Page 15 of Darkness

“Fine. How much?”

Spark’s gaze shifts to me, but I ignore him. He knows like I do this is dangerous fucking territory.

“The special one, she was worth a hundred and fifty. The other, a hundred.”

That was unexpected, but I try to keep my shit together. “A quarter of a million dollars? For two girls?”

He shrugs. “I guess next time you won’t let a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of merchandise drown, will you?”

“I’m gonna need some time to pull that kind of cash together.”

Andrés’s eyes narrow in on me. “Defiance is huge. I don’t for a second think you won’t be able to pull that kind of cash. If you want to keep our business relationship going, then I suggest you fall in line. You have one week to get your affairs in order. I’ll text you the details and hold off the two buyers for as long as I can, but honestly, Nycto, I can’t be held responsible if they want to come after you.”

Anxiety runs through me, an immediate tension headache forming behind the back of my eyes. I’m in too deep.

“I’ll see what I can do. I’ll be in touch.”

Andrés dips his chin. “Make sure you do. And make sure your prospect is dealt with.” He turns and heads back inside, the doors closing behind him as I let out a groan.

Spark huffs. “Where the hell are you gonna get that kind of cash? The club only has so much. And to be honest, Pres, I’m not sure this is the kind of cause that calls for the club bailing you out.”

Anger rages inside me as I spin, grab Spark by the front of his shirt, and glare into his eyes. He doesn’t flinch, just lets me manhandle him.

“I’m your president. Fall in line or get the hell out of my club.” I shove him away from me with a solid push.

Spark pulls his shirt back into place. “Just trying to look out for you, Pres. This is dangerous territory you’re treading.”

“Shut it. There are ears everywhere.” We leave the way we came, and I slide onto my ride as Spark pulls his dome over his bald head.

He’s right. I know it. The road I’m heading down is a destructive one, but every time I think I’m making a bad move, Eva’s image comes to my mind. The thought of her being sold off to a man for a measly hundred thousand makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t know what it is about her that has sunk so deep under my skin—hell, I’ve hardly had a second to sit with her or even think about the why—but I need to figure this shit out. What is my end game with Eva?

For now, I need to make a pit stop. I turn to Spark. “We’re heading to Miami.”

He nods like he knew this was coming. “I’ll text Hawk and tell him to expect us.”

Chapter Seven

NYCTO

The Miami Defiance clubhouse is like our second home base. Hawk and his men are basically an extension of us, like another limb. Other Defiance chapters aren’t close like those in Tampa and Miami. Must be the proximity. Tampa to Miami is only a four-hour ride, so when we need each other, we’re there. We never saw being on each other’s doorstep as stepping on toes. It’s more like kinship. Family. We’re brothers, and that’s all that matters. I hope the bond we have is strong enough and what’s going to help me right now because even though Hawk likes to give me shit, he’s a damn good friend.

The midmorning sun aggravates the hell out of me. The humidity slickens my skin with a sheen of sweat. I swipe my brow as Hawk and his VP, Bane, walk outside to greet us.

Hawk’s tall frame is intimidating to most people. Not me, though. I know the Miami Defiance president too well. We’ve been through too much shit together. To me, he’s just Hawk. Spark, on the other hand, is cautious around him, always on full alert. To be honest, Spark is on high alert around most people. It takes a lot to earn Spark’s respect.

Hawk laughs, shaking his shabby head of long hair as he strides up to me. He puts his hand out for me to grab, and I take it, pulling him in for a back-slapping man hug. “Goddamn, you’re out during the day? Has hell frozen over?”

“Quit ya bitchin’. Can we get inside before I catch a sunburn?”

Hawk grips my shoulder. “Pussy. C’mon, I want to know what has you riding out here in the middle of the day. Must be trouble.”

Tensing, I exhale. “Yeah, we’re gonna need a drink for this.”

A serious expression crosses his face, and he signals, prompting us to walk inside. Spark strolls a step behind me with Bane as we enter the clubhouse.

It’s much the same as last time I was here. The main area is like a sports bar with large televisions lining the wall. A long bar runs the length of one wall, and tables are scattered throughout. Dark wood accents give it an old feel, and the walls are decorated with Defiance patches and flags, making for a patriotic clubhouse.

We walk over to the bar, and their club girl, Trish, ignores us, her eyes focused firmly on Spark. “Hey, Spark, nice to see you again. It’s been a while.”

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