“Someone tried to kill me and blew apart the gates at the compound,” I said. I felt Dingo tense next to me and I looked up, realizing that perhaps he hadn’t known that. “Meiling and China were fine. They were being sent to the Devil’s Boneyard with the other women. Slash apparently set it up so I thought you knew.”
“This related to what’s going on here?” Truth asked.
“The guy you know as Bastard was part of my foster father’s church. He wanted to marry me, but I ran off when everyone was getting too pushy about it. One of the ladies from church attacked the compound with some other men,” I said.
“What men?” Dingo asked.
“They weren’t wearing any identifying marks. Steel was there. He may know more,” I said.
“You boys always have this much drama over there?” Stinger asked.
I tipped my head to the side and studied the men. “Wasn’t Bastard one of yours? Seems to me the drama started here.”
Dingo coughed, but I felt him shaking with laughter. The look he cast my way told me I should probably shut up, even if he did find me amusing. Truth’s narrowed gaze said the Raptors didn’t appreciate it so much.
“Mouthy wench,” Stinger said. “Might want to watch that around here. It seems the Devil’s Fury is a little more lax with their women.”
I glanced around, almost expecting to see women with leashes the way he was talking. I’d known that bikers were different and I needed to watch what I said or did. The last thing I wanted was for Outlaw to get in trouble because of me, or for these guys to look down on him.
“She’s just shook up from what happened,” Dingo said. “Besides, she’s only been around the club a short while. It will take her some time to adjust.”
“Didn’t start out as a club girl?” Truth asked.
My back stiffened. Not that I looked down on those women, but no, I most certainly hadn’t been one of them. Until Outlaw had claimed me, I’d still been a virgin. No man had ever seen me naked except him. For that matter, I’d never seen a naked man until him either.
“This one is the reverend’s foster daughter,” Dingo said. “She was sweet and innocent before Outlaw corrupted her.”
Truth came closer, his eyes going dark. “Are you telling me this bitch lived with that man? And you think she’s not been a part of it? I bet she’s been feeding them information. That it? You a rat?”
“N-No,” I stammered. “I’d never do anything to hurt Outlaw or his club.”
He snarled like an angry beast. “Bullshit. I bet I can make you talk.”
Before I could process what was happening, he’d yanked me away from Dingo and was dragging me to a back hall. I heard Dingo struggling to reach me, but when I looked over my shoulder I saw that three of the Raptors had him pinned. My heart was slamming against my ribs, and I barely kept my footing as Truth pulled me down the dark hallway and shoved me into a room.
I stumbled and caught myself against a metal table. He took advantage and cuffed me to it. Yanking hard, I tried to break free, but I couldn’t. I cried out as he slammed me down on the table, my cheek pressed to the cold surface.
“They may trust you, but I don’t.”
“Please,” I begged. “I’m not part of what’s happening. I didn’t even know about the Devil’s Fury before I ran away.”
He leaned over me, caging me in and pushing me harder into the unforgiving metal table. “Did they send you down there? Make you pretend to be a virgin so you could snag the club’s attention? Because you screwed up. Should have fucked an officer instead of Outlaw.”
Tears burned my eyes, but I couldn’t even try to fight back. The way he’d pinned me, I couldn’t move, could barely even breathe. I heard a crash from somewhere nearby and a roar of outrage. The door to the room slammed into the wall and Outlaw threw himself at Truth. They fell to the floor and Outlaw immediately started hitting the other man.
“Jesus.” My gaze shot to the doorway as I tried to stand up. An older man stood there, horror in his eyes as he looked from the men on the floor to me. He quickly came into the room and unfastened the cuffs. “Sorry, girly. Not sure what came over Truth.”
I turned to face the men and saw Truth slam Outlaw’s head into the wall. As he staggered and slumped to the floor, I screamed and tried to run to him, but the man who had freed me held me back.
“Truth, get the fuck out and go straight to my damn office,” the man yelled.
“But, Pres…”
The man holding onto me growled. “I said right the fuck now. You’ve fucked up royally this time. She’s protected by the Devil’s Fury, one of their ol’ ladies. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Truth spat blood on the floor. “She’s the reverend’s daughter. You don’t find that a little too convenient?”
“You’re a fucking idiot. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have known we have a damn rat, or that Bastard was still alive.” The man released me and I ran to Outlaw, kneeling beside him as Truth was shoved from the room. “I’ll have some men come in and get him up. The club doctor can look him over.”
“No,” I said. “Not your men. I don’t trust them.”
The guy sighed. “Fair enough. My name’s Attila, and I’m the club president. I apologize for the idiot who accosted you. He’ll be dealt with. I don’t tolerate that kind of shit around here.”
He stepped out and I heard him shouting. Dingo and Slash came into the room. Both of them started cussing when they saw the shape Outlaw was in. He had a busted lip, his knuckles were bleeding on both hands, and a bruise was already forming on his right cheek. That was just what I could see, but I had a feeling he had bruises elsewhere too.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” Dingo said. “I tried to stop him, tried to come after you, but they held me back.”
“I’m fine, but I’m not so sure about Outlaw,” I said.
“Let’s get him up, and we’ll take him to the place you’ll be staying tonight. I’ll make sure you have the place to yourselves. If you need anything, one of us will be next door. They were going to have us pile into one of the duplexes, but fuck that shit,” Slash said.
They lifted Outlaw and half-carried him between them. He was awake, but he stumbled the first few steps. I could tell he was hurting, and I was so angry I wanted to scream. We went out into the hall and I heard Attila yelling at his men. By the time we made it to the common area, half the Raptors wouldn’t hold eye contact with us, but two of them came forward. I glared and they froze.
“We just want to help. I’m Maui and this is Ravager. I’m sorry for what Truth did. It was uncalled for.”
“At least tell us what you need and we’ll personally see to it,” Ravager said. “Anything.”
“Outlaw and Elena will be taking one half of the duplex and we’ll need the other side for the rest of us,” Slash said. “I want to be close in case they need me, but I think they should have some space.”
“Not a problem,” Attila said. “Elena, please make a list of anything you need while you’re here. The club will take care of it at no cost to you or the Devil’s Fury.” Slash growled and Attila held up a hand. “I know it doesn’t make up for what Truth did, but I’ll make sure Outlaw is compensated not just for bringing attention to Bastard and Shepherd’s dealings, but also for the trouble he and his woman encountered from my club.”