Page 33 of Brutal Boxer

I wasn’t stupid. Casso Campbell was dangerous. Yes, I assumed he’d come straight to Minnesota, but the Knights could handle him. Couldn’t they?

“Let’s go.” Zach headed down the hallway for church.

Wolf stole a quick kiss and followed my brother.

Aspen was innocent in all this. She needed the club’s help.

I understood Zach’s feelings. But hadn’t enough time passed for him to be over the break-up? As he said, he had more pussy than he could handle.

I chewed on my thumbnail, not wanting to think about the past. Shaking myself out of the haze of regrets, I headed for the bar.

I need something strong.

10

Aspen

Storm had directed me to a chair along the wall on his right, essentially putting the exit out of my reach. A wailing, screaming lamb being led to the slaughter mirrored how I felt: utterly helpless.

Ten intimidating bikers filled the room, choking me in an obscene amount of testosterone. I heard Clarice Starling whispering,a lamb to the slaughterin her haunted voice.I never liked scary movies, but Zach had wanted to watchThe Silence of the Lambsone night when my dad had to work late. He’d cuddled me the whole time, promising to always protect me.

I shook the memory away, wholly unnerved to have the past roar back in such a terrifying way.

Storm was at the head of the long wooden table with a mallet in his hand. Another guy, Grizzly, I heard someone call him, was busy on a laptop in the corner. The rest of the men stared as if seeing a ghost. All but one, directly across from me. It was incredibly uncomfortable… bone-chilling.

I didn’t dare steal a glimpse of Zach. When he’d entered with his mangled face and a stiff gait, I sensed he hadn’t done well at his event. Or perhaps his appearance meant he had done well. Who knew? Not me.

Storm cleared his throat after a quiet discussion with a man who appeared older than the rest. The mallet was raised and slammed down on the table.

I jolted in my seat, my heart racing as my fight-or-flight response kicked into gear. No chance I could flee this room. Or could I? It wasn’t like me to give up so easily. Scared or not, maybe I could find a way. Or perhaps all I could do wasfight.

“I call this meeting to order. Time is not on our side with this new threat coming for us. We need to act swiftly and thoroughly to protect our club and each other. I’ve called my dad and the Fallen Soldiers to assist.”

Fallen Soldiers? What in the hell was Storm talking about? And he called his dad? I sure hoped his father was Darth Vader because it would take The Force to stop Casso Campbell, not some retired old man.

The men grunted their replies, eyes on the president.

Did Storm not know who he was up against? The power and reach Casso had?

I raised my hand, swallowing down the fear threatening my fight. Every pair of eyes shot my way. My words lodged in my throat, too petrified to speak. I second-guessed why the hell I raised my hand.

“What?” Storm hissed as if I’d broken protocol. Maybe I had.

I leaned forward in my chair, using Hero as a shield to block Zach’s view of me. “I don’t mean to interrupt. While I agree time isn’t on your side, there’s only one solution for all of this.”

“What’s that?” Storm snarled.

“Help me leave the country,” I blurted, before losing my courage. “Right now. I don’t need much, just a fake ID and passport. I don’t even need money.” Although some cash would’ve been greatly appreciated. Regardless, I’d figure it out. Prepared to do anything needed so I’d never be controlled by a man again.

“I already—”

I raised my hand. “I know what you told me.” I inhaled a deep breath, standing up. Keeping my gaze on Storm, I slowly moved behind the row of men, seeking my escape. “Casso Campbell will destroy everything. Is that what you want? Everything you love to go up in smoke?” I rounded the table.

Just a few yards to go. Then run like your life depends on it.

“Don’t you think we know what Casso is capable of?” Storm growled.

Five more feet. Four. Three.

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