Page 45 of Soul

“Bryony, I can make you stay,” Warden threatened.

I turned to him and sneered. “I can call right now for a private plane and be out of the country before you could even get your bikers to ride. Got to check in once a month with my lawyers, if I do not, they will begin a manhunt. Did you think I’d blindly walk into a situation I didn’t understand? My lawyer knows I’m here, as do a couple of others. I have means to put an ocean between Soul and myself. Let’s see how long your reach is then,” I hissed in Warden’s face. “Do not fucking threaten me or my kids.”

I walked away and grabbed Ham and Maci. They looked surprised as I told them abruptly we had to leave. I nodded goodbye to people and headed out.

“What did you do?” I heard Iona demand of Warden. I didn’t care. Let her deal with the prick.

How could someone as strong as Iona be with an asshole like that? That was her problem, however, not mine. If she wanted to be treated crap, so be it. I wouldn’t allow anyone to threaten my kids or me.

“Bryony!” Soul called, as I shut the car doors on the children. He looked concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Perfect, considering your president just threatened me,” I replied sharply.

“What?” Soul demanded, looking worried.

“You heard me. I came in good faith with the intent of getting to know your club. Instead, your president warned me that he’ll keep me here against my will for as long as I make your life more comfortable. Fuck that!” With that, I climbed in the car and left.

Priest was still on the gate. I drove through and did not look back.

Soul

What the hell had Warden said to her? Bryony was damn sure he’d threatened her, and I prayed he hadn’t, but somehow, I knew this wasn’t a misunderstanding. Shit.

I approached Warden at speed, and he held my gaze. “Tell me you didn’t!” I demanded.

“Why? Because I did.”

“You intimidated her, Prez?” I snapped.

“Yup. And tried bribing her, she turned that down. I like her. You have my approval,” Warden said, relaxing back.

“Are you telling me you were testing her?”

“Yes. She could have blackmailed you or anything once she had the knowledge of being your anchor. I wanted to make sure Bryony was what she appeared to be.”

“You may have just chased her off!”

“Nah. Bryony’s stronger than that. But yeah, you might need to smooth shit over,” Warden admitted.

For fuck’s sake!

???

I left soon after, but when I arrived home, the lights were off, and there was a distinct stay the fuck away vibe coming from the house. We were heading out on a ride tomorrow, so I hoped to see Bryony and soothe things over. Hopefully, she wasn’t permanently offended and would listen to my explanation.

Then again, she might be packing her bags right now and leaving. Jesus, what did I do?

“I don’t like Warden. The man is a raging asshole,” Bryony said, and I jumped.

“Where are you?”

The porch light came on and I saw her sitting there in the swing.

“Somehow, I knew you’d come,” Bryony stated.

“Warden was bang out of line. I’m sorry,” I offered as I approached.

“Not for you to apologise,” Bryony retorted.

---