by Erin Trejo
“It’s all there. No other prints were made despite what you may think.” I step toward him, grabbing the envelope from his hands. Looking through it, he had a lot of shit on us. Fucking, son of a bitch. Giving Aria a little shove, she stumbles forward.
“Nice doin’ business.” I walk past them hearing Aria gasp once more. She didn’t know this part of the plan. I round the corner; my heart slamming in my chest. With a quick nod, the guys move in. I can hear her screaming and it rips me apart to have to do it like this, but we can’t have anyone seeing her walk out with us, not yet. Climbing in the truck, I throw it in drive and haul ass back to the clubhouse.
My mind is a complete mess. My stomach cramps. I don’t know if this was such a good idea.
Chapter 28
Pulling into the clubhouse, I jump out to find Michael waiting.
“Where is he?” Glancing around, he’s looking for Tomlin.
“In another car. Follow me.” Leading Michael around to the back of the clubhouse, I motion for him to sit. I watch him hesitate only slightly, before dropping into the chair.
“This better not take long. I have other business.” Grunting my response, I’m sure he does. We don’t wait long. A few minutes later I can hear the other guys yelling as they come into view. Michael stands up, adjusting his suit jacket. His eyes wander to Tomlin and Aria before coming back to meet mine.
“What’s with her?” Confused, he waits for me to answer.
“Change in plans.” His smile tells me he likes the change, just like I knew he would. I watch the guys bring the two of them toward us. Stopping right in front of us, Tomlin makes eye contact with Michael.
“What’s going on?” Michael grins as he takes a step toward the now bound, Tomlin.
“This is the end of the road for you. You have disgraced everything you have touched, including her.” Nodding toward Aria, her eyes never leave me. The pleading in them cuts me in half. I want to go to her, I want to hold her but I can’t, so I don’t even look at her.
“You can’t be serious! After all we’ve done together!” Michael laughs. He takes a step back before glancing at Dragon.
“Can we get this over with.” Dragon nods with a smile on his face. Glancing at me, I smile before walking around behind Tomlin and Aria. I slide the knife free of my back pocket, grinning like a mad man. Hell, maybe I am mad. I might be enjoying this way too much. Wrapping my arm around him, I bring the knife to his throat.
“I’ve been waitin’ for this for a long time. You fucked my life for ten Goddamn years.” I don’t let him respond. I slide the knife through his throat. Blood spurts everywhere, including on Aria. My heart slowly slips into my stomach. I drop Tomlin’s body to the ground when the guys quickly move. Grabbing Michael quickly, takes him by surprise. Aria is clearly in shock. I grab her, lifting her in my arms before heading toward the room.
“Take care of her!” Devil hollers over his shoulder at me. I give a quick nod before picking up my pace.
***
Kicking the door closed behind me, I head into the bathroom before setting Aria on her feet. I grab a wet rag and quickly wash her face. Freeing her of every single demon that man placed inside of her.
“I’m so sorry it had to happen like that,” I say scrubbing her face but she doesn’t move. I feel sick. I want to throw up; I’ve ruined her. Tears slowly fall down her cheeks. I reach up and wipe them away.
“I’m sorry. Fuck, Aria. I didn’t mean for any of this. He had to believe it, though. Michael, too. I should have warned you.” Aria shakes her head.
“Do you know why I’m crying? You don’t get it! There was one little sliver of doubt in my mind, Roc. For one second, I thought...” She stops herself. My heart stops. She thought I would kill her. I take a step back unsure what to say.
“I’m sorry, Roc. I shouldn’t have. Oh, my God. I messed up!” She cries. Shaking my head, I hear the door open and close. Peeking out of the bathroom, I see Dana.
“I don’t know what to say to that. I thought you understood me.” I have to walk away. I leave Aria in the bathroom before walking up next to Dana.
“Take care of her.” Dana watches me walk out of the room. She doubted me. She couldn't truly think that I would have killed her, did she?
I make my way back outside in a complete daze to see the fire burning bright. I know who it is that’s burning, too.
“She ok?” Devil walks over seeing the look on my face.
“She will be. Devil, she doubted me, man. She actually thought I’d kill her tonight.” He doesn’t look surprised.
“She’s scared, Roc. We just fuckin’ kidnapped her. Don’t fault her for that shit.” He snaps at me. He’s pissed. That’s the look. He’s pissed, that I was pissed.
“After everything else? She knows how I feel!” Hands slide around my waist, and I know it’s her.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. You've never walked away from me like that. I was stupid, and scared.” Her cries hurt more than what she thought. I don’t want her to feel like this. Taking a deep breath, I turn around. Grabbing her face in my hands, I force her to look at me.
“Understand this–right now. I would never intentionally hurt you! I never want to see that look on your face. I love you, Aria. I fuckin’ love you.” Slamming my mouth over hers, I take her in. I take all of her.
Chapter 29
Things have calmed around here a lot. We run what we want, where we want. Michael was apparently the main guy running Cambridge and after he went missing, it sort of just crumbled. Of course, we used that to our advantage. We don’t answer to anyone, and profits have hit an all-time high. Yeah, it’s all fucking illegal but who gives a shit. Everything about this clubhouse has calmed, at least for the time being. Dana went home, and they all cut Crystal off. Last we heard, she was living on the streets somewhere. I can’t say that it bothers me in the slightest. I didn’t really want to have to kill a woman. I think Devil’s threats to her just might have saved her life. I lay here with my hand on Aria’s stomach. A feeling I’ve never had washing over me. Content. Happy. I don’t really know how to describe what it is I’m feeling. There are so many things it could be. She makes me happy. She makes me look at myself differently. She holds the power of my heart in her tiny hands. I don’t think she truly understands just how much of a hold she has on me.
“What are you thinking about?” She asks. Her fingers run through my hair like they always do.
“How when I first met you, I knew I should have pulled away and let you go. I didn’t realize how much you’d change my life.”
“Is that a bad thing?” She laughs. Her head tilts so she’s looking at me.
“No. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I may be a lot of shit–but you make me better–Aria. I’ve always felt empty. I don’t feel that anymore. There’s a weight that’s lifted, knowin’ I don’t owe anyone shit, too. It’s like I can finally breathe.” Aria sighs and I know that knowing her dad is dead still eats at her. Regardless of what he was planning for her, he was still her blood.
“I don’t think he ever really wanted me. It hurts a little to know that.” Kissing her stomach, I shift to climb up next to her.
“It doesn’t matter if he wanted you. I have you, now. That’s all you need to worry about.” Pressing my lips to hers, I close my eyes. My world isn’t perfect by any means, but Aria is. She’s everything that keeps me grounded and sane.
“I love you.”
FREEING DEVIL
Prologue
I want, for nothing. This club is my family. I live for the thrill of death, that comes by my hands. I hold that power. I love having that power. The strength to pull a life away, from anyone I choose. I don’t kill just for the thrill of it, although, it has crossed my mind. I kill because that’s what needs to be done in a world so fucked over by greed, and the need to out-do others.
We, as a club, aren’t so different than people like that. Our greed comes in the form of power. This lifes
tyle, this world, it all revolves around who comes out on top. So far, Hell’s Fire MC has been on top. We’ve worked our asses off making it there. We don’t take our place lightly, either. We have the strength to hold our spot but we also have the common sense, to know that we can be overthrown at any given second. There are always other clubs that want what you have. They want that title as top MC in their area, and they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty to get it. Again, we are the same as them. We aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty to keep our title. We’ve worked hard for it, we’d be stupid to just walk the fuck away or back down, now.
That isn’t in our blood.
I once had a prospect ask me how I became so vicious. How I ended up in this place, with these people. I sat him down and told him a short story.
Life, is only death. We don’t get older and knowledgeable for nothing. When we’re born, it isn’t life that we’re after. It’s death. It isn’t living, it’s dying. It’s the part when you leave a legacy behind you. The part when the end is so close, you can taste the blood the devil is feeding you.
I killed that prospect. He wasn’t cut out for this life. Not all men are.
You can’t hold back; you can’t fear anything. It will make you weak–and the weak get dead.
I won’t be weak.
Chapter 1
“I don’t give one shit what you think is a good idea.” I yell, pressing the gun to the side of this assholes head. It makes my heart rate spike.
“You can’t do this, Devil. It’ll cause a war.” He says, grunting between his teeth, I laugh. He thinks I really give a shit about a war? I am the motherfucking war!
“See, that’s where we disagree. I can do this; I can do whatever the hell I want. I don’t give a shit about you, or your little punk ass crew. Look at you! What kind of President cowers when a gun is aimed at his head?” The manically charged laughter that explodes out of me surprises Trick. He doesn’t say shit, though.
“This won’t end well for you.” The asshole grunts as I press the gun just a little harder.
“Everything–ends well for me. Death is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?” I say before pulling the trigger. I watch as the blood and brain splatter before his body hangs limply in the chair. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.
“I’m not cleanin’ that shit up.” Trick chuckles behind me. I can’t help but laugh along with him.
“That’s why I killed him here. No clean-up.” I stuff my gun into the back of my jeans before running my face down my sleeve to clean off any blood that might have sprayed me.
“Get all those boxes over there.” I say, pointing to the pile on the small table. Trick begins to load them into the truck as I let out a sigh. I don’t like how easy it was to get to this stash. Something about this whole situation is unnerving. I light up a cigarette as I think on it. Nothing is out of the normal, except for the idiot being here alone. There are no other guys here and that’s what’s bothering me the most. I get that every man needs a little space, but when you’re sitting on this much money, you don’t leave it unattended.
“Why the hell are you lookin’ like that?” Trick says. I look up and meet eyes with him.
“Just thinkin’ somethin’s off. Would you sit on your own, with this much product in-house?” Trick shrugs before he looks like he’s really thinking about it. His eyes widen when we hear a slight tick.
“Tell me you hear that.” I nod once before shoving off the counter.
“Get the hell out!” I roar. Trick’s eyes widen before he leaps out the side door. I’m not far behind him. The laughter that flows out of my mouth confuses the hell out of Trick. He wouldn’t understand, though. He isn’t me.
I shove myself off the ground when Trick speaks.
“Explosions amuse you? That’s fuckin’ good to know.”
I dust myself off before looking back at what’s left of the warehouse before I say, “Hey, clean up duty is now off the table.” I head back to the truck with Trick close behind me.
“Is this why they call you Devil? You really are fucked in the head, brother.” He states. I climb in the truck still a little unsure of everything. They knew they had a lot riding on that shipment. We drive for a while, a million thoughts floating around in my head. Why leave it with just their president? It doesn’t make sense to me. Something occurs to me. I turn to Trick and say, “Pull over.”
Trick takes the first pull-off he can find before I climb out of the truck. My heart hammers in my chest as I walk around to the back. Popping the tailgate, I pull a box toward the edge. I pull my knife out, cutting through the top of the box.
“They set him up.” The laughter that erupts out of me is manic. It’s a little on the funny side, though.
“What do you mean?” Trick asks, walking closer and looking into the boxes.
“Set us up, too.” He mumbles. The irony isn’t lost on me. We could have been blown to hell in that building. Thank the devil we weren’t.
“Dump that shit and let’s go.” I say. Trick chuckles, pulling all the boxes I just made him load back out of the truck. It’s a little amusing that he has to clean up anyway.
“What the fuck you think they set him up for?” Trick asks breathlessly as he hauls the boxes. Smoking my cigarette, I watch him unload the rest.
“Fuck if I know. Guess we’ll be findin’ out.” Trick finishes tossing the boxes before climbing back in the truck.
“Pretty fucked up they did that shit to their own Prez.” He says. Nodding my head that it is. However, some clubs are like that. They don’t care who they have to go through to make it to the top. Even if it is their own president. A few of these clubs are like that. Whoever feels they can make it out of last position, will fuck their presidents, without them even noticing. It’s a sad way to live your life. This MC is family to me. I would never fuck them over in anyway.
***
Dragon crosses his arms over his chest before leaning back in his chair.
“That is some of the most insane shit, I’ve ever heard.”
“Heard that. It wasn’t makin’ much sense to me either. Now we need to figure out what the hell is goin’ on.” I say. The guys all nod their agreement when my eyes find Angel.
She’s wiping one of the counters. Her long hair falling down her back. In any other situation, she would be perfect. I only wish that could be this one. My heart leaps around inside of me. I don’t understand how she makes me feel the way she does.
“Pay attention, fucker,” Roc snaps, slapping a hand across my chest. I blink a few times, dragging my ass back into the conversation.
“We can get in with them later. They don’t know who hit the warehouse. Throw out a few questions, see what we get.” I say. Making the suggestion is easy, getting them to agree isn’t always that simple.
“Vote it.” Dragon yells over the top of all of us. He looks around at all the guys. Obviously, I agree, since I brought it up. The guys all agree with me on this one, which is shocking as hell.
“Ok. I’ll get word out, see what comes back. Until then, we fuck it.” Dragons says shrugging. Dragon stands and pulls his phone out. I know he’s going to start making phone calls. I wait until all the guys leave the room before I stand. Angel doesn’t see me coming as I make my way toward her. I startle her slightly when I wrap my arms around her waist.
“What are you doing?” She asks, cocking her head to the side, her eyes burning into me.
“I don’t fuckin’ know, Angel. Every goddamn time I look at you–I can’t stop myself.” I whisper while my lips roam over her neck before stopping at her shoulder.
“It’s what I’m here for.” She says honestly. Fuck! As much as I know that’s the truth, I don’t want her that way. My hands drop from around her before she spins to look at me.
“What did I say?” Shaking my head, I run my hand through my hair.
“You didn’t say anything. Sorry.” Angel reaches for me and I almost let her.
Almost.
Chapter 2
My head’s a mess. This last run has my nuts all bunched up. Who the hell would do that to their president? It bewilders me that anyone would even do that at all.
“You ok? You look off,” Dragon asks, sitting next to me smoking a joint.
“I’m good. Just wonderin’ about that other shit. It pisses me off.” I grumble. Passing me the joint, he nods.
“Yeah, that’s some shit. Ain’t heard nothin’ either.” I take a puff before passing it back.
“I wanna go look at a few more places. I think there’s a new setup down off the old Lincoln bridge. Heard a few guys talkin’ a while back.” I suggest. Dragon doesn’t say anything. He leans forward, blowing out a breath.
“We’ll get some of the guys out there with you. Ghost is itchin’ to get out of here anyway.” Dragon says chuckling. I know how Ghost is. He has been so impatient lately. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into that man.
“Yeah, that motherfucker’s stir crazy these days.” Dragon grunts, knowing I’m right.
My eyes find Angel, just like always. She’s walking past us on her way to the pool.
“You hit that yet?” Dragon says as I catch his gaze before shaking my head.
“No. What the hell is it with all of you and her?” I ask in seriousness. Dragon laughs, throwing his head back.
“Have you not noticed the way you look at her? Ain’t none of the brothers touched her since they noticed you lookin’.” He laughs before I shove out of the chair. I look over at him and say, “Don’t let me stop you.” In all honesty, that sent a burst of something straight to my chest. I felt my stomach tremble. Knowing no one has bothered her does something to me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, though. She is what she is. I walk toward the doors when I hear her call me. It’s like music to my fucked up ears, too.