Page 54 of Raze

“Raze doesn't hate you.” I shake my head.

“Well, he should.” Wrath leans down to make the break.

“So, what’s he protecting you from?” I ask curiously.

“There’s an underground fight happening in a few weeks. I put myself forward for it. Raze doesn’t think I can beat the guy, which is ironic since he’s the one who taught me how to fight.”

“And can you…beat the guy?” I check.

“The way I’ve been feeling lately, I could beat anyone.”

Ruckus looks in our direction and I can tell by the way he nods his head at what Raze is saying that Wrath’s right, they are talking about him.

“Raze thinks I’m unhinged, and he’s probably right. But that’s exactly why I’m the guy for the job.”

“And don’t you think you should be talking to him about this instead of me?” I struggle to see what this is leading to.

“Who do you think influences Raze more, you or Ruckus?” He shows me a handsome grin and I shake my head and laugh.

“I’d think it would be his Vice President,” I point out looking down at his patch to remind him of the position he holds, and the smile drops off his face. He’s about to say something when the club door opens and the woman who struts through it earns everyone’s attention. She’s wearing a tailored pant suit, some killer heels and looks out of place as she walks past us and heads straight for the bar toward Raze.

Every person here is staring at her and Ruckus almost spits his beer across the room when he looks over his shoulder and clearly recognizes who she is. Raze looks equally as shocked to see her and I can’t hear what she says to him, but he nods his head, and places down his beer before taking her into his office.

“Holy shit.” Wrath places his cue on the table and glances over to Ruckus once the door closes.

“Was that who I think it was?” Ruckus marches over, looking at the door with the same dumbfounded look on his face.

“It sure fuckin’ was.” The way Wrath curls his lip shows that she’s not a welcomed visitor

“Who is she?” I ask, very fucking aware that right now she’s in my boyfriend’s office alone with him.

“She’s the one that broke Raze’s heart,” Ruckus informs me before sliding his hand over his face. “And the reason he left town all those years ago.”

I think back to the time when he told me he’d never had his heart broken, I remember how cagey he was for the whole of that conversation and now it seems, he was lying to me.

“Am I seeing things?” Polly’s the next to come over and stare at the door that separates us from them.

“Nope.” Wrath takes a long deep breath that makes me wonder why her being here is such a big deal.

“So that woman who just went in there?—”

“Is the whole reason Raze left here in the first place.” Polly shakes her head sadly, confirming what Ruckus just told me, before she makes her way back over to the bar.

Suddenly the hurt inside me turns to red-hot anger, and I feel like an exhibit at the zoo when word starts spreading around and everyone's eyes focus on me. I hate that he lied, and wonder why he felt like he had to. Maybe he still has feelings for the beautiful woman he just took into his office.

“You okay?” Wrath reaches out to me and I quickly pull away.

“I’m fine, I just need to check on Reggie.” I try not to run as I make my way to the door, but I leave as fast I can to escape any more humiliation.

Nobody is more shocked to see the woman who’s standing in front of me now than I am, and although she’s looking very fuckin’ different to the last time I saw her, she still seeps rage into my veins.

“Tell me what you came to say then get out.” I take a seat and light myself a smoke.

“Don’t be like that, Raze, it’s been a long time.” She smiles as she perches on the end of her chair like she’s some kinda fuckin’ lady.

“Not long enough.” I shake my head and feel like such a damn idiot for ever having feelings for this woman.

I walk outta the prison gates and take in a deep breath of fresh air and freedom, then I head straight for the bus depot. I could have called the club and had one of the boys come pick me up, but I’ve worked really hard on keeping my early release a surprise. Stacey may have stopped visiting a few months ago but she still writes and she’s promised me she’ll stay at the club until I get back.

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