Page 79 of My Revenant
“Of course it was fucking Bates.” My fists clenched in rage; that particular motherfucker was becoming an increasingly large pain in my ass. Cupid wasn’t even a fighter, he just peddled drugs, and not even well. To have three of them rough him up… something wasn’t right. Then again, looking the way Cupid did was probably enough of an offense to trigger tiny-brained Mason Bates. “Alright, I’m on it. He’s alright, though?”
“He’ll live.”
“Thanks for the reassurance, Doc. I’ll keep you updated.”
I ended the call, turning to see Jonah scowling at me. “Sorry, Rabbit. Why don’t you order something? I’ll eat while I’m out.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve got some business to take care of.”
“With that homophobic piece of shit?”
I gave him a strained smile. “Unfortunately.”
“Fine. Go fuck him up.” Jonah crossed his arms over his chest. “Just don’t fucking lick him this time.”
I laughed. “I promise.”
“And… Cupid?” He said the name as if it tasted bitter on his tongue.
“Just a friend. I promise.”
“Have you ever—”
“Just a friend, Rabbit.” I cut him off, because Ihad. Just once. But Cupid was rarely sober when I saw him lately, and I wasn’t getting involved with that. “Will you wait for me here?”
Jonah nodded, that familiar pout on his lips.
“I’ll be as quick as I can, Rabbit.”
“’Kay, just be careful.”
“I will, baby,” I assured him, stealing his lips in a kiss that promised far more than I could deliver right now. I pulled back before I could get too caught up in him, stepping away to unlock my phone and text Bryce, Raven, and begrudgingly, Reaper.
I normally would have messaged Toby, but we still hadn’t spoken since the last fight night, and I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t try to deck him again on sight. Supposedly Archer was dealing with him, but I doubted that. Archer wasn’t transphobic, to my knowledge, but he was still in the closet with his sexuality and not exactly an outspoken ally. He kept his voice to Strays business only, and even that was enough to keep him highly strung and on edge at all times as it was. Stick a lump of coal up Archer’s ass and in a week you’d have a diamond.
It didn’t take long for us to locate Bates and the Petrov brothers. The Drakes had a few regular hangouts in Deltran, Molly’s being one of them. It was a prohibition-style speakeasy, with low lighting and lots of dark corners for whatever shifty business the Drakes dealt with here. It was unofficially their territory. While it wasn’t gang owned, the Drakes held a regular presence here—enoughthat when I walked in with Bryce, Raven, and Reaper, the atmosphere grew cold and voices quieted down.
The fuckhead trio were still together, but there were two others with them too. We were outnumbered by one, but I still liked our odds. Bryce was our weakest link. Reaper could hold his own even against me, and Raven was both our fastest rider and fighter, definitely enough to make up for what she lacked in strength.
Mason fucking Bates smiled, like he was happy to see us.
“That didn’t take long, did it? Should have known the bitch would go crying to the other homos right away.” He spoke loud enough for us and everyone else in the bar to hear.
I smiled at him—a deceptively calm surface. Like the ocean with its raging, unknowable depths, sharks swam beneath my skin, and there was blood in the water. “Why don’t we step outside, Budget Hulk? This is a lovely establishment, and I’d hate to ruin it with all the blood.”
“Your blood, asswipe.”
“Witty. Guess that’s expected when you have steroids instead of brain cells.”
“At least I’m not a cocksucker.”
“Hmm… you think about my sex life a little too much. Kind of suspicious, don’t you think?” I turned to Raven.
Dark-painted lips pulled into a smirk. “Definitely suspicious,” she agreed.
Mason stood up with enough force that the table in front of him rattled and his drink tipped over, beer spilling over the edge and onto the floor. Fucking idiot. I turned and left the bar, my crew following me. Reaper seemed pissed, Bryce offended, and Raven amused.
