Page 29 of Creed

“The time to call them has passed since you called me first and it’s been hours. Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

“Then let me do this my way.” Lottie goes to her room, and I dial Tyrant. “I’ve got a situation. Clean up. Texting you an address.” I tuck my phone back into my pocket and bend down to see who this unlucky bastard is. No wallet. Not even car keys. He’s got a tattoo on the inside of his left wrist. A red scorpion. Fucking hell. Some years back, there was a gang that called themselves Hell’s Scorpions. When there was a divide in the leadership, they fracturedoff into The Red Scorpions while the rest remained part of the original group.

Lottie is lucky to be breathing. I didn’t think they were even in Alabama and need to tell Havoc about this shit, but first we need to get rid of the body.

Tyrant shows up as fast as he could with two prospects in tow.

“Hey girl,” he greets Lottie.

“Hey.” She gives him a small wave from where she sits perched on a barstool at the kitchen counter.

“Don’t worry. We’ll have your place good as new in no time.”

She nods but doesn’t stop chewing on her thumbnail.

“Keep an eye on her,” I tell Henley and Rooster. “Let’s step outside a minute.” I motion to Tyrant, and he follows me to the end of the breezeway. “Lottie’s in danger. I’m taking her to the clubhouse until I can figure out why in the hell she’s got a dead Red Scorpion in her bathroom. It’s got something to do with her ex. While you and the guys are cleaning up, see if you can find anything that may be hidden in a vent on the wall or something. They’ve got to think Lottie has something they want.”

“I’ve got you.” He bumps his fist against mine.

Lottie doesn’t want to leave her car, and I get it. She’s independent and needs a safety net. Thinks if she needs to run, she will at least have her wheels. I’ll let her make this play, but I’ll be taking her keys. I’m pissed that shedidn’t come to me with this shit in the first place. There’s nothing I can do to change it, so we’ve got to pivot and move forward from where we are now.

I’m following behind her since she’s already been to the clubhouse and knows the way. Lying low is what is best given tonight’s sequence of events. Seems that’s what her ex has been doing. Got himself into some trouble and maybe thought he was protecting Lottie by keeping his distance. Fuck if I know. I’ll find out once I track the weasel down. Only a coward would leave his woman unprotected and in the dark.

I get her to my room and she stands with her back pressed to my dresser. The room isn’t much, but it’s not dirty.

I kick off my boots and hang my cut in the closet before sitting on the edge of the bed. “C’mere, Lottie.”

“Is it safe?”

“The fuck does that mean?”

“I don’t know who you’ve fucked in that bed.”

“One, you’ve got no reason to be pulling that jealousy shit right now. Two, my sheets are clean. One of the girls cleaned while I was on the road. Three, I’m not asking.”

She scrunches up her nose and starts pacing the length of the room.

“Get your ass over here.” I undo my jeans and her eyes go big. “I’m tired, and I’m betting you could use some rest yourself. We can’t get answers out of a dead man andif you’re right and this has something to do with Cade, chances are he’s in hiding. Let’s get some rest and I’ll have one of my guys trace the number he was texting from. Best-case scenario, we get a location and extract him for questioning. The worst case is Cade goes further underground. Either way, I’ll find out who the dead guy was working for and set up a meet to make a deal. But the bottom line is you’re safe with me.”

She doesn’t respond, but I know she’s absorbed what I said because she kicks her shoes off and comes to bed. She lays stiffly on the opposite side of the bed, and I roll off the edge to get undressed and flick off the light.

“What are you doing?”

“Told you we’re getting some shuteye, beautiful.”

“Can’t you put on some sweatpants or shorts or something?”

“Nope.” I yank my covers back and she curls into herself. “Babe, I’m not going to bite.”

“I’m not your babe.”

“You sure sounded like you thought you were when you were calling me for help. This kinda favor. You owe me big time and I’ll be expecting payment.”

“I can hardly wait to hear what you’ll be wanting.”

“Right now, I want you to relax and not act like you’re scared of your own shadow. Promise you. No one will ever lay a hand on you when you’re with me or in thisclubhouse. You’re mine, Lottie, and I think you get what that means.”

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