Page 104 of Salvation

He didn't need to answer. I saw the shadow fall across the floor, spreading over the door and into the room as the person walked closer.

Dante.

“Come on,” he said, jutting his chin towards the hallway. I pushed my seat out, deliberately letting the legs scrape across the concrete floor, almost laughing out loud at the way officer Bradley flinched and cringed.

I blinked. For a second, I forgot I’d been fighting to get out — I’d been too busy winning.

I walked slowly over to him, as though I had all the time in the world. “I'm Hen—”

“Finish that fucking sentence and I will have you—”

“You're not threatening my old lady, are you?” Dante said, lazily leaning against the wall as he waited for me. Officer Bradley didn't respond. He stormed out of the room and down a corridor, buzzing to be let out. I looked at Dante and grinned.

“I’ve heard you're Henry.”

“I am, I am,” I laughed, accepting his outstretched hand. As soon as my fingers touched his, he pulled me close and threw his arm around my shoulder, placing a kiss on my temple. He handed me a bottle of water and I gratefully accepted, ripping the lid off and downing the entire thing in one.

We exited the police station and walked over to his bike. I reached over to get my leather jacket and noticed the name “Rachel” had been crossed out and replaced with ‘Shawshank’.

“Vienna?” I asked with a sigh.

“Who else?” Dante grinned.

“Are you going to explain how the fuck you got me out of there?”

“I'll explain everything at home. I promise.”

I nodded, throwing my leg over the bike and wrapping my arms tight around his waist.

Chapter 44

Rachel

Dante dropped me off at the clubhouse, but was immediately called away on club business. Apparently, there had been an issue with gun crime in the city centre. Since it was on his territory, he was the one to go and deal with it.

I decided against knowing the details. I could imagine the type of sick punishment he and Vienna would deal out, and I was happy to fill in the blanks myself.

Bee was at school, and Axel was with Heather feeding the ducks, so I had a few hours to myself. And all I wanted to do was lie in the bath and soak away my troubles. But first, I needed to at least show my face at the bar and thank the men who had helped grant me my freedom.

So imagine my surprise when I entered the bar through the archway that led to the house, and saw Vicky sitting on one of the stools, looking completely at home.

“Rachel,” she grinned when she saw me. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

“Vicky,” I said pleasantly, quickly accepting the hug that Shark offered me.

“Don’t react to her,” he murmured down my ear. “Remember the contract and take the high road. She’s here to cause trouble. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”

“I’ll be on my best behaviour,” I replied as I pulled back from him, giving him a wide smile. He grinned and shook his head, stepping away slightly to the corner of the bar so he could keep an eye on the situation.

“Do you need a drink or are you okay?” I asked Vicky as I pulled a pint glass from the shelf and placed it under the tap. “You can be quiet,” I grinned at Doc. “I’ve already got you covered with a Rachel’s finest,” I tilted the glass, slowly straightening it so the drink wasn’t filled with foam and slid it across the bar top in Doc’s direction.

“You’re a good girl, Rachel. You know how to keep your men happy.”

“That I do.” I winked at him and turned my attention back to the blonde who was scowling at me. “And you?”

“I’m good,” she replied, tipping her glass in my direction. “I’m happy with my lemon juice… It’s nice of Dante to put you to work already. Bet it makes you feel useful.”

“That it does,” I replied, not wanting to rise to it. “Beer for you too, Tools?”

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