Page 3 of Hell's Claim

“Disrespect to a legacy has consequences. Check the charter, then come back to me,” Chance retorted and squeezed Sunny’s shoulder. “Let’s ride. I need a decent fuckin’ drink.”

Sunny got to his feet. Eighteen or not, Sunny wouldn’t bow to Zeus.

Straightening his shoulders, he glared at Grinder. “Gave you an order. Your president wants fried chicken. Fetch.”

“I won’t be a prospect forever, Sunny,” Grinder warned.

“We’ll see,” Sunny taunted. “Now go.”

Grinder mumbled under his breath and sent Sunny a dire look. Confidently, Sunny walked out. Zeus was heading for a fall; he just had to wait.

1995

Sunny’s skin crawled as he took the money from the whore in front of him.

She gave him a gap-toothed smile. “How about a blow job, boyo?” she offered.

“Not for me, Merry. You had any further trouble from that John?”

“Nah. Seems the beating you gave him, son, did the trick. Me and the girls ain’t seen him since,” Merry replied with that toothy grin. Shit, she needed to see a dentist, Sunny thought.

“Anything else?” Sunny asked.

“There’s a new girl. She shouldn’t be on the streets. Men are eyeing her, and I don’t think she’s on the game, but she’s close,” Merry said.

“Why’s that my problem?”

Merry eyed Sunny. “I remember your Pa. He was a good man, and none of this bullshit would have happened with him or Enigma around. Bullet would have got her safe. Hambone and Greaser have been watching her. It’s mere days before they take her,” Merry warned.

Sunny’s gut churned. He knew exactly what Merry meant. Hambone and Greaser would rape the girl and then pimp her out. If she fought, they’d drug her up and sell her that way.

“Sure she’s innocent?” he asked.

“Don’t know about that. But she’s not a street girl. Get her safe. I’ve seen enough shit in the last decade. Do not need that kid on my conscience,” Merry proclaimed, and Sunny nodded.

“Point her out,” he ordered.

“She’s with DeeDee,” Merry said. “We’ve been keeping an eye on her.”

“DeeDee at her usual spot?”

“Yup.”

“Take care, Merry,” Sunny said and headed towards DeeDee’s area. It was a minute’s walk away, and he left his bike, knowing Merry would watch it. As he turned the corner, Sunny heard a girl pleading, and his gut tightened even further.

“Please, let me go. I’m not a whore!”

“You soon will be, babe, just spread those pretty thighs and stop fighting,” Hambone growled, and Sunny sped up. He spotted them down an alleyway and noted Greaser was with her, too. With a swift punch, Sunny took Greaser out and headed for Hambone.

He’d managed to knock the girl down and was struggling to rip her clothes off. Sunny wrenched him back and sent him flying.

“What the fuck?” Hambone exclaimed, and Sunny noticed his blown-out pupils. The fucker was high. The girl scrabbled backwards, sobbing.

“Yeah, what the hell?” Sunny spat as he stood in front of her.

“She’s fresh meat and is gonna be working for us,” Hambone boomed.

Sunny thought quickly. The girl was crying quietly and had curled into a small ball.

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