Hate on Me (Knights of Retribution MC Book 3) Page 5

  I nod. “Yeah, it was about three months. We were all dealing with Ace being hurt. She was more important than keeping up the Incognito name. I’m sure he figured it out . . . that we were behind Incognito, and in turn, he probably wants revenge for us trying to pull a fast one.”

  Gamble crosses her arms across her chest and rolls her eyes. “Well, if that’s the case he’ll be shit out of luck. I don’t have time for his bullshit and I’m not handing out mercy cards anymore. He blindsided me once, and I won’t let him walk away like he did last time.”

  “Last time?” Judge questions, narrowing his eyes in on her.

  “Yeah, back in Baltimore he cornered me in my bedroom while I was sleeping. It was when I called a meeting with him. Only, I didn’t expect the meeting to be like that. Long story short, I pulled a gun out on him and let him walk, heeding the warning he gave me. The Baltimore Kings had wanted me dead for selling on their turf, and apparently, he was trying to protect me at the time. But now . . . now our past is irrelevant. He’s gone out of his way to try and hurt us now, so I mean it, none of us will show him or his gang mercy whenever push comes to shove.” Her tone is callous, telling us all she isn’t joking around.

  “You got it. Whatever we need to do, we will.” Ravage supports her as always. He’s the first person to ever have her back. If some of us are ever unsure of what to do, his vocal support makes those few immediately fall in line.

  “Alright, so in all actuality we have nothing besides the fact they met. Am I right?” Gamble looks to Mugshot, then back to me.

  “Yeah, that’s it,” I confirm, staring her in the eyes. “Although, if you ask me, it’s all we need to know some shady shit is going on.”

  Gamble scoffs, “I wasn’t asking you, Needles, but thanks for pointing out the obvious.” She averts her eyes away from mine and looks to the club. “I want a couple of the guys to do some digging around Lewes, but undercover style. As much as I hate to say it, you guys need to strip your cuts when you’re there. We don’t know anything about where their clubhouse is, how big their club is, or what kind of lunatics they have patched. We need to put some feelers out there and see. Judge, I want you taking point on this, but I want you to take Sly with you. He’s a prospect and he needs to learn what it takes to be a full patch in this club.”

  Judge nods affirmingly. “You got it.”

  Out of nowhere the sounds of tires hitting gravel zoom past the chapel and I rush over to the nearest window. I see three blacked out SUVs going straight up to our clubhouse and within a few moments there are numerous people filing out. They probably went there because all our bikes and cars are there. “Uh, Prez, we got some company.”

  Gamble comes over to the door window and scans her eyes across the property. “Fuck, c’mon guys, we need to see who’s paying us a visit.”

  Chapter Ten

  Well fed devils behave better than famished saints

  ~ D. L. Smith

  Flora

  I walked out through the side door so the other women wouldn’t see me and walked around the long way to the club, deciding to head in the back door. I didn’t want to go in through the front and completely blow what I was doing. I saw Gamble and the rest of the guys walking to the club from the chapel, so I know something’s up. It only means I need to be more cautious than normal.

  As always, the back door to the club is unlocked, so I turn the knob and pull it open, stepping into the clubhouse as quietly as possible. I move to the right so the small mudroom area shields me from the hallway. This is a nice little bonus the guys added for when it’s days like this, in the summer, and we can have a barbeque outside. Since the kitchen is near the front of the club area it means we’ll have some place near the back and the guys won’t have to run through the club while they’re grilling.

  As far as the clubhouse goes, we have a game room, a massive living area, the kitchen, obviously a bathroom, and the garage is attached on the side. The guys have kind of turned it into a mechanic style garage, using it to store parts and do maintenance whenever they need to. The bonus is the nice bar the guys added in the clubhouse. It can sit about twelve people, but there’s tons of room for entertaining.

  Light footsteps grow closer to me and I don’t pay them any mind. It’s probably one of the guys, but I quickly realize I haven’t heard anyone from the clubhouse saying jack shit. My heartbeat intensifies and my palms grow sweaty at the realization.

  A shadow creeps around the corner and my eyes go wide as I see his face. Every bit of emotion and willpower slowly seeps down to my feet, almost as if it’s melting into the floor below me. His body grows rigid and he sinks his hands into his pockets, breathing in and out slowly. We stare at one another for what feels like minutes, but I know it can’t be. In all actuality it’s probably only been moments, maybe seconds.

  I take in a sharp breath and instinctively want to run out of here as quickly as possible. I thought about it for a long time . . . I’d . . . I’d been stupid enough to think I left my past behind me, yet here it is, staring me down.

  Actually, the man who showed me a bit of mercy is staring me down—Deo.

  “Flora . . .” he says my name so calmly, but I can tell he’s shocked. His eyes go up and down, surveying every part of my body. I probably look much more different than I did when I was back in that tool shed. Back when his father had no problem giving out orders that would put me moments from death, over and over again.

  “W-what are you doing here?” I stammer out, body frozen in place. Deo doesn’t move closer to me, probably knowing I’m terrified out of my fucking mind. So many things are running through my mind right now, but as every thought comes bolting through, I have to remind myself that the man who let me free had more to lose than I did. He wouldn’t come after me two years later, or hunt me down, would he?

  I’d like to think no, but the sad reality is I’m not sure.

  “I’m here to meet with Gamble,” he replies quickly, but confidently. He looks around for a moment before his eyes meet mine. “Have you seen her? I assumed they’d be here, considering the bikes are parked out by the garage.”

  I’m caught blinking at him a couple times and heavy footsteps come charging up. “Boss, Gamble’s in the front of the building, looking for—”

  Instantly, his words run dry and I literally freeze in place. It’s like my feet are cemented to the floor, especially when I heard his voice. A chill ran down my spine and every muscle in my body tightened up.

  “Well, well, who would’ve thought we’d find the little rat that ran away?” the pain bringer asks Deo. He cackles in amusement and slaps his hands together.

  Every memory I had in Venezuela comes rushing back in an effortless flow. Like a horror movie on repeat, only showing the scariest parts, over and over again. Tears form in my eyes and my mouth goes dry as I try to figure out what to do, knowing for a fact my body is going into fight or flight mode.

  My hands shake violently as chills course through my body, still debating on what to do. I want to run, but I can’t force my legs to move. The door’s only a few feet away from me, and I know I can push it. More than that, I know every square inch of this property and where I can run. I have options, and I know there’s a way I can get out of here. I just have to do it. However, it’s easier said than done.

  The back door comes open and I about shit myself, not expecting someone to come bolting through the door. But I’m thankful when I see a Knights of Retribution cut, even if it’s not the exact man I was hoping for. I was praying for it to be Mammoth, because he’s massive enough to make these two men shake in their boots. Instead, it’s Needles.

  His bronze eyes shift to mine and he looks at the two men staring at me. “You three know each other?”

  The pain bringer looks to Deo, who’s obviously now his boss, and then smirks at Needles. “I’ll allow my employer to answer that question.”

  Deo whips his head in the pain bringer’s direction and glares. “I will not ever
be your employer. You’re simply someone I inherited from my father after he died. Is that clear?” I know it’s morally wrong I want to jump with joy at hearing Luis is dead, but is it when he was the one ordering so much pain to be brought down upon me?

  “You didn’t answer my fuckin’ question,” Needles snaps in a ferocious manner. I can’t figure out why he’s being so aggressive and then I feel the wetness hitting my hands, which are still shaking violently. I didn’t even realize I’ve been crying, that’s how unnerving this experience is. Needles comes closer in my direction and as much as I’d hate to admit it, I’m thankful as fuck.

  “Yes, I know Flora,” Deo answers calmly, looking from Needles back to me. “I believe it would be best if you inform your boyfriend here that I’m the one who cut you free, not the one who put you in the cage to begin with.” He’s speaking metaphorically, but I understand what he’s saying completely.

  I nod. “Deo is . . . he . . . what he says is true.” I’ve never told anyone here about my time in Venezuela. All they know is that Benita and I are from Puerto Rico, which is nothing but an elaborate lie, but it’s not exactly like we wanted to dive down memory lane, especially me.

  “Boss, Gamble is out front and wants to speak with you.” Another man comes into view and pulls Deo’s attention away from Needles and I, but the pain bringer sneers as he stares, almost like he’s remembering all the pain he brought my way.

  “Ah, thank you, Esteban. Tell her I’ll be right there.”

  Esteban nods and walks back down the hallway. Meanwhile, Deo looks right back at me. “I hope you’re doing well, Flora, truly. Know that you have nothing to fear with our presence here.”

  My eyes immediately shift over to the pain bringer.

  “He won’t touch you.”

  At Deo’s words I don’t mistake the way Needles clenches his fists and walks in front of me in a defensive manner. “I think you both better get going and see Gamble.”

  Chapter Eleven

  They say a woman’s first blood doesn’t come from between her legs, but from biting her tongue

  ~ Meggie Royer

  Needles

  I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed but I’d like to think I understand women more than I’m actually given credit for. So, when a woman’s hands are shaking, she starts to cry and looks like she knows something horrible is coming, I stick the fuck around, because anyone leaving a woman in that situation is an ass.

  The rich motherfucker in the suit with the open collar, gold chain, and matching watch smirks with a nod. “I do think it’s time we take our leave. Gamble and I have business to discuss anyway.” He looks over to Flora and clears his throat. “It’s good to see you’re doing well, Flora. I often wondered what happened to you and Benita.”

  Without waiting for a response, he turns and leaves, heading up the hallway and his goon follows behind him. I wait a moment before I turn to look back and see Flora with a hand on her chest, breathing in and out deeply, but it isn’t an effortless breath. She’s wheezing as she does so and ends up lowering herself to the ground.

  Now, I’m not a fan of this chick unless her mouth is shut and she’s not sayin’ a damn word while I fuck her, but, something about what just went down makes me want to go over and ensure she’s okay. So, I do. I walk over to her and lower myself to the ground across from her, take her hand in mine and give it an encouraging squeeze. “Whatever’s happening right now, I’m sure you’ve gotten through worse.” I don’t know what to say, but I just think of the first shit that comes to my mind.

  Flora’s stuck looking into my eyes for a few moments and just as I think she’s about to thank me, she rips her hand from mine and glares at me like I’m her worst enemy. “I didn’t ask you to come over here and soothe me, so how about you get lost? I don’t need your help, Needles. I don’t need a damn thing from you!” She pulls her legs closer to her, shielding her body, showing me even more that she’s terrified. Flora is the type of woman who constantly shows off her curves, so whatever happened to her with those two . . . it royally fucked with her.

  I sit here for a second in disbelief at how she’s acting, but I quickly realize this isn’t about me at all. This is about whatever the fuck happened with those two.

  I put my hands up in surrender. “You know what, you’re right. You didn’t ask me for shit, so I’ll just get outta here. But you know, since you were over here shakin’ like a damn chihuahua in a hurricane I thought I’d see if you were alright. But it’s apparent to me you’re the same fucking bitch you’ve always been,” I snap, not angry at her, but angry at myself for even trying with her. She’s only ever been reactive, sassy, and damn disrespectful.

  I stand up and start to walk toward the hallway so I can head back and see what the fuck is going on with our visitors. I’m sure one of the guys will catch me up to speed really quick, and it’s obvious Flora is perfectly fine.

  But the second I start to walk down the hallway her heels click down the hallway behind me. I’m not sure what causes me to turn around, but I do, and man I’m fuckin’ irritated. “Why the fuck are you following me, Flora?!” I snarl at her, ready for her to get the fuck out of my sight.

  My eyes meet hers and I can see how outraged she is. She comes right up to me and pushes my chest. “I never asked you to come up and be a knight in shining armor, or to take my fuckin’ hand and act like you give a damn. You don’t even know me, and what? What’s the play here? Obviously, there’s something you’re thinking about.”

  I draw my brows together and look at her in confusion. “Are you fucking with me or something? ‘Cause I don’t get it.”

  “Of course you don’t! You’re nothing but an idiotic, stupid man who doesn’t give a damn about anything but his own selfish needs. I bet you being in special ops is a fucking lie too, because you love to lie, right, Needles, right?! All men lie, so I bet you do to!” she screams with all her might, pushing as hard as she can against my chest.

  “Whoa, what the fuck,” Judge’s voice comes out of nowhere and he comes up beside me. “Everything cool here?”

  “It’s about to be perfectly fuckin’ fine,” I hiss, hearing more footsteps come from behind me, I know for a fact Judge isn’t the only person who heard her outburst. For fuck’s sake, this woman just disrespected me in my fucking club. Fuck this. Fuck this shit! I’ll cut the woman some slack for whatever just happened a few minutes ago, but I’m not going to give her a free ride.

  “You sure, brother?” Judge questions and one glance from me gives him all the answer he needs. Judge walks away from my sight and I approach Flora, getting chest-to-chest with her.

  “I’ll take a lot of shit from women, darlin’, but one thing I won’t take is someone who doubts the way I served this country. Add in the shit about you callin’ me stupid and I really have a bone to pick with you. Do you understand me, little girl?” My nostrils flare with every word and I have to hold myself back because all I want to do is wrap my hands around her throat and choke this bitch out. But I can’t, ‘cause she’s a woman and believe it or not I do have morals.

  But even with morals, I can’t control the rage inside me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sometimes you just have to die a little inside in order to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you.

  ~ Unknown

  Flora

  His face flushes with a deep red color, making his anger apparent as hell. He runs his hands over his five o’clock shadow and shakes his head slowly. “You’re pushing me to my limits, Flora,” with every word he speaks slower, stepping closer to me to the point where I’m forced to step backwards until my shoulder blades are pressing into the door that leads outside.

  Needles places his hand on the knob and pushes it open, causing me to almost stumble backward and fall straight on my ass, but Needles slides an arm around my waist and catches me. I’m not sure why considering it looks like he wants to wrap his hands around my throat and choke me out until
I’m no longer drawing breath. The door closes shut and the two of us are outside.

  I stand here with his hands on me, feeling a fraction of the same sense of fear shooting through me as I did a few minutes ago when I saw the pain bringer. I highly doubt Needles would hurt me, but then again, with the way he’s staring at me . . . I can’t be too sure.

  “I don’t need you to come to my rescue,” I state in a cold whisper, trying to calm myself down in the process.

  He scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You’re not a fuckin’ princess, Flora. You’re the type of woman who can’t be saved, and in case you haven’t realized this, I’m not a damn prince. I’m the ogre who throws the women in the cage.”

  A shiver runs down my spine and my body begins to physically shake in response. Needles’ eyes go from icy to remorseful in a split second. With the arm he has wrapped around my back he rubs my side soothingly. It only confuses me more. One minute this man is being nothing but an asshole, and the next he takes my body language and mood into consideration, showing me a softer side of the man underneath his demeanor.

  “I don’t need to be saved from anything,” I tell him, standing up a bit straighter, showing him I’m stronger than he thinks.

  “For once, I’d have to agree with you. I don’t think you’re afraid of anything that’s real. Everything crippling you is in here,” he taps the side of my temple and now I’m agreeing with him. I know my demons are inside my head and they’re something I’ll have no choice but to deal with for the rest of my life.

  “Why do you even care? I mean, that’s what you’re doing, right? Caring?” I search his eyes for some sort of answer, but I doubt I’m going to get one. This man is a professional at keeping an impeccable poker face.