Page 42 of Knot So Sweet

Everly had been a strong omega, but the Hounds saw her as a plaything and killed her when they grew tired of her. Losing Everly was what had pushed Viper to form the Steel Serpents.He promised to raise his sister's son and anyone who needed protection from the Hounds.

Honor. Protection. Loyalty.

Three things these strays knew nothing about.

Everly's death had widened the rift between us, and that divide would only deepen with each omega affected by the Hound's cruelty.

Jordan banged the metal bat on the bar top, the sound forcing me back to the present. "Now, this can go the easy way or the hard way," he taunted, tapping the bat lightly against his palm. "Give us our dues to continue allowing you to own the Den in our territory. Or…" He shrugged, letting the threat hang in the air between us.

Dare cackled again like a damn hyena, and the beta was starting to really piss me off.

"You don’t own shit anymore, Jordan," Candi shot back, her voice steady and fierce. "This is mine. Not the Hounds, butmine."

I shifted my stance, ready to pounce if necessary, my protective instincts flaring at her defiance. I knew the history between us and the Hounds; they were drug slingers, pushing the Heat drug that had cost us Chaos and now they were trying to scare Candi.

I would not let that happen.

I might not have wanted to be here in Hound territory, but now? Now I would do anything my princess asked of me.

Anything.

That included taking out the trash.

"Last chance," I warned.

Jordan shrugged as if he didn’t give a damn, then turned to the wall of liquor bottles. With a swift swing of the bat, he racked it across one of the shelves, sending glass shattering at our feet. Candi flinched, the sound echoing in the tense air like a gunshot.

"Oops," he sneered, feigning innocence. "Guess you’ll have to clean that up if you want to reopen the club."

The anger boiling inside me was almost overwhelming, and I stepped forward, fists clenched, ready to unleash hell. "You’re crossing a line, Jordan."

His gaze shifted back to me, dark eyes glinting with menace. "And what are you going to do about it, Ghost? Play the tough guy? You think that’s going to scare me? You're here alone. No line of slugs at your beck and call to back you up."

I kept my eyes locked on him, every muscle in my body tense. "I don't need backup to take out the trash."

Candi moved slightly in front of me and I growled, not liking to see her in the line of fire.

"This is my home. You think you can waltz in here and dictate terms? You’re delusional. Leave, Jordan. Now."

Jordan’s expression darkened, and the bat swung casually at his side. "It’s time you learn your place, Candi. At my feet."

He stepped forward, brandishing the bat like a weapon. Candi’s breath hitched, and without thinking, I surged protectively in front of her, using my shoulder as a shield. The bat connected with a dull thud, a jolt of pain shooting down my arm like fire. I grunted at the impact, but stood my ground, fully absorbing the hit. The sting only fueled my resolve; I wouldn’t let her be hurt.

I promised her. I promised Chaos.

He laughed, a harsh, cruel sound that grated on my nerves. He swung again, but this time I was ready. I caught the bat mid-swing, the cold metal biting into my palm as I yanked it from his grasp. With a flick of my wrist, I tossed it aside, watching it clatter against the wooden floor.

"You touch her, I'll kill you."

"You can't fucking touch me. Or my father will come for your little club."

"Maybe, but I don't give a shit what your daddy does to me in retaliation." A grin took over my face and Jordan faltered. "It will be worth it," I growled, taking a step closer, fists at the ready.

Darin and Travis moved to flank Jordan, trying to close in like vultures. I shot Darin a look that promised pain if he dared to intervene. The scrawny beta knew he didn’t stand a fucking chance against me, and it showed; his face turned a ghostly shade of white as he took a step back.

"This is our territory. You’ll regret coming here!" Travis snarled, his face twisted with fury. In an instant, he charged at me, swinging a wild punch that barely grazed my cheek. I didn’t flinch; instead, I countered with a quick jab to his ribs, relishing the satisfying crunch as he staggered back, breathless.

I chuckled darkly, a thrill rushing through me. I loved to fight, and with everything going on lately, I hadn’t had a chance to burn off steam at The Ring, the gym Viper owned on the northeast side of town. The adrenaline surged through my veins, igniting a fire I hadn’t felt in too long.

---