Page 45 of Bully's Darkness
He lifts my top, trailing kisses down to my stomach. “And you were right earlier,” he murmurs. “It’s your role to run the whores. I shouldn’t have interfered. The rota stays. I’ll deal with Poison.”
Now, I’m really suspicious. “You’re scaring me,” I whisper.
His lips pause. “It’s club business,” he says gently. “But now I know, I can fix it. I can focus on us again.” He smiles, moving his mouth across my chest.
“Can things be resolved with the Scorpions?” I ask.
He hums against my skin. “Yes.”
I exhale, loosening my grip on the fear rising in me. “No more bloodshed?” He doesn’t answer, just continues kissing. I tug his hair, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Bully, is this over?”
The sudden pop of a sharp sound cuts through the air.
He goes still.
Another pop.
This time, he’s off the bed in an instant. “Stay here. Don’t leave this room,” he orders.
“What’s going on?” Another crack splits the air. “Bully, that’s the same sound I heard at the bar. Is it gunfire?” My voice shakes.
He grabs my shoulders, firm but steady. “Olivia, focus.” I breathe in, out. “Stay here. No matter what.”
“But Bria . . . what about my sister?”
“I’ll find her.”
He’s out the door before I can speak again. My legs carry me to the doorway, breath catching in my throat. I can’t stay here. I have to find Bria.
The club is shaking from the commotion below, the voices barking orders, the unmistakable thud of boots on the stairs. But all I can think of is Bria. I slip out the bedroom, careful to avoid the creaking board near the railing, and edge toward the back stairs.
My heart thuds in my chest as I ease myself down each step, my back pressed to the wall. If I can make it out and around the back, Bria will probably be under the tree where she said she was going to read.
“Liv.”
The voice stops me cold.
Dagger steps from the shadows, his presence as smooth and poisonous as his name. He’s calm,too calm,like the chaos doesn’t touch him. “You need to hide,” he whispers, glancing around. “Now.”
“My sister . . .”
“Is hiding too. Fuck. Why are you so damn perfect, always looking out for someone? Who will save you, though, Liv?”
I swallow, backing up a step. “What’s going on?”
“Just a little fun.”
I almost choke on my words. “Fun?” I hiss. “This isn’t fun, Darren. Why can’t you both just fucking stop this bullshit?”
He grins easy, like I’m the one being hysterical. “Three things that men fight over, Liv—money, power, and pussy. Which one do you think it is?”
“Bully thinks it’s me,” I whisper, my eyes reaching his.
He smirks, his hand lifting but pausing when I flinch. Slowly, deliberately, he cups my face. I freeze. His touch is soft, but it feels like poison sinking beneath my skin. “Of course, he blames you. That’s the kind of man he is.”
“So, it’s not me?”
“You’re cute,” he murmurs. “Just say the word and I’ll get you out of here. I can give you more. The world, even. But this?” His eyes glint, sharp and unforgiving. “This isn’t about you, mama. This is all him.” He moves closer until he’s on the same step, towering over me.
