Page 25 of One Night with the Biker

“If he’s alive, you’re risking all of us for a twat,” Razor boomed.

“He no longer has hands, Prez,” I argued, trying to ignore how annoyed I felt at how crudely he referred to Ainsley. “If he somehow survives, his president will probably finish him off. What good is a crippled enforcer?”

I hoped that was how Roman met his end. Despite not putting a bullet through his skull, he deserved death. But I no longer sought to be his executioner.

More whispers, the opinion still divided, but a few more had joined my corner.

“What good is a living Scorpion, boy? Cripple or fucking robust, he should be dead,” Bolt snarled, his disappointment cutting through me.

I might no longer be a devastated teen under his care, but it’d be a blow if he stopped seeing me as a surrogate son. Not the end of the world, though itwouldwarrant a night of drinking my sorrows away.

Hearing some people agreeing with me gave me the confidence to address Razor once more. “I don’t ask for much, Prez.”

Razor scratched his leathery jaw. “First time in memory you’re asking for anything, Reese.” After studying me for a moment, he walked up to me and thumped my shoulder. “Take him to his sister. Seeing as how this is such a big favor, you better not ask for nothing anytime soon. If that motherfucker survives and takes out one of our boys, I’m killing that bitch. This time, there won’t be no fucking intervention. I’ll let you live the rest of your days knowing you played a role in her death. What’s her name?”

“Ainsley.”

“Roman Mac’s sister, you said?” Razor asked, grinning at the ripples of laughter running through the crowd. “Dark hair, whiskey eyes?”

I nodded.

“You planning on seeing her again?”

“Not after tonight when I drop her brother off. I plan to wear a mask and a jacket over my cut.”

“Then go. Get that motherfucker out of here before I change my mind, Reese.”

I didn’t have to be told twice.

I never knew how many of the memories surrounding my parents’ deaths were real and how much I conjured from my overactive imagination. My mother’s scream, followed by gurgling, haunted my nightmares. Just before I always awakened, blood bloomed on the side of my father’s head. Then I’d fly forward and bounce to the floor in the back of the car.

In my waking moments when those thoughts invaded me, I always lifted my head and watched as my father shifted the car into park. I’d hear my mother’s voice asking what were we waiting for, then I’d lay my head down and close my eyes again. My mother’s scream, the sound of Harley pipes, and tires screeching always awakened me. I went flying because the car ramped from zero to mach 1 in seconds.

I was there when my parents were killed. That was the only definitive knowledge I had about that day, then Roman was there, pulling me out of the bullet-riddled car and into his arms.

I’d clung to my brother. Though I was sheltered, it wasn’t as much as some ten-year-olds. Partly because of who my father and brother were and partly because my mother believed in the power of an education. She believed in knowledge.

That day, I knew my life had changed forever, but I also knew I had my brother. Roman’s love and dedication to me and the memory of our parents never wavered. And I loved him just as much. It was why I’d made the decision about Dayton.

My rebellion, my one night with Reese, was all for nothing. Dayton was dead. I didn’t have to marry him. Roman had taken care of the problem.

Except he’d been taken away from me. Once he disconnected our call, I tried to contact Reese, not realizing he’d blocked me until then. I would’ve begged him for help in finding Roman. Yes, they were enemies, but I’d hoped he’d do this for me.

My call to Lou Lou went straight to voicemail. I supposed he’d blocked me too because of Nova. As usual, she’d run straight to him with what I said about his marital status. And as usual, he fucking lied to her.

It didn’t matter. None of it mattered because Roman was gone, too, and I was completely alone in the world.

I knew I had to find the strength to go on. Somehow. My mom had been amazingly strong in the face of many adversities. Dad was there as much as possible. They’d want me to go on. More than anything, I wouldn’t allow all Roman’s hard work in raising me to go to waste.

I covered my mouth to hold in my sob. But Roman was right. I’d cried the entire fucking weekend and for what? Reese walking out couldn’t compare to my devastation now. Mom always advised me to cry over the big stuff. This was it. Reese could fuck himself for all I cared.

My virginity was gone, Dayton was dead, and I had to face life without Roman. Or, anyone, really, because fuck Nova, too. Throwing hands because she was a stupid bitch was a hard pass.

The pounding on my door matched the pounding in my head. I didn’t want to disturb the neighbors, so I stumbled forward and looked through the peephole.

Louisiana stood on the other side. I couldn’t drum up any anger, so I opened the door. Louisiana stepped aside. Four men wearing skull masks brushed past me. Carrying Roman. They dumped his body on the floor and a scream escaped me.

Louisiana clutched my arms. “He’s breathing, Ainsley.”

---