Page 60 of Bound by Family
My nails dig into my palms.
“She’s Cooper’s. Already put a claim on her.”
Scandal’s eyes lift to mine, no doubt remembering me. My hair was short then, and my body was not as built, but he’s a smart man. Otherwise, he shouldn’t be running a club.
“Is that so? Poe here says that he has claim on her.”
Poe takes a step forward, placing himself right behind Scandal.
Pops looks back to me. “Well?” he invites. I don’t need anything else.
“She’s mine. You touch her, breathe on her, look at her—fuck, come within a mile of her—I’ll end you.” My eyes stay focused on Poe as he cracks his neck in some sort of intimidation move.Sorry, buddy, that shit doesn’t work with me.
“I saw her first,” he says.
I want to ask him how old we are, but again, I wait.
I need to punch him, though. The need to take this motherfucker out is growing so fucking strong, but playing it smooth is my game.
“Not playin’ this pissin’ match. Looks like you have a problem because she’s in my bed and not yours. You don’t want to take it, that’s your problem.”
Poe takes a step forward and leans into the table. “It is your fuckin’ problem. I’ll destroy you.”
My lips tip, but I don’t take the bait.
“Tell me what the fuck is really going on here?” Pops speaks when I don’t. “Cut the bullshit. What does Sinisters have on you that you went to such lengths to keep it from them. I know this fuckin’ place isn’t that big. I know what goes on in Florida, so don’t tell me there isn’t somethin’ goin’ the fuck on. Get real and get real fast,” Pops warns.
“I want Bristyl in the fold,” Scandal says. “But from the look of your boy, that isn’t goin’ happen without some serious bad blood between us. That’s somethin’ I’m not willin’ to fuck with.” He looks up at Poe. “It’s done.”
“The fuck it’s done!” Poe barks back.
Surprised? Fuck yeah. Pops would have already had a bullet in my foot, then said, “Son, you’ve got another one, use it.”
“You said she was mine. I’m taking it.”
Scandal rises from his chair, fury thumping in his features, along with a tick of his jaw. “I fuckin’ said it’s done. You back the fuck down!”
“Best way to settle this shit is man to man. Ravage isn’t afraid to shed blood. But to spare both clubs, let’s have them settle this once and for all, like men—fighting,” Pops says. “Cooper and Poe, one on one. No weapons, only their bodies. Last man standing wins.”
“I’ll beat the fuck out of him, but it’s not for my woman. It’s because you’re a piece of shit.”
My father drops his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Son, just do what the fuck Pops says so we can get the hell out of here and home.”
I shrug, always up for a good fight. Poe’s a stocky sonofabitch and no doubt uses that to go in low. He’s a piece of cake.
“Just so we’re clear, this is for that dick putting his hands on my woman.” I pull off my cut, my gun holster, and my T-shirt, handing it all to my father.
Lean fighting machine, that’s what my mother has told me. I love the ease of a gun, but using my body is so much more fun. The blood on impact, crack of bone—all if it spikes my adrenaline, adding fuel to my fire.
“Let’s do this,” I tell the group of men who’ve started moving tables out of the center of the room and up against the walls.
The floors are a white marble and will be stained with blood very soon. I need to keep a tab on my feet so I don’t slip, but with my boots, it should be good.
Poe takes off his cut, gun, and shirt, giving them to Nick.
Lifting my chin to Nick, I say, “You want some next, it’ll be my pleasure. Don’t ever go near Leah again.”
“Fuck you.”
