Page 67 of Beast

“Asshole,” he seethes, reading it. Demri is his mom and he’s not going to take this lying down. “I think now is a good time to start breaking his bones one by one.”

“I don’t understand how he can get away with this,” Belle says, taking the flyer from Lars and studying it. “Surely there’s something we can do.”

I note the fierceness in her voice. And it doesn’t go unnoticed that she saidweand notyou.

“Yeah, there’s a lot we can do,” I say. “But nothing legal.”

Viking joins us, his face tight with rage. “Whoever is responsible for making my old lady cry is going to be crying even harder when I get my hands on him.”

“Looks like we’ve got company,” Lars says, nodding toward the sleek black car rolling slowly through the parking lot. The midnight black windows make it impossible to see who’s inside. But I don’t need to see to know.

Mayor Boney.

“I’m going to break every bone in his goddamn body,” Viking growls, stalking toward the parking lot. “And when I’m done, I’m going to start all over again.”

“One of us needs to fucking shoot this fucker in the goddamn balls,” Lars says, storming off to join his father.

It’s not the first time someone has suggested it. Boney’s name has been thrown around Church a lot, and it’s usually followed by a lot of suggestions liketake the fucker outandmake it look like a fucking accident.

It’s tempting. Life would be easier if he was dead and buried, but the fallout would be a fucking nightmare. Even Dodger knew this and it’s why he never acted on it.

But right now, seeing the empty barbeque tables, it’s more than fucking tempting to throw caution to the wind and take the fucker out. In my head I’m already ramming my gun down his throat and pulling the trigger.

The car screeches away when Viking reaches the footpath.

“Fucking cowards,” he yells after it.

If I’m honest, I’m surprised he didn’t pull out his firearm and unload a clip in the direction of the car.

You don’t fuck with Viking’s family and get away with it.

And you don’t fuck with the Knights without retribution.

Unfortunately, this minute our hands are tied.

I look at the old ladies behind the tables of food, waiting to serve visitors who aren’t coming. I look at the band waiting to play, atthe flashing lights on the empty carnival rides that should have kids and their parents lined up to climb on board. My blood boils in my veins.

Belle and I join Mya, the club girls, and the old ladies at the chili tent. Defeat hangs heavy in the perfect fall night and only gets heavier when the flyer gets handed around.

“What an asshole,” Isla says.

“But we’ve got all this food,” Bambi cries.

“Well, this sucks big dog balls,” Annika says after reading the flyer.

“It was going to be such a fun night,” Mya says, her big eyes welling with tears.

“Well, just because no one is coming doesn’t mean we can’t have a party,” Belle says brightly, looking around at all the disappointed faces. “After all, we do have something to celebrate.”

She holds up her hand, and the diamond ring I slipped on her finger earlier sparkles in the light.

Mya’s face immediately brightens. “Hot dang! You got engaged?”

Everyone in earshot turns to look.

Then the rush is on.

Club girls. Old ladies. My brothers. They crowd around us. Like a murder of crows.

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