Chapter 19 #2
“Pratt won’t like this,” Atkins shouts. “He will come after both girls.”
“He won’t do shit when he can’t find either of you,” Scythe sneers.
I chuckle darkly, stepping closer to Atkins, getting right in his face. “Pratt? That supposed to scare me? Let me tell you something about your boss. He’s smart enough to know when to cut his losses. Unlike you two dumb fucks.”
I look back at Hope in my truck, still pressing the towel to her neck. My heart clenches at the sight of her blood, fueling the rage inside me. I turn back to Ronald, who’s still on the ground where Reaper put him.
“You put a knife to my woman’s throat,” I say, my voice deadly calm. “You threatened my family. There’s no coming back from that.”
I squat down and grab dear old Ron by the throat.
“You’re a sick fuck. Going for little boys to get your fix.
Using your own fuckin’ nieces to get what you want.
Do you have a clue as to what we do to men like you?
What we do to those who hurt the women in my club? What I do to protect what’s mine?”
Ronald’s eyes are feral as he spits. “You won’t do shit.”
“Oh, but I will,” I growl, tightening my grip, cutting off all blood supply to his brain.
“Just not here. Not yet. Do you know why my brothers named me Styxx? Why my brother is named Scythe? Because of the hatred and loathing that flows through our veins for men like you. Where I’m named after the river, my brother is named for the Reaper’s weapon. Like I said, you’re fucked.”
I release him with a shove, watching him gasp for air. My brothers are already moving, securing both men with zip ties.
“Styxx,” Reaper calls, nodding toward the truck. “Get Hope to Stella. We’ll handle these two.”
I look between the men on the ground and my woman in the truck. As much as I want to be the one to make these fuckers pay, Hope needs me more right now.
“Don’t start without me,” I warn, meeting each of my brothers’ eyes.
“You know we won’t,” Scythe’s voice is terse and dark. I know he’d like nothing more than to kill these two right here and now.
I nod and head to my truck. I’ll figure out how to get my bike to the clubhouse later. Right now, I need to see to my woman.
Hopping in behind the wheel, I barely get the truck in reverse before Hope speaks.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Hope.”
“I am. I’m so, so sorry. I got the call, and I freaked out. All I thought about was that he had my sister. I didn’t think. I just reacted.”
Putting the truck in drive, I turn the wheel and glance in her direction, seeing the pain in her eyes—the anguish.
“Mo chathú,” I say, reaching out to touch her. “I get what you did and why. I know when it comes to your little sister, you would do anything for her, and you have. But from now on, you’ve got to trust that I’ve got things. No more going Rambo in an attempt to protect her.”
“She’s the only one that’s mattered for so long.” Tears stream down Hope’s cheeks.
“She’s not the only one who matters. You matter, baby.
More than you know. I could spank your ass right here and now for telling me you love me in a damn voice text.
And I will, but it’s got to wait. I’m not going to punish you when you’re hurting.
Right now, we’re going to the clubhouse, Stella’s gonna fix you up, then we’re gonna have a long talk about your actions and that you won’t be doing anything like that again. ”
“Promise?”
“She’s at the clubhouse, safe and sound.” I won’t go into the details about Ron showing up at her school again. It’s not needed. No one was going to threaten my woman or girl again. I’d see to it.
Once Atkins and Ronald Hall are dealt with, I’ll personally reach out to Pratt and inform him that his dealings with Ron were done. He wouldn’t be getting his hands on Promise or my woman.
The rest of the drive to the clubhouse was in silence. I didn’t need words, and I knew my woman didn’t either.
Stella was already waiting for Hope when we walked into the clubhouse. She quickly took my woman, with me right behind them, to the room we use as a small medical clinic. It was big enough to supply the doctor with anything and everything she would need for more than the basics.
While Stella worked to patch Hope up, Promise stayed right by her side. Tears stream down her face while Hope did her best to reassure her sister that she was fine.
I hung back out of the way, giving Stella room to work, but kept my eyes on both woman and girl. Promise’s eyes meet mine as she gives me a teary-eyed look with a small smile.
“You did as you said you would.”
I jerk my chin at her words. “Told you I would. Meant it. Always will, sweetheart.”
Both Hope and Promise have been through enough over the years. Watching the two of them now, closer than I have in the past, I can see more now why Hope is so protective of her sister. That fierce love isn’t something you can teach—it’s born from something deep inside.
Angel approaches, stepping just inside the room. “We’re ready when you are.”
“Give me a minute, VP,” I tell him, then walk over to where Hope sits.
I step directly in front of her, curling my hands in her hair on either side of her face. “I’ll be back in a bit. You don’t leave this clubhouse.”
“I won’t leave,” she whispers, licking her lips nervously. “I just want to change out of these clothes and sleep.”
I nod and lean in, kissing her softly. “Love you, Hope. I’ll join you soon as we finish.”
“I love you too,” Hope says, her eyes full of emotion. The bandage on her neck is stark white against her skin. “Be careful.”
I give her one more kiss before nodding to Promise, who’s still standing protectively by her sister. “Look after her for me.”
Promise nods, her eyes still wet but determined. “I will. Always.”
I glance at Angel in time to see him give Stella one hell of a kiss before following him out of the room.
“You good, brother?” Angel asks when we step outside and start for the woods.