Page 63 of Hell Bent

Turning from the mirror, Vicious ignored Teller’s question. Walking back over to the bed, he picked up a thermal shirt and tugged it on. Grabbing up the belt, he slid it through the loops and fastened it. He went about dressing as Teller moved around the room. “If you’re here to keep me from leaving, you’re wasting your time, Teller.”

“I’m here to give you a ride.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

Teller tossed the brother’s leather jacket and cut onto the bed. “I thought you might want those.” He saw Vicious nod. “When you’re ready, we’re taking a ride.”

“Where to?”

“The farm.”

The farm was where they took care of the shit business. The disavowing of brothers. The torture of enemies. He wondered how long it would take Teller to get around to taking him out.

Picking up his cut, Vicious looked at the black and red patch blazed across the back. “What’s out there we need to deal with?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“I’d rather you be fucking straight with me, Teller.”

“Fine. Have it your way, but it would be so much sweeter if you’d trust me.”

Trust him? Ha, that was a fucking joke. The man was probably planning multiple ways to take him out once there. Fine. Fuck it. “Okay, I’ll wait for the damn surprise.”

Pulling on his jacket and cut, Vicious watched Teller leave the room. He took his time arming himself. It was his normal routine, or what it had been. Stepping into the hall, he was flanked by Player and Joker. Neither one said a word as they all walked toward the main area.

The place was quiet. Not even the girls were around, from what he could tell. As they walked across the room, brothers came into view. Every face was stoic as they filed in behind Player and Joker. Fuck, this was it. They were taking him to the farm to bleed him. Keeping his head up, Vicious pushed open the front door as the setting sun was just sinking behind the skyline. Every bike was lined up . . . all but his. “Where’s my fucking sled?”

“We’re taking the cage,” Tank said as he stepped from behind him. Player and Joker gave him a sideways glance as they headed for their bikes.

“I can ride.”

“You might wanna save your energy.”

“Fuck.” Climbing into the front passenger seat, Vicious closed the door with a resounding pull. He sat there, listening to the sounds of the bikes as they fired up and watched as Teller signalled it was time to ride. One by one, the bikes rolled out the parking lot. When Joker pulled out last, Player blasted down the oncoming lane and took up his position in front of the pack, followed closely by Double Tap and Road Rage. Everyone else fell into position behind them, and Vicious didn’t miss the vacant spot in the order where he normally would have been. It feltlike seeing his future riding down the road, but that didn’t exist.

The interior of the cage was silent. No one even spoke. If Vicious had to bet, Teller wouldn’t have given the three prospects any pertinent information. They were just the guys responsible for getting him to his destination. With nothing else to do, Vicious kicked back in the seat and closed his eyes. He did the one thing he’d done for the past month—he thought about Sway.

Vicious felt the change in the road as the cage turned right. They were headed down the dirt road leading to the property.This was it, he thought,the last five miles of freedom.

When they came to a stop, Tank turned off the engine. “Thanks for the ride, boys.” Vicious went to get out and Tank stopped him. “They want you to wait in the car until one of them comes to get you,” the prospect said.

Letting go of the door handle, Vicious nodded and watched as all three prospects exited the cage. In a flash, they had melded into the blackness of the night. He watched the time tick by as he waited. Finally, a knock at the window broke through the silence. Opening the door, he eased out of the front seat and shut the door behind him. “You boys coming in with me?”

“Nah, we’re on security.”

Vicious headed for the big red barn and whatever awaited him. Coming closer, he heard music coming from inside. Opening the door, Vicious came up short as it was closed behind him. “The look on your face, Vicious, tells me youwere worried what was about to happen,” Teller said right behind him. “Here, have a fucking beer. The party’s about to start.”

“What fucking party?”

Vicious followed Teller as the brother signalled him to do. As they walked through the crowd of brothers, he was patted on the back. Some of them hugged his damn ass. Then he saw them. They were hooded, hands bound behind their backs, and on their knees. Vicious clenched his fists. He didn’t need to see the faces of the assholes. “What did you think was about to happen, Vicious?” Teller let out a laugh.

“Fuck you, asshole.”

“Brother, if I wanted you dead, I’d done it personally back at the clubhouse just to prove a point.”

For the first time since meeting Teller, Vicious was positive the words the brother spoke were the stark truth. “I’d appreciated that.”

“I know.” Teller draped an arm across Vicious’s shoulders as he pointed at the hooded figures with his beer bottle. “Are we doing a little partying before torturing these three assholes, or are we getting down to the fun shit first?”

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