"Hey!" Paulie's voice cracks. "Did you hear me? I said I'll flip!"
Widow looks up from his phone, his expression calm. "Oh, I heard you all right. My bosses are on their way. You can tell them what you just told me."
Paulie's eyes widen in panic. "What? No, no, no! Just get these things off me, man! Please!"
I watch as more beads of sweat trickle down Paulie's temple, a spider dancing around it.
The poor bastard scrunches up his face, desperately trying to keep the arachnids from his eyes and mouth.
"Fuck," I mutter under my breath, running a hand through my hair. "This is some next-level shit."
Widow glances at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You ain't seen nothin' yet, kid. This is just the warm-up."
I nod, trying to look nonchalant, but inside, my mind is racing.
Is this what it takes to protect the club?
To keep our family safe?
The weight of it settles on my shoulders, and I realize I'm witnessing a side of club life I've only heard whispers about.
Paulie's whimpers draw my attention back to him.
His face is a mask of pure terror, eyes squeezed shut as spiders crawl across his eyelids.
It's like watching a car crash—horrifying, but impossible to look away from.
"Christ," I breathe, "he looks about ready to piss himself."
Widow chuckles darkly. "Wouldn't be the first time someone's lost control in here. You'd be surprised what fear can do to a man."
I swallow hard, trying to keep my cool. "Yeah, I bet. How long before they get here?"
"Not long," Widow replies, his eyes never leaving Paulie. "Why? You gettin' squeamish on me, Jolt?"
I force a laugh, hoping it doesn't sound as nervous as I feel. "Nah, man. Just curious. This is... educational."
Widow smirks. "That's one way to put it."
The heavy metal door creaks open moments later, revealing Damon and Dixon, our Prez and VP.
The air in the room shifts, becoming charged with their presence.
Damon's eyes lock onto Paulie, his face a mask of cold calculation.
I straighten up instinctively, feeling the weight of their authority.
Damon strides forward, his cut creaking with each step.
He stops in front of Paulie, who's still writhing and whimpering.
"So." Damon's voice cuts through the room like a knife. "I heard you're ready to flip? I don't particularly like rats, so..."
The threat hangs in the air, unspoken but clear as day.
My heart's pounding, wondering how this is gonna play out.
Paulie's eyes are wide with fear, darting between Damon and the spiders still crawling over his skin.