Page 44 of Bastard

He pulled out his phone and flashed the screen at me, that exact headline in big bold black letters across the top, a blurry picture of me ushering Sam into the Rolls Royce right after the gunshot scare.

My job wasn’t a deep state secret, but we tried to keep it under wraps as much as possible. If anyone dug a little, they’d be able to find our connection and my membership in Devil’s Wrath.

But this was…this was bad.

“What’s it say?”

“That she’s fucking rich and you’ve known each other forever and now you’re fucking her.”

Eloquent Johnny. Real eloquent. “Is that why you’re all here? You want a picture?”

“Naw. We want Devil’s Wrath to back the fuck off our necks.”

I really didn’t like where this was going. “Or else?”

He grinned maniacally. “Or we come for your girl.”

There was only one thing to do when someone threatens you. And that’s to flex your power hard and fast. I headbutted Johnny so quickly he was still grinning when he hit the floor.

Chaos erupted. I had three guys on me with three more behind them waiting for a turn. I hadn’t had to perform a good old fashioned beatdown in years. Not all on my own. In a way it was cathartic to let out all my pent-up frustration. These were targets asking to get a beating. It wasn’t my fault they attacked me. No choice but to make sure they couldn’t get back up when I put them down.

I broke someone’s arm, punched a couple of throats, flipped a smaller guy over my shoulder and onto a table. The bartender or the hostess must have called up to the clubhouse because suddenly my brothers were there too. The fight only lasted another few minutes before the guys still standing dragged their hurt brothers out the door and to their bikes before the police showed up.

“You okay, man?” Storm panted beside me. “What the fuck?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. But words out on the street that Sam and I are a thing.”

“Fuuuuuuuuck.”

“Yeah. My thoughts exactly. Where are the police?” With rival clubs showing colors they should be here by now.

“Murder called ‘em off. Said we had it handled.”

“Doubt our business regulars will feel that way for a few weeks.”

Storm laughed, grabbing his side. “Yeah well. Luckily they have short memories. Fuck, this complicates things.”

“Sorry.”

Storm shrugged. “Guess it’s time for the Chubbies to remember how to fight.”

18

“Jesus, Jace! What the hell happened?”

I didn’t blame Sam for being shocked, but I did wish she’d keep the yelling down. At least it seemed to me she was yelling. Maybe I took too many punches to the head.

“Got into a little fight. Nothing I can’t handle.” Something moved behind Sam and instinct kicked in hard. I had my Glock in hand and Sam behind me before her yelp even hit my ears. “Stop!”

“No Jace!”

A lot of things happened at once. The person stepped into the light. Sam’s distress registered as the opposite of what I wanted. Recognition dawned and let the gun go loose on my finger as I held it in the air. “Shit. Sorry David. I’m a little jumpy.”

Sam’s former boss cocked an eyebrow, cool as a fucking cucumber. You’d think he got guns pulled on him all the time. “Nice instincts. I’m impressed.”

Sam tapped my shoulder. “May I move now?”

I shoved the gun back into my holster, grabbed her face, and kissed her hard. “I’m sorry.”

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