Chapter 28
The ride to Cusclanterritory dragged on longer than their previous trips.Even with Duke and Hunter flanking him, even with Kodiak leading the pack, Baddy couldn't shake the tight coil in his gut.
Fifteen minutes ago, while they stopped for gas, he checked his phone for any messages.There was nothing from Lydia.Nothing from Ring and Flash who guarded the diner while he was gone.
He gripped the handlebars harder.
They pulled into an abandoned lot on the edge of Cusclan territory.A few rusted-out cars, a flickering streetlight that hadn't gone out when daylight broke, and broken asphalt.Rocco, the president of Cusclan Motorcycle Club, was already there, standing in front of his men like a king surveying his land.
Baddy gazed along the front line.His muscles tensed.Sonny wasn't with them.
He stopped beside Kodiak.Hunter met his gaze, silently warning him to keep his cool.
Rocco stepped forward."Kodiak."
"Thanks for showing," Kodiak said, voice flat.
Rocco's gaze slid to Baddy."You're the one causing all the trouble."
Baddy didn't blink."Where is she?"
He nodded to one of the Cusclan members.A moment later, Lydia's mom was led out from behind a truck.She walked on her own, shaken, pale, but alive.
Baddy exhaled slowly.It couldn't be this easy.
The president held up a hand."Before you get any ideas, this is a transaction.Sonny claims she belongs to him.Says the girl you have belongs to him, too."
"Sonny doesn't own a damn thing."Baddy's jaw flexed."You witnessed the exchange when I paid for an innocent woman to regain her freedom.That's her mom, and from the looks of it, she wanted her freedom and had already run off."
Rocco shrugged."Doesn't matter what I think or what has happened before now.I'm here to keep the peace.You want the woman?Fine.But Sonny wants compensation."
"We'll pay."Baddy stepped forward."But the money doesn't go to Sonny."
Everyone turned.Baddy walked toward the Cusclan president, stopping only a foot away.He wanted to make sure Sonny understood who he was fucking with.
Rocco studied him."You got the cash?"
Baddy pulled a thick envelope from his jacket and held it out to him."That's for her."
The president thumbed through the envelope, nodded to his men, and motioned with his right hand for them to release the woman.Lydia's mom was released, stumbling toward Duke, who caught her gently.
But Baddy wasn't done.
"Where's Sonny?"he asked.
Rocco hesitated."He's coming."
As if on cue, an engine revved in the distance.A gray motorcycle rolled into the lot.Sonny pulled up in front of the line and staggered off his bike.Cusclan had everything set up as if they were all playing a role in a fucking movie.
Sonny smirked when he noticed Lydia's mom and then looked at Baddy."You want my girl's mother, she'll come with a hefty price—"
"Shut your fucking mouth."Baddy walked straight toward Sonny, stopping only when they were face-to-face."You put your hands on Lydia's mom," Baddy said quietly."You threatened Lydia.You came onto our territory.It only took you breaking one of those rules for me to kill you."
