Page 15 of Sinful Need
Seeing Hawk's hands on Rayne again stokes the hatred that’s still seething under the surface. Only, I’m not a cowardanymore. “Touch her again and your ass will be wearing that table.”
Hawk shoves Rayne aside and my rage goes nuclear. My fists clench around his cut, and I pull him close, staring him dead in the eye and then push him backwards. Making good on my promise he collides with the table, collapsing the wooden legs and splitting it in half as he falls through it. With my fists still clenched tight, I land a hard punch into the side of his face.
He doesn’t have a clue whose fist is bloodying his face but she does. Her face pales as if she’s seen a ghost then sets it to stone. Old habits die hard.
A hand on my shoulder pulls me out of my rage as I’m yanked off of Hawk. He scrambles to his feet, his hand reaching for his side. His face drops when he realizes he’s violated rule number one of the Viper’s Den, ‘Always carry.’
The Rayne I left behind would never have made Hawk listen to her. More has changed around here then I realized. He lurches towards me, his weight slamming into me and knocking me off balance. Unlike Jase from the past, I don’t cower. I don’t back down. I shove him back and swing with all my body weight behind my punch. Blood spills from his nose, running over his curled up lip and pooling over his clenched teeth. Damn does that feel good.
“You’re a fucking dead man,” he glances at my cut and spits out, “Fuel.”
I won’t let Hawk’s taunts distract me. The fierce desire for revenge pumping through my veins is all I can focus on. He had wronged me and ever since, I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to get my revenge. The moment is so close I can smell its pungent stench as strong as the sweet aroma drifting off of Rayne and mudding my hatred for this man with the sinful need to possess her once and for all.
“Bring it old man. I’ll bet on my Club any day.” I shoot a look over my shoulder to see my Club spread out around me ready to fight. “Who's got your back?”
“You’re a long way from home, asshole. This isn’t over.” Surprisingly, Hawk retreats but not without causing destruction on his way out of the door, tossing chairs and flipping tables. “I’m coming back for what’s mine Rayne. No more fucking hiding.”
When Hawk clears the exit, Rayne lets out the breath she was holding and tears well up in her eyes. I step to her, wanting to take her in my arms. I’ve been fighting ghosts since Jules showed me that damn lighter but now Rayne is too.
“What the fuck, Fuel? We don’t interfere with other clubs' property.” Hound steps between Rayne and I.
“The only property around here is the one this bar sits on and I hold the deed.” Rayne retorts. “Someone needs to pay for this damage. Is that going to be you, Fuel, is it?”
I do my best to hide the grin threatening to burst free. Of all the changes I’ve seen so far, Rayne standing up for herself is the best one yet.
Before I can reply, Chainz yanks me by my cut, “That’s not how you keep your head down.” He’s pissed and I can’t blame him. I let my emotions get the best of me but one look at her and I had to settle old scores. For the both of us. “I should slap you sideways and strip your fucking patch for that bullshit.”
“Sorry, Prez. I saw him and lost control. It won’t happen again.”
“You’ve put us all at risk and fucked the element of surprise. Take your ass to your room and stay there for the night while we figure out a way to keep this plan from blowing up.”
I want to argue but I know better than that. I’ve fucked up and not only that, I’ve lost the chance to discover if Rayne recognized me because she’s gone.
Chapter 9
Rayne
With quick steps, I bolt from my bar and slip out the side door. My hands are shaking and my heart is thudding in my chest. I inhale the fresh air trying to calm my nerves. This isn’t the first fight to break out in my bar. That’s why I have a no guns rule. With as many outlaw bikers that find their way through my doors it’s only a matter of time before somebody gets hurt. I’ve dealt with the type my entire life. Their egos are bigger than their cocks and their trigger fingers are quicker than their wits.
I plop down on the curb, drawing my head between my knees. Hawk’s presence in my bar and trying to lay his hands on me like I belong to him is making my stomach turn. For years I dealt with his abuse because I had no other choice. I fought hard for my independence and just when I almost broke free, he drew me back in with a deal I couldn’t refuse. I’ve kept him at arm’s length all this time but now he’s come to settle up and I’m not sure I can hold up my end. I’m at a loss how to stop him. My world is spinning out of control. I never expected one of the bikers passing through my doors would be a knight inblack leather coming to my rescue. Especially one that looks like a ghost from my past.
My eyes must be playing tricks on me. Jase Carver is dead. If my eyes are playing tricks on me, then so are my ears. We won’t even talk about the lies my heart is telling me right now.
It’s been seven years and all this time I thought he was dead. So how could this be possible?
With trembling fingers, I pull out my cellphone and fire off a text to Storm.
Me:Do you believe in ghosts?
Storm:???
Me:I just saw one.
Storm:R U drunk?
I tap out a reply wanting to tell him how Jase Carver came back from the dead, walked into my bar and punched Hawk in the nose. Then I think twice and delete my text when I realize Hawk didn’t recognize him.
Me:We need to talk.
