Page 145 of Beautifully Wounded

He rolls his eyes. “You should have been paying attention instead of staring at your piece of arse.”

I fucking growl, which just makes the fucker laugh, and this time I’m prepared for his iron fist smacking into my jaw, my stance wide and firm as I work to stay in place from the impact.

“Woohoo.” Smitty jumps as he shakes out his fist. “Who’s next?”

One by one, my club brothers take their swing.

Some go for my face, but most aim for my chest or gut, but the one thing they all have in common is they don’t fucking hold back.

I can feel myself grinning throughout my beating. Pride filling my chest at the loyalty in the air, reminding me of why I’m a part of this.

It isn’t just about brotherhood, booze and chicks.

It’s about family.

Most of the men here, and even a lot of the Doxies, didn’t have a family before they came into the fold. Some had people who are meant to be a family but never behaved like it. And others have never known what it’s truly like to belong until they joined the Southern Sadists.

I might be getting a hiding right now, but I earned it, and I’m not too fucking proud to admit that.

My eyes wander back to Abbey’s each time I right myself from a blow. I can see how hard she’s trying to stay strong. This is pure brutality at its finest for her. She’s been a victim for so long that it’s hard for her to see anything but violence. Hell, she may never seethat this is nothing more than maintaining order. Reminding everyone to walk the line. It’s something most outsiders can’t wrap their head around.

“You know what, I fucking hate you for this,” JD snarls at me as he steps up to take his turn. The last man.

“Bullshit. You always want to hit me. Now you can without getting a hiding,” I rasp before spitting a wad of bloody saliva to the brick paved ground.

“True, but I’d rather kick your arse in a fair fucking fight.” He rolls his shoulders back before cracking his knuckles.

Using my shoulder, I wipe at the blood trickling from my nose, my gaze landing on Abbey again. She looks about ready to jump out of her skin, but she’s still watching, and as we stare at each other, I attempt to wink, but I think my eye is already swollen shut.

Fuck it.

“Hurry the fuck up and stop stalling.” I snarl at my best mate, turning my one good eye to him. “And you’d better not go easy on me. If you punch me like a prissy, I’ll fucking demand everyone go again.”

JD’s glare turns dark, fury contorting his expression as his fists ball at his sides.

I knew my words would spur him on. He hates seeing this happen to me, so he wants it over with as much as Abbey does.

“I fucking love you, brother.” He points angrily to me, emotion thickening his voice, and when I nod, he rears back and takes his swing.

I have to give it to the fucker. He didn’t hold back. In fact, I’m pretty fucking sure his hit packed the most fucking punch,slamming into my cheek and spinning me until I fall to the fucking ground.

Cheers ring up, Doxies gasp, and I swear I can hear Abbey scream, “You fucking prick!”

That has me smiling.

Well, on the inside. I don’t think the swelling in my face has much give for expression right now.

“Alright! Alright! Quieten down!” Smitty yells over everyone, and within a few beats, the men fall silent. “The punishment has been dealt. The infraction now in the past. Let this be a reminder of the oath you all swore.”

Slapping palms against shoulders clap into the air, while I struggle to get up off the fucking ground, what with my hands tied and my arse thoroughly kicked.

“Doxies, help Ringo to his room,” Smitty calls before there’s a loud protest.

“No!” Abbey hisses, pushing her way past my club brothers and into the circle. “He’s mine. I will take him.”

Well, fuck if that doesn’t make me fucking smile for real this time.

“Get over here, Angel,” I mutter, now sitting on my arse, purely fucking exhausted.

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