Page 93 of The Devil's Reward
“Would you shut the hell up and go to bed, woman?” Stone snaps, clearly at his wit’s end. I take a subtle step back out of the line of fire when Syn whips around to face him, both dogs quickly doing the same and staring at Stone like he’s enemy number one. They’re not snarling, but there’s no mistaking their aggressive stance as they feed off their mistress’s anger.
“Don’t tell me what to do, asshole,” she snarls at Stone, advancing slowly. Stone holds his ground, and I have to wonder if he has balls of steel or mush for brains because he doesn’t even flinch when she’s only feet away, both dogs eyeing him closely. “You barged into my home not once, but twice today, demanding that I come here so you can ‘protect me’. Bullshit. You think I’m a cop in disguise coming to rat you out. The only reason I am here is because Sage is here. Do not think you’ve won by getting me inside your clubhouse. As soon as this threat is gone, I’m out of here.”
“Fine by me,” he snaps back. “I’m doing what I have to do to keep the people that are associated with us safe. That includes you. But while you’re under this roof, you’ll follow orders, got it?” The idiot must have a death wish.
“I won’t take orders from you, Stone,” she tells him frigidly. “Not now, not ever. I’m here out of courtesy, and you and your little boy's club can kiss my ass if you think you’re going to demand my obedience.”
“What are you going to do, sic your dogs on me?” he sneers.
“Are you dumb? We’ve been through this already.Today, in fact. I don’t need my dogs to do dirty work for me, Stone,” she hisses. “I’m perfectly capable of taking you out myself. And I can make it hurt just as much.”
He smirks at her. “I told you if you wanted to take me out, honey, all you had to do was say so.”
I wince because even I can see he’s poking the bear. Maybe I will need that full-body cast tonight after all.
Instead of attacking him, or letting the dogs do it, Syn glares at him, turns on her heel, and stalks up the stairs. “She know where she’s going?” I ask Stone when she’s out of sight.
“Told her she was in the same room as before,” Stone sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“You’re playing with fire, brother,” I warn him.
He shrugs, unfazed. “Not like I haven’t before. I’m going to get some sleep.” Then he walks past me and up the stairs.
I shake my head, turn out the lights and head up myself. I make my way down to my room, nodding at Viper in thanks when he moves from his place by the wall and retreats towards the stairs, clapping me on the shoulder as he walks by.
I walk into my room, shutting and locking the door behind me. Neither Quinn nor Macy stir, and I see that Quinn is holding on to Macy, even in sleep. There’s room in the bed for me, but I don’t move towards it. I need the space, and I need to think here in the quiet.
Our mole is behind the crash that almost killed Bullet, Kaleb, and the women, but is he behind Hammer’s death? Why Hammer? What about him made him a target? There are so many questions, and I need them answered, fast.
I grab the small pad of paper on the nightstand, and I start making a list.
FORTY-SEVEN
MOLE
It’s almost time.
I’m running out of time and I know it. I need to make some serious moves, fast, or I’m going to fail. Failure is not an option. As far as the club is concerned, Dmitri and his men killed Hammer, and it serves my purpose for a while. Sitting here in the dark, I replay the look on Hammer’s face over and over again as he stared at me, angry, but surprised. It was sweet.
Hammer and Bullet killed Bull, and now I’ve gotten half of my revenge. Sure, I didn’t pull the trigger, but seeing his lifeless body on the ground will forever be a treasured memory. Now to finish off the last one before I get rid of this club once and for all.
They all think they’re safe in these walls, but they know nothing. I’m about to make my final move, and then I’ll watch this club crumble to its knees. Bull would be so damn proud.
FORTY-EIGHT
QUINN
No, this can’t be happening. I can’t fall in love with a man so fast.
“Mom. Mom. Mommy. Mom,” Macy whispers over and over again into my ear. I groan, slowly opening my eyes and turning my head to look at her. She’s leaning over me, eyes wide awake, and hair standing on end. “I need to pee,” she whispers.
I abruptly remember where we are and that she has no idea where to go. I sit up and turn my head to see Shadow sleeping in the chair by the window, head back and eyes closed as his chest rises and falls gently with each breath. I see the closed bathroom door behind him and point at it and quietly whisper, “Right in there, baby. Just open it when you’re ready for help to wash your hands, okay?”
She nods, hops out of bed, and races for the bathroom, startling Shadow as she practically slams the bathroom door behind her. I wince and give him an apologetic look when he abruptly sits up and rubs at his eyes. They’re red from lack of sleep, and his clothes look wrinkled, but when his eyes catch mine, they’re awake and focused. “Morning,” he rumbles.
“Morning,” I say back, sliding out of bed as I hear the toilet flush. “I need to help her wash her hands.” He nods, stands, and moves out of my way, just as Macy opens the door as I instructed. I help her wash her hands, then shoo her out for my turn. I bite back a tired smile when I hear her greet Shadow.
“I’m hungry,” she says loudly, and I can all but picture her standing there, wearing her pjs, hair a mess, as she looks up at him.
