Page 55 of Throttle

“I ain’t here to stir up shit. If I was, I wouldn’t be so damn nice. Ain’t my style. But you and me—our club—we have the same enemies right now and you know who I’m talking about.”

Chain shrugs. “Enlighten me.”

“The warehouse.”

When I glance at Throttle, he's already focused on me.

“I pulled my guys off that place. Not our business anymore.”

“Ain’t the way they view it, man. You got yourselves involved the moment you and your club set foot on that hilltop.”

“Oh, yeah? And how do you know that?”

“Just trust me and stay the fuck away. Because they see you as a threat, they view us as one. Personally, I'm too busy for it. Like I said, only a friendly warning.” Chain remains silent as he watches in a scowl. “Sorry to disrupt your evening, miss.” Pipe apologizes to Maggie before leaving with his club.

I've learned that nothing in this world is free.

Throttle

The alert did not bother Chain. Or he didn’t show it. But I didn't have time to worry about that at the moment. I had a more important task to attend to.

To be willing to die for Tequila is a given. I will risk my life for her without hesitation. There is no mistaking that.

Riding Tank's Harley to her apartment building gives me the reassurance I never required. There will always be complete certainty. Deep down, I knew this girl meant everything to me, and I would do anything to keep her safe.

Hush dismounts from his ride and retrieves his baseball bat. “Lead the way.” He lights up a cigarette and we both head up to her floor. I’d be lying if I said riding here at night didn’t send a chill up my fucking back. I hate that she lives here.

Damn it to hell.

What would infuriate me the most? If the piece of scum wasn’t here. Luckily, his sole occupation is harassing women in apartment building corridors. Fucker looks like he hasn’t showered in weeks.

I take full enjoyment of watching his eyes bug out when I stalk toward him.

“What the fuck?” Jasper, as he is called, pushes off the wall. His buddy tries to follow, but Hush casually drives him back with his bat to his throat, sending smoke swirling near us.

I stop and grin. “There are things that boil my blood to the point of no return, and you know what they are?” My eye twitches, but he smirks. Fucking smirks. “My girl scared is high on the list, but seeing bruises on her arm is highest.”

“I would have given her more if she rode that ass on my dick.”

I snap, landing a blow so enforced, his head bangs the wall before hitting the ground.

In pain, he holds his bloody nose and moans. “Fuck.”

“Get. Up,” I order. My skin is blazing like lava.

He fumbles to a stand.

“Cocksucker.” I grab him by the back of his shirt, hauling him up. Hush still has the other guy’s throat captive by his bat.

I hurl Jasper into the drywall. “You know what I do to people like you?”

He swallows and says, “Look, man, there’s a misunderstanding here.” Blood from his broken nose drips into his grimy mouth.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” I hold out my hand, gesturing for Hush’s cigarette, and then I smash the lit end to Jasper’s cheek. “These things will kill ya.” I dig it in deeper and he lets out a high pitch shriek.

“Fuck! Dude! Come on. Please!” he begs for mercy over something so tiny.

Pussy.

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