Page 1 of Vengeful Pawn

CHAPTER 1

Hendrix

The burn from the expensive whiskey faded to numbness long ago. Most will assume it’s because I’ve been here drinking all night. The truth is, the numbness set in the day Santi Cardarelli and I killed those child soldiers overseas.

An ambush gone wrong.

There are a hundred stories exactly like it in every war. Grown-ass men pretending to be tough guys for whatever cause they’ve convinced themselves is justifiable. What they do, what they did, is and always has been the same bullshit told in history books.

Burning villages.

Raping women.

Killing children.

Forcing other children that they didn’t kill by some godforsaken fucking miracle into soldiers carrying guns bigger than them. And so, as Santi and I were patrolling a village, protecting the remaining women and children, we were attacked.

We would have…should have…died.

We huddled down. Took cover. Held the fucking line. Did everything we spent years training to do. We stood our ground, remained strong until an opening presented itself. By the time we realized what had happened, it was too late.

Blood pooled on the ground under the bodies of countless children with holes from bullets we put in them. I still wish we’d have let the scumbags who sent them into battle take us out. And now, I drown their crying, their whimpering, their cold, lifeless stares with as much fucking liquor as possible. So, the burn? If I feel it or don’t feel it, that’s my price. I deserve worse. Death would be too kind for an asshole like me.

“You want another?” Rock, the lone prospect to the Deviant Sinners MC, holds up the bottle I’ve slowly been emptying all night.

Checking my watch, I shake my head. “Nah, they should be back any minute.” A meeting has been set with the MC about putting up another safe house in their area, so they don’t have to keep sending girls to Lilith’s baby, Sparrow House, in Pensacola.

“There’s their bikes now.” He nods, placing a fresh bottle of water in front of me before filling up a coffee cup. The boy is learning.

It takes another five minutes before Castle enters the bar, his crew following behind. As soon as he spots me, he motions towards his office, where Cross and Prince make their way, as well. The others spread out through the bar to grab tables or stools.

Reaching for the coffee, I down the hot brew in one gulp. If Rock can do anything, it’s make a mean cup of joe. “Thanks, kid.” I wrap my knuckles on the bar top and head over to Castle.

“Not a kid,” he mutters, and I grin.

He’s not. He’s a big fucker with a mean temper, but he’s still only twenty-two and hasn’t learned yet what life is about. Still a kid.

“Hendrix.” Castle offers a hand before pointing to a chair. I take a seat, and he dives right in. “We’ve been shopping around, found an old sanitarium that needs some work, but it’s twice the size of Sparrow House, and there’s room on the land to build cabins, barns, turn it into a real sanctuary.” Pushing a folder towards me, he sits back in his chair.

I open it and check out the pictures first, knowing the details won’t matter if it fits what we’ll need. “Can it be secured?” Being out of the city and on a few acres of land could leave the house vulnerable to attack.

“Cameras, sensors, walls with razor wire can all be managed. It’s not far from here and less than a mile from my place. Staff could be hired from the service, too. An added layer of protection.”

He’s thorough.

Closing the file, I tap it on my leg twice and say, “Make it happen. Hire whoever. I’m certain my aunt will want to come and see the property as well as help with the construction and decorating. She’s pretty fucking particular about what goes into these houses.”

“I’ll make an offer and get back to you once the paperwork has gone through.” Shaking hands again, I get ready to leave, already knowing that driving home is impossible. “Cross is going to give you a ride to my condo downtown. It’s clean, quiet. A spot to sleep it off.” I recognize an order when I hear one.

“Appreciate it.”

Following Cross out, I salute Rock when he gives a wave and then hop in Cross’ truck for the silent ride into the core of the city. After being given the keys and condo number, I head up, a hot shower and cool set of sheets the only things in my future until the door across the hall opens. The most stunning creature pops out, wearing tiny-ass shorts, a see-through white tank top,her hair a mess on top of her head, and an empty pizza box in her hand.

“Oh, hi.” She smiles when she notices me staring at her. Those long fucking legs of hers would look real good wrapped around my head.

I grunt out a response and stick the key in the lock and turn it, opening the door and leaning against the jamb as she walks away—no shoes, her door propped open, humming as her ass shakes. Licking my lips, my cock stirs for the first time in too many fucking years, and I know without a doubt that I’m taking this hot piece of ass to bed tonight.

Crossing the hall as she rounds the corner, I lean in her doorway, waiting for her to come back. It’s less than a minute later that the slam of a metal door rings out, probably a garbage shoot for the building. When she saunters around the corner again, she halts mid-step at seeing where I’m located.

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