Page 12 of Jolt's Vengeance

I continue stacking chairs, waiting for Shiver to respond.

The tension in his shoulders is visible, even from across the room.

Finally, he lets out a long sigh and takes another swig of whiskey.

"Yeah, there's some shit going down," Shiver admits, his voice low and gravelly. "Same ol' shit, different day, you know? Shadow and Spur should be here within the next couple of days."

I nod, encouraging him to continue.

Shiver rarely opens up like this, and I'm not about to interrupt.

"It's just..." He pauses, running a hand through his hair. "We ain't gettin' anywhere with the Kodiak MC. Summer's over, and we're still sittin' on our asses while those fuckers are out there, probably laughin' at us."

The frustration in his voice is evident.

I set down the chair I'm holding and make my way back to the bar, leaning against it as I face him.

"Patience, brother," I say, trying to sound supportive. "I'm certain Damon has a plan. And with a couple of your dad's members arriving any day, I'm sure things are gonna be gettin’ better soon."

The words feel hollow even as I say them, but I'm not sure what else to offer.

Shiver's eyes flick up to mine, a storm brewing in their depths. "If it was your girl who went through this shit," he says, his voice low and dangerous, "you'd want their fuckin' heads too."

The intensity of his gaze makes me take a step back.

I've never seen Shiver like this before, and it's more than a little unsettling.

For a moment, I try to imagine how I'd feel if someone I loved had been hurt the way Shiver's girl was recently.

The rage that wells up inside me at the mere thought is overwhelming.

"You're right," I admit quietly. "I probably would."

I nod, trying to understand the best way I can.

The weight of Shiver's pain hangs heavy in the air between us. "I'm sure," I say, my voice low and earnest. "But you know we're gonna get him, him and his fuckin' club for what they did to her."

They fucking jumped her when she was coming out of the bathroom at a local diner.

Their president gutted Siren like a fish, and luckily we were able to get her to the hospital in enough time so it didn’t kill her.

My fingers drum against the polished wood of the bar, a nervous habit I can't seem to shake.

The tension in Shiver's shoulders is visible, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

I want to reach out, to offer some kind of physical comfort, but I know it's not my place.

Shiver's eyes lock onto mine, blazing with a fury that sends a chill down my spine. "Damn straight I am," he growls, his knuckles whitening as he grips his glass. "Those fuckers won't know what hit 'em. And Serpent, he’s mine."

The venom in his voice is terrifying, and for a moment, I'm grateful it's not directed at me.

I've seen Shiver in action, seen the damage he can do when he's pushed too far.

The thought of him unleashing that rage on the Kodiak MC is like a big-wig UFC fight—when you want to be front and center, watching the action.

"Hey," I say, trying to lighten the mood with a hint of my usual charm. "Save some for the rest of us, yeah? I've got a few scores to settle with those assholes myself."

Internally, I wonder if I'm pushing too far, if my attempt at humor will backfire.

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