Page 74 of Charger

“Oh, come on, Angel, it’s about more than some damn apology with you. It’s like you’re trying to prove yourself all the time. Yes, we get it. You are hot shit, and can probably kick any dude’s ass. But in there…” She points inside. “Those were three very large men, and let’s not forget about the patches they were all wearing.”

I stand there in silence, watching the argument between them both. I don’t feel like it’s my place to butt in, so I stay quiet.

Angel runs her tongue over her top teeth and bites the side of her cheek. “Well, whatever. Let’s just get my damn car and get the hell out of here.”

“Good idea,” Tequila agrees. “Where the hell is the damn valet guy?”

The street and sidewalk are pretty much dead. There’s not a soul in sight. But the club is still hopping.

The back door of the club swings open and out walks the three large bikers. We all tense, even Angel. My heartbeat picks up as we stare at them, hoping that by some miracle, they don’t notice us standing here. It’s like we stop breathing, waiting for them to walk by. They’re laughing; one of them lights a cigarette, and that’s when he spots us. Their laughter dies down and the guys eye us like hungry prey. Should we be worried? Would they try anything? They look scary, and by the way Angel pissed them off, I would say we’re fucked.

All three come walking in our direction. Tequila and I exchange worried looks. But Angel, being Angel, steps forward. “I texted Throttle,” Tequila whispers to me. Well, that’s a relief at least. Now if our guys can only get here in time.

THIRTY

Charger

We roll up to the Skulls’ clubhouse: me, Chain, Tank, Hush, Throttle, and Bullet. The place just screams ass twats. Trash on the grass, people partying in the front yard and parking lot… I shake my head and swing my legs over my bike, stepping forward with the guys. We stalk up to the door in silence, game faces on. Hush twirls his bat in his hand. A big bearded man is standing by the door, his arms crossed and feet spread in a wide stance.

Chain steps up to him, nose to nose, matching his size. “Move the fuck out of our way.” The man swallows nervously and steps to the side.

Pussy.

When we walk inside, the music stops playing. The place goes silent instantly. Scorpion steps out from the shadows. “Well, hello, boys. To what do we owe the pleasure of having you raid my clubhouse,” he sneers.

Venom pushes a woman off his lap and goes to stand next to his bastard of a President. My hands tighten into fists when I see him. Chain takes a palm to my shoulder as he steps up. He can feel my anger, my rage, growing every second as I stand in the same room as Venom. Breathing the same air as him. He’s lucky I don’t strangle him right here. I won’t forget about him putting his hands on Jules, ever. I’ll make him pay, eventually.

Chain and Scorpion square up to each other, Bullet side by side with Chain. “We got a few things to discuss.” Chain’s words sound threatening with a grind of his teeth.

Scorpion glares, his brows burrowing inward. “Everyone out now!” He and Chain don’t take their challenging eyes off each other. The screeching sound of chairs being moved against the floor fill the room and people scurry away. The space empties, leaving just the members from each of our respective clubs. The air is heavy and the tension could be cut with a knife. “All right, buddy, let’s talk.”

Chain smirks. “First off, I ain’t your fuckin’ buddy.” He points at Scorpion. “Second, we saw your vans parked outside Clover Road. Care to explain?”

Scorpion looks left, then right, before letting out a laugh, like he’s mocking our President. “Vans, huh. Boys do you know what vans our friend here is talking about?” His club members, including Venom, grin and shake their heads.

“Nah, boss. No idea what he’s talking about.” Venom laughs.

A loud crash of glasses being shattered, one by one, sounds from behind us. Hush is walking beside the front of the bar top, running his bat along it and taking out each and every one of the glasses sitting there. He doesn’t stop until they’re all shattered, shards scattered across the floor—expressionless as it’s done. Just a blank, cold stare.

“Huh, well, he thinks you’re lying.” Chain hooks a thumb toward Hush. Scorpion and the rest of the guys look pissed now, the once sneering smiles wiped clean off their faces. “See, here’s the thing… We have a hard time ignoring things that concern women. So, I’m going to say this once and only once: whatever it is you got going on with those vans, you so much as breathe that little plan of yours, and we will come for you. Get me, buddy?”

“And here we thought you guys stood us up. Guess you were there after all.” Scorpion grins, sending unwelcomed vibes through my veins.

Throttle’s phone goes off, breaking only the silence, not the tension. Chain and Scorpion have their stare down, along with Venom and me. This fucker will be dead in minutes if I ever get the chance again.

“Uh, boss, we need to go. It’s the girls.” My head whips toward him so fast a twinge of pain shoots up my neck.

Chain groans and takes a step forward to Scorpion. “Remember this warning, buddy.” Chain turns to leave but Scorpion takes one last shot.

“Hey, Chain, how’s that woman of yours doing?” It happens so fast… Chain launches straight for Scorpion, but Venom steps forward, as do I. Tank grabs Chain around the chest; he’s probably the only one big enough to stop him. He drags our Pres backwards, heading for the door.

“You ever fucking mention her again and I’ll snap your ugly neck. You hear me!? I’ll break it like a fucking twig.” All we hear is laughter as we shove Chain out the door and onto the front lot. “I’m fine. I’m fine. Get the fuck off me.” He straightens his shirt and stalks off to the bikes.

I waste no time. If Jules is in trouble, I need to know and I need to know now. “What’s going on with the girls?” I ask Throttle as he takes his phone out.

“I got two texts. The first one was from our prospect saying he lost the girls. Angel ditched him. And the second one was from Tequila; she sent an SOS. They’re at Club Beat. Jules is with them.” He glances at me and my stomach turns.

“Fuck! Of course, Angel ditched her tail. Jesus Christ. Let’s move.” Chain runs a hand down his face.

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