Page 64 of The Echo of Violence

I move my hand so he can see the Taser held at the side of my leg, but I don’t lift it yet. “He missed his court date. Again. He’s a runner, so don’t expect to get your bond money back.”

“Call off your dog, Jinx.” I turn at the sound of Eightball’s voice but shake my head.

“Not until I have him restrained.”

“It was all a lie?”

My shoulders slump at the sound of Mercy’s voice. I look over and see her standing just behind Wizz, who is watching me with a scowl on his face.

“I told you we needed to talk. I was going to tell you everything, including what I do for a living. I gave you my number, but I didn’t get yours. I was waiting for your call when the alert came in about Scooter.”

“How convenient,” Wizz huffs.

“I suppose it is in the grand scheme of things. After all, how could we possibly open a women’s shelter together when you all have no problems harboring an asshole who not only likes to beat women but children too?”

Mercy gasps, her hands covering her mouth in shock. “Wizz?” Her voice wavers, and I feel bad for her. I do, but I won’t be a part of this.

“He was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault,” he answers.

“So, you knew?”

“That it was a woman, no.”

Scope’s eyes move over me, dropping to my blades, which he studies with interest before they are once again on my face. “So, all that before was a cover to get him.”

“What cover? The only thing I faked was my interest in the dickweed the first night I was here. I didn’t tell anyone about my job because it’s not something I talk about unless I need to. Nothing else was a lie. I like Mercy. I like the idea of a women’s center and everything that we could do with it. I liked the idea enough to take a step back from this, but sometimes life has other plans. Now I’m sorry I’m taking your prospect away, but do you really want this piece of shit around your old lady? He broke a little girl’s arm. Snapped it like it was a piece of fucking kindling because she tried to protect her mother.”

People shift uncomfortably, and the hatred I felt directed at me moments ago is turned toward the crying man on the ground in front of me.

“That true, Scooter?” Kaz walks over from around the back of the building with his arms crossed over his chest.

Scooter whimpers.

“Don’t think he can answer with a fucking wolf at his throat,” Boomer hisses.

I roll my eyes. “Toto, release.”

Toto lets go of him with a whine. He doesn’t like it when I take away his toys.

“I asked you a fucking question, prospect,” Kaz repeats.

“Bitch deserved it,” he slurs before looking around. His eyes widen when he realizes his audience is not impressed with his words.

Kaz walks over and kicks Scooter in the face.

“Try not to rough him up too much. I’m already on my third strike,” I warn him with a sigh, tugging the cuffs from my pocket.

“We deal with our own,” Boomer tells me as I walk closer.

“Except he’s not one of yours yet. He’s a prospect and a fucking fugitive. I understand you guys might skirt around the law, but I was told you had morals.”

“Don’t know who told you that. We’re fucking bikers.” He laughs.

I spin when I see a flash of movement. Scooter has pulled his gun and fires at my chest.

I’m thrown back, my head bouncing off the concrete as the bullet hits me, stealing my breath and making everything around me dissolve into…well, chaos.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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