Page 13 of Ruthless Malice

I might not have been able to get the tapes deleted, but my Sheriff is a dirty one, so I have something way better…

When I arrive back at the Dark Angels club, I walk through looking for Bull. Voices are low, so I head toward them. I can see the back of Bull’s head sitting at the Church table, the doors wide open. Looks like they’re having a meeting. I can probably walk in, but I hesitate for a minute.

“She said she can’t delete the video from the database. Not much I can do about it.” I stiffen at the sound of Bull’s voice. He’s talking to them about me? I can’t stop myself from listening in.

One of the other guys I recalled from the station spoke. “Why can’t she get it done huh, boomer?”

“Bro, she can’t do it, that’s that.” Bull crosses his arms, stroking his salt and pepper beard.

“What the fuck happened to using her for leverage over the Sheriff? I thought that was the whole reason you were fucking a girl your daughter’s age.”

My stomach curdles the same way sour milk does, hearing him talk about me like a piece of meat. By now, my feet are firmly planted in front of the door. My heart plummets into the bottom of my canvas shoes, and I wonder if I can sneak out without being noticed.

A bald member of the team catches my eye as I stand locked and petrified in the doorway. I think he’s the one they call Psych. He nudges the guy next to him.

“Lily, how can we help you?”

“Uh, um... I couldn’t delete the videos from the database because once they’re uploaded, the copy is encrypted and impossible to delete. I have something I thought you guys could use. Sheriff Hunter is meeting with the Savage Outlaws later tonight with a time and location. There’s going to be an exchange of drugs and money, and this is the perfect time to get them on video to gain leverage over the Sheriff.

The crew’s faces light up. Some of them are fist-pumping, others are high-fiving and drumming their hands on the table. Me–I’m cracking up on the inside.

“Hey Lily, thanks for helping us out. This is huge.” The guy who delivered the truth sparked up with a generous smile.

“Yeah, that’s cold-blooded. You delivered!” another one shouts out.

Fire is blazing through my throat as Bull rises from his chair with a massive grin on his face. My instincts were right. I should have listened to my internal compass. I assume he’s coming to thank me, but he shouldn’t.

I turn on my heel and storm off.

Chapter Seven : Truth and Manipulation

Bull

I stand there, dumbfounded that she cleared out when I came near her. I think about it a little too hard as I walk out of church.What did I miss?

She’s standing over at the bar with Fiona and that Savage Outlaws bitch, Lara. They’re talking amongst themselves, and Lily’s already got a drink in her hand. I want to be angry, but I’m more confused than ever. The same internal war that pervaded my body when I was out on the bike arose from the dead again. Her sweet disposition floored me, but her feisty stubbornness turned my dial too.

For the first time since I’ve known her, Lily has her hair down. It makes her look like a completely different person. She isn’t aware of how provocative she is, and she’s driving the barbarian out of me.

I walk over to her with confidence, hoping she hasn’t still got the shits with me, but knowing all these women are trash talking in her ear right now. It can’t be a good start for me.

“Hey ladies,” I say to them all with a guarded smile. I nod at the patch behind the bar for a drink. He understands the silent request and starts pouring my top shelf whiskey.

“Bull,” Lara states with venom as she leans back against the bar. I don’t like this rough-ass bitch and she doesn’t like me, so either way her one-word greeting doesn’t even touch the sides.

“Hey, Bull,” Fiona offers a calm smile.

That’s better, know when a real man is in the building.

Lily’s frosty attitude is fucking me up, and she’s giving me her back to look at.

“Get the fuck away from me, Bull,” she grits through her teeth. “I have nothing to say to you.”

I throw my hands up in surrender. What the fuck is her problem? Normally I wouldn’t give a goddamn about any of these bitches, but Lily’s effect on me has my dick and my brain in a vise.

“Lily, what the fuck is going on? I don’t even know what I did! Let’s talk about this,” I plead shamelessly, while Lara cuts her eyes at me. Fiona’s expression is blank, but she’s watching. “Step over to the pool tables with me and we can talk about it.”

“Fuck off! I’m not going anywhere with you. Is this part of your military tactics? Did you do this in ’Nam and Panama? A woman in every port, right? That’s what my grandfather used to tell me. That you, Bull?” she jabs, her pretty mouth forming into a wicked snarl. She’s furious, and it’s making my dick hard. I like a woman with a little resistance and fight in her spirit. It’s more of a challenge that way.

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