Page 18 of Psycho Boys

Gunnar's eyes widen, more from surprise than fear, as he stumbles backward, leaning against the bar’s edge for balance.

“What are you talking about?” He feigns innocence, though the smirk on his face falls away into something darker.

“Don’t play fuckimg dumb with us,” I grind out through clenched teeth, stepping closer to Dom's side for support, a protective urge swelling within me. “We know you fucking know something.”

Five and Killian exchange quick glances, tension thickening. There’s a palpable shift in the atmosphere—like air before a storm, electrified with possibility.

Gunnar straightens, shaking off the shock, confidence washing back over him. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, boys. I don’t owe you shit.”

“Is that so?” Dom snarls, the fire in his voice unwavering. “You think you can just lie and think we’ll let this go? You’re dead wrong.”

The air thrums with danger; the crowd has resumed its chatter, though some eyes linger on our confrontation. I can’t let this escalate. Not here, not now.

“Dom, wait!” I reach out, gripping his arm and feeling the tension ripple beneath his skin. “If he has her?—”

“Let go of me, Ash!” He snaps, frustration spilling over as he shakes off my grip, eyes never leaving Gunnar’s face. “I’m done listening to this prick’s bullshit.”

“Let’s step outside,” Killian interjects, his voice steady as he directs Gunnar with a nod of his head. “It might be easier to sort this out away from the crowd.”

“No one’s going anywhere,” Gunnar retorts, a challenge lighting up his eyes.

Not willing to let this slip through our fingers, I push forward, trying to regain control over the situation. “We’re not afraid of you, Gunnar. We’re here for Cali—just tell us where she is.”

He laughs, a harsh sound, as he lights a cigarette, letting the smoke mingle with the air around him. “You’re desperate, aren’t you? But I can’t help you with that. All you’re going to find here is trouble.”

Killian steps forward, putting a protective hand on Dom’s chest, holding him back as he leans in. “You’re going to give us the information, whether you want to or not. It’s in your best interest to comply. You know how easy it would be for us to find the wrong people to press you,” his voice drips with hearty menace as he clenches his fists, uncovering the sharp glint of intent.

Gunnar flinches but quickly masks it with arrogance. “Sure, threaten me all you like. I’m not afraid of you idiots. But you’d be wise to remember you don’t have the leverage here.”

The words cut through the air, heavy with implication. My pulse races—his words are a challenge.

Then, abruptly, Five speaks up, glancing toward the door leading outside, a sudden urgency cutting into the moment. “There’s too many eyes in here. We need him to talk.”

“Fine,” I say, my heart pounding as I feel the weight of the moment. “Let’s take this outside, then.”

With Dom beside me, fueled by fear and fury in equal measure, we push through the crowd, Gunnar hot on our heels, Killian and Five flanking us as everyone’s gaze settles on the unfolding scene. Outside, the cold air pierces through our heated confrontation, igniting the tension into something more palpable.

As we step into the dark alley that runs alongside the bar, I feel the weight of the world resting on our shoulders—the fate of Cali dangling by a fragile thread. But this time, we won’t let it go easily.

“Now,” I say, locking my eyes firm on Gunnar. “You’re going to tell us everything.”

With the snap of his fingers, shadows step out of the darkness, grabbing the four of us in a tight grasp, preventing us from going anywhere. Gunnar steps close, grinning, the scent of liquor heavy on his breath as he spits threat after threat, acting as if he's won.

"I think it's cute that you're trying to find Calista and all, but you ain't getting shit out of me. Do I have her? Maybe, maybe not. Do I know where she is? Maybe, maybe not," he laughs, sounding as sinister as our fathers when they get their way.

"We're going to fucking find her, Gunnar," Killian growls, trying to break out of the hold Gunnar's man has on him, but it doesn't work.

"Yeah, good luck with that," Gunnar laughs again, spitting a glob of phlegm down by our feet before turning his back and slowly walking away. "Teach them a lesson, boys, and make sure they know their place by the time you're done."

SEVEN

EMPTY

SELF-DESTRUCTION: I PREVAIL

CALISTA

"Don't do it, Cali," Addy pleads, her voice laced with concern as I fumble with the heavy chains binding my wrists.

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