Chapter Fourteen
Hatter
Anticipation and tension crackled in the air like a live wire as we gathered in the main room in the clubhouse an hour after I’d met with Cheshire and March. I could feel the weight of responsibility press down on me.
“Listen up.” My voice cut through the room, silencing everyone. “We don’t have much time, so let’s get to it. Shake, you and your boys are going to take point. We’re going to hit Eddie Lewis’ place within the hour. No fuckups.”
I held the gaze of each mercenary in turn, making sure they understood the stakes. This was only a paying gig for them. If things didn’t turn out, they didn’t have to live here and deal with the fallout.
“Underland brothers, y’all know what to do. We’re backing Shake’s crew, but remember --” I paused, my gaze sweeping over the familiar faces of my family. “Our priority is not only Jo, but also this town. Whatever happens, I don’t want it spilling over to the citizens of Warren. We need to keep this shit contained as much as possible.”
I clenched my fists, feeling the calloused skin stretch taut over scarred knuckles. I had made a promise to Jo, and I’d be damned if I was going to break it. No matter how bad things got tonight, I’d come home to her.
“Let’s do this right, boys,” I said. “We don’t have any room for error.”
“Got it, Hatter,” Mock replied, his gravelly voice echoing my determination. The others nodded, their resolve written in the set of their jaws and the fire in their eyes.
“Good.” I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. This was it, the moment everything had been leading up to. The endgame. And I would see it through, no matter the cost.
“Gear up, then. We move out in thirty.” I glanced around the room one last time, my gaze lingering on the empty space where Jo should have been. I knew the thought of our upcoming battle scared her.
“Let’s finish this,” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else. It was time to put an end to Eddie Lewis and his twisted games, once and for all.
While everyone scrambled to follow orders, I went to look for Jo.
* * *
Jo
Hatter caught sight of me, his gaze searching mine with an intensity that made me shiver. He crossed the threshold and came into my room.
“Listen to me.”
I braced myself, my hands clammy and cold against my thighs. Hatter’s face was etched with determination, his jaw set.
“I need you to stay here,” he told me, his grip tightening on my arm. “You’re going to be safe. Mock and Knave, they’re going to watch over you, okay? And one of Shake’s guys too. Nothing is going to happen to you, I swear.”
His eyes burned into mine, the flames of his conviction searing away any doubts I might have had. It wasn’t myself I’d been worried about. It was him. I’d seen the way Eddie’s men attacked last time, and while we hadn’t lost anyone, we hadn’t exactly had a resounding victory either. The thought of losing Hatter made my stomach knot with worry.
“I need you to come back to me,” I whispered, my voice cracking.
His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn’t even realized I’d shed. “I promise,” he murmured. “I’ll come back. I won’t leave you alone. How could I let anything separate me from the woman I love?”
“Swear it,” I insisted, my desperation making me bold.
He looked at me for a long moment, the weight of his gaze like a tangible thing. Then he nodded, his face softened by the love and concern I saw in his eyes.
“I swear it,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “On my life. I’ll come back to you.”
The world seemed to pause as I weighed his words, the gravity of the situation pressing down on me like a leaden weight. My heart screamed for me to go with him, but my mind knew better. He needed me to be strong, to trust in him and his brothers, to stay put and let them protect me.
“Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself. “I’ll stay.”
“Good girl.” Hatter’s face broke into a smile so fierce it bordered on feral, but there was warmth in it too -- the warmth of love, of hope, of a promise held fast against the storm.
“Remember,” he said, squeezing my hand one last time before releasing it, “you’re not alone. Never again.”
The ache in my chest threatened to shatter me, like glass shards piercing through my heart. Hatter’s words, heavy with truth and responsibility, wrapped around me like chains. I loved him more than anything, but fear clawed at me, desperate and hungry.
“Jo.” I knew he could see how raw I felt, how… unhinged. I felt like I would lose my mind at any moment. His voice was a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of despair. “I need you to stay strong for me, okay?”
He pulled me into a tight embrace, his arms a fortress that shielded me from the demons lurking in the shadows. Our bodies pressed together, and his lips met mine. Our breaths mingled as one as we clung to each other.
My heart swelled with love and gratitude, even as fear gnawed at the edges. I knew I had to let him go. I had to trust him to protect us both. But the thought of losing him, of never feeling his arms around me again, was a suffocating darkness that threatened to consume me.
He cupped my face, forcing me to hold his gaze. “I have to go now. Stay inside and keep the door locked.”
I opened my mouth to protest, and he shook his head. “Don’t. I need you to promise me you’ll obey. It’s the only way I’ll be able to focus on taking out Eddie. Say it, Jo. Tell me you’re going to stay put.”
“I promise,” I whispered. I clung to him, not wanting to let go. Burying my face against his chest, I breathed him in.
He drew back and his piercing gaze burned into mine as he captured my lips in a desperate, passionate kiss. I could taste the urgency on his tongue, feel the tension thrumming through him.
“Jo,” he rasped, his breath hot against my cheek. “I know I’ve got no right asking this of you, but I need you. One last time before… before all this shit goes down.”
My heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in his voice. I knew how much it cost him to let down his guard like this, to reveal even a fraction of the turmoil that haunted him. And I understood just how high the stakes were for both of us.
“Take what you need,” I whispered, my hands sliding up his chest to curl around his neck. “I’m right here with you, Hatter. Every step of the way. And I need you every bit as much as you need me. Maybe more.”
A low growl reverberated in his throat, and his fingers dug into my hips as he guided me to the bed. He yanked off my jeans and panties, tossing them aside like they were nothing. My scars and bruises laid bare, I leaned back onto the mattress, holding out my hands to welcome him into my world of brokenness.
“Please,” I breathed. “Take me, Sebastian.”
His gaze never left mine as he claimed me, his movements urgent and possessive. It wasn’t gentle, and it wasn’t pretty, but it was real -- raw and primal and full of an intensity that threatened to consume us both.
He drove his cock into me so hard and deep, the bed scooted across the floor with every thrust. He yanked my hips up off the mattress, taking me faster. He closed his eyes, his head tipping back, and I knew he was about to come. I could feel his cock swelling inside me.
Reaching down between us, I rubbed my clit, wanting to come with him. As the heat of his release filled me, I cried out and bucked against him, coming quickly.
We clung to each other, our bodies slick with sweat and desperation. I knew that whatever happened next, whatever fate had in store for us, we’d face it together. I refused to accept this could be the last time I ever felt Hatter’s touch.
“Remember,” he whispered against my skin, his voice ragged and hoarse as the world shattered around us. “I love you, Jo. No matter what.”
“Love you too,” I choked out, my vision blurring with tears as we clung to each other, two broken souls seeking solace in the darkness.
As the last remnants of our passion faded, I felt Hatter’s tender kiss on my forehead. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that he’d soon be leaving me to face Eddie and his demons. But in that instant, I knew he’d take with him the memory of our love.
“Stay safe,” I whispered, my fingers clinging to the leather of his cut as he pulled away reluctantly.
“Always,” he replied, his gaze lingering on mine for a moment longer before he turned, stepping out of the room and back into the chaos that awaited us all.
* * *
Hatter
With a heavy heart, I knew I had to leave Jo in the care of Knave, Mock, and one of Shake’s men. I wished we had more men, so I could leave a few more behind with Jo. She was the most precious thing to me.
“Mock, Knave,” I called out. Both men stepped forward. “You’re on Jo duty. Keep her safe. No one gets near her.”
“Got it, brother,” Mock grunted, his eyes narrowing in determination as he nodded in agreement, while Knave simply cracked his knuckles and gave a curt nod, his icy gaze promising swift retribution for anyone who dared cross him.
“Shake,” I continued, turning to the mercenary leader, who stood watching the scene with a mix of curiosity and cold calculation. “I want one of your men here too, just in case things go sideways.”
“Understood,” Shake replied, gesturing to one of his mercenaries -- a burly man with a shaved head and an inscrutable expression -- who stepped forward to join Mock and Knave in their vigil.
“Jo knows you’re here with her,” I said. “The rest of you are with me. Let’s end this. Everyone armed and ready?”
They nodded, and I double-checked my own weapons. I had two nine millimeters, and four extra clips. Walking over to a nearby table, I picked up my AR and slung it over my shoulder so it rested against my back.
I led the way out to our bikes and let Cheshire guide us from the clubhouse. Pausing at the gate, I looked back over my shoulder. Jo stood at the front door with Mock behind her. I stared for a moment, wanting to memorize everything about her, then I turned and revved my engine, taking off into the night.
* * *
Jo
I watched as Hatter drove off into the inky blackness, each roar of their engines a gut-wrenching reminder of the impending danger. Mock stood like an unyielding sentinel behind me, his gruff exterior hiding a fierce loyalty.
After about five heartbeats, I turned around and walked back into the clubhouse, the heavy wooden door creaking shut behind me. I could feel the atmosphere of unease pressing down on me, but I squashed it down, refusing to crumble.
Beside me, Knave was already scanning our surroundings with hawk-like precision. The new bodyguard from Shake’s crew, who introduced himself as Striker, patrolled the perimeter of the clubhouse with a grim expression.
I’d promised Hatter I’d stay in my room, so that’s where I went. Once I was inside, and Knave had followed, I shut and locked the door. Although, I didn’t know what good it would do. It wasn’t like it was made of steel. If someone wanted in, they’d get in.
The following hours dragged into what felt like an eternity. My thoughts were filled with terrors too unspeakable to voice aloud -- of losing Hatter, of Eddie returning stronger, of reliving the horrors of my past. I pushed myself to remain strong. If they were risking their lives to protect me, I owed them that much.