Page 34 of Fractured Souls

I study him as he answers, facing off with our president. There is a slight wariness in his voice, and the way he is acting, but he also doesn’t seem worried. Which is odd.

As a prospect, it is very fucking easy to get booted out. I remember my year as one. I was constantly on edge, and if I got in trouble for anything, I was basically shaking in my boots or ready to shit myself. And I had an in already. I knew most of the guys already. But it was still scary.

“Correct,” Rage grunts. “This is a first offense. We will let it slide, but Blade gets three hits. Tomorrow. Get the fuck out, prospect. You're on bathroom duty for the rest of the day.”

He nods his head and turns to leave. Something about this whole thing is off, but I can’t figure out what. I'm going to blame my headache for that.

Before he leaves, I call out, “Tell prospect Connor he has five seconds to get his ass in here.” I watch as Daniel takes off to find him.

More than five seconds later, Connor comes strolling in like he owns the place. I can't bring myself to stand, and it's pissing me off. I can't do my part of enforcer right now, I know my body can't handle it.

Axe notices, giving me a nod and quickly taking over, “Did we say take your sweet ass time or to get your ass in here in five seconds?” He shoves him into the wall. “You aren't shit here, prospect. You have to earn respect. Right now? You aren't even close. Stop walking around like you're the shit and you own the place, or I'll put you in your place and you won't enjoy it.”

Connor nods, his eyes wide with fear and what looks like respect. He knows he fucked up and is taking it like he should. Axe releases him, stepping away.

“Prospect, care to tell me why you drove off the opposite way when I came back to get my bike and follow the bus?” I ask in a deadly voice, glaring at him.

He gulps before shrugging. “I didn't know I was still needed, so I just came back here.”

Rage sighs and mumbles, “Fucking dumbass prospects,” before speaking to Connor, “You'll take three hits tomorrow from Blade. Next time, you don't do anything else until you are told to. He didn't say he didn't need you. You do not get to decide that. Obviously, you were still needed. Get the fuck out. You're on gate duty. Double shift starting now. Relieve the prospect there.

“Connor.” He stops and turns back towards me. Surprisingly he makes eye contact with me even as his eyes give away his slight fear. “You ever leave a brother alone again without permission and I will beat you into a coma. We are family here; we take care of each other and communicate to keep each other safe. Got it?”

He gulps again before nodding and excusing himself quickly. I can’t help but chuckle as I say, “Think one day I will get one to shit their pants?”

Rage sighs, “That shouldn't be a goal, Blade.”

We all decide to stop there and wait for the boys to get back to fill them in, since they should be on their way now and I have no doubt they are pissed. But my phone is gone, so I have to get a new one from Nerds.

We all head out and sit at the bar that is in the main room, with everyone getting their usual drinks, which is mostly just beer, but I opt for a few shots to take the edge off and hopefully numb some of my pain.

When the door swings open and slams into the wall, I turn slowly, my body still aching to see the boys coming right for me. Ryker and Cade are pissed, and Grayson looks annoyed but calm. Shit, this isn't going to be good.One more shot before this shit? Fuck yes.I turn back towards the bar, grab the shot glass, take it quick, and slam the glass down before standing to face the boys.

* * *

Ryker

As soon as Noah stands back up straight, looking ready to kill me for hitting him, his eyes roll, and he passes out. I watch Rage fly out of his seat to catch him and lower him to the ground.

“What the fuck happened?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, a fist hits me fucking hard on the cheek. When that hit doesn't knock me down, another comes in the same spot, then two hits in a row in the gut, which drops me on my ass. I look up to see Stone staring down at me. Shit, he's pissed. He's one scary motherfucker, so this isn't going to be good.

“Did I knock any sense into you boy, or do you need some more hits?”

I throw my hands up. “I'm good, I'm good. I swear.”

He stares down at me longer before nodding and stepping back, looking at Rage.

Rage sighs and then looks at my brothers and I. “Sit, boys. I'll catch you up, then you can go dig your grave, Ryker, because once Blade is healed, I don’t think you'll be breathing anymore. You're lucky you're not one of mine yet because boy, that was disrespectful as hell. You never hit another brother out of anger like that. You know we only do hits here, and it has to be okayed by a ranking officer.

“You have no idea what happened today, and you didn't even give him a chance to explain. So sit the fuck down, shut up, and listen to me, and don’t you dare speak a word until I say you can, or I will make things hell for you.” He glares at all three of us.

Cade helps me up, and we sit at the bar while Rage fills us in on everything from today. Shit. I fucked up. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, looking at the ground where Blade is still passed out.

Rage lets out a humorless laugh, “Regretting letting your anger get the best of you?”

I nod, then decide to be honest with him because I trust him not to use shit against me, like people in my past have. “I just freaked out this morning and then not hearing all day about what was going on, I was trying to mask it and push all my fears and anger down, but as soon as I saw you all sitting here, I couldn't contain it. I know I need to work on it, I just don't know how.”

Rage nods in understanding. “I get it. Let us help you, Ryker. But you gotta be honest with yourself and us.”

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