Page 39 of Eden's Joker

“From her apartment?” Scorpio asks.

“Yeah, the flower shop van plan,” I say. “Just like we practiced. And then you’re bringing her here.”

“That’s not what we practiced,” Sarge says, sounding like he’s grating rocks between his teeth. He’s one of the oldest guys in the MC and has made it no secret that he’s not behind the plan of me wooing Eden before we take her. Not out of any kind of pity for her. Just plain old practical common sense.

“There’s a few loose ends we need to tie up before leaving this place,” I say. “Like killing the three Devils who have been so helpful in making this dream of revenge come true for us. And possibly ensnaring Ice’s favorite sons in the process.”

Sarge shakes his head, looking disgusted. “Like I’vetold you before… no good will come of playing with your food. Only animals do that.”

“Cats you mean,” I snap and glare at him. He might be at least twenty years my senior, but I am his president and I’m due some respect. “And we all want this revenge to be as sweet as possible.”

“We do,” Sarge says and lowers his eyes. “But the guys are getting antsy. They’ve waited long enough.”

“Tell them to start clearing this place out,” I say. “We can’t leave anything behind that might tell the Devils where we’ve taken Eden.”

He nods and I turn to the others. “You four are going to get Eden. Wait until three AM and then go. Make sure it goes without a hitch.”

Scorpio gives me a look I can’t interpret.

“What are you waiting for?” I ask. “A written invitation? Get to it.”

The others leave the office, but Scorpio hangs back.

“What brought this urgency on now?” he asks. “A couple of hours ago you were still all set on riding into Justice with her on the back of your bike?”

I sit in the groaning leather chair behind my desk, wishing I had something fiery to drink in one of the drawers.

“If I’m honest… “

He interrupts me with a loud scoff. “Yes, please, be honest.”

“It’s time to stop playing with my food, as Sarge putit.”

He rolls his eyes. “Or you’re afraid you’ll change your mind and decide to keep her.”

I slam my fist against the tabletop, enjoying the sharp pain that passes along the nerve straight to my shoulder.

“Enough of this shit, Scorpio. I’m gonna enjoy her, don’t you worry about that. Now go prepare. I’m done answering your stupid questions.”

He chuckles and backs out of the room, nodding like a man who thinks he’s got me all figured out. No one has me all figured out. Least of all me.

But I did figure out why I was so excited to see Eden tonight.

And it wasn’t because I was looking forward to bringing her to my headquarters in Justice, so I could break her before giving her back. Even though handing her destroyed body back to her daddy is all I’ve wanted to do since I learned she existed.

I also realized I’m the only one who can fuck up our plan.

And that’s not gonna happen.

23

Eden

Tonight was supposed to be the night. The night I gave myself to him and he to me, cementing our future. Or at least having the most mind-blowing sex I’ve ever experienced—in real life or in books.

Instead, he rode almost right up to me in the empty mall’s parking lot, took one good look and then turned around and rode back into the darkness from which he came.

That was hours ago now, Ariel and I have been drinking the gin he brought the first night he rejected me ever since. I don’t see anything very clearly anymore. But I still see him riding off. And I still feel all the hurt that caused. Especially after I was so happy to see him riding fast to meet me.

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