Lost Souls Own Dog City (Lost Souls MC: Dog City Chapter #2)

Prologue

The fucking Haywards.

They just had to jump in with their British egos and fuck everything up.

I was finally getting somewhere with Effie.

We were on her run, and while I knew it wasn’t the time to take revenge for her killing Ford, it was a step closer.

As if she honestly believed that I’d be willing to work for her when she took out a brother.

Her audacity nearly matched mine. And then the Haywards bolt in and whisk her away, taking our revenge with them.

Smashing my fist into the wall, Angel grunts from somewhere behind me. Spinning on my heel to face him, I snap, “What? You’re not just as pissed as I am?”

“Sure as shit I am, but I ain’t gonna be breaking bones over it.” He sighs. “Luc, you know the Haywards will make her pay.”

“I don’t believe that. She was only an obstacle in their way to getting what they wanted. It was different for us, you fuckin’ know that.”

Maxwell clears his throat. “Regardless of who and how she’s taken out, she’s gone. We can finally move on.”

He’s not wrong but it isn’t right. Not in my eyes, anyway.

I pull out a chair at Maxwell’s table and fall down on my ass. Leo and I had a plan, Effie was ours. In our own time, in a way we chose, we were going to deal with her. Satisfaction was going to be sweet as fuck. Now we’re left with bitterness that’s never going to fade.

“I take it we’re not getting paid for that shit show run?” King asks, joining us.

I can only glare at him. What a stupid fucking question.

“Who’s left to hand us the cash?”

He shrugs and drains his beer. “I was only asking what we were all thinking.”

“For tonight, stop fuckin’ thinking.”

Running my hands through my hair, I can’t let it go. We were so close. River’s cries fill the bar as Tor brings him down and I’m glad for the instant distraction.

I’m on my feet and walking over to her and I take my son.

“Hey, hey, hey. What’s all this noise?” I ask him, taking in his angry reddened cheeks.

“He’s hungry. I need to warm him a bottle.”

She disappears into the kitchen, and I pace the bar, gently swaying him in my arms. It doesn’t help and his cries hit the roof.

Princess rubs against my leg. We’ve noticed when River cries, Princess doesn’t settle until River does.

“Go lie down.”

The dog trots over to his bed at the end of the bar. I don’t need to be tripping over him while I’m carrying my son.

It’s not long until Tor returns with a warm bottle. Before she can take him back to feed him, I grip onto her chin, forcing her to look at me.

“You’re tired,” I state.

She laughs. “I’m constantly tired, babe. Give him to me and I’ll get him fed.”

I release her chin and take the bottle from her, slipping it into my son’s mouth. Blissful silence descends over us.

“Go get some sleep. I’ve got him covered.”

She doesn’t argue and kisses me before running up the stairs and out of sight.

I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight. Not with this Effie bullshit running through my head. All the regrets and what ifs plaguing me.

I take my seat again and watch as River hungrily consumes his milk.

“Luc, we’ve got visitors,” Trey calls over from the bar.

He’s been watching the camera screens since we got back. I was pretty sure he was gazing but nonetheless, we’ve got company.

“It’s Jamie Boy.”

Angel gets up to open the door, muttering, “What the fuck does he want?”

I’m guessing we’re about to find out.

Jamie Boy steps inside, closely followed by all three of his brothers. Their presence alone is a force. Nothing I wouldn’t smash through, but I’m not that arrogant to act like they don’t hold power.

It’s not until Ben shoves Effie fucking Rathbone through the door that I take an interest. Brothers are on their feet, hands resting on their guns.

I stay in my seat. My boy hasn’t finished his milk but I’m also not giving anyone the satisfaction of surprising me.

Her wrists are bound, but she wears a stern fuck you look on her face.

Her make up is smudged and her usual bright red lips are a dull pink.

She’s not as composed as she normally is, that’s for sure.

Jamie Boy is the first to speak. He jerks his chin toward my son. “Maybe you should have your wife come get your son.”

I don’t move.

“He’s fine where he is.” He nods and I finally ask, “What’s this about?”

“Upon reflection, we’re allowing you your revenge for Ford,” Jamie Boy announces.

“More like a gesture of goodwill,” Cody adds.

“Whatever the fuck you’re calling it, we accept with gratitude.”

Keeping my son in my arms, I stand and walk toward Effie where she stands with Ben, his hand firmly gripping her arm to keep her in place.

She fights to maintain eye contact with me, and I smirk. “Welcome to Hell, where the rent is free, but your life is not.”

Ritchie barks out a cold laugh and slaps me on the back. “We’ll leave her in your capable hands. We’ve got a flight to catch.”

As smooth as they arrived, they leave even smoother, in the blink of an eye.

“I’ve been told I’m a lucky son of a bitch, but I’ve always taken offence to it. First off, my mom isn’t a bitch and secondly, it isn’t luck when you’re owed. You made this personal when you shot Ford and I’m gonna make it real fuckin’ personal when you take your last breath.”

She visibly takes a shuddering breath and I laugh. This feels too fucking good. How life can change in the blink of an eye for the better.

“You regret punching the wall now?” Angel mutters.

“Nah. It just became a warmup.”

The usual sounds of River sucking on air hits me and I pull out his bottle and place it on the table. Repositioning him to bring up his wind, I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“King, Max, take her up to a spare room. Clear it of everything but the mattress if it’s got shit in it. Oh, and find her a bucket.”

There’s no irritating smile on her now. There’s no air of arrogance around her anymore.

She’s fucked and she knows it. Though there’s not a tear to be seen.

“We could’ve worked so well together,” she murmurs.

“Maybe in your eyes, but here’s the thing, I don’t do well taking orders, not even from my father or brother. And I certainly don’t play nice with people who kill my brothers.”

Her slender shoulder lifts defeatedly. “Do what you’ve got to do…”

Stepping closer to her, I lean into her space and smell the fear she’s trying to mask with bravery. No amount of designer perfume can cover that shit.

“There’s no question I’ll do what I’ve gotta do. The question is what am I gonna do with you? Whatever happens is gonna be long and painful, don’t doubt that. And don’t think cause you’re a woman, that I’ll treat you any different if you had been a man.”

A single tear escapes from the corner of her eye. That’s what I fucking want. I’ll draw more from her before she takes her last breath, that’s a promise.

King takes her by the arm and pushes her toward the stairs.

River brings up his wind and I reposition him so he’s looking out over everyone.

I snatch her purse from the table Ritchie dumped it on and tip the contents onto the bar.

I pocket the roll of hundred-dollar bills.

I toss the tube of lip crap into the trash can.

Her phone and the cash are the only things I’m interested in.

Bringing the phone to life, it asks for her fingerprint. I pocket it.

Rudi walks in, her shift over at the hospital. Angel’s on her before she can take her jacket off. I clear my throat and he steps away from her, though he keeps his arm around her.

“I need you to watch River for a bit.”

“Is Victoria okay?”

“She’s fine. She’s sleeping.”

I pass him over to her and head for the bar. I grab myself a beer and instruct, “Everyone in the back room.”

I take my seat at the head of the table and drain half of my beer. Once the guys are seated, I slam the gavel down.

“It’s safe to say none of us expected to be laying our heads down tonight under the same roof as Effie. It’s shocked the shit outta me, that’s for fuckin’ sure.”

“Now we have her, what are we gonna do with her?” Angel grunts.

“Before we get into it, I’ve gotta say her being a woman does count for something to me,” Warren informs me.

“It doesn’t to me. When it comes to one of us being killed, I don’t give a fuck who pulls the trigger, they get treated the same,” King grunts.

Taking one of Angel’s cigarettes, I put it to my mouth and ponder what’s going through my brothers’ minds.

“Ford’s chair sits empty because of her. She had him shot in the back of the head and didn’t think twice about it. Do you think she lost sleep over him? Of course fuckin’ not. Stop acting like pussies and start coming up with ways to end her.”

Making Angel my vice president turns out to be a great decision when he suggests, “We could sell her into human trafficking?”

Snorting, I crush the cigarette in my hand. “I like how you’re thinking, but knowing her, she’d wiggle herself into freedom. Whatever we come up with has to end in her death.”

“Do you want full out torture?” Max asks, arching his brow.

Sighing, I say, “When she takes her last breath, I want there to be no regrets, just full satisfaction that we did right by Ford.”

Silence hangs over the table and I wait for their input.

When it doesn’t come, I lean back in my chair and wish I could light a cigarette.

I push through the craving and remind my brothers, “When you wear the patch, you protect it, fight for it… kill for it. Every one of you vowed to live up to the patch and if you’re pussying out on me, she won’t be the only one in a grave. ”

Warren knows I’m talking about him. He sits up straight. “I’m just saying, she’s a woman. Regardless of anything else, she’s a woman!”

“And from what I’m seeing at the moment, her balls are bigger than yours,” I retort. “Why don’t you take your ass out and go search for yours. You’ve obviously left them somewhere.”

Brothers snort and Warren doesn’t move. “Luc. Prez. I’m not saying I won’t do what needs to be done…”

“I know, I heard you, she’s a woman, blah blah fuckin’ blah.”

Warren sits back in his seat and shuts his mouth.

“I don’t want this dragging out and I don’t want her here long. Killing her won’t bring Ford back but if he’s watching, he’ll see that we have his back, even in death.”

Agreements weave around the table and brothers nod.

“You know what I’m looking for. We’ll pick this up tomorrow.” I slam the gavel down and push up out of my chair.

I leave the guys in the bar and head up to speak to our guest. I send the prospect on his way and make myself comfortable across from Effie perched on the edge of the mattress.

“My wife is always reminding me that anything can happen. That when you think it’s over, the game can always change. I thought it was over today, that the Haywards would claim your death for themselves. And then with one knock at the door, here you are.”

Her lips remain firmly closed. Her eyes never leaving mine.

“I just had a sit down with my brothers, discussing how to end you. The only suggestion that excited me was selling you into a trafficking ring, but that quickly died. You’d get yourself out of it and then we’d be back to square one.

Lucky for you, I think they’re gonna wanna put a bullet between your eyes and put you in the earth.

” She doesn’t even flinch. I continue, “If it was up to me, I’d carve Ford’s name onto your skin.

There wouldn’t be an inch of you left without his name on you.

A death by a thousand cuts in Ford’s name would satisfy me as I’d watch you bleed out so fuckin’ slowly. ”

Now she flinches and I smirk. “So if it helps you come to terms with the end of your life looming, take it.”

“I thought your brother was the one to watch, but I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

“If you had done your homework, you would’ve known that out of the two of us, Leo would be the safer option. But I think that’s why you wanted him to make a deal with you so bad. You thought he’d be more amenable.”

“It doesn’t matter what I thought. You’ve taken everything from me.”

“I could say you should’ve seen this coming, but what’s the point. By this time tomorrow, you’ll be dead. We’ll go on while you rot.”

“What makes you think that you won’t meet an end like this one day?”

“Oh, I expect it. But unlike you, I won’t let that day be until I allow it. Sloppiness won’t be a mistake I make. Don’t worry, sweetheart, like I said, the brothers will probably vote in a bullet, and it’ll be quick for you.”

Making sure she’s looking at me, I add, “If there will be any last words you’re gonna wanna spew, make sure you know what they are, I won’t give you the chance to think when the time comes.”

“Your coldness will take you far, but we’ll see if you follow through.”

I laugh. “Don’t doubt me, darlin’. You can’t afford any mistakes in your short time left on this earth.”

I let myself out and lock the door behind me. It strikes me that this doesn’t have to be rushed. Maybe the satisfaction I seek will come from taking this slowly.