Redefine the boundaries between us before I did something reckless like devour that delicious body and lay myself bare.
Tossing open the twelve-foot high wooden doors seared with the Crimson Crows insignia, I strode into Church.
Every Crow poured in behind me.
It was a long room that ran horizontally.
A worn, rambling wooden table sat in the center, and twenty high-backed wooden chairs surrounded it.
The room was dark, the antique chandelier hanging from the cavernous ceiling above sending shadows scattering in the flare of its light.
A pathetic illumination attempting to chase away the ghosts that had followed us into this room.
There was no chance of it succeeding.
The walls were covered in dark, gruesome paintings—paintings spun from our Madman’s hands. It was the only way for Phoenix to purge the demons from his brain.
I’d given him free reign.
My crew took their chairs, except for the newest members who would stand until they fully earned their seat.
I was at the head.
Trevan to my right and Phoenix to my left.
Seventeen others took up the rest of the chairs, and another ten hovered on the fringes.
I slammed the gavel down onto the worn, rustic wood of the table. “I call to order this meeting of Crimson Crows.”
Trevan gave a dip of his chin. “I second it.”
“Good,” I said as I glanced around at my army.
The lot of them were unruly and wild. Shaped by wounds and traumas. Scars that had been carved on their spirits and minds.
Driven by the rage that had coated their souls in sin and barbarity. Twisted by the thirst to right some of the wrongs that had been meted by tyrants and oppressors.
I wouldn’t have anyone else beside me.
Their devotion was unwavering and complete, and their utter commitment to our cause had written them as my brothers.
Every bit as permanent as the tattoos on my body.
They were family.
No, they didn’t know what our club really stood for when they became prospects. We needed to establish their complete loyalty before we could take them there.
Which was why the prospects were currently guarding us without a clue of what we were actually meeting about until the time came when we gave them a peek at what Crimson Crows was really about.
Those we never came to trust were plucked out and weeded.
“Have some important updates tonight,” I started with. “Going to need each of you to be all in. Focused and ready.”
A raucous of “ayes” went up around the room.
They agreed without having any indication of the details.
Exactly what was required of them.
