Page 52 of True Bastard
He had just handed me the queen.
He underestimated the strength simmering inside me, mistaking my silence for submission rather than strategy. Every wound he inflicted, every twisted word and cruel gesture, was molding me into someone unbreakable. I refused to let his darkness consume me completely. No, if I was going to survive this, I would have to become fire myself—dangerous, unpredictable, and impossible to cage.
Three days. Three motherfucking days of being locked in his prison before I heard the fucking door unlock and watched as it opened to reveal Cerberus. The big hulking man smiled and greeted, “Good evening, Kitten. Thought you’d like to join the brothers downstairs. We’re celebrating tonight, and as the first old lady of the Brotherhood, we’d like you to join us.”
“The motherfucker dead?”
Cerberus threw his head back and roared with laughter. “God, I’m gonna love having you around. Come, Kitten. Let’s go have some fun.”
“Not going anywhere if he’s down there.”
“He’s not.” Cerberus sobered, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Firestride’s out collecting a debt.”
“I hope the fucker kills him,” I grumbled, walking past the big guy.
“You might just get your wish, darlin’. The fucker he’s after is a nasty piece of work.”
I followed Cerberus through the dimly lit halls, the air tinged with cigarette smoke and the distant bass of rowdy laughter. My pulse thrummed with anticipation and unease; each step away from my prison felt both liberating and fraught with new dangers. But I straightened my shoulders, determined not to let them see a hint of fear. If they wanted to celebrate, I’d make damn sure they remembered exactly who I was—someone they could not break, someone they should never underestimate.
“There she is!” Morpheus’ booming voice resonated throughout the clubhouse as all the brothers turned to stare at me. “The first old lady of the Brotherhood of Bastards!” Getting up from his throne on the dais, he walked over to me and added, “Welcome home, Kitten. Tonight is going to be fun.”
Narrowing my eyes, I seethed, “Why do I get the fucking feeling you are setting me up?”
Morpheus scoffed, placing his hand over his heart. “You wound me, Kitten.”
“Bullshit,” I snapped. “A fucking nuclear bomb wouldn’t wound you. Cut the crap. Why am I really down here?”
Cerberus chuckled. “Oh yeah, she’s gonna give him a run for his money. A grand says Firestride caves before Kitten does.”
“I’ll take that bet.” Garotte smirked as brothers all around me started handing Cerberus money. The laughter around me grew, echoing off the stained walls and punctuated by the clinking of glasses. I caught glimpses of wary respect—and a little fear—in the eyes of the brothers watching from their corners. This was their world, but tonight, I intended to show them I belonged to none of them.
Not anymore.
I met Morpheus’ gaze with a defiant smirk, refusing to let him, or anyone else, see how much my hands trembled beneathmy bravado. Waving his hand to the seat next to his on the dais, he escorted me over and waited until I sat. Playing along, I did and watched as he took his seat. A club brother rushed over, placing a cold long-neck bottle of beer on the small table beside me before scurrying off. Reaching for it, I took a long pull when Morpheus leaned close and whispered, “Tonight, you are going to learn what the Brotherhood is truly about, because tonight, vengeance is mine.”
“Sounds fun.” I sighed heavily, leaning back in my chair, pretending not to give a damn when the front doors to the clubhouse opened and in walked a man.
“A prodigal son returns,” Morpheus greeted with a smile as he leaned back against his throne. “Welcome home, August.”
“I want my daughter, Kane.”
The brothers all laughed as I silently watched the scene unfold.
“You want?” Morpheus sneered. “And what will you give in return?”
“Me,” the man said, his voice steady.
The room fell silent, the laughter dying as quickly as it had erupted.
Morpheus leaned forward. “You would give your life for a daughter you never knew about? That’s a bold move, August. But then, you were never really that smart.”
The man refused to move, undeterred by the danger surrounding him.
“So be it,” Morpheus said, a slow smile spreading across his face. “The good doctor has always been a man of his word. I will give you your daughter, but I demand your loyalty.”
I had no fucking idea what was going on, but I could tell from the way the Brotherhood watched on, listening intently, that whatever happened next was important.
“You have it,” the man agreed, then added, “But first, I want to see my daughter. I need to know she is safe.”
