Page 8 of Complete Me
She flicks off the camera before giving me a cheeky smile. “I’ve gotta get some studying in before I crash. It’s so freaking late already. Talk tomorrow?”
“Yep. Night! Love you, P.”
“Love you more, KiKi.”
After closing out the video chat, I pull up my playlist for some noise and crack open my latest book on my e-reader, letting myself get lost in the comforting silence of my apartment. I take a deep breath, and the smile that spreads across my face is huge and genuine. I’ve got this. Something tells me that everything is about to change and that I’m on my path to finally living, finding myself, and being free.
Bring it.
CHAPTER 2
reid
Unknown: Time to pay up.
I holdmy phone like a hand grenade, staring down at it like it’s personally offended me. The text glares back, threatening to detonate. I knew the terms when I called in help a few months ago to eliminate a threat against an innocent woman I’ve come to care for.
I was prepared to pay my dues, but now that the time has come? Being a ranked member of Hell’s Heathens is a privilege that I’m proud to have, but the turf wars have picked up again after nearly ten years of quiet, and my peaceful life away from the compound is rapidly changing. The club’s gotten too comfortable, too lax, and the enemies that once lurked in the dark have started to crawl from their holes and push back.
I’m not eager to find out which club has been causing issues, but I know I’ll find out soon enough, whether I want to or not.
I’m one of the best shots in the club, andwhile our president, Chaos, doesn’t call me in unless he needs the backup, we both know that when something needs to be taken care of discreetly and quickly, I’m who’s gonna get it done. This time feels different, though. A black hole settles in the pit of my stomach, a dark, ominous feeling of foreboding creeping in that I can’t shake. Dread is a feeling I haven’t known in a while, and it settles in deep, digging in its claws.
The gate opens for me, and I clock the side eyes from some of the newer members. I know they don’t agree with the agreement I’m living under. We all know what we signed up for. Hell’s Heathens is for life. They don’t need to understand why I’m afforded to live a normal life outside of the compound, away from the businesses and day-to-day of the club. I show up every week for church, and I answer the call when needed. They can fuck off if they have an issue with something they’ll never understand.
A fresh wave of pain grips my heart as I ride up the long dirt driveway, gravel and rocks kicking up from my tires. At least I’ll be able to visit Lena while I’m here for an impromptu visit. The large barndominium that’s been converted into a clubhouse towers in front of me. With its all-black exterior and large, double-bay doors, it functions as the main house for our meetings, parties, and bedrooms for ranked members.
I shut off my bike and roll my shoulders and neck to ease the tension settling there. After adjusting my cut, I walk up the steps to the large deck. The double-bay doors are open, industrial fans pointing inside to cool off the large, open room from the rare summer heat we’re getting. My boots hit the cement floors, my eyes scanning the room, looking for Chaos or Sin. Two pool tables sit on the far side of the room where a fewmembers are playing a game, patch bunnies draped over their arms, trying to steal their affection.
I find a prospect at the bar with a woman on his lap, her mouth sucking at the side of his neck. He doesn’t register my entry, which is a fucking problem. My hand connects roughly with the back of his head before he whips in my direction.
“Oh! Hey, Rogue!”
“What the hell are you doing, Bran? If Prez sees you with her, you’re gonna be in real shit.”
It’s at that moment the devil himself appears, walking through the two heavy wooden doors, shooting a look so fierce at Bran, it has the patch bunny on his lap wincing and scurrying off to the back of the house, murmuring an apology to Chaos as she goes.
“There’s our boy! What? No smile for us, Rogue?” he chastises, his arms held wide, welcoming me in for a hug. I lean in, clapping his back twice with one hand as he reciprocates. Our president and I go way back, both of us too young and not ready for the shit life was gonna throw at us. We bonded over it. He was a brand-new president, and while he grew up in club life, stepping into the role and having everything go to shit the same month hardened him.
“I’m here, aren’t I? Let’s get this over with.” I shrug.
“That’s no way to greet me. I’ve missed you,” he jests in a smooth, confident tone.
“It’s barely been a week, Chaos,” I deadpan.
“Feels like longer,” he says as he throws an arm around my shoulder, slapping my back. “C’mon, I’ve gotta job for you.”
I follow him through the large, ornate, double doors to our meeting room where church is held, the place all important conversations and decisions happen. Chaos takes his seat at the head of our prominent, custom table, and I take one off to his side.
“Just us?” I ask, arching a brow at him. Instead of answering the obvious as the doors shut behind us, he goes right into business mode.
“Wrath will be in your ear. Malice and a prospect will go with you. Malice already knows the details, but I wanted to talk to you privately.”
“Well, that sounds ominous. Who’s the hit, Chaos?”
His eyes say it all, and I take turns cracking my knuckles against my palms while working to keep my breathing even. Chaos doesn’t need to know I’m rattled, but I can’t shake the doomsday feeling that has infected me like a virus.
“The Iron Wolves.”
