Page 50 of Bully's Darkness
Bria is by the door, and she offers me a sad smile as I join her, taking my bag. Taz appears, his eyes falling to the bags.
“Bria, talk some sense into her. I can’t keep either of you safe outside this club,” says Bully, swooping down to pick Misty up.
“We’ll take our chances,” snaps Bria.
I look Taz in the eyes. “I do not want this club to protect me,” I say firmly. “If you put a guy on me or so much as drive by me in the street, I’ll call the police and have you done for stalking.”
“You know that ain’t my call, Liv,” he mutters, glancing to Bully.
“You realise what you’re saying, Liv,” Bully snaps. “You may as well sign your own death warrant.”
“Goodbye, Liam,” I say, not quite meeting his eyes as I give Misty a quick stroke behind the ear. I was wrong about her—she fits here perfectly.
Bria grips my hand so tightly, I fear she’s cutting off my blood circulation as we rush across the car park outside. She taps away nervously on her phone to find an Uber. “You’re shaking,” I note.
She glances up. “Yeah, well, you never know how Bully’s gonna react. He’s unpredictable.”
“Who sent you the video?” I ask.
“Darren. Dagger. Whatever his fucking name is.”
“How did he get your number?”
“I have no idea, Liv, but I’m guessing he’s just as dangerous as Loverboy and has access to whatever he needs. For the record, I get to approve all future boyfriends.”
The gate slides open, and we step through it. As it slides closed again, my heart hurts that little bit more. It’s final. Finished. That’s when the tears really start, and Bria drops her bag, wrapping her arms around me. “Oh shit,” she whispers, sounding panicked. “Don’t cry, Liv. He’s not worth it.”
I sniffle, laughing slightly. “How many times have you said that same sentence?”
She laughs too. “Far too many.”
The Uber pulls up, and Bria stuffs our bags in the boot before climbing in beside me. Luckily, I kept my apartment, which I’m thankful for. Maybe I always knew deep down I’d need it again.
Bria’s light snores make me smile as the credits roll on the film we’d been watching. I lower the volume and glance at her phone.Mine’s long gone, smashed by Bully in his jealous rage. I scoff.Wanker.
I pick it up and unlock it easily using her date-of-birth PIN.Predictable.I scroll through her contacts until I find it.Dagger.
Me: It’s Liv. I’m using my sister’s phone. I need to see you. Urgently.
The reply comes almost instantly.
Darren: On my way.
I stare at the screen like it might explain everything, but it doesn’t.
Then I hear it a minute later—the low, unmistakable rumble of a bike. My heart leaps as I rush to the window. The orange and black kutte confirms it’s Dagger, but I can’t let him come up here.
I scan the street instinctively, searching for signs of a Royal Bastard tail. If they’ve ignored me and someoneiswatching, it won’t be long before the entire club shows up.
Me:Not here.
Send.
Me:There’s a bar around the corner. Meet me there.
Darren:Your rules . . . for now.
I let out a shaky breath and delete the entire conversation. But my eyes linger on one of the videos. I swallow hard and toss the phone onto the table like it’s burned me. Some things you can’t unsee.
