Page 38 of Salvation

“Interesting,” I said, more to myself than anything else. “So people like … my parents, for instance. Could they visit?”

“If they wanted to,” he shrugged. “Provided they behave themselves, nothing will happen to them.”

“Have you had any instances of people not behaving themselves?” I asked after a moment's pause whilst I mulledover his words. The thought of my parents being here was laughable. My mother had almost had a coronary the one time she had to stay here overnight. My dad might like it, though.

“Once or twice. Dante dealt with it pretty quickly. There were a couple of lads in their twenties who thought because we’re bikers, we must be fighting all day long. They came into one of the bars, and were quick to start a brawl.”

“What happened?”

“Dante grabbed the ringleader and bit his nose off.”

“Reasonable reaction,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“It was effective.”

“And people still want to come here, despite that?”

Why? I don’t think I’d want to visit somewhere that allowed a psycho to reign supreme.

And yet here you are.

“Strangely enough, it made people feel more secure. Behave yourselves, and nothing bad will happen.”

“Hold on,” I said as I processed his words. “What did you mean ‘one’ of the bars?”

“Oh, I forgot you wouldn’t know. We have three now. We have ours, the clubhouse, which is not open to the public. Dante had the basement renovated for our poker nights, and it’s only open to members, hang-arounds, prospects, old ladies, and the club whores. Or select friends. This way he was never far away from Bee, since he can hardly rely on Mama to be a babysitter these days. The other bars can be used by whoever wants to. One serves food, the other is just a pub with snacks.”

“Jesus. A lot has changed around here.”

“It has. Dante has big plans, but I’ll let him fill you in on the rest. But remember, Rachel. Though things change, much stays the same. Including the way Dante felt about you. Don’t let him hide in himself and deny it.”

He didn’t wait for a response—just skipped off down the path like a toddler on Red Bull, hammering Jenna’s door with the glee of a man who had nothing to lose.

Chapter 16

Rachel

Jenna came flying out of the door, fists swinging. I had to admit, I was pretty impressed with the way she was able to swing at Vienna without so much as jiggling the sleeping baby in her arms.

Vienna ducked her punch like a seasoned pro, but she managed to catch him with a well-timed knee to the groin, which had him promptly falling to the ground and clutching his “jewels” as he called them with a gasp.

“Rachel!” Jenna beamed, stepping over Vienna’s body, who was now curled in the foetal position, muttering under his breath. I tensed as she jogged over to me, fully expecting her anger, since Shark had made it seem she was beyond pissed at me. However, she threw her spare arm around my neck and pulled me close.

“You look good,” she murmured down my ear.

“You too,” I replied as I pulled away. And I meant it as well. Her purple hair was as vibrant as ever, and it looked as though there was an extra piercing in her lip. But the biggest changewith her was the shine in her eyes. She radiated happiness and bliss.

God, if I could just jar all that energy she’s currently radiating, I’d make a fucking fortune!

When I was done using it all for myself, that is. I’d need all the happiness and bliss I could find if I was going to survive the next six months.

“Sure, perfect Rachel gets a hug, but I get kicked in m’goods!”

“Perfect Rachel didn’t bang on my fucking door like the police doing a raid!”

“She told me to!”

“Aye, so I did, Vienna. That sounds like something I’d tell you to do,” I laughed.

---