Page 41 of Hell's Claim

“Feel better?” Chance asked. He certainly did. All the pent-up emotion at Sunny’s death, lies, and hidden lots had leeched out of him. All the angst that had built up against Sunny since hisreturn was gone, and Chance could think more clearly where his brother was concerned.

“Yeah. You used to tap out as a kid,” Sunny said.

“You watched too much wrestling. I should have remembered that was a favourite hold of yours,” Chance muttered, rubbing his neck.

They lay there is silence.

“I had a date with Callie tonight. Not sure what she’s gonna say about the bruises on my face. Can’t take her to a restaurant like this, and I told her to dress up,” Sunny complained.

Chance snorted and began laughing. After a few seconds, Sunny joined in.

“Clio’s going to freak the fuck out on me,” Chance said through his laughter.

“What you going to do about Sailor?” Sunny demanded.

“Leave him in place for now. You’re right. Without your suspicious nature, we’d be up the creek with no paddle. It’s hard to admit we’ve got a rat, but we have. It is even harder to consider it’s one of those,” Chance finally replied.

“Fuck me, a day of miracles. Chance Michaelson admits someone else is right other than him!”

“Get it right. It’s Chance Fuckin’ Michaelson,” Chance retorted, and Sunny began roaring with laughter again.

Chance joined in. The tension and bad feeling between them was fading rapidly, and Chance finally felt like he had his brother back. He hadn’t wanted to admit it, but Sunny’s alleged passing had cut Chance deeper than he had realised. They’d grown up as brothers, him, Drake, Bear, and Sunny. Losing one had nearly destroyed Chance, and he was just realising it. He’d bottled Sunny’s death up and never dealt with it.

“Yeah, we’re in the shit,” Sunny agreed and sat up.

“Keep your plans in place. But we don’t discuss them in the clubhouse or anywhere near it. I can’t see any of those four beinga rat, which means there is possibly something else at play. But your plan is the only we’ve got. And what I said stands, only us two to know for now,” Chance explained.

“No comeback on Sailor?” Sunny pushed.

“Oh, he’ll face the ring with me, but other than that, no. Heck, if he genuinely wants in, I’ll vote for him to hit prospect. Let’s head back. I wanna be around when the cops come calling,” Chance stated.

“Doubt it will be today. They gotta ID him first.”

“Even so. I gotta be on Hellfire.”

“Come on, old man,” Sunny said, jumping to his feet and hauling Chance up. He winced as he took in Chance’s face.

“If I look like you, Clio’s going to freak out,” Chance muttered, taking in Sunny.

“Yeah, I need a back-up plan for Callie. Can’t take her out like this.” Sunny flinched as pain shot through his ribs. “Fuck, I think you broke a rib.”

“I’ll call Doc Paul,” Chance said and limped to his bike. “You kick like a mule.”

“I excelled in hand-to-hand fighting,” Sunny replied smugly.

“No shit,” Chance snapped with amusement.

Sunny

Bear gaped at them as they pulled into the clubhouse and parked. Sunny and Chance were ribbing each other as Chance groaned when he swung his leg over.

“Were you fuckin’ jumped?” Bear thundered, approaching at speed.

“Only by each other.” Sunny chuckled as Diesel and Tiny appeared and walked towards them with worry in their eyes.

“You did this to yourselves?” Diesel demanded, skidding to a stop.

“Yes. Fucker kicks like a mule. My leg is going to be a mass of bruises,” Chance complained.

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