Page 82 of Retaliation

Why would he call to check up on her? What suddenly changed him to show any sign of emotion?

“I still don’t like you,” he snorted. “But like I explained, Scorpion does. So I just wanted to know if you needed any help with the aftermath?”

She contemplated his words for a moment before answering. “No, thank you. We got it under control.”

“Good.” That was his only response, and then radio silence.

“Gunnar?” she continued, careful not to let her voice give anything away.

“He’s alright, Poison. He’s at the ring blowing off steam.”

An idea propelled her straight off the bed and onto her feet.

“Get me in,” she demanded.

“In where?” he sounded confused.

“Into the ring,” she said. “I need to get inside.”

“They’ll kill you, woman.”

“Not if you take me in,” she countered. “I just need you to get me in the door. I’ll take care of the rest.”

There was a long pause before Gunnar sighed. “Fine. Meet me at the Lotus Lounge in twenty and stay outside.”

She hung up the phone and walked to her closet. Her plan set a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, dissolving any trace of exhaustion. Opening the back panel, she stared at her options and finally decided on a pair of black leggings with toxic green details, a matching tank, and her sneakers and leather jacket.

After braiding her hair in a crown around her head, she reached into the back compartment of her closet and retrieved her duffle bag and a silver suitcase. With a racing heart, she headed for the elevator, texting Skel on the way down.

She needed to see her crew before she did what she was about to do. If her plan didn’t work, she had to talk to them one last time.

A lump formed in her throat, and she tried to swallow it away. She couldn’t allow her emotions to take control. Not now. Not when she needed a clear mind for what was to come.

Strapping her bag and suitcase to the back of her bike, she sped out into the darkening streets. She allowed the wind to blow away all traces of thought as she concentrated on her breathing and nothing else.

A few minutes later, she walked into Skel’s gym, grateful that it was empty so that she could have a moment to collect her thoughts.

Skeldon and Cat were the first to enter. The twins, Aubrey and Lloyd, two blond brothers built like giant logs, followed them through the door. Known as the crew’s clowns, they were always ready with a joke to lift spirits or stir up mischief.

Behind them came the only other women in her crew: Miah, Alianala, and Evie - three formidable fighters

in their own right. Miah’s dark complexion and piercing black eyes instilled fear in anyone who crossed her path. She could stare any man into whimpering tears. She came here from Africa after her village was burnt to the ground and seemed to take revenge on anyone who wanted to challenge her.

Alianala’s soft appearance and perky personality belied her deadly combat skills. She struck like a cobra and took hits with a smile.

But it was Evie who commanded Poison’s respect and fear the most. They had met during a training camp in Moldova, and she had witnessed Evie dismantle opponents effortlessly, her flaming hair framing her like a forest goddess.

The rest of her crew filed in behind them, each with their own unique background and story of how they came to be part of her family: Axe, Bruno, Hitler, Damian, Carlisle, Noël, Ace, Kurt, Falcon, West, and Quinton.

Stepping forward from the group, Skel turned to her.

“Everyone is accounted for,” he announced, scanning the room. “Is there news on Reaper or the Dune Demons?”

Poison shook her head. “Evening, all,” she greeted them, refusing to allow them to see their leader sweating. “Thank you for coming here on such short notice.”

“What’s going on, mi hermana?” Cat asked, stepping to Skeldon’s side.

Poison took a moment to look at each member of her family and tried to carve them into her memory. If tonight didn’t go as planned, she’d die blessed that she had known the true meaning of family.

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