Page 43 of Paradox
“I got it, I got it,” she rushes the words out, nodding again to back them up.
“Good. For the sake of your kid, you got forty-eight hours to get your shit together, and then I want you gone. I’ll even send someone to escort you out.”
“Thank you. I promise—”
“Shut up.” Dragging her to the bar, I find Razor and hand her off to him. “Get her out of here. She shows up at the gate again, shoot her on sight,” I add, hoping it drives even more fear into her.
I still think it would have been better to get rid of her and deal with the kid after. Growing up with this bitch for a mother has to be worse than any home we could put him in.
As Razor and Tyler hustle that problem out the door, a scream comes from across the room. I turn just in time to see Krueger slap Lonnie on one cheek, then backhand her on the other, sending her into a heap on the floor.
“Bitch! You don’t talk tomelike that.”
“I told you, I don’t do that anymore,” Lonnie cries.
When he drags her up by her hair, I make my way over.
“Krueger.”
He turns to me with a sneer. “You need to keep your bitches in line, Reaper. They need to know their mouths ain’t for talking.”
“Let her go,” I order. God knows why; she deserves everything Krueger wants to do to her.
The tone of my voice brings Krueger’s men to his back, which in turn brings my men forward.
“What did you say to me?”
“I said let her go. She’s not a Hound anymore, and even if she was, we don’t treat our women like that.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
He releases her but holds my stare. For a few tense moments, I watch him, knowing I’m screwed if shit pops off. Raven still has my gun.
Then Krueger does something that surprises me—he smiles.
“See? That’s why I want you! No one else would have the balls to stand up to me like that. I definitely made the right choice. The club needs a leader like you.”
Shit.
“Get outta here,” I tell Lonnie, backing away from Krueger.
Eyes downcast, she runs out of the clubhouse sobbing. The cries of one of my babies come through the door when she opens it. I forget Krueger for the moment, turning toward the building’s entrance to see Chopper walking in with a fussing Chaos.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I think he’s just hungry but he won’t take the bottle. I’m going to find Raven.”
Despite the stress and problems I’m facing today, I smile. That’s my boy. He wants the real thing. Can’t say I blame him; his mom has some amazing tits.
“Where’s Hailey?”
“With her grandmother. Don’t worry about them, handle your business.” He throws a pointed look in Krueger’s direction, then heads for the rooms.
He’s right. I need to get this settled and start enjoying my new family. I don’t intend to miss a moment of those kids’ lives.
Taking a deep breath, I face Krueger once more. “Let’s go into the chapel.”
