And just like that—
All hell breaks loose.
ELEVEN
Charlotte
“Spike!”
I hear a bark from behind me. Ruin.
The instant confusion I feel is cracked right down the middle when I stare at Spike—Shane. The prospect I had worked alongside with at the Sinful Chugs once.
Wasn’t he nice? I thought he was. Has the patch suddenly made him feel invincible? As a prospect, he was always polite with me. It sure seems like he left all his friendly demeanor back in the past when I was wrongfully accused, huh.
It’s clear from the faces surrounding Shane that they are as shocked and perplexed as I am.
Before I can even open my mouth, Wolf lets out a deep growl, charging toward Shane—Spike. Grabbing his cut at his shoulder, Wolf slams him against the pool table behind him. “The fuck did you just say?”
The loud music cuts off, but the silence doesn’t last more than a few seconds. I hear several brothers attempting to voice their confused rambles.
“…fucking hell, Spike!”
“…Christ, he’s dead, now, isn’t he?”
“…does he not know? What the—?”
Spike directs his furious gaze at his prez. His anger taking complete hold of him. “I know she’s your sister, Prez—”
Hardly.
“—and you tried to spin that fucking lie that she was innocent. But I was there when you dragged her out, gagged. I was fucking there. Some of us don’t fall for bullshit.”
Spike almost spits the last few words, presumably not caring he’s sticking to the wrong script. Probably staking his life on it.
I thought he liked me. Well, he liked me enough when he was Shane, the prospect.
Wolf lets out a dark chuckle that makes me shiver. He ruthlessly shoves him once more before addressing the whole room. “Some of us, huh? Who else here thinks your Prez was lying to you? Whohere thinks I was only trying to protect my sister?”
The room grows silent. No one raises a hand or even lets through a grunt of agreement. I’m not entirely sure who this protective display is for. Not me, surely.
“ANSWER YOUR PREZ!” Scar bellows, scanning the room with his fierce glare.
“Listen, Prez,” one of the brothers I recognize as Hound steps forward hesitantly. “We know you held that meeting. And we know what you said. But… it didn’t add up. She was banishedby you, brother, and we just… we understand you protecting your sister but—”
“Protecting my sister?” Wolf grits out in disgust. “You think getting her fuckin’ beaten up was me protectingher? I fucking failed her! And you think me setting things straight was what, a lie?”
He swiftly turns toward Spike again, who is now pale with realization that he may have miscalculated. And all I’m doing is watching this unfold with a quiet, amused smile. It’s entertaining.
“Hand in your patch, Spike. Now!” Wolf’s roar is so intensely blaring that even I flinch. But not so much that I don’t roll my eyes right after.
An unwise snort leaves my mouth, gathering everyone’s attention. Even Wolf’s.
I violently shrug off the hand gently holding my elbow. Ruin doesn’t get to dictate this stupid situation.
“Shane, right? I know you probably remember me as Glory’s bitch. And from the times we worked together… at Sinful Chugs. But no need to hand in your patch. Unfortunately—Wolf here, wasn’t lying to save my skin. I had nothingto do with Glory’s plan. Which is why I. Fucking. Left.”
I angle my body slightly toward my br—Wolf. “Come on! Just properly informhim, Wolf.” He flinches. “You really don’t need to make club decisions on my behalf. I’m no one to you, remember? Or this club.”
