Page 12 of Cruel Promise

“Neither do I.”

We stand in silence while Colin collects the money. It seems to take him a long time. Maybe he doesn’t know how to count. I wouldn’t put it past a biker to not know how to count.

Maxim narrows his eyes at me, and I narrow mine in return.

The clock on the wall loudly ticks by in the quiet room.

No one moves.

Until someone does.

“We worked hard for that money,” another biker growls, pulling out a gun and aiming it at me.

I tense.

“Woah,” Lev says, his hands held up. “Calm down, Jake. We don’t want bloodshed.”

“You don’t,” I say. “But I do.” I pull out my own gun and aim it back at Jake. “No one pulls a gun on me, boy.”

“You think you’re hot shit,” Jake hisses. “But you’re just some freak with a scar on his face.”

I can never forget about my scar. It’s a reminder of everything I’ve ever been through. A reminder to never fucking trust anyone.

Including the new girl living at my home.

I don’t think about her at this moment.

“If you want to shoot me,” I tell Jake, “then you had your chance. Either put your gun away, or be prepared to fight.”

“Jake,” Lev warns.

Colin comes back into the room with a wad of cash. “I have the money.”

“No,” Jake says. “We worked hard for it. You don’t get to come in here and steal it.”

He fires.

The bullet misses me and hits the side beam next to me, but I don’t miss as I pull the trigger on my own weapon. The bullet goes straight into Jake’s head.

And then all hell breaks loose.

Lev, Maxim, and the other bikers pull out their own guns. I get a shot at another biker before I dive behind the bar. The thrill of the fight courses through me. It’s the only thing I live for. It’s the only thing keeping me going.

The pretty blonde bartender is huddled behind the bar, staring at me with wide eyes. I don’t kill women. It’s my own code.

“You’re outnumbered,” Lev says.

I glance down at my suit. Bloodstains are on my white shirt. Shame. I loved this shirt.

“You really want to kill me, Lev?” I ask. “You want to risk the fallout of that? I didn’t pull the trigger first. Your man did. I’m still willing to take the money so no one else has to die.”

“Just give him the fucking money,” Maxim hisses. “Three of our men are already dead. I don’t want to see more.”

Lev is quiet for a moment before he says, “Fine.”

Slowly, I stand back up with my gun still drawn. “No one better shoot. You’ve seen how good of a shot I am.”

“Just give him the money, Colin,” Lev says.

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