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Dog exited the highway to a road that would take him deep into the hills. A long ride would clear his head. He had three hours before he had to be at the fight location.
This place was one the circuit hadn’t used before, and Dog wanted to get there early to scope it out. And grab some food. He couldn’t fight on an empty stomach. Good thing he was last on the schedule.
The road stretched in front of him. The rumble of the engine and the wind on his face focused his resolve. After an hour, he grabbed a hamburger and fries from McDonalds and headed for the clubhouse.
Once through the gate, he snagged his food from his saddlebag and rubbed Ellie May’s belly. At least he could make his other girl happy. He swung open the clubhouse door. Cutter sat on a couch, drinking a beer. He stood up when Dog entered.
“Damn,” he said, and walked toward Dog. “You look like shit. What happened?”
The club bar and the smell of alcohol were like a magnet, drawing Dog close. He wanted whiskey and lots of it, but he couldn’t afford a fuzzy head during a fight. He threw his food on the bar, smacked his hand on its surface, and then turned on Cutter.
“I did what you wanted. I cut Charley loose. And I made it hurt. Said shit that stabbed her deep. Made it clear I wanted nothing to do with her. She should be on her way home within the hour.”
Cutter grabbed Dog’s shoulder. “You did the right thing.”
Dog shook off his hand. “Don’t touch me. I really want to hurt someone right now.”
Cutter held his palms up in surrender, beer bottle dangling from two fingers.
Charley’s tear stained face sliced into Dog’s mind, and the pain was like swallowing shards of glass. “I ripped her apart, just like you wanted. Said things I didn’t mean, all to keep her away from that fuckwad. Sent away the only woman I’ve ever wanted…Fuck!”
Dog grabbed Cutter’s beer from his hand and pitched it against the wall. It shattered, exploding bottle and beer everywhere.
Cutter snorted. “Feel better?”
“Not in the least. It’s that asshole’s fault. I’m going to slaughter him tonight.”
Dog picked up the bag holding his dinner. “I’m going to eat my burger, and then warm up. I’ll be ready in an hour.”
Cutter nodded. “I’ll pass the word. All the brothers are coming tonight. Even Prez. Says he won’t miss Nate going down.”
“Good. I’m going to need them. Nate’s not just going down.” Dog’s tone turned to ice. “He’s going six feet under.”
Chapter Twenty-One
When Charley’s crying jag was over, she struggled to her feet and headed for the kitchen. A glass or two of McCallan’s was the only thing that would ease the knife slicing through her chest. It might take what was left in the bottle, like it had when she’d lost Daddy, but she was okay with that.
After adding ice to a tumbler, she poured herself several fingers of the amber liquid, and the memory of sharing this bottle with Dog ripped through her. He’d been so good to her in the hospital, so caring, soloving, and then after, when they had come back to the cottage….
She lifted the glass and slammed back her first mouthful. The smooth whiskey slid down her throat. A scorching blaze ignited in her stomach, the heat a promise of relief to come.
Livvie’s ringtone sounded from Charley’s phone. She refilled her glass and carried it to the couch. She retrieved the devicefrom her handbag and read the text.
Livvie(8:46pm): So how’s the hunk on a Harley?
With a heavy sigh, Charley let her eyes drift closed. Would she feel better or worse if she talked to Livvie?
Deciding on better, Charley swallowed another mouthful of McCallan’s before she pulled up Livvie’s number and pressed the call button. Livvie answered after two rings. Her voice was animated.
“Girl, tell me you’ve been doing the nasty with that fine man all day. To hell with the doctor’s orders.”
Charley’s lips tilted up a little. Livvie was always so blunt. It was one of the things Charley loved about her. She never had to worry about where she stood with her. Everything Livvie thought or felt came out of her mouth with her usual flair.
“Um, no. Things have changed a lot in the last twelve hours.”
Livvie sucked in a breath. “You sound bad. Tell me everything.”
Charley took another drink of McCallan’s to fortify herself, and the ice tinkled against the glass.
