Page 54 of Brightness

“I’ll always look out for Ivy.”

“I know you will.”

I dip my chin, then turn to head for the Chapel. When I finally make it to the door, I knock twice. If Nycto’s in meetings, I figure I better not interrupt if it’s something important.

“What?”

I smirk and think, typical asshole answer.

Opening the door, I pop my head inside. “Can I chat with you for a second?”

Nycto waves his hand through the air. “I think that’s a damn good idea.”

I walk in, closing the door behind me, and as I turn, he’s staring at my shirt. “You not wearing your cut for a reason, brother?”

I sit in my seat. “Fucking hurt just to put my shirt on. Fucking hurts to walk. Figured I’m in the clubhouse, but if I go outside, I’ll put it on, even if the prospects have to help me dress.”

Nycto turns up his lip in a smirk. “Don’t be a pussy. You got in a fight… a damn pointless fight, I might add. You’re the VP of this club, and you will show the club what it means to be Defiance. You’ll wear your fucking cut wherever you damn well go. I don’t care if your cock’s falling off, your cut stays on. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah, fair call. I’ll put it on after we have words.”

“You bet your ass you will. You’re walking around without one, it’ll have brothers thinking you’re leaving or some shit. Evaluate what you’re doing, Void. You’re a walking fucking disaster right now.”

Tensing, my mind flashes back to last night.

Dash made a mockery of me.

Every-fucking-thing always comes back to Dash.

“That’s what I’m here about.”

Nycto sits back in his chair and brings his cigarette to his lips, taking a drag. “Mm-hmm. This should be interesting.”

“The prospect. He’s caused nothing but trouble. He’s a damn issue. I’m not sure if the kid can be a part of the club when he so blatantly disrespects the hierarchy.”

Nycto blows out a perfect ring of smoke, then leans forward and butts out the cigarette. “It’s not the damn hierarchy, Void. It’s you.” He exhales. “Nevertheless, I agree. I’ve sent Dash away for a while to clear his head. To consider what the club means to him, what he’s willing to do for the club.”

“You’re giving him a second chance? What the fuck, Nycto?”

He glares at me. “The kid nearly died for Defiance. I have to take that into consideration. He’s put his life on the line, not just for Tampa, but also Miami. You might not like him, Void, but he is a valued member of this club. I gotta try to find a way through this.”

Running my hand through my hair, I scoff. “Fine. I’m happy I’ll have time with Ivy without him interrupting.”

Nycto pounds his closed fists on the table in front of him with a loud bang. “I know what it’s like to lose yourself over a woman, Void. Fuck, I did it with Eva. Just don’t lose yourself so much you end up losing your patch too.”

My veins run ice cold.

This club means everything to me.

It means a hell of a lot to Ivy too.

If I were tossed out, I’m not sure if she would follow me.

If I lost my patch, I would lose it all.

I have to reel myself in.

Keep my shit under control.

---