Page 12 of Ox

Strapping the helmet snugly to my head, Ox asked, “How you doing?”

I was so scared, I could barely speak. “He’s going to kill me,” I whispered, terrified that Ghost would do something unhinged the first chance he got.

Lifting my chin, Ox looked deep into my eyes. “You’re safe, Babe. I promise. That motherfucker isn’t going to lay one finger on you as long as I’m around. You hear me?”

“Yeah,” I said, bobbing my head up and down.

And I believed him. But what happened when Ox wasn’t around? He couldn’t babysit me forever. I had an inkling that Ghost was the patient sort. He’d wait me out. Stalk me until he got me alone. And when he did… I couldn’t bear to think about what he’d do to me then. He’d make me pay. Make me sorry, just like he’d said.

The drive back to my place was a blur. Unlike the ride over to the restaurant, I couldn’t enjoy anything about it. I was too afraid considering all the ways Ghost was going to punish me for my perceived disobedience. Shivering, I clutched Ox tightly. I don’t know what I would have done without him tonight. And I never wanted to find out.

Pulling up to my apartment, we banked Ox’s bike right alongside my car. Shaking so badly I could barely unlock my door, Ox plucked my keys from my hands and opened it for me.

Turning on the lights, he went through each room, systematically checking to make sure we were alone. When he’d thoroughly inspected my entire apartment, he said, “We’ll stay here tonight. But in the morning, I think we should consider relocating.”

My heart began to pound so fast I got lightheaded and feared I might do something ridiculous like pass out. “Where will I go? I don’t have the money to rent another place and I can’t risk staying at a friend’s house and having Ghost show up at their doorstep.”

Coming to stand by my side, Ox put his massive hands on either of my shoulders and I immediately felt grounded. “Let me make a phone call. I’ve got a few ideas, but I need to check in with my Club first. Just hang in there, Babe. We’ll figure this out together.”

I nodded, my trust thoroughly invested in this giant of a man despite only just meeting him.

Ghost

I pushedmy bike as hard as it could go. And then harder after that. My blood boiled and my mind screamed out for vengeance. As soon as I got that giant motherfucker alone, I was going to flay him alive. Kayla was mine, and nobody was going to take her from me. Nobody!

The image of Ox standing there, blocking me from my girl, tore a hole through my stomach so big I wasn’t sure it could ever be repaired. He had no right. No right! She was mine! Not his.

Mine!

When I pulled up to her apartment tonight, I’d expected her to be home. I’d warned her I was coming. She knew what to expect. Her car was there, but she wasn’t. Thinking my little rabbit had given chase, I’d excitedly driven around town looking for her. It was only through sheer dumb luck that I’d driven past JoJo’s and seen Ox’s bike. That’s when I knew. That Devil was inside with my girl. And I had to confront him for his sins.

This wasn’t the first time the Devil’s Riders had interfered with my plans for Kayla. They’d cockblocked me this summer when their president had reached out to mine and threatened trouble if I didn’t back off the pretty lifeguard. Maze had warned me to stay away from the “bitch” for the time being. That we couldn’t afford an all out war with the much larger Club while we were busy making secret, backdoor alliances so that we could take them down on the sly.

To pacify my President, I’d been patient. Waited until enough time had passed to make the others forget. But now the Devils were back again. Sticking their giant fucking nosesin things that didn’t concern them. Well, if they wanted a war, I’d give them one. However, it wouldn’t be on their choice of battlefield. It would be on mine. And I was no ordinary soldier. Guerilla tactics were my specialty.

Pulling onto the side of the street where the rathole of a strip club I’d visited last night was located, I parked my bike. I needed to hurt something. Destroy things. I wasn’t sure what yet, but something, and someone, needed to bleed.

I passed an alleyway and a man stepped out in front of me. He had a gun, and the silver finish winked in the moon’s light. “Gimme your wallet, kid!” the old man weakly demanded.

I couldn’t believe my luck. This was exactly what I needed. What I craved to settle the rage bubbling under the surface of my skin. It wouldn’t make the anger go away forever. But it would make it manageable for the moment.

“Are you fucking deaf!” The bum shouted, jerking the pistol to emphasize his point. “I said gimme your wallet or else I’m going to take it!”

I smiled, silently stalking toward my prey. The man backed up into the alleyway despite the firearm in his possession.

“Are you crazy or something, asshole?” he bellowed, trying to put some distance between us.

Not allowing the man any escape routes, I shot forward and tackled him to the ground. Ripping the gun from his grasp, I tossed it into the dumpster and cracked my neck. I was really going to enjoy this. Pain had always been my sanctuary. My safe place. My peace. And tonight would be no different.

Cocking back my fist, I rammed it into the old man’s face. He screamed as I felt the bones splinter against my knuckles. But I didn’t stop there. I continued to hit. Kick. Pummel. And destroy. As I worked him over like a heavy bag, I thought of Ox’s face. Imagining it was him I taught a lesson to and not this street scum.

The bum’s protests were short lived. Soon, there was nothing but wet and crunchy noises to comfort me. I’m not sure how long I fought. But, by the time I was done, not even this man’s mother would have recognized him. Hell, he barely looked human anymore, let alone like himself.

Dragging his corpse over to the dumpster, I heaved the fleshy blob over the metal lip and heaped some garbage on top of him to hide the body.

Strolling out of the alleyway, I decided I’d only just begun venting my demons. That homeless fuck had only taken the edge off. But I like the way the violence had soothed me. And I knew I needed more death and destruction before I’d ever be able to sleep tonight.

Hopping back onto my bike, I kickstarted the engine to life and drove back off into the darkness looking for more blood, and another fight.

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