s no escape, and he knows it.
“Yeah, Ghost,” he growls after a long pause.
Right answer, fucker.
Adora
I’ve been staring into the eyes of a very angry Bones for a few minutes now. This… is getting awkward fast.
He was waiting for me outside my door. Leaning against the hallway wall, opposite none other than Ria. They were both scowling at each other, arms crossed, feet tapping impatiently against the floor. He said he wanted to have a chat with me. Ria threatened him. He almost blew a gasket. I felt like I was caught in the middle of a toddler spat.
Looking at Bones now, I feel like maybe I should’ve just dragged Ria into my room, slammed the door in his face, then blocked the knob with a chair. Maybe it would’ve been better tohave this “chat” a few days later. Not on the same night I tasered his brother in front of the entire club. Let him cool down a little.
Shit, I always make the stupid choice. Why can’t you do better, brain? To be fair though, after everything I’ve learned tonight, my poor brain is mush.
I clear my throat, trying to break the uncomfortable silence. “Would you—”
“How long,” he interrupts rudely, “after you met Ria, did you realize you could use her to hurt my brother?”
He leans forward in his chair, fingers tapping the table twice. “Was it two days? One?” His eyes narrow to slits. “It was less than a day, wasn’t it?”
My mouth suddenly dries up. A zap of warning runs through me.
“Why would you ask something like that?,” I mutter, trying to hide the unease crawling up my spine.
He leans back, huffing out a breath heavy with disappointment. “Whether you admit it or not, it’s the truth. But I’d appreciate an answer.”
I shake my head, again and again. My jaw trembles with denial.
“No.” It’s a whisper, but it’s loud enough. “No,” I repeat, louder this time. “I just ignored him. That’s all I did. I didn’t tell Ria to poison him. I didn’t tell her to do anything.”
He tilts his head, considering my words. “I never said you told her to do anything. Just that you used her. Used her dislike for us in your favor. Intentionally.”
His eyes darken. His voice drops. “Look, I get it. I fucking get it. We all have our tricks. To survive. To get the justice we think we deserve. And you—” he points at me, “—you found your own way to get revenge. And that’s fine.”
