Page 16 of Bristol

A few of the other guys sound off in agreeance.

“One more thing, guys. Dues need to be paid by Friday for the month.” Goose is the treasurer, in charge of all the club’s finances and money coming in and going out. He’s good about reminding everyone when shit’s due and keeping up with who owes the club money.

Grumbles resound from my brothers and I chuckle. I feel someone staring at me and look around to find Joey looking at me. He’s got something up his sleeve and I don’t know what it is, but I’m going to find out.

“If that’s everything, church dismissed.”

Joey stands up and we all do the same, stretching and heading downstairs. We congregate in the bar area while Bosco serves up drinks. Country music blares through the speakers and I smile at the sound of an old Haggard tune.

Standing at the bar, I take a few sips of the beer in front of me when Mo steps up next to me.

“How’s Bristol?”

“She’s good. Better than I thought she would be, honestly. But I know the worst is yet to come.”

Mo sighs. “I know it. I hate it for her. I hate that I’ve been going there all these years and she’s been there the whole time, held against her will.”

The guilt in Mo’s voice can be heard loud and clear.

“Mo, brother, it isn’t your fault. You didn’t know.”

“I had my suspicions.”

“But you didn’t know for sure.”

“Still doesn’t make me feel any less like shit.”

I nod. I toast my beer to his and we take a sip.

“I’m going to get out of here. I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”

Mo gives a grim smile, hugs me, and walks away without another word. I say my goodbyes and as I’m about to walk out of the clubhouse, Joey stops me.

“Can I have a word before you go?”

“Sure.”

The tension in the air is thick around us as we walk down the hall to the empty living room. I can only imagine how this is going to go. I’m prepared for some bullshit about Bristol, because what else could he possibly have to talk about?

When he’s sure we’re alone, he speaks. “I promise you as soon as we track this piece of shit down, you get the pick of first or last. Or both.”

“I want both. I want that motherfucker to know exactly why he’s getting what he gets and when it comes time to take his life, I will be the one wielding the sword.”

“Done. I don’t know what it is about that girl, but something in you is changing. There’s a… beast… lurking beneath the surface that I’ve never seen in you before.”

I shrug. “I guess.”

“She isn’t all that fucked up, you know.”

His words catch me off-guard. “What?”

“Last night, when I got her drunk. I did it because people are always the most honest and raw when alcohol is coursing through their veins. She’s a good girl, Sebastian, and despite popular belief, she doesn’t need saving.”

“You’re right. She doesn’t need saving. She needs healing.”

Joey doesn’t respond, he simply leaves the room. I slip out the front door and get away without having to say my goodbyes again. The ride to my place is peaceful. Like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. When I pull into the parking lot, I see the low-yellow glow of a light shining from my bedroom window. Excitement surges through me, straight to the head of my dick. I can’t help it, her body does something to me that even I can’t explain.

I take the steps two at a time until I’m inside my front door.

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