Page 31 of Beyond the Temptation: Vol 2

“We had a discussion.”

“And?”

“And she didn’t understand the importance of the situation.”

“What’s the importance?”

“It’s Sam’s birthday.”

And fuck me, with those three words I get it. I’m surprised Lily didn’t.

Robbie doesn’t make friends easily and Sam’s the first friend who has stuck. The first kid who has been a true friend from what I can make out. Robbie isn’t generally much of a partier or drinker, and neither is Sam, so my best guess is they’re hitting the arcade rather than a club.

“Are you guys celebrating at Timezone?”

“Yeah. And….”

“And what?”

“I want to pay for him as my birthday present.”

“Okay, I’ll transfer some cash into your account. You only have to pay me back half.”

I’m greeted by silence.

“Did you hear me, Robbie?”

“Yeah,” he says softly. “Thanks, King.”

“You know your mother would have lent you the money if you’d told her what you told me.”

“I don’t know…she’s always in a mood lately. She just assumes I’m spending money on alcohol.”

“So, set her straight.”

He sighs. “Sometimes it’s just easier to let her rant at me than get into it. I hate that she always assumes bad things about me.”

“She doesn’t, Robbie. She’s just running on fear now that you’re eighteen and she doesn’t have as much of a say in your life. It comes out all wrong and I get that it looks like a rant to you, but it’s just her way of moving through this transition from teen to adult. Give her time, okay? Things will get easier.”

“Yeah, we’ll see. Thanks. I’ve gotta go.”

I transfer the money into his account and then switch my thoughts back to the matter at hand.

Priest is right. I can’t kill Roark. The Blackstones will go on a rampage if I do that. There will be a massacre. And any peace that I’ve found with Desmond will be long fucking forgotten.

However, it’s my anniversary and I can’t go home to Lily with the savage energy that’s now consuming me after chasing all over the fucking Sunshine Coast looking for Roark today. So, I locate my axe in the car and head back inside to get rid of this energy.

Priest’s eyes flare as I stalk towards him and Roark with the axe in my hand. “King,” he says, low and full of warning.

I take my eyes off him and give all my attention to Roark. “No need to worry, Priest. Roark will still be breathing when we leave. But first, we’ve got some scores to settle, haven’t we, Roark?”

I hurl the axe his way. The terror that flashes in his eyes only just begins to sate my need.

The axe sails over his head and lodges itself in the wall behind him. When I reach him, I pull it out. “I want to leave here by four, which means you and I have about an hour together.” I reach down to grab his hands that are tied together with rope. As I place them on the table in front of him, he struggles hard against me, at which point Priest moves behind him and restrains him.

I meet Roark’s gaze. “You shot one of my club members the other day. I can’t let that go without letting you know I won’t stand for it.” I shove my face closer to his. “And make no mistake, you’re only getting a free pass right now because of your father. He and I will be having a talk, and I will be pointing this mercy out to him at the same time I make it more than clear it’s the only mercy I will ever show your family. You come after my club members again and I will come after you.” I lift the axe. “And if I have to come after you again, it won’t just be your hands that I’ll butcher. I will make you hurt for hours, days, and then I will take your last fucking breath.” I strike the axe down over his wrists and introduce him to pain like he’s never known.

CHAPTER FOUR

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