Page 68 of Heart Sick Hate

Blood pours from the gash in the biker’s forehead, down his cheek and over my hand. His gaze is hazy as I pull him close so we’re face to face. And I shove the shattered beer bottle into his side, feeding on the scream that rips out of him.

Beside me, Echo’s hands fly to her mouth as Blaze appears between us and pulls me back.

“What the fuck, Crew?”

The guy slumps to the ground with the beer bottle sticking out of him, blood pooling out. He’s not dead yet, unfortunately.

Kane makes it to us next, looking from me to the guy on the ground.

“I’ve got this,” Blaze says to him. “Bones has been testing the guys all night.”

Bones. Fitting, I’d like to break all of them.

“I’ll deal with this.” Kane walks past me and Blaze, nodding.

They should probably be pissed I’m starting shit at their bar, but it’s not the worst this place has seen given how they use the empty horse stalls out back. And even if I’m not patched in, I’ve helped them with enough favors to have their trust.

“What was that?” Blaze asks, turning back to me.

I look over at Echo, whose wide eyes are fixed on the man bleeding on the ground as she bites her lip.

“Did he do something to her?” Blaze’s jaw clenches, and I sense he wants to continue what I started.

Echo shakes her head.

“Didn’t get the chance.” I reach out and grab her hand, those golden eyes connecting with mine, before I look back at Blaze. “We good to take off?”

“Probably best you do.” He looks over his shoulder as Bones screams. “We’ll deal with this.”

“Thanks, man.” I tug Echo’s hand. “Let’s go.”

She tries to shake me off, but I ignore her. I’m over this push and pull shit that’s got me on edge. She’s going to learn once and for all to fucking listen.

Blaze lets us pass, ignoring that Echo’s trying to fight her hand free from my grip.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” She pushes my arm as I pull her through the crowd. The force of it nearly sends her toppling in her five-inch heels, and I have to wrap an arm around her waist to steady her.

Holding her to my side, I pause, dropping my mouth to her ear.

“Outside, Echo. Don’t fucking test me right now.”

When I pull back, she’s given up her fight. Blood streaks her arms from where my fingers gripped her. I reach for her hand again and she doesn’t pull back this time. Instead, she allows me to lead her out of the bar.

The night air is a relief with all the pot that was clouding the atmosphere inside, and I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. A few bikers sitting on the porch pass glances at Echo in her ridiculously short dress, so I move her to block their view as I walk us around the outside.

Once we turn the corner, she shakes free of my hand, and this time, I let her.

“What was that?” She crosses her arms over her chest, smearing the blood on them as she does. “I was dealing with him. I don’t need you protecting me.”

“I’m aware.” Doesn’t mean it will stop me.

“Then stop using me as an excuse to let out your aggression.” Her eyes narrow, and she looks once more at the ring around my neck that has her constant attention. “And stop wearing that.”

“No.”

“No?” She reaches for it.

But I grab her hand, shoving her back against the side of the bar and pinning her wrist overhead, while pushing my knee between her legs.

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