Page 13 of In the Light of Sin

“Everyone who has a loan with us? Well, we’ll be paying them a nice visit. The properties will be ours. The time for laying low is over. The Flock wants to run this town. We’re gonna show them it’s ours.”

“Fear is a powerful emotion. More people act on it than anger. Once word spreads, they’ll either get on our side or be removed faster.”

Grim blew out a breath. “Thought the war was already won, but it looks like we’re starting another one.”

“We didn’t start this war, brother.” The finality of Prez’s words was amplified by the gavel slamming against the sound block. “We’re just finishing it.”

Hex, V, and Husk rushed out of the room as the rest of the brothers followed behind at a more human pace. Being Sergeant in Arms also meant I was first in, last out. When they’d all made their exit, I stood. Prez stopped me, his hand coming up to grab my shoulder. Ripping out of his near grasp, I faced him silently. He heaved a breath, assuming he realized he’d almost touched me. I’m not one to be touched. After our body language mirrored the other, he spoke. “Don’t want to get in your business, but be careful around Joslyn.”

I was silent. I had to be practical. Joslyn still wasn’t completely trusted by us. I could understand that even if I was having a hard time thinkin’ someone as sweet as her could be involved with ruthless assholes like the Bloods. The more I thought about it, the more pissed I got. Was she forced? Coerced?

Did she join willingly?

There was always a chance she was two-timing us. Gathering intel for them, ready to betray us when she saw fit. I knew the smiles on her pretty lips were fake, and I still let her see a piece of my seclusion only a few had seen.

I thought to this morning. Her on her knees cleaning up a mess I made because I fucked up and forgot she was there. I was used to being alone in my dark world.

Now I was ensnared in her damn light.

I was battling within myself to keep her safe but at a distance if she was still secretly working with them. If she was, would I have the balls to dim that light in her?

I didn’t want to think about her double-crossing us, so I just nodded at him before turning and walking out of church. I knew he had seen the struggle within me. Getting so worked up over a damn girl wasn’t something they’d seen before. But if it came down to it, Prez knew I’d choose the club.

I needed the brotherhood more than I needed her.

I gritted my teeth, tired of these thoughts invading and taking over every crevice of my mind. It takes one person to change your life, just like it takes one person to destroy it.

And my life has already been destroyed.

On my walk back to the common area, I looked from side to side in the hallway, swearing I could hear explosions and feel the fire on my skin. The only reason I cut the sleeves to my hoodies off was in case of a fire, so it was easier to slip out of the clothing. Now my skin was heated, making me pat them to pat away the sparks that were flaring on my skin. I stilled, looking at the palms of my hands, not knowing if my hands were shaking or if my vision was going awry.

These bastards will pay to see what’s in my head. I’d pay them to take the memories away.

* * *

The SUV carrying Knight and Tyrant blocked off the street behind us as the rest of our rods came to a slow stop. Prez revving up his engine was an intimidating message to the man inside the walls of the red-bricked building we’d just parked in front of.

Prez got off his bike first, then Grim, Law, and I followed suit as we followed him to the building in front of us. Prez looked at me before nodding at the door. They stepped back as I got directly in front of it, bending my leg before kicking the spot underneath the doorknob, sending the wooden door off its hinges.

Grim and Law swept by Prez and I, guns drawn as we followed behind them. An older man sat shaking and heaving breaths with his hands up as we made our way inside the small room. “W-Who are you?”

Prez didn’t respond as he walked over to the table, pulling out the contract that Law had drafted and slammed it down in front of him.

“Here’s what’s gonna happen.” Prez leaned forward, hands on the table, intimidating the trembling man in front of us. “Sign your name on the dotted line, and we’ll let you live.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong,” his voice quivered, giving his misdeeds away. What a fucking pussy. “I have a family to take care of. Would you really orphan children due to money?”

“Actually, you have two,” Knight revealed to him nonchalantly, his eyes widening slightly. “They know about each other? Or that you make female tenants who can’t afford the rent fuck you or face eviction?”

“Isn’t that somethin’?” Prez cackled, not fazed in the slightest at the now-sweating man. “Save the sob story, and sign the fuckin’ paper.”

His shaky scrawl went on the dotted line as Prez pulled out another one. “This one too.”

Equally confused and scared, he slowly signed it. Prez grinned as he lifted his gun. “I’ll let your families know you’ve been saved.”

The gun went off, and blood sprayed as his body fell. Prez pocketed his still smoking gun as he barked out orders. “Call V. Let him know he has a new toy to collect.” Prez looked over at Law. “Mind doin’ the honors?”

“You’re a fuckin’ bastard,” he snapped back, knowing it was punishment for earlier.

---