by L. Wilder
I knew it was fucked up. I knew it was wrong, and there would be hell to pay. I’d gone against my word. I’d double-crossed the club when I hadn’t talked to Cotton, and I’d only made matters worse when I didn’t bring her directly home. My actions had forever severed my ties with Satan’s Fury. I knew going to Cotton wouldn’t change anything, but I respected him enough to have a face to face with him. Once Tristen was done with rehab, we headed straight to the clubhouse.
When we walked into the bar, Cotton was already there waiting for us. While Cotton greeted Tristen with a smile and a hug, Big walked up behind them. I didn’t miss the uneasy look he gave me as he glanced over in my direction. We’d been friends for a long time, and over the years, we’d found ourselves in some pretty tight spots. In the past, we’d always managed to find our way out, but I knew this time would be different.
Not wasting any time, Cotton told Tristen, “I’m sure the girls will be glad to see you, too. Cass and Peyton are in the kitchen. Why don’t you go check in with them while we have a word with Nitro?”
Her eyes were filled with concern as she turned and looked at me. Over the past few weeks, we hadn’t spent much time together. She had been busy with her counseling sessions and group therapy, so I had no idea how she really felt about things. It meant something to me that she was concerned about me, though. I gave her a nod, letting her know I was good. She didn’t look convinced as she answered Cotton. “Sure. It would be great to see them.”
As she walked out, Guardrail and Maverick came into the bar and gathered behind Cotton. Judging by their heated glares, I could tell that they weren’t exactly happy to see me. These were men you just didn’t fuck with. Ever. So needless to say, I’d found myself in a precarious situation. I’d like to say it bothered me that my old friends were looking at me like they wanted to put a bullet in my head, but it didn’t. I looked Cotton in the eye as I said, “We’ve come to a crossroads, brother. I know you are set on severing ties between us, and I’m not here to change your mind.”
“That’s a good fucking thing, because there is nothing you could do or say that would change my mind.”
“Figured as much. I’ve known you long enough to know how goddamned stubborn you can be.”
“Being fucking stubborn has nothing to do with it. We trusted you, and you stabbed us in the motherfucking back,” he growled.
Anger boiled inside of me. I knew I’d fucked up by not coming to him, but in the end, I’d done right by Tristen. “I saved your girl from the fucking cartel, Cotton. Got her the help she needed to get back on her feet. If that’s stabbing you in the back, then it is what it is.”
“Don’t try to turn this around, brother,” he roared. “You fucked this whole thing up, and you know it. You had to be the fucking hero for some girl, to hell with the consequences.”
“I had my reasons.”
“Pussy isn’t a fucking reason to turn your back on the club.”
Rage surged through me as I took a step towards him. “You’re walking a thin line, Cotton. Truth is, you’d do the same damn thing if Cass was standing up there, being sold like a piece of fucking meat.”
“I wouldn’t have double-crossed the brothers.”
“You’re a goddamned saint, Cotton.” He was being a self-righteous asshole. “Never had any fucking regrets. Must be nice to walk around in those fucking boots of yours.” I shook my head in aggravation. There was no point in trying to talk this thing out with him. He was too thick-headed to listen. “There’s no sense in continuing this bullshit. What’s done is done.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Cotton’s expression was full of hate as he nodded towards the door. “Nothing keeping you here.”
“If you’re ready for me to go, then get Tristen back in here. Ask her yourself and see what she really wants to do. If she chooses to stay here with you and keep the life she had, then I’ll walk out of here and never look back. But if she decides to go with me, then I’m taking her. Either way, this shit ends today.”
Cotton turned to Big and ordered, “Go get her.”
He turned and headed towards the kitchen. Tension crackled around the room as we waited for them to return. It was fucked up that our ties ended over all of this, but there was no going back. And honestly, I wouldn’t have changed a damn thing.
There was no doubt Tristen was nervous as she walked over to Cotton. “Big said you wanted me.”
“I do.” He stepped towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “Need to know what you want to do.”
“About?”
“Do you want to come back here and stay at the club… or do you want to leave here with him? The choice is yours, doll.”
My nerves got the best of me as I waited for her to answer. I hoped that she wouldn’t have any doubts, but she’d be crazy not to. She didn’t know a damn thing about me, and there was no real reason for her to leave. She had gotten better. She didn’t need me, and I was worried she might end up staying. I had my doubts until she looked over at me. There was something in her eyes that let me know her answer before she even said the words. “I’ll never be able to thank you for all you’ve done for me, Cotton. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t let me stay here. All the brothers have been good to me, and I love all of you… but I don’t belong here anymore.”
“You sure about this?”
She glanced over at me once more. “I am. This is something I need to do.”
“You’ve gotta do what’s right for you, Tristen. I get that. Just know the door is always open.”
“Thank you, Cotton.” Tears ran down her face as she gave him another hug, then she turned to me. “I guess I better go get my stuff.”
Once she was done packing, her sister helped us load her things into the SUV. We said our goodbyes, then drove out onto the highway, leaving the brothers of Satan’s Fury behind. On the way back to my place, Tristen was quiet. I figured she was sorting through the chaos in her head and trying to convince herself that she’d made the right decision in leaving. I’d made her think she’d had a choice, that it was up to her if she stayed at the club or left with me, but the truth was I’d never intended to leave that clubhouse without her.
“Cotton looked mad,” Tristen muttered as she stared out the window.
“He was.”
“Was he mad at me?” Her voice trembled with worry. “He’s done a lot for me… I really don’t want him to be mad.”
“He’s not mad at you. He’s mad at me.”
“After everything you did, why would he be mad at you?”
“In our line of work, you only trust the people who’ve proven they can be trusted. Over the years, Cotton proved that he was a man I could trust, and I’d done the same with him, until a few weeks ago. I let him down.”
“Can’t you try to fix it?”
“I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“If you proved that you could be trusted once before, you can do it again.”
“Maybe, but I’m not so sure I want to.”
She looked at me confusedly. “Why wouldn’t you want to?”
“It’s complicated.”
She sighed as she turned and looked out the window. I knew she wanted more from me, but I didn’t see the point in talking about it. She wouldn’t understand, so there wasn’t any use in trying to explain it. After several minutes had passed, I thought she’d let it go, but I was wrong. “Maybe you could try telling him you’re sorry.”
“I’m not sorry.”
Her eyes never left the window as she muttered something under her
breath. “Either way. Apologizing isn’t always about being sorry. It’s just a way of showing that you care more about your friendship than your ego.”
“It’s not that easy,” I told her, ignoring her little jab at my pride. “In any other situation, you might be right, but like I said… it’s complicated.”
“If you say so.”
An uneasy silence filled the truck as
we continued towards my condo. I’d called ahead and let Max know that we were on our way. He was my head of security and everything in between. I counted on him for just about everything, including getting things ready for Tristen. We were both exhausted from the long trip, and I figured she’d be ready to settle in. As we pulled up to my complex, I heard Tristen take in a deep breath. When I looked over, I found her staring up at the building with wide eyes. “This is where you live?”
“This would be it. I live on the top floor.”
“Of course you do.” She cleared her throat as she reached for her purse. “Where will I be staying?”
“I’ve got a spare room at my place.”
“Your place?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“I figured it would be the easiest thing for now.”
“Oh… okay.” Her voice trailed off as she opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. “I’ll go grab my bags.”
“I’ll send someone down to get them later.”
“Um… okay.” Again, her voiced sounded strained, less self-assured than I’d become accustomed to.
“Something wrong?”
“No. Everything’s fine.” She closed the door and started walking towards the front door. Something was wrong. I could hear it in her voice, but from the way she had just bolted towards the front door, I knew she didn’t want to talk about it, at least not yet.
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Damaged Goods (The Redemption Series #1)
* NEW RELEASE: A Satan’s Fury Crossover Series *
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Smokey: Satan’s Fury #5
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Big: Satan’s Fury #6
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Two Bit: Satan’s Fury #7
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Diesel: Satan’s Fury #8
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Damaged Goods: The Redemption Series #1 (Prologue and First Chapter)
Prologue
Chapter 1