Dice hesitated.
Disgusted with his disobedience, Serpentine bellowed out, “Betty was my blood. I’ll be the one to kill her.”
Dice handed me over with a shove.
The president of the Sons of Satan, bastard he was, pointing the gun at me was even scarier than Dice. Before someone could’ve come to my rescue. I figured Serpentine would’ve been the one.
“Wha…” I cried out, not getting out why or what.
The devil explained to everyone, after a big belly laugh, “Stupid little bitch, doesn’t know.”
Snakebite roared, “Do it, and I’ll kill you.”
Serpentine jerked, again, sick of defiance. “Where’s your gun, son?”
Snakebite raised his hand, unarmed. Without a command, two officers held him back from finding one.
“I swear, if you kill her…” Snakebite threatened his father, his voice stronger than ever.
“Muzzle him,” Serpentine commanded, like he was swatting a fly.”
LuAnn pleaded, “Don’t you dare. It’s not her fault. Diablo will roll over.”
Serpentine barked back, “I don’t give a fuck about Diablo anymore. His Kathy meant nothing to me. Injun blood, nothing but trouble, anyhow. It’s always the Gods, her brother beating down our door. Could be the Ghosts next.” He bumped his gun against my skull a couple times, like he was knocking. “You hear me, honey? That Injun breaking down my door and threatening to kill you. That was your brother. You are Halley.”
“Edmond,” I said automatically.
“Better known these days as Scar. Dumbass didn’t recognize you with your hair dyed whore blonde… and you didn’t know… Your precious Daddy Diablo and I… we killed your mama and papa. We’d have killed your brother, too, if we could’ve found him. The only reason Diablo didn’t kill you, well, he was waiting to see how much like your mama you’d become if you catch my meaning. But now your time is up.”
My world shattered as I made sense of his words. I closed my eyes sure he’d pull the trigger, but the old man wavered, “Anyone opposed?” He was asking the officers now. “Anyone want a turn while she’s warm?”
At that point, LuAnn had had enough. She flew across the room and tackled me, knocking me away from certain death. Still, her frail body barely covered mine. “Don’t you dare,” she screamed, as she shielded me.
Serpentine threw up his hands. “What am I going to do? Dale wants blood as much as I do.”
“You’re the president. You have the power to do as you please.”
“It’s not that simple, woman.”
Viper spoke up from her dead child’s body. “Kill her, daddy. She’s the reason Snakebite won’t pledge.”
“Is that true, boy?”
The men ungagged Snakebite so he could answer. “Spare her, and I’ll pledge,” he said, desperation evident.
Serpentine lowered his gun a bit, like he was thinking about it.
Dice’ blood boiled. He fired in our direction, destroying the jukebox. He warned, “I’ll kill your old lady and the little bitch.”
LuAnn started crying, and I couldn’t help but join her.
Before you could blink, men were holding Dice back.
Serpentine held all the power. He asked his son, who’d been dropped to his knees, “I’ll have your full loyalty if I let Star live?”
“Yes, I promise,” he answered quick.
“You’ll do anything, from now on, be the son you should’ve been. Be my second. Fill my boots someday?”
