Page 27 of Deceiver

Bill turns in his seat, staring at me with cold, icy eyes. “I’ll hear from you within the hour, or I’ll be back. You tell them what happened to you, and I’ll make things so much worse. I know where your friend lives.”

“I got it,” I grind out. “One hour.”

I climb out of the truck that is parked just down from the club so as not to be seen. I walk toward the entrance, and they don’t leave until I’m well inside. As I approach the quiet clubhouse, I know that what I’m about to do is my only option. It’s the only thing that’ll work for all of us. It’ll be the only way for me to stay safe, and clear Western’s name. The only way to get Bill to leave for good.

Reaching the front door, I take a deep breath, fighting through the throbbing pain that is getting progressively worse with every step. I’m certain I have a broken rib, at least, a very badly bruised one. Pushing the door open, I walk inside the clubhouse. It’s quiet, a few bikers kicking back, drinking and smoking. I notice Mex and Venom both standing by the bar, their eyes on me.

Exhaling, I walk over to them.

“I know, I know. I’m not allowed. But it’s urgent. I need to speak to Nightmare. Is he here?”

“Night’s in a meetin’,” Venom growls, his voice a low, gravelly sound.

Venom is dangerous. He has had a bad past or something, because the man radiates a vibe even stronger than Western’s. He doesn’t want people near him, he doesn’t want human contact at all. He’s broken, he’s deadly, and he makes sure you know it. Mex, on the other hand, is a lot easier to get along with. No quite the same as Fury, but enough that you know he isn’t going to toss you out on your ass.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t urgent,” I say, to Mex this time. “Please.”

Mex pushes off the bar, his eyes scanning over me. “I’ll go speak to him.”

I nod, stepping back and watching as every biker in the club has their eyes on me. They don’t trust me, and I can’t say I blame them. I wouldn’t trust me either. But standing in a room with them, their hard stares hitting me from all angles, is more than a little uncomfortable.

Needing an escape, I move to the quietest corner of the room and wait.

I wait and hope Western hears me out.

Either way, I’m not leaving until he does.

Pushing back any doubt, I bring my confidence forward.

It’s the only thing that’ll save me now.

6

Standing in front ofColt, Western, and Fury, I find it hard to gather my words. I need to say this right the first time, because if I don’t, I’m not going to convince them and then I’m in the kind of hot water I won’t be able to escape from. Taking a breath, not too deep because it hurts, I meet Colt’s eyes, unable to look into the eyes of the man who utterly tore my heart out only days ago.

“I know you don’t trust me, and I understand why, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you needed to be part of what is going on outside of these club walls. I’m in danger, and that danger isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I want your help. I want your protection. I’m begging for you to hear me out.”

---