Page 70 of Petty's Crime

“I can’t step aside, Petty.” RoseLyn comes closer to me. “You don’t deserve this.”

“See?” Brit screeches in that nasal tone I’ve grown to dislike. “He wants to be with her and not me. He was trying to kill me.”

RoseLyn rounds on her. “There is nothing between Petty and me, only that I want to see justice.”

Red steps between the two of them. He looks like he’d prefer to be anywhere but here, and in that I have sympathy for him. His nostrils had flared at the suggestion RoseLyn would take her business away, and the threat to our reputation. That must be the reason why he says what he next does.

“Roselyn,” he begins sharply. “If Petty takes off his shirt will you be satisfied and leave quietly? And leave us to get on with our own shit?” When she nods, he indicates to Twister. “Untie him and let him stand and strip.”

Twister tenses, obviously not happy with the change in proceedings.

I’m feeling about as happy with it myself, and can only hope the bruises are too new to show. “There’s no need for this, Prez. I hit Britney. I admit it.”

“You don’t get a fuckin’ say in it,” Red retorts. “Now get this over with.”

Twister steps behind me and slices through the zip ties. He then does the same to the ones binding my feet. Then he takes hold of my elbow and pulls me, none too gently, into a standing position. I work hard to swallow a cry.

My injuries have stiffened due to me being in the same position for so long, and the jarring starts my balls throbbing once more. My head spins and I have to breathe deeply to remain standing once I’m released. I sway, the deep breath causing my ribs to scream. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to find some equilibrium.

I can do no more then shrug and stretch out my arms, letting my cut fall to the floor, ignoring the shocked gasp at my callous treatment as I’ve no choice to do anything more. My arm aches as I reach over my head to grab the neck of my shirt, the movement stiff and slow. My ribs feeling like jagged edges piercing me as I try to pull it off, I bite my tongue hard to stop the exclamation.

While I fight to get out of my shirt, Prez eyes me thoughtfully. RoseLyn runs up to look at me and then moves around to my back. I try to pull back my shoulders, but it hurts too much. I’m feeling lightheaded and nauseous and it takes too much effort just to stay standing up.

I hear a sharp intake of breath from behind me, but I’m unable to examine it as I again start to sway and then I lose my fight to stay conscious.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

RoseLyn

“Itold you he’d be injured,” I shout at Red, and then at the men who’ve crowded us. “Get away, give him some space. Can’t someone help him?” I drop to my knees but am loath to touch him. I’m no nurse.

“Injured?” A huge biker but one who’s older than the rest speaks up. “He’s fuckin’ scared of what we’re going to do to him.”

“Just look at the way he threw down his cut. He knows he’s not a Devil any longer,” someone else roars.

I’m usually a patient person but I’m rapidly losing control. “Did you not see the contusions on his back and his ribs? And God knows where else she hurt him.” On the word “she,” I point an accusing finger at Britney.

“I didn’t touch him,” Britney objects, but her eyes scanning left and right looking for sympathy tells me something different.

It’s obvious that she’s still got these men in her camp. She’s the one with a dressing on her face and blood still staining her clothes. But I for one don’t believe her. I analyse the faces of those and try to find someone on Petty’s side. My eyes land on Red.

“We need to know what she did to him. And get a doctor here—”

“Don’t tell me what to do in my own fuckin’ club,” Red snarls, but instead of his ire being directed at me, he turns his flaring eyes on Petty’s wife.

Britney starts backing away, but two of the bikers prevent her progress. Ignoring the prone man for now, the Satan’s Devils’ prez approaches her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Britney touches her face and wails. “I’ve a headache and I need to lie down.”

“I’ll give you more than a headache, you fucking bitch.” Feeling helpless that I can do nothing for Petty, I stand and move to Red’s side. “You abused him before, and it seems you haven’t stopped now.”

“If that’s what he’s told you, he’s lying. It was him who abused me.” She indicates herself. “How could I possibly overpower him? He lost his temper because he doesn’t want the baby.”

Red raises his eyebrows toward me as if wondering how I’m going to counteract that point, while I hear male gasps at her voicing the possibility that Petty hit a pregnant woman.

But I’m ready for her. “A baby? You’ve only been back with him for a few days and had sex the once. You’re speaking to another woman here, Britney, and I know the score. Petty doesn’t have it in him to hurt you. He just took what you doled out, then believed you when you apologised and said it would never happen again.”

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