The man crumpled to the floor, choking, gasping, curling in on himself.
It should have been enough.
It wasn’t.
Tool’s blood pounded in his ears. His mood was already in the gutter, and this bastard had just made it worse. Someone had to pay for it. Might as well be someone who deserved it.
His steel-toed boot came down hard on the guy’s shin.
A sharp, wetsnap.
The howl that followed was music to Tool’s ears.
Crouching, he yanked the guy’s head back, forcing him to meet his gaze.
“This was your only warning.” His voice was quiet, almost calm. That made it worse. That made it final.
He stood, wiping the blood from his brow as he turned to step back. He’d take whatever punishment Gypsy gave him. It would be worth it.
Gypsy gripped Tool’s shoulder. “You satisfied?”
Tool breathed in through his mouth and out through his nose, trying to calm himself-down.
“Yeah.”
Gypsy turned, facing Wrench. “I don’t care how he gets to a hospital. Just make sure he turns up at one.”
Wrench nodded, already moving.
Gypsy looked to Tailor. “I want him tomakeit. If he’s dead, there’s no message sent.”
Tailor cut a glance at one of his men. The guy would make it to the hospital, but whether he made it home was another story.
Tailor smirked, lighting a cigarette. “You got time for a beer, or you gotta go handle your ol’ lady?”
Gypsy rolled his jaw.
He didn’t need tohandleQuinn. He needed to fix them before it was too late. But saying that out loud wouldn’t do him any favors in front of the Road Devils.
Once again, the club came first.
Somehow, some way, he had to figure out how to make Quinn and the kids his priority again. Like they used to be. Before Lampsing.
“Let’s grab a beer,” he said.
For now, that was easier than dealing with the mess waiting for him at home.
Chapter Twenty-One
Brandi listenedto the EMTs as they explained what they were doing. Everything hurt as she lay strapped to the backboard. Rain pebbled her face, and she closed her eyes against the sting.
Quinn and Gypsy would probably have her arrested for stealing their SUV. And if they didn’t, they'd come after her for restitution. The whole thing was senseless. If she’d just left things alone, none of this would be happening.
But that was just a pity party—and her momma always said the devil loved a good pity party. What did her momma know about religion anyway? Less than she knew about life.
When the EMTs lifted her to slide her into the ambulance, she thought she heard the roar of motorcycles passing by. She tried to turn her head, but the straps held her still.
Could it be Tool riding past? Would they see the SUV and realize it was Quinn’s? Would they stop?
