Page 10 of Hell Bent

“You stepped into a Royal Bastards party, sweetheart.”

Sway knew who they were as her brother had been friends with them. Still, she didn’t care. For all she knew, they had something to do with Tesh’s death.

Light, fluffy snowflakes dusted across her field of vision. Normally, she loved snow, but not this season. All itreminded her of was that dreadful night two weeks back. It had taken her a week to settle things at the shop and find where Jerome slithered. In two days, she was burying her brother. Sway thought she had gotten past the idea Jerome set Tesh up until the funeral home had called. They’d informed her the weather was warm enough to have the service, and everything had slammed into her and all she could think about was making someone pay. Jerome had used Tesh, and he needed to pay. “Let go of me.”

“Or what?”

“You’ll end up like your friend.” Her words were laced with venom as she stared at the man.

Damn, he loved a feisty female. “He’s not my friend.” Vicious looked over at the hangaround dragging his ass off the floor. “What did he do to you?” If he raped her, Vicious would make him pay. There were too many willing women to rape one.

“None of your business.” Glancing back over her shoulder, she saw the asshole getting up. She went to turn back toward him when she was stopped. Staring at mister handsome, she waited for him to speak. When he didn’t, she yanked her arm free, surprised he let go of her.

“You need to leave. And do not come back here,” Vicious told the female. He hated sending her away, but if she stayed, there would be a hell of a lot of trouble. Just looking at her was trouble for him. She was gorgeous, feisty as hell, and way too young for him. She stared at him with anger and hurt swimming in her eyes. They were that deep grey, the colour of a winter sky when the sun disappeared behind the clouds. He could see whisps of raven-coloured hair as it slipped from beneath the beanie she wore.

Her lips were full and pouty. He loved the flush of pink in her cheeks and her pursed lips. He wondered if her nipples matched the colour of those taunting lips.

Cocking a look at her, he slid his card into her hand and waited to see if she’d keep it or throw it back at him. “If he bothers you, call me.”

“I don’t need you to have my back. I got that covered.” But she didn’t. Her parents were long gone, and now, Tesh was dead. She had one friend, and there was no way she’d drag Lottie into this shitshow. At least no more than she already had.

“Maybe it’s not your back I’m interested in covering.” Vicious cut her a smile as he dropped her arm. She didn’t give an inch. Instead, she turned, and with one last look at Jerome Michel, she walked away.

Watching her move quickly toward the truck, he appreciated the way her long legs rose up to meet her full hips and tight, heart-shaped ass. Damn if she wasn’t a female he could get lost in for a day or two.

As she pulled out of the parking lot, Vicious turned back around. He saw a few independent riders helping the guy up. The asshole just pushed them away as he dusted himself off. To the side, Vicious saw Dawson Franks and a couple of his fighters step out of the bar. Dawson nodded at the guy, then turned and walked back inside.

Something told Vicious there was more to the story. Heading for the guy, he was grabbed by Player. “It’s not your deal, brother. Leave it alone,” Player said.

Player was right—he didn’t need any extra drama in his life. Heading back to the table, he rejoined Player andJoker. To his surprise, Teller had taken up residence at the table as well, no doubt watching the play-by-play.

Snow started falling a little heavier. Looking out over the area, Vicious noticed the clouds were dark grey and appeared heavy, no doubt with more of the white fluffy stuff. The roads would be turning to shit within the hour. For him, the party was over.

Teller pointed to the empty chair.

“I was about to head out,” Vicious told the three men as he pulled the chair out and sat down. Teller stayed quiet as he took a sip of his drink. Vicious glanced around, catching sight of the hangaround who had gotten his ass beat by a girl. He was headed across the parking lot on his phone.

Vicious listened to Player and Joker bickering like some old married couple. Maybe the new positions were too much for them. He’d mull that over and get back around to it in the next few days.

Kicking back in his chair, he tapped his fingers against his thigh, his mind on the hellcat who had handed out that ass whipping. “Teller, you got something on your mind?”

“The Bloody Scorpions. They’re hitting us, but not hard. I think it’s time we explained things to them.” Teller looked up as the waitress set a round of drinks on the table. “Thanks, but we didn’t order these,” Teller told her. Across the way, the President of the support club lifted his glass at him. Giving the man a nod, Teller waved the waitress off.

He watched as the girl walked away. “I’m thinking they’re testing us, seeing how many of us will show at a location.”The Bloody Scorpions were a street gang. An organized group of thugs and vandals. They had their hands in a lot of pots. Small pots, but still, they were in them. It was all about territory for the street gangs. But Montreal was under the control of the Royal Bastards, and soon, they would have to send a very serious message to the Scorpions. If they wanted to exist in the area, they would have to understand they weren’t in charge.

“You think they’re trying to spread us thin so they can break us?” Player asked.

That was exactly what Teller was thinking. If he was leading the charge trying to take out a club, that would be his strategy. Hit them at different locations and sit back and watch. Track who’s where and which ones were the weak links. Like in the jungle, only the predators survived. If the Royal Bastards wanted to keep Montreal, they needed to make sure they were at the top of the food chain.

“Last night, the attack on the strip club was weak shit,” Teller said as Vicious stared into the amber liquor in his glass.

Vicious would agree with that. If you were gonna hit a place hard, you didn’t send low-ranking members. You sent enforcers, heavy hitters. They had hassled the customers and knocked around some of the girls, but they had run at the first sight of him and Player coming in from the back. Two against four, the odds had been in their favour. So, why run?

“If any of you think I’m off the mark, say so,” Teller stated.

Vicious dropped his chair back down. Looking around, he made sure who was around before speaking. “No,something doesn’t add up about it.” Picking up his beer, Vicious tipped it back. As he did so, he saw Dawson talking to the guy who had been attacked. “I’m gonna throw something out that might seem off the mark. Just hear me out before you shut it down.”

Teller looked at Vicious. The brother had been with the Royal Bastards a long time, and Jameson had told him that Vicious was one he could trust with his life. Teller couldn’t say that about many people, but if Jameson said it was so, he’d trust the brother’s word until he couldn’t. “I’m listening.”

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