Page 163 of Forged in the Fire
Lawlessness singeing my already frayed nerves.
“Are you lying to me?”
“No, I swear. I fucking swear.”
“You’re sure?”
“On my life. And I swear I won’t tell anyone that Brinley is here. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely safe with you.”
I slowly stood, wiping the blood from both sides of the blade onto my pant leg.
Then I turned to Phoenix and gestured at the piece of shit tied to the chair with my chin. “Do your thing and get rid of him when you’re finished.”
I stalked to the door and ripped it open, the wailing screams and pleas that suddenly filled the room clipping off as it slammed shut behind me.
THIRTY
BRINLEY
In the distance,the bonfire leapt toward the blackened sky, the flames close to kissing the bottoms of the branches that stretched out in a canopy over the front of the clubhouse.
The trees soared to a height that made them appear as if they touched the stars that were strewn into eternity.
Sentries that stood guard over the property, the same way as the riot of men who were gathered around the bonfire did.
Wearing their cuts, beer bottles in their hands, their laughter echoing through the cool, summer night.
There was no missing the fact there was also a horde of women present tonight. No shortage of leather and lace, but I guess I was offering a bit of that, too.
Dressing myself up like my clothing was armor as I stalked my way toward the party.
I refused to cower or hide in Silas’s room after what had happened earlier today.
I was no shrinking violet.
I refused to let the incident be a stumbling block, and I’d be damned if I allowed it to send me tumbling all the way back to five years ago.
I refused to beher, even though I’d been foolish enough to let Silas get a peek of her.
Time to rectify that.
I honestly thought the fear I’d been holding at bay for years would keep its stupid mouth shut since it’d been close to nonexistent every time Silas came in the room.
Desire taking its place.
But for one flash of a second, the terror had sucked me under and panic had hit.
Blackened waters that rose to cover my face.
But somewhere inside, I’d also known I could reach out and find safety.
I knew Silas wouldn’t let me drown.
I thought he wouldn’t notice that flicker.
Really, he shouldn’t have.
