Chapter 33

 

Roc grabs him around the throat, his bulging muscles flexing with every step they take. The grin on Devil’s face is what makes me laugh, though. He wants blood, I know it.

“You want to tell us why you’re sellin’ out our shit to other clubs, or is Devil gonna enjoy fuckin’ your girl bloody?” Marcus’ eyes find mine. He’s trying to judge if he will really do it.

I don’t need to answer him. Devil steps up, undoing his jeans.

“We needed the money!” Devil steps back looking at Marcus.

“Elaborate.” Marcus swallows, his eyes staying on his girl's.

“Wiley was charging us up the ass for payoffs. My brother got into some shit Wiley couldn’t get him out of. We needed more money to work with someone higher up.” The laughter explodes out of me surprising everyone.

“You’re tellin’ me that I have to kill your whole goddamn crew over your brother?” I’m laughing so hard there are tears in my eyes.

“He’s family.” That’s the first thing that has come from his mouth that makes sense. I calm my laughter as I look at him.

“Marcus. It’s my shit. This is my family. You are takin’ away money that goes to our families. Understand where I’m goin’ here?” He doesn’t know what to say. He knows he fucked up.

“Why are we bein’ called cop killers?” He looks confused by that. Maybe he doesn’t really know what the hell that’s about.

“I don’t know shit about that.” Devil steps back toward Anna.

“I mean it, Dragon! I don’t know anything about that!” 

“We have a little situation, now don’t we?” Looking at Marcus, he shakes his head.

“You don’t have to do this, Dragon.” Ghost chuckles before shoving Marcus to the ground. He sits up on his knees, he’s begging me.

“Please, Dragon. I didn’t mean to fuck you over, man.” Shaking my head, I hate beggars.

“You know how much I hate it when grown men beg, Marcus?” The look in his eyes is torn. He doesn’t know what to say. He wants to beg, but for what? It won’t change the outcome.

“I know where you live. I know what you look like. You get your kids and leave town. I won’t look for you. If I hear one word about what happened here tonight, I will find you, and I will kill those kids in front of you. Do you understand me?” Gritting my teeth, I speak slowly and softly to Anna.

“Yes.” Her shaky word leaves her mouth.

“Go say goodbye to your man.” Her breath catches in her throat. She thought I’d let him walk? Not a chance in hell. She drops to her knees in front of Marcus. Tears are rolling down her cheeks; she says her goodbyes. When I can’t take anymore, I motion for Roc to move her ass along.

“I mean what I said,” I tell her.  Anna nods, not sure how to control the tears that fall.  Roc yanks her up, shoving her toward the back room when I aim my gun.

“You fucked me over, Marcus. More than once. I let it slide the first time. I made you pay more. You didn’t like that and fucked me again. That was the last time.” I pull the trigger, watching his body fall to the floor.

I didn’t miss Anna’s cries either.  

***

I blow out a breath as we walk back toward the bikes.

“Shit never gets easier,” I mumble.  Devil looks at me funny before I continue.

“With the kids. I hate when the kids are involved.” He nods his understanding of that.

“Let’s get home.” I nod, ready for that. I need to get home to my girl and my kids. As we ride, I let that replay in my head. What if that was me? What if it was the other way around? How would Everleigh feel having to kiss me goodbye for the last time and go on with the kids? It rips me apart inside to even think about that. She deserves more than that. This is my world, though. We take pride in the way we protect our women and kids, but there’s always that what if, in the back of my mind. I shake it off as we pull into the clubhouse parking lot. Devil’s off his bike and inside before all of us. I can’t help but laugh. Roc climbs off his bike looking at me for reassurance. Giving him a quick nod, he heads inside.

“Shit’s crazy.” Ghost slaps a hand on my shoulder before pulling out a cigarette, offering me one also. I take mine, bring it to my lips and light it.

“Yeah, it is. I just think what it would be like for one of our old ladies, man. I don’t want that shit for any of them.” Ghost nods, before blowing out a ring of smoke.

“We’re better than that, Dragon.” Nodding my head, he walks off, but that thought still stays.

Are we better than that?