Vince walked to the conference room and opened the door. He went into the room alone and shut the door. The music and voices were muffled now. Vince walked along the long table, his fingers touching the tops of the chairs. This situation could go easily or it could be a bloodbath. Knowing the Oreno crew, they would prefer a fight. If they knew why Full Moon Mercy needed to pass through, that could cause a problem.
By the time Vince took his seat, the door opened and in walked Cooper, Ian, and Lucas. Lucas shut the door behind him and nodded to Vince.
“Everything good?” Vince asked.
Lucas lifted his shirt and showed his fresh wound.
“What the fuck, bro?” Ian asked.
“Don’t worry,” Lucas said, “that wasn’t from last night when you went crazy, Ian.”
Ian’s chest puffed out. Vince slapped the table.
“Hey,” Vince said. “Everyone keep themselves calm. That’s a goddamn order.”
“I got tailed by someone in the Reckingdune crew,” Lucas said. “Had a car and started to shoot at me. Took it to the woods where we fought.”
“Did you kill the asshole?” Cooper asked.
“No,” Lucas said. “I sent a message.”
“What kind of message?” Vince asked.
“He left a lot more bloody than I did,” Lucas said.
“What do they want with us?” Cooper asked.
“The usual,” Vince said. “Bad blood there. Let it go for right now.”
Lucas took his seat and lit up a cigarette. Vince looked around the table and made sure all eyes were upon him.
“We have to travel,” Vince said. “And soon. What happened with that deer…”
“Nasty,” Ian said.
“Just urges,” Cooper said.
“You’re both right,” Vince said. “We have to get Debbie out of Mercy. For all we know, maybe the Reckingdune crew sense what’s going on here. They think we’re worried or weak.”
“If we have to go, then let’s go,” Lucas said. “I’m ready.”
“We need to plan this,” Vince said. “We need to make sure what we offer we can live up to.”
“You wanted bodies, right?” Ian asked.
“That’s the best way to do this,” Vince said. “We give them a feast and we sneak right on by.”
“How do we get back?” Lucas asked.
“Take our chances,” Vince said.
“Or just shoot our way back,” Ian said. “It’ll be easier once we don’t have to worry about Debbie.”
“That’s the other part of our problem,” Vince said. “We have to make sure we get Debbie there without them knowing.”
“How the hell do we do that?” Lucas asked.
“Maybe bring a peace offering,” Ian said. “An advance on a bigger meal?”
“We need to hide Debbie,” Lucas said. “Protect her. We’ll need a car or truck.”
“How about a box truck?” Cooper asked.
“That would be perfect,” Vince said. “Where can we get one?”
Lucas inhaled on his cigarette and then nodded. “Call the Chief.”
“He’ll call his friend,” Vince said.
“The junkyard guy,” Cooper said. “That’s perfect.”
“We’ll find something beat up and put Debbie in it,” Lucas said.
“What about the peace offering?” Cooper asked.
“I think we’re going to need the good Chief for that too,” Vince said. He leaned forward and folded his hands. “Ian, I know why you did what you did last night. It was wrong even though it made sense.”
“Look, I can’t…”
Vince waved a hand. “It’s cleaned up. It’s history to me now. But it’s the right idea for right now.”
“What does that mean?” Lucas asked.
“We round up some bad guys,” Vince said. “Sacrifice them.”
“Shit,” Cooper said. “We’re going to play judge and jury?”
Vince pointed at Cooper. “Hey, look at me, Cooper. There are guys in this town, our town, that are packing guns. That are selling drugs. Committing crimes. These guys are going to be put in jail, put on trial, and who knows what will happen. If we want to send a message to all of them… we start taking bodies. It kind of solves a couple problems at once, doesn’t it?”
“If you say so,” Cooper said.
“I like it,” Ian said.
“I agree,” Lucas said.
Vince nodded. “Good. Then we have a plan. I’ll call the Chief. We’ll arrange a meeting. Cooper, I want you to find a box truck. Ian, you could do the honor of picking two unlucky men to face their fate. Lucas, I need you to just check on Debbie.”
“Don’t forget about Leah,” Lucas said. “She’ll travel with us.”
“Lucas…”
Lucas slammed his hand down. “Dammit, no. She’s coming with us. She can monitor Debbie and she can keep things at bay.”
“A human?”
“Doesn’t matter. She can keep Debbie calm. Trust me on it.”
Vince hated the idea. Then again, maybe Leah would do something stupid and get herself killed. That would certainly take care of a bigger problem looming.
“If we load up the box truck with bodies,” Cooper said, “what about Debbie?”
“We’ll be creative,” Vince said. “We just need to set this up. First thing we need is two bodies to take with us.”
“And we just ride into Oreno territory?” Lucas asked.
Vince smiled and leaned back. “It’s the only way to get their attention. Ride into their town and shoot our guns a few times and those wolves will be running right at us.”
“Dangerous,” Cooper said.
“I like dangerous,” Ian said.
“So do I,” Lucas said.
“Then we leave first thing tomorrow,” Vince said. “Now get the hell out of here.”
Cooper and Ian stood, then left the room. Lucas remained seated, finishing his smoke and reaching for another one.
When the door shut, Vince looked at Lucas. “I’m glad you stayed. We should talk.”
“I figured,” Lucas said.
“We’re going to do this, Lucas,” Vince said. “It’s risky. I know there’s tension all around. But it’s going to work. Debbie is going to have that child. Your child, Lucas. The blood of Full Moon Mercy. It’ll continue with you and your son.”
“Or daughter,” Lucas said.
“Trust me,” Vince said, “when it’s meant to be like this, it’ll be a son.”
“You seem hell bent on keeping Debbie happy,” Lucas said.
He took a drag and stared down Vince. Vince knew how to keep himself calm, no matter what.
“It’s your child,” Vince said. “It’s part of the club, Lucas. I’d do it for anyone.”
“Well, I hope the Oreno crew accept our offering,” Lucas said.
“I promise you this,” Vince said. He put his hand on Lucas’s arm and squeezed. “I will get Debbie to Dr. Carane. She needs him.”
“What about me?” Lucas asked. “What about Leah?”
“You’re a smart man, Lucas,” Vince said. “You’ll figure it out.” Vince let a few seconds pass before taking a chance at the opening before him. “There is other protection available…”
Vince reached for his beer and drank from it. He let Lucas ponder the question and waited for him to take the bait.
“What protection?” Lucas asked.
“I know the subject has been tossed around before,” Vince said. “But the connection between those claimed makes it hard to disrespect us. We wear the leather and we have the name Full Moon Mercy, which requires its own respect, but to be connected, Lucas, that has merit.”
“Connection,” Lucas said. “Like claiming another?”
Vince nodded. “I would never pressure you, Lucas. But if we approach the Oreno crew with my son and his unborn child, it could make things go a little smoother.”
“Your track record really isn’t great with other cre
ws, is it?” Lucas asked with that shit eating grin that Vince sometimes hated.
“You know what I’m saying,” Vince said. “Family is the most important thing in all our lives. Family can run deep with blood, or by claim.”
“You want to claim me,” Lucas said. He quickly stood up and put out his cigarette. “That’s what you’re throwing at me.”
“I’m only looking for the safety of you, Debbie, and that child.”
“You’re looking for a way to be connected to that child,” Lucas said.
“Is that wrong?” Vince asked. His voice raised. “Tell me, Lucas.”
Lucas put a hand to Vince’s shoulder. “It’s not wrong. At all. I can’t give you an answer to that, Vince. That takes time and thought.”
“I understand, son,” Vince said and smiled.
He could see the look in Lucas’s eyes. The man was tough as stone. And he wasn’t budging.
Lucas left the conference room and Vince sat alone.
“Shit,” he whispered.
He needed to get to Lucas better. He needed to get rid of Leah. He needed to claim Lucas…
14
Seth took the pickup truck back to his place and exchanged it for his motorcycle. There was just something about the intense power and purpose of two wheels versus four. Plus, he needed to get the hell out of the club for a little bit and clear his mind. Bad enough he let Vince down, enduring the sight of both Lucas and Leah together made him feel really weak and pathetic. If anything, Lucas should have been the weak one in the club back there. He should have been weak with grief because Leah had been killed. Instead, Lucas was able to wrap his hand tight around Leah's hand and command her out of the club and wherever the hell he had to take her.
It had been a messy morning into early afternoon, that was for sure. The moment Seth got on his motorcycle and fired up the engine, the world felt good again. He started to ride, knowing exactly where he needed to be. With Abby, in her bed. With her wild urges and crazy positions and loud noises. Seth wanted to feel that power again. It made it more intense because Abby knew nothing of him other than he was a sexy biker from Full Moon Mercy.
When Seth returned to Abby's apartment, he saw a motorcycle parked longways between two parking spots. It was a cheap looking bike, too shiny to actually have some miles to it. Seth turned off his motorcycle and rushed inside the building. He heard the muffled sound of Abby's voice and hurried to reach for his gun. Sure, life would have been easier if he could have just shifted into a wolf and settled fights that way, but that would only end up causing more problems. Seth didn't need to cause more problems. He needed to stay under the radar and wait for the next opportunity.
At Abby's door, he heard her scream.
Seth kicked the door open and found a tall man with a muscular arm holding Abby by the neck against the wall. It wasn't the guy from the bar, but Seth knew he was part of the same crew. A few local meatheads with whiskey and muscles who thought they could compare themselves to a real motorcycle club.
"Seth, help," Abby said.
"Let her go," Seth said as he pointed the gun at the big guy.
The guy laughed and Seth turned his eyes just in time to see a gun pointed at him. Of course there would be two guys here. The second guy was smaller but much thicker.
"Drop your fucking gun asshole," the big guy said.
"Let go of her throat," Seth said.
"You have a gun to your head, man," the gunman said.
“Yeah, I do,” Seth said. He eyed the scene, knowing there was danger but it really was much more dangerous for him. “I guess I should put my gun down.”
“Make it fast,” the first man said.
Abby tried to kick at the man and pushed harder against her throat.
“Don’t fight him, Abby,” Seth said. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Actually, it’s not,” the gunman said. “We stopped by to pay a little visit and give a warning to this slut. Now you show up again. Not a smart situation to be in.”
Seth glared at the gunman. Oh, how easy it would be to shift into a wolf right now. A couple swipes of his paws and he could gut these two guys right there on the floor.
“What do you guys want?” Seth asked.
“You need to go,” the first man said. “This doesn’t concern you yet. You’ll get your payback soon.”
“So you’re here to kill Abby?” Seth asked.
“No. Just send a clear message.” The man brought a fist back and Seth couldn’t let it happen.
“You see my leather?” Seth asked. “You realize what I’m part of?”
The gunman laughed. “I don’t give a shit what you’re part of. Where’s the rest of your crew?”
The big man looked at the gunman and gave a nod. It was a signal, even if it wasn’t meant to be a secret. Now Seth had to react and fix the situation. Willing to take the risk, Seth threw a fist up and punched the gun out of the gunman’s hand. The gunman looked shocked, giving Seth another quick opening to grab the gunman and throw him at the wall. His face smashed into the wall with a thud and he collapsed to the ground. The big man pressed tighter to Abby’s throat. She cried out and Seth ran at the guy, tackling him to the ground.
That left Abby to finally be safe.
Seth hated to be rolling on the ground with the biker. The man took swings at Seth, connecting with his back and ribs. He had to hand it to the guy, his fists were like hammers. When Seth was on his back and the big man on top of him, it appeared as though Seth was in big trouble.
“Come on,” Seth said. “Hit me. Hit me right in the face.”
“You got it.”
The big man came down with a heavy fist. Seth felt the pain and tasted the blood from his mouth. The pain went away because most of Seth wasn’t human. His pain sensors really didn’t care about pain.
“Want another one?” the man asked.
“Sure,” Seth said.
The man made a fist and Seth made his move. He sat up and channeled the strength that came from within thanks to being a beast. Seth lifted the man off the ground and tossed him against the wall. The man stumbled forward, in pain and shock, leaving Seth with whatever shot he wanted to take. A hard enough hit to the head could definitely kill the man. Seth didn’t want to the kill the man though. He just wanted these two morons out of Abby’s apartment so he could tear her clothes off and have her again.
Seth punched the big man in the gut, dropping him to his knees. He then pulled his head back and looked down at him.
“You’re walking away on two feet out of luck today,” Seth said. “Don’t confuse it for any sign of weakness. If you bother Abby again, I swear I will fucking kill you with my bare hands. Got it?”
The man groaned and nodded.
Seth dragged him by the hair to the front door of the apartment and showed him out. The gunman was now standing and putting his hands up in defeat. He hurried from the apartment, his nose and mouth still dripping blood from the hard hit to the wall.
When Seth closed the door, he turned and looked at Abby.
“Who were they?” Seth asked.
“That other guy you hit at the bar, his name is Roc. These guys are part of his crew. I’m in trouble.”
“Not with me, babe,” Seth said as he opened his arms to welcome Abby in.
She jumped into his arms and kissed him. Any feelings of inadequacy were suddenly gone as Seth gripped Abby’s ass and held her tight against his already hardening body. Abby’s hands were in his hair, pulling and teasing. She bit his bottom lip and then pulled away from their kiss.
“That was really hot what you just did there,” she said.
“Just making sure you were safe,” Seth said. “Not fair with two on one, is it?”
“You really beat those guys up. They were big. They had a gun.”
Seth smiled. “Is there something you’re trying to get at?”
“Yeah,” Abby said and smiled. “I want to get at what’s in your pants.”
Fair enough.
Seth locked the apartment door and carried Abby to the bedroom. He dropped her to the bed and backed up.
“Let’s pick up right where I left off,” Seth said. “I believe you were naked and touching yourself.”
Abby smiled and sat up. She began to take her clothes off, but her focus wasn’t on Seth. She struggled between looking at Seth and at the window. Something else was on her mind. Seth didn’t like that one bit. He was the focus and should be the only focus right now.
Seth walked to the window and opened the blinds. Abby sat topless on her bed and looked surprised.
“What’s out there?” Seth asked.
“Nothing. I’m just… nervous.”
“There was only one motorcycle out there,” Seth said. “How was there two guys?”
“The one with the gun doesn’t ride. He’s afraid of bikes.”
Seth laughed. “A biker afraid of bikes?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re afraid of that?”
“Not them. Of Roc.”
“Fuck that guy,” Seth said.
“You don’t get it…”
Seth dropped the blinds and rushed to Abby. He lifted her from the bed, her bare chest touching his leather. “Look me in the eyes, babe.”
Abby did.
“You don’t get it,” Seth said. “You don’t get who I am. Or what I’m part of. Those guys are nothing. They’re bored men with leather cuts and motorcycles. They don’t understand a thing about the life. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t trust me.”
“I would never,” Abby whispered. “I mean, I just met you, Seth…”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Abby said.
Seth touched her hair. “Good girl. Those guys come near you again and I’m going to kill them. And nobody will stop me and nobody will care.”
“I’m so scared and turned on,” Abby admitted.
“Then let’s get you calm, babe.”
Seth touched Abby’s heavy breasts and she touched between his legs.
Seth had the rest of the day to kill and started to imagine everything he would do to Abby’s perfect, little body.
*
Mandy crept down the steps knowing she would find a mess. She partially felt guilty for Debbie’s current mental state. When all this first happened, Mandy had been somewhat attentive to Debbie. Probably more than any person in Debbie’s life, not that Mandy was looking to be a mother figure to anyone, especially a stripper whore like Debbie. But in case Debbie had felt some kind of connection with Mandy, she knew it was best to try and keep Debbie as comfortable as possible until the crew was able to move her out of Mercy.
The True Beast (A Full Moon Mercy Novel) (shifter / MC romance) Page 10
