“That’s not happening.” Rolling onto my side, I drop the cigarette into one of the beer bottles. I get up and get dressed once I’ve cleaned up in the bathroom.
She sits up, holding the sheets up over breasts. “Don’t go yet.”
“Got to. Got shit to do.”
“When will I see you again?”
“Depends when I’m next around. I’ll text ya.”
I get my ass out of there and unintentionally slam the door on my way out. I hold my breath in the stairwell until my boots hit the sidewalk. The stench of piss and poverty is overwhelming.
I continue my search for the Hades hogs. I cruise around the city, needing a little luck. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I dig it out and see Max calling. I pull over and kill the engine.
“How’s the run going?”
“Fine. Why is Amber burning up my phone, crying about you fucking and ducking?”
“Because I fucked her and got out of there, she started talking about coming around the club. Why she called you, I have no idea.”
“Maybe cause she’s in love with you, brother. If you’re not gonna make her your old lady, maybe you should stop seeing her.”
I snort. “As if I’m gonna listen to you when it comes women. You’re as bad as me.”
He laughs, then says, “Touché. The next time you’re fucking her, delete my number from her phone.”
“Sure.”
“What are you up to?” he asks.
“What do you think? I’m out looking for Hogs.”
“No luck?”
“Not a fuckin’ peep. I’ll give it another hour then I’ll head back to the club. The streets are quiet tonight.”
“I’ll check in tomorrow.”
“Sure, speak then.”
Putting my phone away, I do as I told him and carry on the search. I coast through the south side, riding up and down streets where I know bars and dives to be. Still nothing.
I ride back to the club and park up out front. I don’t have the energy to open and close the gates. I notice a car parked farther up the street, but no one is inside. Something in my gut tells me something is wrong when I find the clubhouse door unlocked. Either the prospect is distracted by this new girl and kid King told me about or we have an intruder.
Taking out my gun, I release the safety and use it to push open the door. Blood and shit loads of the stuff is puddled and smeared across the bar floor. The Mayor’s daughter is extremely dead, her lifeless body lying on the floor. Lifting my eyes, King is pacing with his hands clinging to his hair. What startles me isVictoria sat on the floor, her knees tucked up to her chin. A fresh bruise under her eye and blood smeared over her face.
“What the fuck went on here?”
I was only gone for a few hours.
29
Victoria
One Hour Earlier
The city lights aren’t so depressing these days. Luca will be pissed we’re coming home early but River hasn’t settled since we left and I’m too tired to wait. Rudi sleeps in the passenger seat and has been for the last two hours. I’m more than happy to see the clubhouse. Instead of waking up the prospect to unlock the gate, I park by the curb and wake Rudi.
“We’re here already?” she asks.
