Page 42 of Acid

“I don’t care. I just want him safe,” I argue.

“He is safe, aren’t you, buddy?” he asks Oliver, but it’s more a statement to calm Oliver.

I hear footsteps behind me. “Oh god, I don’t know if I can’t handle the smell of alcohol right now,” I hear Star mutter. I turn around to see everyone stood there and the sight of them all here for me, for Oliver, makes my heart reel with love.

“Oliver, go with your mom,” Ghost orders. Oliver goes to step forward but Joe’s grip on his neck tightens, holding him back.

I step forward again, but Acid holds me back. “Olly, low blow,” Acid says in a deep voice. Oliver stares at Acid and Acid gives him a slight nod. Suddenly, he clenches his hands into fists and slams one straight into Joe’s crotch. Joe lets go of Oliver’s neck and groans before falling to the floor. Oliver runs to me and I wrap him in my arms, holding him so tight I’m afraid Iwill lose him again. Acid comes straight to us and runs his hand over Oliver’s head. “You good, kid?” he asks. Oliver nods. Acid cups the back of my head while placing an affectionate kiss on my temple. “Take the kid back to the club. I will be back later,” he orders.

I look up at him and see pure fury swimming in his crystal blue eyes. “What are you going to do?” I whisper.

“I’m going to do exactly what I told him I would do if he came back,” he growls.

I don’t respond. I just nod. As I turn to leave, Star is sliding knuckle dusters onto her fingers. She gives me a smile. “I will catch you up in just a second,” she states.

“Jerry, close the bar for 10 minutes,” Ghost orders the barman. The guy nods without a word and leaves.

Maggie wraps her arm around me and guides me and Oliver out of the bar. The sound of the shutters closes behind us, but I don’t look back.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ACID

I should have killedhim all those months ago. I should have gone back after I got Rhea and Olly out of that shit hole. I watch as Star walks up to him dressed in her skintight jeans and stiletto heeled boots. He pulls himself back up to his feet, looking her up and down appreciatively. Ghost growls beside me.

“Well, I’m more than happy for an upgrade,” he brags, a smile on his face. Star rears her fist back and slams it into his face, making him stumble back, cupping his nose. “Fucking bitch!” he cries. He rears his fist back and takes a swing at Star, but she moves out of the way quickly. That’s enough for Ghost. He grabs Star and forces her back.

“Go back to the club now,” he orders. Star goes to argue but Ghost grabs her face and whispers something across her lips. She relents and nods. “All the ol’ ladies back to the club,” Ghost barks.

The prospects, Tiny and Bambi don’t need to be told twice. They quickly lead the women out of the bar, closing the shutters back down behind them.

I step toward Joe, a smile playing on my lips. “I gave you a warning, I told you what would happen if you came back. Unlucky for you, I keep fucking my word,” I seethe.

Rage steps forward with a large suitcase, pausing to unzip it. “What is that for?” Joe asks, the fear evident in his voice.

“We’re taking you on fucking holiday,” I spit sarcastically. “Get fucking in it,” I growl.

Joe shakes his head. “I ain’t getting in that.” He takes a step back.

I step forward, my blade in hand. “You’ll get in that fucking suitcase now, alive in one piece, or you’ll get in that fucking case dead and in pieces,” I threaten. “It’s your choice.”

He stands there for a moment, his eyes flickering behind me, probably wondering if he has a shot of making a run for it. He wisely steps forward and climbs into the suitcase. Rage pulls out a roll of gaffer tape and after tearing a piece off, he slaps it over Joe’s mouth. He then pulls out some cable ties and binds his wrists and ankles. Joe’s eyes are wide with fear. He didn’t once move an inch while Rage bound and gagged him. It probably had something to do with the gun that Scar had pressed against his skull.

“Night, night, motherfucker,” Rage gleams with amusement as he zips up the case.

“Should we be concerned that you just seem to have these things readily available?” I ask Rage as he padlocks the case closed.

He shrugs. “I like to be prepared for any scenario that may occur.”

“Jerry!” Ghost calls and the manager steps out from the back of the bar. “For your inconvenience.” Ghost holds up a small wad a of cash and places it on the bar. The guy just nods.

Cash and Hawk lift the shutters and we leave, Rage wheeling the suitcase with Joe in it out of there.

Back at our empty barn/warehouse, we tie Joe to the chair, still with his mouth gagged. After a moment, Rage rips the tape off his mouth, and he lets out a scream of pain.

“Fucking hell, if you’re screaming from that, you’ll fucking pass out with what you’ve got coming. Fucking pussy. Face up to your consequences like a man,” Rage spits at him.

“Alright brother, easy. I don’t think this fucker has any man in him,” Ghost states.

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