I used to think Raf was hot in school, but something about him had always been weird. I could never imagine myself being with him, just that he was good looking. When he started to date my best friend, Frankie, that had made me feel better, almost like I didn’t need to feel weird about thinking he was attractive which is so stupid.
He’d always had an edge about him, something deep and dark lurking beneath his almost black eyes.
He was the Ironborne’s most lethal guy for a reason. He had no heart.
“Boys, show her why it’s not smart to talk back to the Ironborne.”
I saw his men close in on me just as he exited the apartment, turning the corner and leaving me with the knowledge that I may not make it out of here.
“Not smart to piss the boss off, lady,” one of the lugs said as he advanced on me. I put up as much fight as I could, but the second the first punch landed on my jaw, and I started to see stars, I knew I was done for. Pain ricocheted through my jaw, and up into my brain. A headache bloomed through my temples as the men all took turns, kicking me, smacking me around, threatening to rape me.
They didn’t.
Thank fuck.
When they left, laughter on their breaths, I could barely breathe or move. This was bad. I needed to get to my phone and call someone. I checked where my room was, and started to crawl toward it, even if my eyes were rolling, my vision was cloudy. I could get there. I was sure of it.
Just one arm in front of the other, as I crawled, pulling my battered body across my floor.
Fuck you, Trey. We were so fucking done.
Why would you leave me here to deal with this?
The second my hand landed on the phone, I dialled the ambulance and waited. I could taste the blood in my mouth, feel the pain all over my body, making it hard to move.
I was in fucking danger, and this was one hell of a way to show me that.
“I need help,” I said to the operator, before I told her my address. “Fast. I’ve been attacked by the Ironborne. They left me for dead. Please.”
Reaper
The boys looked over at me, wondering why the fuck I was so quiet. Truth was, I had no idea. Usually my monday morning church services were filled with shit, but since I’d taken the last week to ride around Western Sydney to clear my head, I hadn’t really caught back the fuck on.
Weak.
My father’s words filtered through my mind, unwelcome as they always were.
“Mav?”
“No movement on the guns, they’re caught at the docks. I have the twins working on it. Vegas told me that money is good from all businesses. No issues with the shared districts with the Ironborne, but we all know that’s never going to last. It’s relatively quiet.”
“Anything else we need to know?”
“Prospects are working on the protection of some of the businesses. I think we should talk about making Brandon patch over. He’s done well for us the last two years.”
I nodded. “Agreed. He’s good. Let’s put it to a vote.”
Moving around the table, each member voted yay to make our prospect a patched member. I cleared my throat.
“It’s agreed. Brandon will patch over in a few weeks. Our rally is in a month. Have all the boys attend this year. Close the clubhouse. Have the patched members take over for the businesses. I want all of us there this time.”
“Agree,” my Sergeant at Arms, Chaos, said.
“You all know what to do. Get to it.”
I slammed my gavel down and concluded our service. The boys streamed out of the room, except for my VP, Maverick. I remained sitting, knowing there was something he didn’t want to bring up in front of the boys.
Which was never good.
