Talking about things that made my skin prickle with goosebumps.
9
Toxin
I stood in the corner with my arms crossed, gazing out at the guys. They all kept side-eyeing me. Studying me. Snickering at me, like I didn’t already know they were pissed. Hell, I was pissed. No one was angrier than me at how this shit panned out. And with how ungrateful this Natasha girl was, I didn’t want to be around her any longer than I needed to be.
Guess that gets you going.
I shoved the thought to the side. The last thing I needed to be thinking about was that shit. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath as the guys gathered in the room. Brynn was a fucking mess. Trying to do everything in her power to talk to this girl about Diesel. And I got it. I understood it. I really did. She must’ve had it in her mind that we’d be one step closer to him after tonight. And that wasn’t the case.
I knew what it meant to leave people behind, not knowing if I’d ever see them again.
I won’t let that happen to Diesel, Brynn. You have my word.
I turned my back to them and gazed out the window. Everything about me was on high alert. My senses. My mind. The hairs standing on the nape of my neck. Something told me this girl had big secrets, and I hoped my decision to bring her back here wouldn't backfire on me. We’d been in enough trouble with women in this fucking crew. We’d had enough women come back and sink their talons into the men of this club.
We didn’t need another one causing us any more ruckus.
I closed my eyes and ran down the night. Every event that lead me to this moment. Because the second Cage came back into the room after smashing his girl into the mattress, it’d be on. The guys would want answers, and I’d have to spit them out. One by one. Which meant I needed to be on my toes.
And not wanting to kill them instead.
I still didn’t do well with people. Being backed into corners. I still didn’t do well with people raising their voices. It put me on edge. Made me defensive. Made me crave the sight and smell of blood. I swallowed hard as I recounted the night. My head bobbed as I clocked every fifteen minutes’ worth of actions. I could run down a scenario like a fucking hawk, seeing it from every point of view imaginable.
But when I opened my eyes, I saw the reflection of the guys standing behind me in the window. All of them, turned to me. Facing me.
Waiting for me to address them.
“I take it you guys have questions?” I asked.
Grave snickered. “You could say that.”
Brewer sighed. “What the hell happened in there?”
Then, Cage opened his fucking mouth.
“Are you absolutely insane, bringing her back here!?”
I whipped around as he stepped to the forefront, his nostrils flaring in response.
“Because I think you are,” he continued to yell. “You have no idea who the fuck this woman is. Who she’s attached to the in mafia. Or if she holds information at all! The only reason you brought her back is because of those long-ass legs. We all see it. Doesn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to figure out what the hell you were staring at all night!”
I blinked. “Coming from the guy we literally did a favor? I wouldn't be the first one to rush into this argument.”
“I’m just as much a part of this crew as you are now. And you’ve put Sutton in danger by bringing her back here. The one person we’re fighting for in all this!”
“We’re fighting for everyone at this point!” I bellowed.
I lunged at him with my fists balled up as Brewer slid in front of us.
“Down, Toxin. Now’s not the time,” he said.
“You’re damn right it’s the time. I’ve sat back and watched every single one of you newbies bring women back to this place. Children you didn’t know you had. Children you did knew you had but didn’t tell us shit about. But I’m the bad guy right now? Are you fucking kidding me!?”
My voice echoed off the corners of the walls as I shot daggers into Cage’s face.
“Back. The fuck. Down. Before you get yourself tossed out on your ass,” I growled.
“Not your call,” Grave said.
“You’ve got no room to talk, knocking up your girl during a time like this,” I hissed.
He pointed his finger. “Hey! She was pregnant before any of this kicked off.”
“Which means you should be the angriest!” I exclaimed.
“Enough!” Rock roared.
We all fell into silence as I drew in a deep breath. Brewer patted his hand against my chest, slowly backing me away from the group. If they were going to attack me, then everyone was airing their dirty laundry today.
Every. Single. One.
“Don’t you get pissed off at me because I brought a girl back to this clubhouse when literally all of you have done the same thing. I don’t want to fuck her. She’s insufferable! Bitching and moaning and complaining the entire ride home. If I didn’t think she was literally our only chance to help us at this point since our cover was shot to bits, I would’ve left her in that place like the rest of the women who served me tonight. That’s the difference here. I don’t want to fuck the girl I brought back,” I hissed.
And after drawing in a sobering breath, I shrugged off Brewer’s touch.
“Now, you guys want answers to your questions? Or you want to keep digging around in my ass?” I asked.
Grave sighed. “Why the fuck was your cover blown? Let’s start there.”
“Her, actually. I got the impression that she was the oldest server in that casino. And she kept giving me the eyes, you know? I knew it’d be easy to get her alone. Off in a corner somewhere to talk. The guards had their fucking eyes on me all night. New guy and all, right? I wasn’t going to be getting anywhere or into any of those offices. She was my only way in with anyone in that casino tonight. But she disappeared.”
“So, you went looking for her,” Cage murmured.
I nodded. “Yep. Found her being dragged by her fucking hair. Some drunk guy cornered her in a stock room or some shit. I pulled my gun, told him to let her go, and he decided he’d fight. Gunshots happened. That triggered the guards. And before we knew it, I had her over my shoulder because she wanted me to fucking leave her there, and that wasn’t happening.”
Knox snickered. “Did you really throw her over your shoulder?”
“You’re damn right, I did. That woman really thought I was gonna leave her there to get raped. You guys would’ve cut me to pieces had I done that shit. Hell, I would’ve started the cutting! The guards started yelling about taking her out. That she couldn't leave. That she wasn’t allowed to leave. Which tells me she knows information she shouldn't if they’re willing to kill their own property just so they don’t leave the grounds.”
Grave nodded. “That makes a lot of sense actually. Good job, then.”
I scoffed. “Fucking finally. Thanks.”
“So, what’s the plan now? Now that she’s back here?” Ryker asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Shit went off the rails tonight. I don’t have a plan, and I’m not afraid to admit it. But maybe if she befriends some of the girls here—Brynn, especially—she’ll realize she can help us save someone. Two people, really. If she gets to know Sutton and her side of shit.”
“We should’ve just gone into the fight in the first damn place,” Saint said.
“I’m with him on this one. Sounds like we could’ve taken on the guards and actually gotten access to the offices that way,” Bear said.
“I know you new guys like to go in hot and heavy, but we didn’t go to this casino thinking we’d come back with Diesel. We need to do this lightly. And while tonight wasn’t lightly, I don’t think there’s a way the mafia can trace this back to us. Right?” Grave asked.
And when all eyes fell on me, I shrugged.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t fucking know," I said.
“How the hell do you not know?” Cage asked.
“I mean
, I don’t know. Sure, the fake I.D. at the door worked. But only after I slapped money in their palms. If the guards watched me that closely, then I know my face has been caught on camera,” I said.
“I put up a fake identity for you online. If they run your face or anything like that in the next few days, they won’t pull up Toxin,” Rock said.
“Which is all fine and good if Lars didn’t already know what we all looked like,” I said.
“All of this is a fucking waste of time. Do you guys seriously think Toxin isn’t trying to slightly get his dick wet?” Cage asked.
“You mean like you just did before this meeting where you kept everyone waiting?” I asked.
“What?”
I grinned. “You really should tell Sutton to be quieter in bed.”
“You fucking maniac,” he growled.
Cage lunged at me, and I was ready for him. He slammed into me and I wrapped my arms around him, preventing him from swinging. He bit into my shoulder, but I pinned his head between my cheek and my collarbone. Cutting off his ability to move. He slammed me into the wall. The guys pried him away from me. I let him go and Cage’s teeth ripped from my skin.
But not before I clocked him against his jaw with my fist.
“Toxin!” Grave exclaimed.
“He doesn’t get away with charging me without a fucking bruise to show for it,” I snarled.
“Sit down. Everyone. Now,” Brewer said curtly.
We all sat around the edge of the room, moving chairs away from everyone. We were tired of being cooped up. Tired of being unable to provide for ourselves. Which meant I knew the guys with families were tired of not being able to provide for them. I drew in deep breaths as I sat there with my legs spread wide. Making sure Cage knew his exact lot in life.
And when he finally chanced a look at me, I winked.
“Stop it, Toxin,” Grave said.
“What? Just a little love wink,” I said.
“You know what you’re doing,” Brewer said.
I rolled my eyes but stayed silent. I was tired of fighting and wanted to go the fuck to sleep.
“Guys, I know this isn’t ideal. But it hadn’t been ideal since Cage came stumbling onto our doorstep. And while I don’t like how the two of you are handling yourselves right now, Toxin’s right,” Grave said.
“Excuse me?” Cage asked.
I chuckled as I watched his face fall.
“You’re the reason this all kicked off in the first place. For a good reason, but don’t forget your place in all this. How this all spawned. You brought a girl into the mix with you, and while we’re all family, you don’t get to berate Toxin for his actions. Especially since they aren’t motivated by love or sex. Got it?” Grave asked.
Cage sighed. “Yep.”
“Good. Now, again, this situation isn’t ideal. But we might be able to fix it. Toxin, do you have this girl’s full name?”
I shook my head. “I don’t, no. But I did snatch her I.D. from her room before I left.”
“Nice. Where was it?” Knox asked.
I shrugged. “Must’ve dropped from her dress somewhere. It was just hanging out on the floor before I left.”
“Let me see it. I can run her name through our systems,” Rock said.
I pulled the I.D. out of my pocket and slapped it against the palm of his hand. And as he walked over to his laptop, all eyes were back on Grave.
“The biggest question right now is whether or not you can get Natasha to cooperate. You think you can do that?”
I shrugged. “I can try.”
“Try. Well, thanks. We appreciate the effort,” Cage snickered.
“I’m still packing, you know,” I said.
“Cage, you open your mouth again and you’re pulled from this assignment. Got it?” Grave asked.
“Finally. Someone else knows how that feels,” I murmured.
The guys chuckled, but Grave wasn’t impressed.
“If she’s going to stay here, she has to cooperate. We have our families here. Children here. She can’t be causing a ruckus just because she doesn’t like you,” he said.
“I mean, we wouldn’t blame her for that, though. Toxin doesn’t have the best track record with women,” Knox said.
“Not my fault I don’t want to fall in love with anyone,” I murmured.
“Yeah, but you also don’t have to treat them like slabs of meat for your taking,” Rock said.
“Hey! You keep your attention on that laptop,” I said.
“He’s right, though,” Brewer said.
The guys laughed and clapped their hands as the only guy who’d ever been on my side finally defected. Like people usually did in my life.
“Well, thanks for that,” I said flatly.
“Look, all I’m saying is we all have our downfalls. And wooing women? Well, that’s yours. You fuck ‘em just fine. But actually romancing them? Or getting on their good side? Not so much.”
“I’ll get her to talk, okay? Damn. And if all else fails, she can get close to someone here and I’ll let them know what questions we need to ask her. Either way, we’ll get that information from her. And she won’t be leaving until we do,” I said.
“Yeah, no. You all can go fuck yourselves,” Natasha said.
And as we all sat there, stunned at her presence, I watched her move faster than lightning as she rushed through the room and headed straight for the front door.
10
Natasha
My jaw fell open as I listened to the conversation. Anger filled my veins as I rushed back into my room. My I.D. There was no way in hell he swiped that off me. I had that shit in a small pocket of my flapper dress. No way his hand fucking crept in there without me noticing. I picked up the dress and stuffed my hand into it. I rummaged around before checking the other one. I picked up my bra and shook it out. I checked the breast pockets tucked in between the fabric of the bra and the cushion. I made them in all my bras specifically for my job so I could store things without my pockets bulging with utter nonsense.
And holy shit, it wasn’t there.
“That son of a bitch,” I whispered.
I threw my dress to the ground. That man swiped my I.D. off my body just before he tried kissing me and now this gang wanted me to cooperate!? Hell no. Not a fucking chance. There was no way that was happening. Not on my watch. I had to go back to the mafia. I wouldn't get along with anyone here. I didn’t give a shit if half their crew was missing. Their families weren’t my issue. I had bigger things to deal with. Like staying away from Ivan. Getting back in touch with Phillip. Using my curves and my smile to get back in good with the mafia. Though, I knew I’d be demoted. Probably hoisted upstairs and stuffed in one of the rental rooms for men to have their way with me.
Just as punishment.
Just to reinforce that I was to never leave again.
Do you really want to do that though, Natasha?
I sighed. I thought rationally about things for a second. If they really wanted to kill me tonight, then Toxin was right about one thing. My place was off limits. They’d surely be patrolling it. Watching out for when I came back. So, the money I kept stashed at my place was gone. It was much too risky to pull money out of ATMs, too. Because if they were watching my bank accounts, they’d have me flagged in a heartbeat. How much would three thousand dollars stretch?
I had a chance to run away if I wanted.
I started gathering my things. I slipped the second set of clothes over my head, which gave me an extra set of pockets. I stuffed my money all around me, so that if I got into a tousle with the guys, they couldn't possibly take it all off me. But I wasn’t staying here. Even if I wanted to run away and assume another life somewhere, I sure as hell wasn’t staying here in order to do it.
Fuck the mafia.
Fuck Ivan.
If they found me, I’d run for my life again. Like I’d done on so many occasions.
I readied myself to leave before I crept back out into the hallway.
And the guys were practically laughing at one another. I perched and listened. I heard their voices snickering as the one named Grave got them to all settle down. What the hell had I missed? What the fuck happened while I was in that room.
“I’ll get her to talk, okay? Damn. And if all else fails, she can get close to someone here and I’ll let them know what questions we need to ask her. Either way, we’ll get that information from her. And she won’t be leaving until we do,” Toxin said.
Oh, hell no. The mafia’s better than all of this shit combined.
“Yeah, no. You all can go fuck yourselves,” I said.
I rushed through the room and headed straight for the front door. With loose flats on my feet and socks creating a nice, cool barrier, I knew I looked like a hot mess. But the pain in my feet had subsided, which let me stride with my long legs for the door. I ripped it open and poured myself out into the night. These assholes wouldn't know the first thing about protecting a woman. I wasn’t letting them control my life when I knew damn good and well they couldn't give me what I wanted in return.
“Natasha!”
Toxin’s voice barreled behind me, but I leapt off the porch. My feet planted into the dry dirt, kicking up dust as I picked up the pace. A fast walk, if you will. One that boogied me further and further away from the clubhouse. I didn’t care if they all saw me. If they all thought I was a bitch. If they all thought I was uncooperative or selfish or any of the other number of things they believed about me as a person. The only thing I wanted was out of there.
Even if it put me back in the hands of the mafia.
“Natasha, will you cut it out!? Wait up!”
“Fuck off!” I yelled.
I flipped him off over my shoulder before I got to the main road. I looked both ways before trotting across it, then slinked down a side road. My stomach gurgled with hunger. I kept an eye out for a food place that would put me in the presence of someone other than these assholes. Even if half the town was owned by Lars, maybe it would look good on me if they saw me fighting against someone. Trying to get away. Calling out for help.
Toxin: Dead Souls MC: Prospects #5 Page 6
