Chapter 12
Rachel
He wasn’t actually doing this.
There was no fucking way he expected me to stand here and take a bunch of verbal abuse in silence.
Except… he didn’t say I couldn’t reply.
A coy smile twisted my lips. This might even be fun. May as well enjoy it before I signed away my right to provoke anyone.
“No takers?” he challenged, and I straightened my spine, glaring at every last one of them.
Let any of them even fucking try. There wasn’t an innocent man here!
“I’ll go,” Shark said, getting to his feet.
Of all people, Shark was the last I expected. I felt a pang of hurt, but quickly squashed it.
“Attaboy. Say what you’ve got to say. And I’m deadly serious, by the way. You’ve got five minutes, everyone.”
“You caused some hurt, Rachel,” Shark began. “And I’m not even talking about you and Dante. You hurt Jenna. You didn’t even say goodbye to her. She thought you were friends. You hurt most of the old ladies, in fact. They were all good to you, and they at least deserved a goodbye.”
A murmur of agreement went through the crowd. I cast my glance towards Gemma, who quickly looked away. She was standing with some of the other old ladies, and none of them could meet my eyes.
“That wasn’t my fault! I—”
“Time’s running out! Who’s next?” Dante interrupted.
The bastard wasn’t going to allow me a single second to defend myself.
“You got me beaten to a pulp,” said a voice I recognised. One that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
“ Malfoy ?” I said, utterly astounded at his return. Noob.
“It’s Greg, Rachel. Greg. ”
“You’d best listen to him,” Vienna said. Axel was sat on one of his shoulders, pulling his hair. “He’s got real precious about that since he returned.”
“Whatever your name is. I didn’t get you beaten to a pulp. Your own actions did that.”
“Oh, it was my actions that caused you to masturbate and scream my name, was it? Yeah,” he snapped when my cheeks coloured. “I heard all about it.”
“Look, that was—”
“I don’t give a shit what it was. Just keep my name out of your mouth, stay out of my way, and we’ll both be happier for it.”
“Done,” I snapped back. I noticed the Prospect badge on his cut and made a mental note to ensure he was never patched in. I didn’t trust the guy.
Well, well, well, look at you making future plans!
Fuck off, Rachel.
“Anyone else?” Dante said, amusement flickering over his face. The bastard was enjoying this.
“You caused a lot of damage,” Hacksaw said. “And you broke his heart.” He nodded his head at Dante. I spun back around to look at him, but he had zero reaction to Hacksaw’s confession.
“It’s true,” Vienna said. “I’ve always liked you, but it's difficult to forgive what you did to him. We were around to see the mess you made. You tore him up inside. It wasn’t pleasant, Rachel. And remember, I’m saying this as a friend. I’ve always had a soft spot for you, but facts are facts.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me? He broke up with me. ”
“But you were already one foot out the door,” Vienna countered.
“You made a mess out of a lot of things,” Hacksaw nodded.
“I personally think you’re scum, and Dante can do a lot better,” Chicken piped up. That wasn’t worth any more of my energy other than a scoff.
“I think you’re a prick,” Rooster backed up his brother.
“Surprise, surprise. Of course the poultry brothers stick together,” I muttered under my breath.
“You were a bit of a shit,” Sunshine said. “Nasty temper.”
“I don’t have a problem with you,” came Tools next. “I just don’t think you’re right for this place. You’re too hot-headed. I still have a scar from when you threw that plate.”
“And let’s not forget the way you were with Mama when Crash died,” said Riley.
“Oh, fuck off,” I nearly laughed. “Mama and I have never got along. But I gave her a hug when Zach was murdered, which is more than any of you lot did!”
“You broke Bee’s heart,” Doc began, and that’s when I lost it.
“Right. I don’t give a fuck if Dante gave you five minutes.
That’s got to be up—it’s my turn now. First of all, I don’t know what fucked up, censored version of the story you’ve all heard, but I never broke Bee’s heart.
I was trying to take her with me. If anyone broke her heart, it was fucking Dante.
And as for the mess I caused? Are you all fucking high right now?
It was me who realised Macbeth was the traitor.
It was me who ran into the burning clubhouse and saved Bee.
It was me who realised where Dante was when he was kidnapped, and it was me who went to fucking rescue him.
Minus Vienna—who better not so much as look in my direction for the foreseeable future—you were all too busy sitting in your useless fucking Church, plaiting your pubes and praying for the best.”
My breathing was heavy and shallow as my anger got the better of me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before continuing.
“The only reason you're placing the blame on me for the shit show eighteen months ago is because if you don’t, you’ll have to face up to the fact that the blame lies entirely with you and this shitty club.
Because not only did you fail yourselves, you failed the entire club—and everyone who didn’t fucking make it.
And no,” I snapped, turning back around to Dante.
“I haven’t broken our fucking agreement, because nothing has been signed yet.
If you get your five minutes, so do I. I hate this club.
I hate every fucking part of it, and the day it disbands, the world will be a better place for it! ”
“Time’s up,” Dante said, pushing himself off the bar.
“Oh, really? But the fun is just getting started. Where’s that mother of yours? I’m sure she’d like to have a pop or two at me.”
An awkward silence fell over the room.
“What?” I demanded. “Where’s Kitty?”
Please, Lord, let her be dead.
“She’s in bed,” Dante said, walking over to Vienna to take Axel from him. “Come on, we’re going to get Axel settled in his room. And that’s it. You all had your chance. No one else says a word to Rachel, and she’ll say nothing back. Understood?”
The club murmured their agreement back, and Dante looked at me for confirmation. I nodded, but I made a mental note of every word—and they’d better believe that after these six months, I’d be seeking each one of them out to set the record straight.