WHAT HAPPENED NEXT was like it came right out of a movie. It was so fast, I couldn’t tell what body part belonged to which man.
When Dale charged for Angel, although it took me by surprise, my heart broke for him at the same time. I had no idea he blamed Angel for getting shot.
“Dale,” Jay screamed. “Get off my fucking fiancé.”
Dale reared his arm and landed his fist straight into Angel’s cheek.
Angel only grinned. The guy had a couple inches on Dale and he was probably twenty-five pounds heavier. He threw Dale off him. “You think you’re fucking tough, don’t you?” Angel shoved him onto his back, straddling his waist.
“Guys,” Jay yelled at the rest of Vice-One. “Do something.”
“It needed to happen,” Coby said, circling the huddle on the floor.
“You have no idea what I’ve gone through, what we’ve all gone through after your accident. We almost lost you, asshole.” Angel peered into Dale’s eyes, wrapping his hands around his throat.
“You don’t give a shit about me. You’ve been on my ass since the moment I woke up.” Dale gripped Angel’s wrists. “You don’t fucking care.”
Angel paused, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t care,” he repeated the words. “Fuck you, Dale.” Angel pushed himself off Dale, rubbed the spot on his cheek Dale had hit, and turned to Jay.
She mumbled something to him, touching her fingers to the bruise forming on Angel’s face.
“Dale.” I rushed to him, helping him to his feet. “Let’s go.” I needed to get him out of there before things became worse.
Dale turned on me. “You don’t care either, do you?”
My eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
Both Coby and Asher took an arm and tried pulling Dale back but he stood firm, staring at me with those dark intense eyes of his.
“You don’t care. I’ve apologized to you,” Dale said, his words taking on a deadly tone. “I’ve done everything I can to make you forgive me.”
“You apologized? Sure. Maybe. But words don’t mean shit, Dale.” I placed my hands on my hips, jutting my chin. “You have to show me. You can’t expect me to forgive you instantly over what you’ve done. You have to give me time.”
“How much fucking time do you need?” he boomed, coming toward me.
“Careful.” Angel spun on him, placing a hand against Dale’s chest, and forced him back. “I will lay you out right the fuck here if you so much as even think of getting in her face.”
“Fuck off, brother.” Dale glared at him.
“Get out,” Angel demanded, shoving him back.
“Fuck you.” Dale pushed him. “I’m not leaving without her.”
“You are,” Angel said, his voice flat. “And you will.”
Dale grinned. “Make me.”
***
(Dale)
I had officially lost my shit. I never wanted to hit Angel. I didn’t even intend on going into this like I did but when his hand grazed over Jay’s stomach, I snapped. I couldn’t control it. This urge. Max should have had a baby. She should have been stress free and able to carry our daughter to full term. I never should have shoved her away. I should have been there for her. Our baby should have survived. How the fuck was it fair that she didn’t? How could a caring God let something like this happen? Max didn’t deserve it, and I sure as hell didn’t deserve her.
All of these thoughts and questions only fueled the rage coursing through me.
“Dale.”
I could hear Max’s soft voice behind me but it did nothing to stop my fist from flying into Angel’s face for the second time. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me. My lungs constricted as I gasped for breath.
“You need to calm the fuck down before I do it for you,” Angel warned, his voice calm and collected. He pushed himself off me and turned back to Jay. “Let’s get the hell out of here. I don’t want to have to knock my brother out.”
Jay chewed her bottom lip, glancing between Angel and me. “You can’t leave it like this.”
“He’s the shithead who won’t see reason,” Angel said, pointing down at me.
I jumped to my feet, punching him in the shoulder. “Let’s end this then.”
Angel glared at me, his gaze shooting daggers at me. “I’m too old for this shit.” When he turned around, I grabbed his arm.
“Dale,” he yelled, shoving out of my grip.
The rough move knocked Jay back, forcing her to land hard on her ass.
Gasps sounded around us.
Fuck.
“Watch who you’re pushing, assholes,” she snapped.
“Shit.” Angel grabbed hold of her hands and pulled her to her feet. “Fuck.” He cupped her stomach, turning his glare on me. “You need to get the fuck out of here,” he said, his tone deadly.
I swallowed hard. For once in my life, I listened and headed out of the clubhouse.
Coby was hot on my tail, following me until I made it to the end of the parking lot. “That was cold, brother. Even for you.”
“I didn’t push her.”
“Maybe not directly but you sure as fuck started it.”
“It was an accident.” I paced back and forth. “He’s been on my ass ever since I woke up. I can’t make things right with Max if he won’t leave us alone.”
“Then you need to deal with your shit alone and not here. Angel looks out for her because she’s his fiancée’s best friend. The mother of his baby who you just knocked over.”
I looked away. I didn’t need the reminder.
“What if something happens to their baby?” He slapped my shoulder. “Huh? Tell me. How the fuck will that make you feel?” Coby turned back around and headed inside the building before I could give him an answer.
Max stood outside the door.
Our gazes locked.
My heart stuttered.
What the hell did I just do?