“It what?” The man starts wrestling with the chain, and I can’t believe he’s buying this shit. “That card was good. What did—”
The second the door swings open, Soul points his gun at the motherfucker’s head. “Make a sound, and I pull the trigger.”
He throws his hands up and backs up a step to let us in.
His friend, who was still in bed, shoots to standing when he sees us. But Venom reaches him before he can grab his gun.
Venom clicks his tongue, shaking his head once as he aims the barrel between the guy’s eyes. “Don’t move.”
“What do you want?” His heavy southern accent hints that we’re in the right place, while the Ironside Ridge brand on their arms confirms it.
“You made a mess of my girl’s motel room the other day.” I pace, taking in the old takeout boxes and dirty clothes.
Soul’s eyes cut to me when I saymy girl,and I know it’s a mistake. She’s not my girl; I shouldn’t have said it. But I don’t take it back either.
“We don’t want any problems with you,” the guy sitting on the bed says. “We were told to bring her back, that’s it. They didn’t say anything about her already having protection. You surprised us.”
“We surprised you?” I chuckle, stopping in front of him and winding my arm back.
I slam the butt of my gun into the side of his temple, and he falls back on the bed. But I grab his shirt and pull him up, so he’s forced to face me, blood spilling down the side of his face. Leaning closer, I shove the barrel against his temple.
“Maybe you aren’t clear who runs this fucking town. You’re in our territory, asshole. Everything and everyone in Vegas has our protection unless we say they don’t. And you’re not taking a damn thing that I’m not willing to give you. Do you understand?”
“Kincaid wants her back,” the guy near the door interrupts, and the sound of my brother’s name sets me off.
“Is that so?” My patience is thin as I walk over to him.
Soul grabs the guy’s shoulder and shoves him into a chair at my approach, forcing him to sit.
“Well, I’ve got a message for my brother.”
“What are you—” The guy stops talking when Soul presses his gun to the back of his head.
“One more word, and it will be the last. Promise.” Wicked excitement plays in Soul’s eyes.
Soul is one of the most carefree people I know, but that’s only because it hides something much darker that lives inside him. A side that is terrifying if you’re on the wrong end of it.
I strip off my belt and shove it between the guy’s teeth, forcing the leather deeper as I tighten the belt around the back of his head.
“You’re going to need that.” I grin, smacking the side of his face hard enough that his head jolts to the side.
He tries to mumble something, but it’s muffled by the belt. Fear widens his eyes as I grab his hand and plant it on the table. He attempts to wiggle it free, but Soul taps his gun on the back of his head, reminding him not to move.
“I want you to tell my brother something for me.” I tuck my gun away and pull out a knife.
His face flushes with fear as he watches me spin it around in my hand.
“You tell Kincaid he took something from me once, and that’s the last time I’m going to let that happen. Now, I’m the one who is going to be doing the taking.”
In one swift move, I slice the blade down, cutting off two of his fingers and severing another. When I releasehis wrist, he pulls his hand to his chest, crying out in pain while spit dribbles from his mouth and over the leather belt. Tears flow from his eyes, and there’s something about watching him hurt that’s strangely calming.
The tension in my shoulders eases the slightest bit.
“Go back to Texas. If I see you again, I’ll keep cutting until you’ve got nothing left.”
With a jerk of the chin, I turn to leave. Soul and Venom follow. I’m not worried they’ll go to the cops or try to follow. We made our point.
When we shut the door behind us, an older woman a few doors down lifts off the railing. She draws her cigarette to her lips and takes a drag, scanning us over.
