Page 31 of Hatter

As I walked away from the room, I couldn’t help but feel like we’d crossed a line that could never be uncrossed. The Underland MC had always been a family, bound together by our shared past and unbreakable loyalty. We’d also been killers, but this was different.

“God help us,” I whispered into the darkness, knowing full well that there would be no divine intervention to save us from ourselves. We’d essentially murdered Teddy. Attacking people who threatened us was one thing, but Teddy had been helpless against us. I’d met plenty of clubs who wouldn’t have batted an eye over all this. All tough as nails, take-no-shit types of men. Technically that was us too, but we’d all seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime. I’d thought being a civilian would be different.

Much like my brothers, I couldn’t sleep. Instead, I found myself wandering through the woods behind the clubhouse. It wasn’t long before I came to the cliff overlooking a stream.

I stood on the edge, staring down at the inky blackness below. The wind whispered through the trees. A cold feeling settled in my gut.

“Didn’t think I’d see the day,” Cheshire muttered, his voice barely audible above the howling wind.

I tried not to show the fact he’d startled me. I hadn’t even heard the fucker walk up behind me. “None of us did,” I replied, my tone bitter. “But we’re here now, and there’s no going back.”

“Damn right.” He clenched his fists, anger pulsing through him like a live wire. “Eddie will pay for what he’s done to Jo, and for turning one of our own against us. Not to mention, the asshat destroyed our clubhouse. Absolem is fucking pissed.”

“Be careful, Cheshire,” I warned, my eyes still fixed on the abyss. “Don’t let your thirst for revenge lead you down a path you can’t return from.”

“Teddy made his choice,” Cheshire spat, venom dripping from his words. “I don’t regret taking out the trash. And I’m just getting started. Eddie won’t walk away from this unscathed.”

“None of us will,” I said quietly, the weight of our actions pressing down upon me like a crushing burden. In that moment, I knew that even if we brought Eddie down, the cost would be irreparable. The Underland MC would never be the same again, and neither would any of us.

We’d done unspeakable things, all at the orders from our commanding officers. But that was different. We’d been trained to fight for freedom, and yet, we’d now spilled blood on our own soil, and not as a means of self-defense.

“Let’s go,” I finally said, turning away from the darkness and striding back toward the clubhouse. “There’s work to be done.”

“Right behind you, Hatter,” Cheshire replied, his determination unwavering.

As we walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Eddie was waiting, biding his time until he could strike back with brutal force. We’d dealt him a significant blow by exposing and executing Teddy, as well as killing quite a few of his men, but I knew that wouldn’t be enough to stop him. If anything, it would only serve to fuel his rage.

“Whatever’s coming our way,” I murmured, more to myself than to Cheshire, “we’ll face it head on.”

“Damn straight,” he agreed, his voice hard as steel. “The Underland MC stands united.”

I nodded, but deep down, my gut was telling me the storm was only just beginning. And when it hit, there’d be no telling who would still be standing.

Chapter Eleven

Jo

The world had gone to shit. That’s what it felt like as I walked through the clubhouse, broken glass crunching under my shoes. Hatter was there, along with the rest of the Underland MC, working like madmen to put the place back together after the recent attack.

“You don’t have to do this,” Hatter said, his voice rough but gentle as he wiped sweat from his brow.

“Like hell I don’t,” I retorted, my hands curling into fists. “This is my home too now.”

And I meant it. These guys -- these scarred, battered souls -- had become my family, and I would do anything for them. Hatter had charged at two different men in an attempt to keep me safe yesterday. I’d never had anyone protect me like that before.

“All right then,” Hatter agreed with a nod, the corners of his mouth turning up in a small smile. “Let’s get to work.”

I rolled up my sleeves, ignoring the bruises on my arms, and got down to business. There were shattered bottles, splintered wood, and all manner of destruction scattered around the room. I started by picking up the larger pieces of glass, my movements quick and efficient. I wasn’t going to let fear or pain slow me down. Not anymore.

“Shit, girl, you’re faster than Rabbit,” one of the club members remarked as they watched me sweep up the mess.

“Maybe she’s part superhero,” Tweedle chimed in, earning a few laughs.

“Maybe,” I muttered under my breath, trying to hide the flush creeping up my cheeks. It felt good to be acknowledged, to be accepted. But I couldn’t let myself get too comfortable. Not yet.

As I moved on to organizing supplies and helping with repairs, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Hatter. The man was a force of nature, commanding the room with ease as he directed the others. I’d never met anyone like him -- strong, smart, and fiercely loyal. And for some godforsaken reason, he seemed to care about me too.

“Jo,” Hatter called out, breaking me from my thoughts. “You good?”

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