Page 45 of Acid

“Oh boy,” Maggie murmurs.

Ghost’s jaw is set tight, the muscle ticking. He’s pissed. I’m not sure who my money is on to win this battle, but I wouldn’t want to be caught in the middle of it.

“My fight the other night, the guy died. His father is a man called Eugene. He’s a powerful man, a dangerous man,” Spider states.

“So what, he’s threatened the club? An eye for an eye?” Maggie asks casually, like it’s not scary that some bad guy wants revenge on the club.

I just look from her to the guys, my heart thumping in my chest. I’ve just got over my son being taken by my ex, and now I have to deal with someone wanting revenge on the club’ the club that I’m staying with, the club that is helping me. My palms begin to sweat.

“Truthfully, we don’t know what he wants yet, but you all need to be made aware, and you all need protection if you go anywhere,” Cash states.

“There is no arguing on this,” Beast adds, making a point of looking at Belle as she caresses her bump.

“Okay, so we’ll be careful, but if he’s made no threat yet, then why do we have to be on our guard?” Belle presses.

They exchange a look and Acid goes to speak, but it’s Scar that speaks first. “Because he hunted down and found Rhea’s ex.” My heart thumps louder in my chest through my ears as he continues. “He told him to kidnap Olly,” Scar adds, his eyes intently watching me.

I feel everyone’s eyes on me. My hands begin shake and my blood boils beneath my skin. “You mean to tell me that my son got taken from me today because you’ve pissed someone off?” I seethe.

“Rhea,” Acid starts, trying to calm me, but I hold my hand up stopping him.

“For the last couple of hours I have felt torture, pure and utter torture. It felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. Even when we found him, even when I held him in my arms, my entire body had been riddled with guilt. Guilt that it’s my fault that my son got taken, that he was scared. All because of my decision of being with Joe, my decision that caused it,” I rant.

“I mean, if you look at it like that, then it’s still your fault as you chose to be friends with Acid,” Rage states, matter of factly.

“Rage, for fuck’s sake,” Acid sighs.

“No, he’s right,” I snap. “So, I’m making the decision to leave. No one can come after me or my son if we aren’t associated with you or your club,” I choke out, the words stinging as I say them.

“Rhea,” Star says softly.

I look down at her. “No, I’m sorry, I can’t. How are you not terrified something will happen to Enzo?” I turn to Josie. “Or Maisy?” I ask. I turn to Belle. “And your unborn child. What if something happens to you?” I point out.

Star stands. “We do get terrified, and all of us would lay down our lives for our children, but the difference with us is we know them. We know they will protect us no matter what. They will always protect us,” Star affirms.

“But how can they keep us all safe?” I counter. “What if this guy has like a thousand ninjas?”

Star’s lips twitch as she fights back a smile. “Did you see my knuckle dusters?”

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “Everything in me is telling me to run,” I state honestly.

Star drapes her arm over my shoulder. “Running ain’t ever done anyone any good.”

I give her a tight smile. I’m about to say something but I’m cut off.

“You can stay at my place. Away from the club,” Scar offers.

“You have a place outside here?” Ghost asks.

Scar nods. “I’ve just rented it,” he states.

“Why have you rented a place?” Hawk asks, frowning at him.

“So I can take women back. I don’t like to bring women back here all the time because of Olly, so I rented a place for a few months.” Scar shrugs.

“Jesus, do you think you could disinfect it before she goes to stay there?” Star asks, scrunching up her nose.

Scar ignores her and continues. “It’s in an apartment complex. You have to know a code to even get into the building. It’s secure and it’s not far from Olly’s school, so you can drive him to school.”

---