Chapter 11 Ripper
Ripper
It takes three days for Crimson Road to send a message. Not through words, but through actions.
Late in the middle of the night, they set Crossroads Ink ablaze, taking out one of our main sources of income. A tit for tat for the loss of money we caused by letting those women free.
Now we’re all sitting around the table, dealing with the aftermath.
Diesel’s burning hot, his expression saying it all. “Ruby’s in the fucking hospital.”
Leah says she’ll be fine. No burns, just some smoke inhalation. Still, it could’ve been far worse. Did they know the two lived above the tattoo shop?
Diesel should be there, too, for the burns on his arms, but he insisted on attending this meeting. To make his demands.
Judge made it pretty clear from the start that I’m not allowed to speak. So, I just watch and let the anger in the room do its magic.
Our president sits at the head of the table, his signature gavel looking more like a weapon in his white-knuckled grip. He’s a statue of controlled fury, but control is the problem.
He won’t be able to keep playing it safe. The fire might not have drawn the mayor’s attention yet, but it will if we let this stand.
I miss the man who happily spilled blood to make a point. The one who led with a snarl and his fists. What’s it going to take for that ghost to step back into the light?
“They’ll be scrambling to get more women,” Hammer says, his voice flat. His face is unnervingly blank, the kind of emptiness that comes from being stretched too thin for too long. He just looks exhausted. “Best to attack while they’re scrambling to recover.”
Diesel slams a fist on the table, making the glasses jump. “We hit them tonight. Burn their fucking clubhouse to the ground.”
From the other side, Stacks, our treasurer, runs a hand down his cheek, his face pale. “And the cost? We just lost a chunk of income. The recovery alone is going to bleed us dry.”
The room fractures as demands for vengeance clash with survival math. I sit amid chaos, the architect of this split, silent fury in my throat.
What is Judge trying to protect? What do they have to do to push him over the edge finally?
Oh. Ohhhh.
“You know.” My mouth curves as I catch his glare as my voice reaches him. “Now that we know that he intended to sell Eliza, we know what he’s capable of. If Hammer’s onto something, and they’re desperate to get their hands on some pretty girls, what’s to say they won’t try to take our women?”
Yeah, we’ve got plenty of women who hang around the clubhouse, but I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the pretty twins who run the bar.
“Ripper.” There’s a warning behind his voice. “You’re already on thin ice.”
Three days ago, I thought I could’ve died, so why stop now? I’m going to poke the bear.
“Hear me out, Prez,” I say, light and conversational. “Raven’s got bite. She’s pretty, with a killer smile. Some men like that fire.” I lean in, elbows on the table, locking eyes. “Those who don’t… they’ll want Penelope. She’s sweet, innocent, and easy on the eyes,” I say, twisting the knife.
The room’s temperature drops sharply. Judge remains still, but the shift is dramatic. His mask breaks, revealing his murderous glare.
Oh, if looks could kill.
All because he knows I’m right. As much as I don’t want to be, I am.
“You going to let them take your girl?” Lowering my voice, the question’s just for him. I’m one of the few who know his weakness, and I’m sure a bastard like Blaze wouldn’t think twice about grabbing her to hurt him if he were to find out.
He growls deep in the back of his throat, and that’s all the answer I need.
Judge strikes his gavel, silencing the arguing happening around us.
“We wait until the heat has cooled down before we move.” He jerks his chin toward Diesel. “Get word with your sister. The shop needs to be prepared for an attack. Send a few prospects to run a nightly watch. The same goes for the strip joint.”
Diesel scowls at the idea of another person he cares for getting hurt before nodding.
“Stacks, deal with whatever insurance agent comes down here. Diesel’s going to have the cops sniffing around. Make sure they don’t find anything. Do this right. I don’t want any suspicion on it being our fault.” Judge squints at Warden and Hammer.
“I’m watching the girl.” Hammer frowns. “She’s… a handful. I don’t trust someone else to watch her.”
No one wants to point out that the redhead isn’t being forced to stay here. He’s keeping her close for his own strange reasons.
“We’re going to need a few to stay to defend the clubhouse.” Judge nods. “Warden, you’ll lead this ride. Pick someone to be at the back. Hammer, you stay.”
His eyes flicker over to me, his brows pushing together. “I should make you stay.”
Sitting back, my chair creaks in protest. “But what fun will that be?”
Judge sighs. “Once the heat is settled, we’ll ride. I’ll warn you, the Crimson Road isn’t some group that’ll roll over. Expect injury, possibly death. Enjoy these next few days. They might be the last peaceful ones left for some of you.”
Whistling at his tone, I shiver. Talk about being a pessimist.
Calling the meeting, some people drift out quicker than others. I want to join them, but Judge stops me.
He scoffs and sits back. Like a bad habit, he rubs his hand against his chest. “We made a promise not to return there. Why’d you have to go and break that?”
“For the same reason you’re about to.” Frowning at his hand, I can picture the scar he’s rubbing at. “It’ll be different this time.”
“Yeah?” He lets out a rare laugh, one sounding raspy. “Why’s that?”
The answer comes easily. “We both have something worth coming back to.”
Even if his feelings are unknown to the other party, I can’t leave Haven alone. Not anymore.
Judge sighs, not bothering to argue. He looks out toward the empty seat across from us. The one that’s been empty for too long. “We’re going to need Ghost.”
“You trust Haven to be near Eliza?” Genuinely curious, there’s a tightness in my chest. Even if my loyalty to him has been a bit rocky these last few days, he’s still my best friend.
I want him to like her. Not as much as I do, but close.
“She’s not a threat.” His mouth presses firmly. “Pen likes her.”
Penelope likes everyone, but I’ll take what I can get. I don’t think he’ll fully trust her until this matter is resolved.
“I’ll send word out for those two then.” Satisfied with his answer, I stand and stretch. My body aches, but I’m in a good mood, despite all the chaos happening around us.
He grunts, finally letting me go. There’s only one place I care to be. If I’m going to enjoy these next few days right, then I’m going to need to find my girl.
* * *
There she is, glowing and radiant. Next to her, Paulie.
“How’s Trouble?” Approaching them, I don’t miss the way her brother curls his lip at me. Guess he’s still not fond of the name I carefully picked out for him.
He’s still got swollen eyes, but now I can tell when he’s glaring at me. Without all the blood, he’s not ugly either. Little does he know that once he loses his bite, the women will flock to him.
Haven doesn’t seem to notice his anger, offering up the empty stool next to her. As inviting as it is, I don’t take it. Instead, I wrap my hand around hers, pulling her off the stool she’s claimed.
“I need to borrow you. He’ll be fine. Let him hang out with the other prospects.” I nod toward Jinx and Kansas, where they’re waiting for Diesel to return with the others.
“But Paulie…”
“He’s kept your attention long enough.” Unable to stop myself, jealousy drips from my lips.
Looking at Jinx, I lead her, then slap his shoulder and turn him toward the bruised new member “Do me a favor. Take Trouble up the mountain. Give him some fresh air. While you’re at it, tell Ghost to pack up.
He can return home. Oh, and tell him to make sure everything is exactly how I left it. ”
If I’m going to coax Haven up there, I want her to fall in love with the cabin life.
Looking relieved to get some kind of order, Jinx does as he’s told.
“There. He’s got company. Now… where were we?” Humming as I pretend to forget, a grin comes to my lips. “Ah, yes. We’re supposed to be catching back up.”
She swats at my chest and rolls her eyes, but I know she likes it.
I just know she’s going to love what I have planned next.