Chapter Eight #2
The back door swung open, and Tate Blackheart emerged.
My first thought was that prison hadn’t touched him.
He stood tall and straight. His silver hair was styled in an expensive cut, not a strand out of place.
He wore a tailored navy blazer over a crisp white shirt, pressed gray slacks, and shoes so shiny I could probably see my reflection in them if I got close enough.
Which I had no intention of doing unless it involved my fist connecting with his face.
He paid the driver with a crisp bill pulled from a slim leather wallet, then retrieved a single suitcase from the trunk. The taxi peeled away the moment the trunk closed, leaving Blackheart standing before our gate, scanning the compound with calculating eyes.
Ellie had frozen in place, her face drained of color. I moved to stand at her side but slightly in front of her, my need to protect her in overdrive. Her breathing had gone shallow, and I resisted the urge to take her hand, knowing she needed to present a strong front to her father.
“That’s not prison issue,” I murmured, nodding toward Blackheart’s clothes. “Someone’s been holding his stuff.”
“Or helping him,” she whispered back, her voice tight.
Hawk pressed the button to slide the gate open, and Blackheart stepped onto our territory with the confidence of a man entering his own home rather than a stranger on hostile land.
His eyes found Ellie immediately, and something flickered across his face.
Not love or joy at seeing his daughter, but a cold assessment, as if he were sizing up his chances of using her to get what he wanted.
It vanished so quickly I might have imagined it, replaced by a warm, fatherly smile that made my skin crawl.
“Elvira,” he called, his voice carrying across the yard. “My little witch.”
Ellie flinched at the childhood nickname but raised her hand in a stiff wave. I moved slightly closer to her, making my position clear. I was her shield, her protection against whatever this man might try.
Blackheart set down his suitcase and opened his arms wide, stepping toward Ellie with clear intention of embracing her.
Something primal roared to life in my chest, and I stepped solidly between them, my arm extending to block his approach.
He halted, surprise flickering across his features before smoothing into understanding.
“I see,” he said, lowering his arms. “Protective boyfriend?”
I didn’t answer, didn’t confirm or deny the label. Ellie shifted beside me, and I could feel her indecision. Part of her wanted to placate her father, but part of her needed the barrier I’d created and was grateful for it.
“Dad,” she said, her voice steadier than I’d expected. “I’m glad you arrived safely.”
“The journey was… enlightening,” he replied, his gaze sliding past us to take in the compound and everyone in it. “This is quite an establishment your friends have here.” He managed to sound both impressed and condescending.
“The people here at Kiss of Death have been good to me,” Ellie said, a slight emphasis on the club’s name.
Blackheart’s eyebrows rose fractionally, and he glanced around again as if noticing for the first time the bikes in the yard and the men in leather cuts focused entirely on him.
“A motorcycle club? How adventurous of you, Elvira.” The subtle note of disapproval in his tone made my jaw clench.
“Though I must say, it’s not what I pictured when you mentioned staying with friends.
“You look well,” Ellie said, changing the subject. “Prison doesn’t seem to have been too hard on you.”
“One adapts,” he replied with a modest smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I made the best of my situation. Counseled younger inmates, participated in rehabilitation programs. The system rewards those who show genuine remorse and a desire to change.”
I barely suppressed a snort. Men like Blackheart didn’t change. They got better at hiding what they were.
“You look beautiful, Elvira,” he continued, his gaze returning to his daughter. “So much like your mother. You’ve grown into quite the stunning young woman.” His eyes flicked to me, then back to her. “I see you’ve found someone to look after you. That’s good. I worried about you being alone.”
“I can look after myself,” Ellie said, her chin lifting slightly. “I’ve been doing it since I was fourteen and went into the system.”
A fleeting shadow crossed Blackheart’s face. “Yes, well. That was unfortunate. If the courts had allowed me more say in your placement --”
“You gave up that right when you decided to harvest human organs for profit,” I interrupted, unable to contain myself any longer.
Blackheart’s gaze snapped to mine, something cold and reptilian swimming in their depths before disappearing behind his mask of civility. “And you are?”
“Not your fuckin’ business,” I snapped.
Gunnar stepped forward to Blackheart. Surprisingly, Knuckles stayed where he was at the gate to the compound. I figured he was letting Gunnar take point in case Blackheart recognized him.
“I’m Gunnar. I speak on behalf of our president. So let me start by saying you’re here because Ellie made a request of us and we decided to grant it. But you staying here is the extent of her influence with us.”
Tate narrowed his gaze on Gunnar, looking between me and the other man. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying,” Gunnar continued, “She gets no say in anything else. She can’t extend your stay or get you a different room or make your guards leave you alone.
She can ask or even beg, and the answer will still be no.
” Gunnar crossed his arms over his chest. “You will be assigned a room where you’ll have two guards with you at all times.
Inside and out. You don’t even get to take a shit without someone in the fucking toilet with you. ”
“That’s a bit excessive.” Tate Blackheart pursed his lips in distaste.
“Pardon the expression, but tough shit. Don’t like it? You don’t have to stay here.”
“I’d like some time alone with my daughter. We have a lot to catch up on.”
“Sorry.” Gunnar said without missing a beat. “You can talk to her with me and Chains present if you want, but there is no scenario where you’re ever alone with Ellie.”
As if the entire exchange hadn’t just happened with Gunnar, Blackheart turned to me. He extended his hand toward me, perfectly manicured fingers stretched in greeting. “Tate Blackheart. It’s a pleasure to meet the man looking after my little girl.”
I stared at his offered hand, meeting his gaze directly, making no move to accept the handshake.
“Let’s get something straight,” I said, my voice low enough that only he, Ellie, and the nearest brothers could hear.
“You’re here because Ellie wants you here.
Not because any of us think you deserve a second of her time. ”
Blackheart withdrew his hand slowly, his smile never wavering though his eyes hardened.
“I understand your caution. In your position, I’d feel the same way.
” He glanced at the brothers positioned around the yard.
“All of you obviously care a great deal for Elvira’s well-being. That puts my mind at ease.”
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of this predator pretending to be concerned for his daughter’s safety when he was the biggest threat she’d faced in years.
“One thing Gunnar left off, but which I want to make very clear. You do not” -- I stepped closer, invading his personal space --”upset Ellie. Not once. Not even a little bit.”
“I assure you, I’m only here to reconnect with my daughter while I find a more permanent place. Nothing more.”
“Why not get a place to stay from whoever got you those fancy duds? Pretty sure they ain’t standard prison issue.”
“My old clothes.”
“Uh-huh.” Gunnar wasn’t buying it. Neither was I. “Two days,” Gunnar reminded him. “Then you’re gone.”
“Of course,” he agreed smoothly. “Just until I get my affairs in order. Prison does tend to complicate one’s financial situation.”
“Two. Fuckin’. Days.” Gunnar stared hard at Blackheart before jerking his head to Noose and Tiny. “Take him to the room the prospects prepared.”
“It’s small, but comfortable,” Ellie offered softly. I think it was what she thought she was expected to say. Immediately, I put my arm around her for comfort.
“I’m sure it’s perfect,” Blackheart replied, turning his attention back to her with a warm smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “After federal prison, anything with a door that locks from the inside is luxury.”
“You’ll be disappointed, then.” Gunnar flashed him a smile filled with more malice than humor. “You don’t get locks and, as I said, you get no privacy.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure I can make it work.”
As we turned to lead him into the compound, I kept my hand at the small of Ellie’s back as we walked, feeling the tension in her body. Blackheart kept pace with us, his gaze taking in everything he saw.
“Quite an impressive setup,” he remarked as we passed the main warehouse. “How long has your club been established here?”
“Long time,” I replied curtly.
“And you all live on the premises? Quite the community you’ve built.” I ignored him, not willing to engage in any way.
The guest quarters stood separate from the main residential building where most of the brothers stayed. It was small but self-contained, with a bedroom, bathroom, and small sitting area. We’d stripped it of anything that could be used as a weapon or tool, leaving only the bare essentials.
“Your guards will show you the rest,” I said, keeping my arm around Ellie’s waist.
“Guards?” Blackheart asked, his tone mild but with an edge beneath it. “Surely Gunnar was only joking.”
“Nope. Sure wasn’t.” I grinned as I spoke. “For your safety.”
His lips curved in what might have been amusement. “I see. Well, I appreciate your… hospitality.” He turned to Ellie, his expression softening. “Perhaps we could have dinner together later? Just the two of us? There’s so much I want to hear about your life.”
Before Ellie could answer, I cut in. “She cannot. And you’ll be brought your dinner. I’m sure you want to get on with making calls to find a place to stay. You’re limited on time here, so every second counts.”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Blackheart’s face before smoothing away. “Am I a prisoner?”
“Nope. You’re an outsider in our compound.” I moved closer to him, using my height as an intimidation tactic. “Outsiders aren’t welcome.”
“I need to help with dinner preparations, Chains.” Ellie looked up at me and smiled as she took my hand and tugged. I watched surprise register on Blackheart’s face. Clearly he hadn’t expected his manipulation to fail so easily.
Blackheart nodded, but his gaze remained on Ellie. “It’s good to see you, my little witch. We have so much to catch up on.”
I felt Ellie stiffen beside me at the nickname, and I let go of her hand and wrapped my arm tightly around her waist. “Let’s go,” I murmured, guiding her toward the door.
As we stepped outside, I heard Blackheart say to Noose, “You know, I can’t help but feel we’ve met before. Were you ever in the Terre Haute facility?”
I didn’t wait for Noose’s answer, already knowing it would be a noncommittal grunt that revealed nothing. But the question confirmed my suspicions. Blackheart was fishing, trying to piece together who we were, what we knew about him.
Once we were far enough away, Ellie sagged against me, all the strength seeming to drain from her body. “He hasn’t changed,” she whispered. “Not one bit. If anything, he’s worse.”
“Men like him don’t change because they don’t want to.
” What I didn’t say but secretly hoped, was that if Tate Blackheart gave me even the slightest reason, he wouldn’t be leaving our compound under his own power.
Some men didn’t deserve second chances. Some men had used up every chance they’d ever get and then some.
The Butcher of Bellevue was definitely one of them.