Page 39 of Heron's Flame

Paul hesitated.

Rael’s teeth gnashed in his mouth, gums exposed, and I swear I saw something slither in his mouth like a forked tongue. “Now.”

Paul’s fingers released me like they’d caught fire, and he hissed. Before he could reach for me again, I ran toward Heron. He met me halfway and scooped my body into his arms, rushing back to an invisible line drawn between the two clubs.

“Not now, Spark,” he whispered, sensing I wanted to talk about what he heard. “Behind me, baby.”

I obeyed, moving around his back and pressing the front of my body into the tense wall of muscle. My hands wrapped around his waist as I rested my cheek against his back.

Heron’s left arm cradled mine and intertwined our fingers. The right hand twitched like he fought to reach for his gun.

The energy in the room seemed supercharged. Outside, I heard thunder rumble. A streak of lightning crackled outside the tent to the right, showing a sky tinted with a crimson hue. A bad omen. Death.

I didn’t believe in superstition before I met Undertaker, his wolves, the Tonopah RBMC bikers, or Heron’s club. Now I knewthings went bump in the night, and it was freaky. The thought made me tremble.

“I got you,” Heron replied, not bothering to lower his voice. “Always.”

Chapter 12 Heron

Rebel trembled as I held her hand, feeling her shiver behind my back. “I got you. Always,” I reassured her, trying not to focus on the motherfucker across from us who had done unspeakable acts to my woman.

She was fucking fierce, standing up to him and refusing to cower. Her strength and resolve in the face of her tormentor made me so fucking proud. I didn’t have to learn every detail to know he abused her in the worst way. Hammerhead would die for it, too. I wasn’t letting this go.

But right now? I had to ensure Rebel stayed safe. If that meant I hunted Hammerhead later, so be it. Outside, crows cawed in agreement. My crow, the one who had formed our bond, cried out with a bloodcurdling kraa. His anger bled through our connection. He wanted justice for Rebel and to peck out Hammerhead’s eyes so the crows could feast on his organs while he still lived. Gruesome but oddly satisfying.

Rael stood in front of Hammerhead, eyeing him like a beast ravaged with hunger. I could tell his Reaper wanted to take Hammerhead, or Paul’s, soul.

His makeup helped conceal the demonic entity living inside him, but there was no mistaking the fact that Rael was a monster. A macabre grin stretched his mouth wide, revealing his teeth. His canines seemed sharpened since the last time I saw him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d taken a metal file and done it himself. The Tonopah boys seemed to enjoy a little pain.

Fucked, but true.

However, if you fuck with anyone under their protection, you’re screwed. I enjoyed knowing Hammerhead was now on the receiving end of a Reaper’s wrath. He wouldn’t escape it.

Rael lowered his head, peering into Hammerhead’s eyes. “Rebel is with us.” He waited for a denial.

Hammerhead didn’t say anything, but I didn’t like the look in his eyes. I could feel his fury. He felt disrespected. But there was more. Something else I couldn’t pinpoint. A feeling that he meant to return and seek vengeance against Rebel if I let him walk out of this tent unharmed. I had no intention of letting that happen.

My shoulders rolled, and I cracked my neck. This asshole wouldn’t touch my woman. I’d see to that.

Rebel hugged me tighter as if she could hear my thoughts.

Crow ticked his chin at Rael. “I think we can come to an understanding.”

Rael snorted. “He’s not the negotiating kind.”

No. Everyone could see that. Right? Hammerhead would fucking slit all our throats if given the chance. I could sense his need for violence as he glared at Rael. His club? They seemed to await his command.

Hammerhead sneered at Rael.

“Give me a fucking reason,” Rael taunted.

“Stand down, Rael,” Grim ordered as he entered the tent. More of the Tonopah RBMC strode inside behind him, following their president.

Rael reluctantly backed a few steps away but still pinned Hammerhead with a hard stare.

“This bike rally has always been about peace,” Grim informed the room. “Not a place to start shit.”

Crow nodded. “Rook used to say meetin’ at table in a rally was sacred. Nobody fucks with that.”

---