Page 176 of Salvation

Something in my chest twisted. Not shame. Not love. Something deeper.

Recognition.

We were carved from the same dark stone.

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t turn away. Just stood beside me in the blood and the silence.

He stood before me, looking down at me for long, tortuous seconds. And then he reached out and gently brushed a smear from my cheek. “Vienna’s party is tonight. Let’s get a move on before we’re late.” He turned toward the door, then paused when I didn’t follow.

“Actually,” I said, voice steadier now. “Can we make a stop first?”

He raised a brow. “Where?”

“The tattoo studio.”

His smile was slow and wicked, full of pride and possession.

“I want the ink back,” I said. “If I’m gonna be the new Mama, I best wear all the decoration.”

And just like that, he offered his hand.

And I took it.

Chapter 80

Rachel

The party was in full swing. Members from up and down the country that had arrived for Mama’s funeral, stayed to celebrate Vienna coming home. His job as the peacemaker had earned him a lot of friends in a lot of different charters, and his current job of vice president had earned him automatic respect.

The club was busier than I had ever seen it, and Dante had already given me a heads up that this was likely to turn into a rally. Engines were already revving as bikers itched to go riding. Imogen and I had spent the entire evening cooking the BBQ until eventually Doc and Tools slapped our hands and pushed us out of the way.

It was wild to think that just a few hours ago I had murdered a woman, and now I was at the club eating, drinking, and pretending nothing had ever happened.

Dante had sent some of the prospects to clean up the mess, and then promised me we were never going to talk about it again. That was good enough for me.

So I focused on the party, and promised myself I’d have a good time.

Club whores (or sweetbutts, as some of the other charters called them) were in full swing, dancing with the guys, pulling their tops off, and filling the room with their non stop giggling.

The atmosphere was fun and light-hearted. It should have been everything I wanted and more. Everyone was having a good time. For once, there were no threats, there was no drama…

And yet I couldn’t enjoy a single second of it.

I tried to tell myself it was because of everything that had happened today. But I knew it wasn’t. Vicky hadn’t been my first kill, and she certainly hadn’t been the bloodiest. This feeling of dread had to do with something else entirely.

The longer Hacksaw took to bring Vienna home, the more my nerves were on edge. Everyone else had a huge smile on their faces, and were enjoying a true biker gathering. But I was filled with dread. Dante was throwing concerned glances my way, and I did my best to give him reassuring smiles in response, but I was failing miserably and we both knew it.

Vienna was coming home.

When he was stuck in hospital, he wouldn’t have spoken up about what we did. But here? Now? There was every possibility that he would spill the beans. If not tonight, then surely soon.

Vienna was a good man. A loyal man. There was no way he was going to remain silent for the rest of his life.

His conscience wouldn’t let him.

So I was left with the choice of either confessing to Dante first, or waiting to be outed by Vienna.

Or Hacksaw. It would be foolish to forget Hacksaw.

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