Page 57 of Beautiful Unity

Darcie looked down, almost like she’d forgotten. “Oh. It’s not mine. I severed Agonizer’s penis, and I got sprayed.” Bubba paled, Brooks choked, and Grayson smiled. Darcie rolled her eyes, waving them off. “Enough about me. What was that? Why are we here?”

Grayson recovered first, his face taut with nerves. “Things didn’t go as planned. Turns out, most of those folks like being in Agonizer’s gang. So, they weren’t too thrilled about our supposed takeover. When I realized the tide wasn’t going our way, I improvised. I said you were marrying Agonizer to join our clubs.”

“And they bought it?” I asked.

“Not exactly,” Brooks said. “They wanted a fight. So Tiny challenged Brewer while Mack and Cueball got the true Mavericks out. When that fight ended with Brewer knocked out, the crowd wanted more. They wanted us to show our commitment. This one,” he said, pointing at Grayson, “decided it would be fun to show off and challenged someone to bring in a horse and cow.”

“I didn’t think they’d actually do it,” Grayson admitted sheepishly.

Bubba laughed. “One of the guys knew where a farm was, and they were there and back within ten minutes with a horse and a few cattle. The crowd had grown antsy, after noticing some of the members missing.”

“So we set up an exhibition so I could distract them while they got the people in the sex club out. It’s a good thing you showed up when you did,” Brooks said.

“Yeah.” Darcie wrapped her arms around the three of them, holding them tight. Something didn’t add up.

“Why did Bones say they were good then?” I asked, looking at Darcie.

“Because he’s a duplicitous prick. He was working with Stanley, but when Agonizer recruited his son, he realized the monster he’d signed himself to. My best guess since he couldn’t control him, he used us to take him down. He couldn’t get to him straight, or Agonizer would blow his cover as a double agent.”

Fury engulfed me, anger vibrating through every inch of my body. “Why the fuck did we leave him there then?” Darcie shot me a withering look, and I instantly checked myself. Fuck. I wasn’t mad at her. “Sorry.” I held my hands up and took a deep breath, letting the anger roll out.

Darcie’s shoulders relaxed. “Trust,” she whispered, killing me. I nodded, shaking out the last of my rage.

“To sum it up, Agonizer is dickless, Bones is considered a hero, we have no idea where Becca is, and the bar’s a cesspool of angry thugs. Did I miss anything?” Grayson asked.

“And Hank’s dead,” Darcie whispered.

Brooks’ brow furrowed. “No, he’s not. I mean, not yet. He’s not in good shape, but Tiny carried him out first.”

“Wait, you’re saying my father is still alive?” Darcie gasped. Tears gathered in her eyes, and I felt my own relief. Despite his faults, he’d been a dad figure in my life.

“What’s next?” Bubba asked.

Darcie wiped her eyes and checked her phone. “We deal with Bones, check on my dad, and then stay the night in a 5-star hotel. I want a hot shower, fluffy robes, and room service.”

“Fuck, Sunflower. You’re gonna make me come,” Grayson teased, groaning at her description.

“How are we dealing with Bones?” I asked.

Darcie grinned. “I called in my favor.”

My breath halted. Why had I doubted my girl? I was such an idiot. In two strides, I had her in my arms and lifted her off the concrete. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and I kissed her. Hard.

“Anyone else lost?” Grayson asked.

“Who cares? This is hot,” Brooks replied.

“You’re both idiots,” Bubba said, followed by two slaps.

Laughing, Darcie and I pulled away. “Good gravy, I love our family.”

“Me, too.” My smile threatened to crack my face; it was so big. “Thank you.”

“Always, Madd.”

I nodded, kissing her one more time before setting her down.

“So, what’s the favor?” Grayson asked, bouncing on his feet. “Is it sexual? Do we get one?”

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