As I say the words, Silas has already gone and gotten a bottle of water from the back room and hands it to me without her seeing him.
“Here,” I say, holding it out to her.
Her eyes widen as she steps towards me, taking it. “How…? How did you get it so fast?” she breathes.
“It was just in the next room. One of my men grabbed it for me.” I lean against the doorjamb. “Anything else?”
“Bathroom.”
“You need the bathroom?” I question.
“Yes.” She nods.
“Then go.” I shrug, walking through to the door by the chest and opening it. “Bathroom,” I gesture.
“How in hell did I not see that?” she asks herself aloud.
My lips twitch as I fight my amusement.
“Sleep. I’ve more questions for you tomorrow,” I state, walking towards the door. I glance one last timeat her over my shoulder, seeing her guard relax as her face winces in pain.
Locking the door, I look to Silas, who is waiting expectantly for my orders.
“Call court,” I state.
“Now? You don’t think you should eat first?” he suggests.
I stare him down. “I had a drink,” I counter. “If I want to eat, I will. But right now, I want fucking court.”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sure thing. You’re the President. Just don’t lose your temper in there.”
“If everyone does their job right, I won’t have to,” I remind him.
“We’ll be in court in two minutes.” Silas nods.
I don’t respond and make my way to court, moving through the dark stone halls at human speed, taking my time while I think. By the time I walk into court, all the brothers are waiting. I make my way to my seat at the head of the table, no one saying a word. They sit in silence, waiting for me.
I sigh, leaning on my elbows, and rub my temples. “We ambushed them. They had no idea we were coming. And yet, there was a goddamn massacre ofinnocent lives. This is a small fucking town. People talk, and when people talk, shit gets dangerous for us.”
“I mean, it ain’t like we fed. Those morons fired off rounds like they were damn fireworks on the Fourth of July.” Clutch tuts before lighting his cigarette.
“It doesn’t matter. People won’t think it was them killing their own. That is why they did it,” I point out. “We are the only other known gang in this town. Don’t you think the locals will come looking in our direction? You think law enforcement won’t come knocking?” I seethe, feeling my temper rising.
“Black Beauty warned me on our ride there that something was amiss,” Hex nods.
“Seriously, man, your bike is not alive, nor is it fucking cursed,” Echo groans.
Hex growls at Echo.
“Echo. Keep your mouth shut. If you knew the history of our kind, you might be a little more open to Hex’s beliefs,” Viktor chastises.
Echo rolls his neck, tension rising between them.
I slam my hand down on the table. “Enough. This isn’t for us to be bickering like fucking children. You know that if we—our club, Crimson fucking Covenant—gain attention, even the tiniest rumour that we are here, what we are… You know what will happen. And that is a fight I do not want to deal with now or ever.”
“The code must never be broken. Our secret must always remain that way,” Viktor adds, stabbing his index finger angrily on the table.
“We know. We follow the code,” Clutch shrugs.
