Page 40 of Hellfire

Never once breaking our stare off, I leaned closer, placing my elbows on the table, my chin in my hands.

“So, you’re not going to tell me what’s going on?”

Scar’s lips ticked up into an amused smile.

“It’s club business, dove.” His tone told me it wasn’t up for discussion.

Well, fuck that.I’m tired of living in the dark. I mean, I just found out that the supernatural existed! What else don’t I know?

A whole hell of a lot, apparently.

Breaking our stare off, my eyes flicked to Nate, who wouldn’t look up from his plate.

Club business?

“What does that even mean?” I grumbled.

Steele and Scar shared another look. Some silent conversion that I wasn’t privy to. It was pissing me off. I don’t know where my boldness was coming from, but I decided to embrace it.

I deserved answers.

“You claim I’m safe here. So give me something.” I wasn’t opposed to begging to get some answers. “Please.”

Scar cleared his throat and stood. The chair scraped against the wooden floors as he rose to his feet.

“You want to know more about the club?” he asked, his head tilting slightly as he studied me. I nodded, my voice getting caught in my throat as I took all of him in.

Scar wasn’t traditionally handsome. He was rugged, manly. His hair is an unruly mess, a thick beard covering half his scarred face. The same broad shoulders as Tank.

Tank.

I swallowed nervously.

How am I thinking about Scar, when I had just spent the night in his brother’s bed?

“I want to show you something.” Scar held out a hand for me to take.

The bird chirped in the distance as we walked. I couldn’t stop myself from stealing glances of Scar as we trekked deeper into the bayou. After a few moments of silence, I couldn’t take it anymore. My voice broke the silence.

“What happened to Rose?” I asked, my eyes fixed on the ground. I felt guilty for asking about something so personal, but after what little Tank told me about their sister, I needed to know more.

“She was twenty when she was sold to the Hive. Rose was carefree… So full of life. Shadow, my father, the president of Shadow Devil’s MC, isn’t a good man. He saw women as a meal ticket and a bargaining chip,” Scar began.

“I had already moved out of my childhood home when Rose was born. Tank was barely ten. As the eldest sibling, I made it my responsibility to look after her. Keep her from my father’s ruthless clutches. One I have experienced more times than I can count.”

“Is that why you moved out?” I asked in horror.

“Yeah, I tried to take Tank with me. But his mother wouldn’t allow it. Selfish bitch,” he spat through clenched teeth. I could see the pain etched on his face. All I wanted at that moment was to take it all away.

“It’s not your fault, Scar,” I said, reaching out to touch his arm. Scar gave me a sad smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Tank, as he got older, started to notice more and more of my father’s dark and twisted ways. He took out his anger on Tank, too…” Scar’s voice trailed off for a moment, and he took a deep breath before continuing.

“There was only one I trusted with the safety of my sister. Reaper. He knew how cruel my father truly was. Reaper would take Rose when my father had one of his many episodes. Their bond grew over time, and slowly they fell in love. Young love,” Scar scoffed bitterly. “My sister became pregnant, and my father was furious. He punished us all with his trade.”

“Trade?” My gaze searched his, needing to understand. Scar collapsed on a fallen log, his elbows rested on his knees, and a faraway look crossed his rugged face.

“The Hive isn’t just another MC, Katrina. They run the world’s most influential skin trade. My father sold my sister to those bloodsuckers,” he spat, finally turning to face me.

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