Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Hellhound
Three Months Later . . .
After going on a run with Angel, all I want to do is go home, shower, and find some random piece to sink into for the night.
I’m not even going to pick one of the P&Ps at the clubhouse.
I don’t use their snatches for anything other than maybe a blow job.
Still, I’ve gotta be drunk off my ass for them to do that.
I normally prefer to go out and find a woman who hasn’t been with all my brothers.
Better yet, I won’t have to see the bitch the next day.
At the clubhouse, those women seem to think that they’ll be able to lock down one of my brothers.
After the stunt Claws pulled with Ivy, they all chilled marginally, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t keep their shit up.
The P&Ps, shortened for what they really are—Pussy Pockets, seem to think we belong to them.
There are a couple of them that have been trying hard to get me to fuck them, but that shit doesn’t fly with me.
Unless it’s the mouth, I don’t touch them.
Seeing the city limits for home, I relax marginally.
Lately, shit’s been strained, and it’s only getting worse.
Problems with the Triple Spirits MC are on the rise, giving us all a headache.
Just these past few days, Angel and I ended up taking out a handful of the bastards who tried to sneak up on the two of us.
That shit wasn’t gonna fly. What I’d like to know is who gave them information in order to try to get the jump on us?
I know my VP’s got the same questions rolling around in his head and will have Scythe and Styxx look into it. See what they can find for us. Scythe might be our techy guy, but when he and his brother work together as a team, they come up with a lot more shit.
Angel turns us off the main road into an apartment complex parking lot. I come to a stop next to him and park.
“What are we doing?” I ask, shutting my bike off and putting my kickstand down.
Angel smirks and shrugs. “I’m just checkin’ on my BFF,” he jokes, talking about Isabelle.
Fuck.
I try not to think of the damn woman. Out of all of Ivy’s friends, she’s the most standoffish.
Sutton, Everleigh, and Josephine are all nutty but cool to talk to.
However, Juniper reminds me of the damn P&Ps at the clubhouse always trying to hook up with one of the brothers.
I don’t want that bitch in my bed, and she keeps trying to hit on me.
Reaper’s made it known at the clubhouse that all Ivy’s friends are off-limits unless you intend to make ‘em your ol’ lady—yeah, not happening. I’m not about to go there with any of them. Not that I want to anyways.
It doesn’t matter to me how attractive they are all, including Isabelle.
For as standoffish as she is, Isabelle is beautiful with how shy she can be. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another woman like her, what with her dark reddish blonde hair, freckles sprinkling along her cheeks and nose. I’ll admit she’s played in my mind plenty of times while I’ve fucked random women.
“And you couldn’t do this later. Why?” I mutter, climbing off the back of my bike.
“Because I know she’s off, and she’s not answering my texts.” He snorts, running a hand through his short hair. “So, I’m gonna fuck with her. If you wanna head out, you can.”
I probably should, but a part of me refuses, mostly because I want the chance to see Isabelle. Why? I don’t fuckin’ know other than the fact I think she’s beautiful and sweet.
With a shake of my head, I follow my VP up the walkway and then the stairs to the second-story apartment. He pulls out a set of keys and unlocks the door. I didn’t realize he and Isabelle were so close.
“You got a key to her place?” I quirk a brow and frown as he looks over his shoulder at me.
“Yeah, and no, it ain’t fuckin’ like that, brother. Isabelle and I are friends, and I look out for her,” he states and pushes the door open.
“If you say so,” I mutter, not liking it one bit that he’s got a key though I don’t have a right to even question his relationship with Isabelle.
Angel doesn’t remark as he steps inside. I follow coming alert instantly at the same time he does. The living room is a total wreck.
My VP curses under his breath and pulls his gun out while slowly prowling further into the apartment and down the hallway. Standing with his back against a wall, he reaches out and pushes a door that’s slightly ajar open all the way.
Immediately after, he jumps into action, shoving his gun back in his jeans and rushing to Isabelle’s side. My gut tightens, and my chest burns at the sight before me as I take in all the bruises and fresh cuts along her body.
Who the fuck hurt her? Why? The sight of all the damage done to her nearly sends me spiraling back in time to when I found my sister.
Fucking hell.
“Isabelle,” Angel rasps, cupping the side of her head. “Wake up, babe.” He nearly sounds heartbroken by the sight of her on the floor.
Isabelle makes a groaning noise, and her lashes flutter.
“Fuckin’ hell, darlin’,” Angel snaps, smoothing a strand of hair from her face. “This shit you refuse to tell me about has got to stop.”
What the hell is he talking about?
“Angel?” Isabelle croaks, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes.
“Yeah,” Angel grumbles. “You ready to talk to me yet?”
Isabelle groans and sits up, and her gaze widens when she sees me standing in the doorway.
“Wh-what . . . are y-you doing here?” she asks, her bottom lip trembling, and she glances between the two of us.
“Maybe you should start telling us what the fuck is going on?” I suggest not caring if my tone sounds harsh. I don’t put up with drama, and if it’s something that will potentially fuck with our club, then I wanna know.
“Y-you,” she stutters and looks at Angel. “I can’t.” Tears spill faster, and she starts sobbing, shaking her head. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you all, and it won’t come near Ivy. I promise. Please, just leave and forget you saw me like this.”
“Babe.” Angel growls and helps her up to her feet and then sits her on the edge of the bed. “Told you no one fucks with someone who belongs to the club. You not only are Ivy’s best friend, but you’re also one of the best dancers at Hellfire Dancers.”
Wait a fucking minute. Isabelle works for the club? Since when?
She flinches and shakes her head.
“I don’t work there anymore,” she whispers and drops her head, so neither of us can see her eyes.
“What do you mean?” Angel demands, tensing next to her. “Mia didn’t say anything about you quitting.”
“I quit today,” she murmurs, shaking her head in denial. “I have another job.”
I don’t miss the shudder that leaves her body at the mention of this new job.
We’ll see about this new job of hers.
“I think you need to explain,” I snarl, not liking any of this, and I’m not going to put up with being kept in the dark. Especially after finding her beaten and bloody. Shit, I’m barely holding it together and not flipping my lid on it all.
She might not be mine or Angels, but she’s his friend and Ivy’s family. Meaning I’ll do what I have to make sure she stays safe. I’ll also do this ignoring the fact I want her for myself. However, no woman really wants a man like me.
One that’s scarred as I am.
Inwardly I shake my head, pushing that thought from my mind.
I go down that road, and I’ll just get pissed, and I don’t want that.
It’s in the past, and there’s nothing I can do about that.
What I can do is stop someone else I care for from getting hurt more than they already have been, regardless of if they want that protection or not.
With Isabelle, I’m sure it’ll be a fight.
It’s one she’ll have to lose. I won’t see her hurt like this again. Never a-fuckin’-gain.