2
Rogue
“Rogue, you have a minute?” King comes up to my side with a look in his eyes to match the sound of that pissed-off tone. I toss back the rest of my drink, leaving my glass on the table before I rise. Both Bones and Dagger share a curious look with me before I turn to follow our Prez back to his office. I wonder what the hell is going on.
“Shut the door behind you and take a seat.”
Shit. It’s that fucking serious. I hunker down in the leather chair and brace myself.
“Got word today that the permits on the bar have been denied.”Motherfucker. “That’s the third time we’ve come up against a brick wall. Now, seeing as though this is a family matter, I’m gonna let you make the call on how we proceed, but this shit isn’t going to be tolerated.”
It isn’t bad enough that my father sided with the enemy; now, he’s going to further drive the knife deeper into my back. I swear,there isn’t a question in my mind as to where my brother gets it from. They’re all fucking traitors.
“I’ll head into town tomorrow.” The tension seizes up my jaw, making my words tight. “I’ll make sure he understands the consequences if he fails to comply.” We let the last two incidents slide because we were able to pull some strings and deal with the issue a different route, but we shouldn’t have to keep jumping through hoops. Not when we’re trying to revitalize the area and make the east side of town nice. My dad should be thanking us for running all the riffraff out of town and getting the drugs off the streets. But the old bastard doesn’t see anything that I do as noble.
“Take Bones and Dagger with you. I want to make sure that asshole knows we all stand behind you.”
I nod. The Savage Knights are my true fucking family. Not the backstabbing blood family I was born into.
“Will do. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
And now I’m in need of another drink.
As soon as we’re done, I head straight to the bar. “Need a whiskey, Shay. And make it a double.”
She immediately pulls a glass out and pours me a tall one. Her eyes never leave me as I toss it back and hold it out for her to keep it coming.
“You want to talk about it, Rogue?”
No, I fucking don’t. It burns me up with so much rage, I can’t fucking see past it.
“Just family shit, girl. I was born into the wrong one.”
“It happens to the best of us.” She nods. “My mom turned me over to the state because I cried too much as a baby. She thought I was the spawn of Satan. Do you want to know a secret?” I tip my chin as she leans in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I used to daydream about finding her and proving she was right. I wanted vengeance for all the emotional trauma I endured in thathome I was forced to live in because of her. I wanted her to feel an ounce of my heartache.”
“You just say the word, doll, and I’ll make sure she pays.”
I’d do anything for Shayna. All of us would. She came into our lives right before we lost Rubble, and if it weren’t for her, none of us would’ve gotten through this last year. She’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. And if she wants me to, I’ll kill the woman who abandoned her.
“Thanks, Rogue. But I found out she passed away a few years ago, so she’s already been bit by Karma and sent to an early grave.”
The image of Davis comes to mind. The biological spawn I was given as a brother. His eyes wide with fear as the pink of his lips started to turn blue. I remember the rage that was locked in the force of my grip. I almost took his life that day, and if it hadn’t been for Kara hitting me over the head with the book, I would have killed him.
Then what would my father do? Without his perfect son to show off to the world, he’d be lost. He wouldn’t be able to brag about all the lives Davis has saved. He’s an ENT, for fuck’s sake, not a brain surgeon. But to my dad, they’re one in the same. Fixing a deviated septum is better than saving a man on the battlefield.
“Pour me another.” I shove my glass towards her.
“You know, if you need me to run over anyone with my car, I’d be happy to.” She grins.
I break out in a chuckle. The edge of my sober thoughts finally starting to numb as the whiskey takes hold. I can only imagine this little pistol running down my dad in the street. It’s a nice thought, but I don’t need this pretty girl to do my dirty work for me. I’m going to handle this one on my own.
“Thanks, doll. Appreciate the offer, and I’ll let you know if I’m ever in need of your services.”
A deep throat clearing has us both turning. Link is at my side glaring the girl down. “What offer?”
Her entire demeanor changes, and now all that softness has turned stiff. She pours me another drink, ignoring his question.
“I’ll take one of those,” Link states.
