Page 41 of Hallow’s Eve
“Try me, pig,” he warned.
As much as I wanted to bash his skull in, I let him go. Not that I couldn’t take him, but I wasn’t stupid. Challenge him, and I’d have the whole chapter on my ass in a New York minute.
Wiping at my nose, I said, “He didn’t get her. Eve spent last night with me.”
“Good. Where is she now?”
“She’s home,” I answered, thinking she’d probably gone on to her Gran’s.
“She’s ours now. I mean, yours. I put out the word that we claimed her as one of ours, unwillingly. Branded her. You’re welcome.”
“Won’t that make the Gods mad? Stir up trouble.”
Kingpin stared into the bottom of his glass. “Yes.” He offered me the joint. I didn’t usually, but with my nose about broke, I took a puff.
Kingpin slapped my back.
I flinched thinking he was going to hurt me again, and instantly felt like the biggest pussy.
“I want to see that tattoo, and she’ll need to live with you, wherever you plan to be, upstairs or otherwise.”
“About the cabin.”
“Take it up with Cousin.” Kingpin spoke of our club secretary who got the name from being related to most of the guys. I assumed Cousin took care of all the bookkeeping.
I moved to leave, thinking our conversation had ended. But I should have known better.
“Hallow. When you’re done with her, she’ll be one of our whores here. I hear she’s a good singer. Maybe she needs a manager.”
“Who says I’ll be done with her?”
“You’re a runner. You ran from your career when things got tough, running from the media, you ran from Charleston. I bet…”
“I’m not planning on leaving Royal Road or Eve.”
“We’ll see.”
Goliath stepped behind the bar and about scared the shit out of me. Our other enforcer looked too much like Leviathan except he had hair and lacked the black tentacle tattoos. Nonetheless, Goliath was scary enough. Bigger than shit, he was covered in colorful Japanese tattoos like he were a member of the Yakuza.
Kingpin waved him over but spoke to me. “Hallow, I want you to take on my man here, Goliath.”
“What do you mean?” I asked him.
“I want you two to fight.”
“When?” Goliath asked, cracking a grin.
“Friday,” Kingpin replied, sealing my fate. He was punishing me, pitting me against one of his best fighters. I had no interest in getting in the cage, but we all did Kingpin’s bidding. I’d flown under my President’s radar so far, being Riff’s whipping boy. Fighting this weekend would put a spotlight on me. Enormous Goliath fought like no one’s business, was experienced. More than that, the stories about him chilled me to the bone. He gave the phrase cold blooded killer a whole new meaning. He’d been in the slammer with Kingpin. Where Kingpin had been an innocent man, Goliath was guilty of heinous crimes. He got out on a technicality. It’d been all Kingpin’s doing. Witty fucker had found the loophole.
Speaking of wits, I spotted something metal and shiny behind the bar. “How about now?” I cracked my knuckles.
Goliath’s face lit up.
“A private showing?” Kingpin was intrigued.
“Yes. Right here. Right now. I bet I can walk out of here in five minutes, unharmed.”
Kingpin arched an eyebrow. “You know I’m a betting man. Sure. If you can walk out of here in five minutes, you won’t have to fight on Friday.” He glanced at his watch that was worth more than a million dollars. It’d been a gift from his famous brother. I’d never met a biker with such expensive tastes, but Royal Road’s clientele were anything but poor. They had money to throw away hence the gambling that included betting on anything from our fights to world events. No matter the wager, Kingpin made sure Royal Road was always the true winner. All us members benefited. “Showtime.” He spun on his stool and leaned back on the bar to watch.
