Wincing at the sound of Outlaw’s voice, Bunny opened the bathroom door, startled to find him in her room. He never entered, respecting her privacy. But she’d stumbled in late, last night, hours after she’d been due.
Her arrival interrupted Johnnie, Mortician, Cash, Stretch, Arrow, and Val’s departure. She’d been in so much pain she could barely speak. Somehow, she’d managed a smile.
Somehow.
Just like she did now. “Is Little Man looking for me?”
Trader’s words kept replaying in her head and she knew he was right about Outlaw. No way in hell would the man allow anyone not connected with the club near his wife, under the circumstances. And how could Bunny continue to be associated with the club if she and Trader split? Once he got another old lady that would leave her as little more than a hang around chick. In other words, Club Ass.
“What the fuck wrong?” She jumped at Outlaw’s bark. “You fuckin’ heard me?”
“No, sorry.” Attempting a smile hurt her face. “Can you repeat what you said?”
She flushed at his intense stare. His green eyes narrowed, his gaze touching on every angle of her face.
The insanely gorgeous man intimidated her sometimes, although he didn’t do it on purpose. Like now.
“Roxy missed the breakfast Megan cooked cuz her ass just got here. She asked if you fuckin’ ate. Since we ain’t fuckin’ reachin’ you, I came the fuck to check on you.” He opened his mouth to say something else, then snapped it shut, scrutinizing her again. “Roxy!” he yelled suddenly, startling her again.
Trader was turning her into a nervous wreck.
“You don’t have to call her.” Bunny started past Outlaw. The fast movements intensified her pain and she staggered. Her stomach hurt so bad. Unable to go forward, she paused and clutched her belly, breathing heavily. “I’m going check on Meggie and the kids, then I’ll find Roxy,” she panted, after the ache eased.
“You look kinda fucked up, babe.”
She laughed nervously. “I drank too much last night.”
“Get the fuck in here, Roxy!” he called again.
Roxy glided into the room, annoyance creasing her brow. Hands on hips, she scolded Outlaw. “Your ass really need to learn fucking manners, Outlaw.”
In response, he folded his arms and nodded to Bunny.
Roxy focused on Bunny and straightened, her brown eyes veering between exasperation and anger.
Shame burned into Bunny at Roxy’s look. In the months she’d known Bailey’s mom, Bunny hadn’t been able to hide much from the discerning woman whenever she visited. With Bailey pregnant again and still in school, those visits had increased.
“What the fuck you doing in Bunny’s room, anyway, Outlaw?”
“She ain’t been answerin’ her fuckin’ phone. Ain’t been fuckin’ answerin’ my callin. Megan callin’. CJ kickin’ the fuck outta her door. I thought her fuckin’ ass was in here fuckin’ dead.” He made a slow circuit around her. “Ain’t knowin’ she was in here fuckin’ fucked up.”
Tears filled Bunny’s eyes at Outlaw’s casual statement. Of course, it didn’t surprise her that he only had sympathy for Meggie. He made her pain sound like no big deal, though she hadn’t confirmed his suspicions. “I’m fine.” She waved, so far away from fine she cringed as she uttered the words and then pushed out another laugh. But Gabe, Meggie, Roxy, CJ, Rebel, and Rule were her only family. She didn’t want to lose them like she’d lost her mom and dad. “Really. I just got into an argument last night with this bitch coming on to Trader.”
Outlaw stared at her for another moment, before he nodded, buying into her story. “Motherfucker downstairs, babe.”
She flinched. God, she didn’t want to see Trader today. She needed to regain her strength and what little self-worth she had left. She needed to overcome her physical pain and her emotional wound, both because of her lost baby.
“He fuckin’ workin’ with us while Bailey shower goin’ the fuck on,” Outlaw went on.
At least she’d be surrounded by everyone so Trader wouldn’t brutalize her. He’d treat her with a casual disregard.
Roxy cleared her throat, her jeans and white sweater, along with her ponytail, making her appear almost as young as her daughter. “Can I talk to you?”
“Later,” Bunny promised. “After I set up everything.”
“Yeah, let’s get down-fuckin-stairs now.”
She swallowed again, steeling herself to deal with Trader after he’d killed the baby she wanted so badly.
Outlaw nodded to Bunny. “I gotta talk to you and Trader ‘bout something.”
“Okay.”
Not sure she wanted to know what Outlaw needed to talk to them about, Bunny hung her head and followed him, quite aware of Roxy behind her. At the bottom of the staircase, she heard the laughter of John Boy, Arrow, Cash, Stretch, Val, and Mortician, having been around them long enough to distinguish how they each sounded.
They were in the breakfast room, empty plates from the breakfast Meggie cooked still on the table. Val was just finishing a beer. Cash and Stretch drank coffee, while Trader and Arrow shared a bottle of whiskey. Outlaw, Johnnie, and Mortician had half empty juice glasses at their places at the table. Whether it was alcohol free or not, Bunny didn’t know.
“’Bout ready to head out, fuckheads?” Outlaw’s question halted conversation. “Megan should be bringin’ CJ down to me in ten fuckin’ minutes of so. He helpin’ her with Rule. You motherfuckers help Roxanne and Bunny get shit to the clubhouse.”
No one responded as they all focused on Bunny.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Johnnie asked slowly, getting to his feet. He wore a suit today, looking like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, instead of the vice president of an MC. Not a light blond hair stood out of place on his head and his silver-gray eyes held nothing but concern. “Bunny?”
She squirmed under his scrutiny, very aware of Trader’s presence and his amusement. “Fine, John Boy,” she answered, wishing her voice sounded stronger.
She lifted her gaze to Trader and a little tremble shuddered through her. His eyes were gray, too, but darker, still perfect for his handsome face. Cruelness twisted his full mouth. Or, maybe, only she felt that way because none of the others even blinked an eye at his look.
Her hand went to her belly, her fingers pressing where her baby should be.
The realization she fucking hated Trader now struck her and she closed her eyes. She couldn’t hang onto him. It didn’t matter what walking away from the asshole cost her. If he hadn’t wanted their baby, fine. She had, and he’d brutally taken it away from her.
“Bunny, you not looking too good, girl,” Mortician told her, studying her just like the rest of them were. He lit a cigarette and his wedding band glistened in the sunlight coming in from the window.
Her glance flitted from Mortician’s wedding band to Val’s, then Johnnie’s, and, finally, Outlaw’s. They wore the symbols of the unions so proudly. She flexed her hand and blinked at her bare fingers.
Maybe, if she’d listened to her parents, she’d be married, too. Maybe, she’d be a mom. Now, she mightn’t ever be. How could she trust another man again? More than that, how could she trust her own judgment about men?
Arms wrapped around her. Soft, motherly arms and she turned to Roxy, accepting her comfort when she’d rejected her mother’s. She hadn’t wanted to hear the truth.
“It’s okay, sugar,” Roxy swore. “Later, I promise I’m going to cut that motherfucker for you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what the fuck he done, but I know he did it and I’m not letting him get away with it.”
She smiled at Roxy’s vehemence, but straightened, determined to pull herself together. Stretch limped to her and thumbed away a tear. Until then, she hadn’t realized she cried.
“You’re sure nothing’s wrong?” he asked, still handsome, though the slight crookedness of his nose made it obvious it had been broken. A long scar ran along the side of his face. The severe beat
ing he’d gotten last year had left permanent marks on him. One of his legs had been broken in so many places, he’d never again bare a perfect gait.
Outlaw lit a cigarette and released the smoke. She wished he’d let up studying her. Even when she looked away, she felt his unnerving contemplation. “Bunny, Trader, we gotta get the fuck outside. Talk a fuckin’ minute,” he ordered.
Not wanting to ruin Bailey’s shower, Bunny cooperated. Outlaw led the way with Trader right behind him. At least she didn’t have to look at his awful smirk as he followed Outlaw’s dictates.
Head bowed, Bunny trooped in the wake of the two men, the others following her. If Outlaw wanted her and Trader to participate in some activity, then…then she’d have to decline.
Stepping outside, she inhaled. Winter still hung heavily in the air. They stopped not far from the entry door of the house. In the distance, the dogs barking ferociously, and Outlaw frowned in the direction of the animals’ fenced in area. They were still penned in because Megan and the rest of them hadn’t left the property yet.
“Stretch, Cash, see what the fuck up with them barking motherfuckers,” Outlaw instructed, puffing his smoke.
Trader settled his arms around Bunny’s shoulders, scowling at her when she pushed him away. His gaze held a dire warning before he smiled at Outlaw. “Soooo, brother, what can we do for you?” he asked, as if he were Outlaw’s equal.
Trader being in Outlaw’s inner circle had gone to his head. That’s when he’d become a violent pig as if he could do anything he chose and wouldn’t face consequences. One day, she’d make him pay for what he stole from her.
“Ain’t what the fuck you can do for me, motherfucker,” Outlaw responded, tossing his cigarette.
The uncertainty creeping onto Trader’s face satisfied Bunny.
“What’s up, Prez?” Trader asked, a little humbler.
Outlaw smiled, a mere baring of his teeth that raised the hairs on Bunny’s arms. “This ‘bout your woman.”
“Me?” Bunny squeaked nervously. Not only would she have to leave the club, she’d have to leave the state if Trader got in trouble because of her. He’d kill her.
“Her?” Trader spat, glaring at her. “This cunt is just a cunt, Outlaw. What can I s—”
Before he finished, gunfire interrupted and blood sprayed everywhere. A scream caught in the back of Bunny’s throat as Trader’s head seemed to explode right in front of her a moment before his body dropped to the ground.
“What the fuck, Christopher?” Johnnie snarled, glaring at his brother and swiping at the bits of brain and bone on his cheeks.
“This motherfucker been fuckin’ her up,” Outlaw snapped, indicating Bunny with his nine. “I told dead assfuck Megan like Bunny and to leave her the fuck alone. Ain’t my fault motherfucker ain’t listened.”
“You and your head shots, Prez,” Mort grumbled, scrubbing at the gore on his chin.
At Mort’s annoyed statement, the scream she’d been holding in finally tumbled out.
“Babe, ain’t mean for you to see this shit and I definitely ain’t wanted to do this shit in front my girl’s house,” Outlaw said apologetically as Roxy hugged Bunny. “I was just wantin’ confirmation that he was doin’ you shit. But I fuckin’ couldn’t take hearin’ that motherfucker another fuckin’ minute.”
“We need to make a public service announcement,” Mortician said, as they circled Trader’s body and frowned.
“What the fuck you talkin’ ‘bout, Mort?” Outlaw asked, torn between irritation and amusement.
“Let’s see Traveler and Trader. Two for fucking two. Public service announcement should go something like ‘attention, motherfuckers, if your road name start with tr, chances running high you’ll be fucked up. Continue at your own risk’.”
Outlaw snickered. “You might be right, Mort,” he said, before calling, “Roxanne? Bring Bunny in-fuckin-side and figure out what the fuck Trader did to her then get her the fuck in bed.”
“Outlaw’s right,” Roxy soothed. “Don’t worry about anything today. We got every-fuckin-thing covered. You need to fuckin’ recover.”
“Trader—” she started a little hysterically, knowing he lay feet away from her, dead.
“Don’t you feel guilty about his dead ass,” Roxanne ordered.
She felt guilt and relief and guiltier because of her relief. Trader couldn’t ever hurt her again and that relieved her. “He killed my baby!” Bunny finally sobbed, although she hadn’t wanted him to die. At least, she didn’t think she had.
Before anyone responded, more bullets began flying.
John Boy, Arrow, Val, and Stretch.
Digger watched as they grabbed their guns and fired in all directions, unsure where the threat came from. Bullets careened into each of them and they fell where they stood. Always ready to kill, Outlaw dove, bringing Roxy and Bunny down with him. He pulled his nine and fired, not even hesitating.
Digger didn’t know any of the seven men whom his father had enlisted, but he watched two of them die before they knew what hit them. Judging from the damage, Digger suspected Outlaw had hollows in his chamber. His crack shot paid off right now.
Cash and Mortician scrambled for cover, bloodied but not too badly wounded. A small, frozen moat ringed the mansion that Outlaw had turned into a mini-fortress. If not for the snitch who’d given them the code to get into the gate, the shootings would’ve taken place as they all walked to the clubhouse. But Peyton and Sharper had been thorough in obtaining necessary information. An attack on the other side of Outlaw’s property would’ve given them a chance at pursuit, without being as contained as one within the confines of the fence.
When Outlaw had walked outside earlier, Sharper hadn’t given the immediate signal to attack. One, they’d been on their way to shut the fucking dogs up, but had taken cover when Cash and Stretch appeared. More importantly, they’d thought the old ladies and the children would shortly join them.
Digger had been positioned the farthest away from the house, so he knew they still didn’t trust his loyalties. But then the dogs had been released and they’d had to act. It also gave Digger the excuse he needed to move closer to the house. Closer to Mort and Outlaw. It seemed as if he were escaping the dogs and finding safety.
Only minutes had passed. Minutes that seemed like a fucking eternity when he hadn’t known if Mort had been hit or not. Sharper might tell his flock Mort’s and Outlaw’s stroke of luck was Divine Intervention. Digger saw it differently. This was his chance to get to one of them, warn them before it was too late.
Heart in throat, Digger went on the move again, darting from tree-to-tree.
Chaos scrambled the entire scene with the Rottweilers barking and growling, too close to Digger for him not to be in imminent danger.
Bunny held her head and turned in a circle where a couple of bodies lay on the frozen moat, screaming. At first, he thought she’d been shot. But, no, she was just hysterical, close to Digger with his latest movement.
After taking cover wherever possible, Mort, Outlaw, and Cash continued firing their guns. Soon, they’d run out of ammo and wouldn’t have time to reload.
Meanwhile, on the ground…
On the ground, Johnnie, Arrow, Val, and Stretch lay unmoving and bleeding.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Digger saw one of his father’s mercenaries aim at Mortician. Horrified, Digger didn’t hesitate or second-guess. He fired, dropping the man but also giving away his position.
The moment Outlaw stopped firing, another one of the men rushed him. The stupid motherfucker didn’t understand Outlaw’s lethalness. Yeah, Sharper wanted him taken alive. That didn’t mean they couldn’t challenge Outlaw in an attempt to best him and show him who was boss.
And that cost him. Outlaw got him in a headlock and twisted. The man fell to the ground, twitching, his neck at a precarious position.
The gunfire died down, the sudden lull broken by eerie moans that the wind carried on the breeze, a harbinger of the death
already come and the killing yet to be done. Outlaw turned in a three-hundred and sixty degree circle, squinting in every direction.
“Psstt,” Digger called.
Switching clips, Outlaw snapped his head toward Digger’s location just as Meggie rushed outside.
“Get the fuck inside, Megan! Now!”
Gritting his teeth, Digger prayed she complied. This was the day she was supposed to die and if Sharper didn’t want Outlaw to witness her death, he’d already be cut down.
“Christopher!” Meggie screamed.
“Go, Megan,” Outlaw yelled again. “This shit ain’t contained.”
As she thought it was since she’d come outside once the gunfire ceased.
“Leave, Meggie girl,” Digger whispered. From her expression, she was torn between complying with Outlaw’s demands and rushing to his side.
“Johnnie!” Kendall cried.
“Oh my God!”
That might be Zoann. Digger knew she and Val had worked out their shit, but he hadn’t been around her enough to know her voice. Besides, the women were coming from all directions, sitting ducks, their kids right behind them, crying and screaming.
Outlaw yanked the gun from the hand of the man he’d killed. “Get the fuck inside Megan,” he commanded a third time.
Movement caught Digger’s eye and he turned. Peyton zigzagged through the trees, raising her own weapon, aiming it at Meggie’s head.
“Get down!” Gunfire drowned out Digger’s words.
As Peyton fired, Little Man grabbed Meggie around her legs. Instead of her head, the bullet hit her chest and she stumbled back, her eyes widening. Blood bloomed on her cream-colored shirt. She stared at herself then at Outlaw before crumpling to the ground.
“MEGAN!!!!”
Outlaw’s inhuman roar, as he rushed to his wife, curdled Digger’s blood. He’d never heard a sound so filled with rage and anguish. The quick-moving events made it a hard scene for Digger to process.
Meggie. Kendall. Bailey. Zoann. Another chick who’d come outside with Bunny.
They were all down. Shot. Bleeding and not moving. Except Bunny, whom he couldn’t find. Where was she? Digger scanned the bodies, not identifying one as her.
Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books Page 235
