Page 42 of Filthy Hot

“I want half of everything you make.”

I bite back my burst of laughter. There is no way this man is serious.

But when his gaze flicks from Atomic to me, then King, and then back to Atomic, I realize he is, indeed,serious. It’s fucking hilarious is what it is, because I know there is no way in hell Atomic is going to agree to that.

This is a business that our club is still building, and it’s working well for us, but we aren’t going to give any percentage of our profit away. That’s fucking insane. And I realize this is exactly what he was trying to do to Sal.

Good news is that we’re here now, and no way in fuck are the Southern Mafia going to try and worm their way into any of this shit. I don’t care if they have kidnapped my woman. I’m not going to agree to a deal like that, and I’m going to get my woman back, too.

“That’s not going to happen,” Atomic states.

I almost let out a laugh, but again, I bite it back. I’m trying really fucking hard not to start any shit.

Talon doesn’t seem upset by Atomic’s words. He tilts his head to the side as if he’s trying to figure out the puzzle that is Atomic, or us. Maybe he just hasn’t ever been told no so forcefully before.

“Then we’ll have no choice but to take over Sal’s Bar and keep the girl.”

My shoulder jerks, my spine straightens, and I am seconds,secondsaway from pulling my gun out of my holster to shoot this motherfucker in the head. Atomic knows it, too. He lifts his chin and looks down his nose at Talon as he lifts his hand, stopping me from absolutely going crazy on this asshole.

“You’ll do neither,” Atomic grinds out. “You don’t get to come into my territory and act as if you’re owed anything. Indeed, you are owed absolutely fucking nothing. If it’s a war you want, then it’s a war you will get.”

Talon jerks back slightly, and I watch him for a moment in tense silence, waiting for what is going to come next. I expect him to throw out some kind of signal to bring his men out and really get this shit rolling, but he doesn’t.

He clears his throat. “You will regret this.”

“Doubt it,” Atomic snaps. “I want proof of life for Kyle, Sal, and Dennis. If you wish to have a reasonable conversation that doesn’t include us giving you anything, we can do that. But as of right now, your demand for fifty percent of our income is not reasonable.”

Talon’s lips curve up again. This time, his smile seems genuine. He likes this. He’s enjoying this verbal sparring, and I have no doubt he would also enjoy physical sparring as well. That’s fine. I’m ready to take him.

Any time.

Any place.

KYLE

Xavier and I are separated.I thank my stars because I don’t want to be anywhere near that man, ever. I’m dragged into a house, thrown into an empty room, and locked firmly in place. At least I’m not tied sitting to a chair any longer, but I’m not sure this is any better.

Standing up from the carpeting, I move toward the large window that is letting light into the room for the moment. But the sun is setting, and soon, it will be shrouded in darkness.

Then I’ll have to turn on the light above me, but then whoever is on the other side of the door will know the light is on. All of this sounds so absurd, even in my own head. They know I’m here, so it’s stupid, but I’m not being rational, not at all.

Nothing about this situation makes me feel rational.

In fact, I am the exact opposite of that. I want to scream, climb the walls, and cry.

I want to break free.

I want to be free.

I’ve always wanted to be free. Since the moment I came into this world, I’ve only craved peace. Free peace. But I’ll never get it, not as long as Xavier is alive. Not as long as I am in this place of limbo.

I want Rider.

I want to be happy.

I want peace.

None of this is peaceful.

---