Page 33 of Bully's Darkness
I stand at the head of the table, arms crossed and jaw set. The overhead light casts deep shadows around the room, revealing brooding men ready for the fight, with fists clenched and eyes burning bright.
Boss finishes laying out a map of the area, red X’s marking known Scorpion activity at bars, safe houses, and tonight’s location.
“They knew,” I say, voice low and steady. “They knew Liv was in that bar.” No one speaks. The weight of those words drops like a gavel. “They didn’t go in guns blazing to start a war. They went in toprove a point.”
Taz leans forward, elbows on the table. “A warning.”
Smiler nods. “They wanted her scared. Wantedyourattled.”
“They got closeagain,” I growl. “That’s the part that matters.”
Silence again, until Boss speaks. “Dagger sent a message. He walked into that bar, got close to your old lady, touched her face, called herhis good girl,” he says it with disgust, “and walked away before we even knew he was there. That’s not a warning. That’s a fuckingtaunt.”
“Liv said he told them to stay hidden until the cops came,” says Taz. “He knew we’d show. He wanted her to survive to deliver the story.”
“And she did,” I mutter bitterly. “Right to my face.” I exhale hard and begin to pace. The fire inside me is raging again, and I’m barely holding it together. “This isn’t about territory,” I say. “It’s not about deals or club business. This waspersonal. He wanted me to feel powerless. He wanted to see how far he could reach before I bled.”
“And?” asks Smiler.
“I’m bleeding.”
The room stiffens.
“So, what’s the play?” Boss asks, voice tight.
I stop pacing and look around the table. Everyone’s eyes are on me, waiting. “We don’t retaliate tonight.” I’m met with murmurs, a few raised brows, but no one interrupts. “We don’t play checkers when Dagger’s playing chess. He wants fire, we give himfear. We pull his resources apart, piece by piece. We find his weak link, and then weburyit.”
“And Liv?” Taz asks carefully.
“She doesn’t leave the clubhouse without two men. Eyes on her at all times until this is over.” I clench my fists until my knuckles turn white. “I want everything we know about Dagger, every side deal, every burner number, every favour he’s called in the last few months. I want to know who let him into that bar, and I want to know why I didn’t see it coming.” I slam my fist on the table. “We hit back, but we do itmy way.”
Chairs scrape back as I slam the gavel down. Brothers file out, already texting contacts, calling in watchers. Moving like the hive just got poked.
I stare at the map, my brow furrowed. It’s personal.Why?I don’t even know Dagger. And, yeah, the clubs have bad history that dates back since forever, but something about this feels different.
Smiler lingers. “You good, brother?”
“No,” I mutter, “but I will be. Once Dagger learns what it feels like to fearme.”
Chapter Ten
Olivia
I’m sitting in the window seat of the bedroom with my knees tucked to my chest, waiting for Bully to get out of church.
I fucked up, I know I did, but surely it was just a coincidence Dagger was there. Maybe it was him who was under attack? Because if it was the Scorpions like Boss said, then why didn’t he take me? Or at least hurt me? I shudder, remembering the way his eyes pierced mine, and then I find myself smiling. Bria’s right, it was hot.
The door opens and Bully enters, his head lowered. It shuts behind him with a heavy click, like it’s feeding off his mood. I watch as he shrugs from his kutte and throws it over the chair. The silence between us is thick and heavy, like everything we just said outside that bar is waiting here, hanging between us.
“You’re mad,” I say, dropping my feet to the floor and curling my fingers over the edge of the window seat.
“I’m trying not to be,” he mutters, still avoiding looking at me.
I scoff. “Could’ve fooled me.”
He runs a hand through his hair. It’s already messed, like he’s done it a thousand times. A sure sign he’s stressed. “I thought you were dead, Liv.”
“I didn’t think—”
