An Outlaw Monster (Back Down Devil MC #10)(37)

I instantly looked to the diamond ring and wondered if I was the wrong person wearing it.

There was a sound at the door and I hurried to put the picture away. I slammed the drawer shut and spun around as the door opened.

I thought it was Trent.

I was wrong.

It was Duke… the biker I tried to kill…





nineteen.



(trent)



The prospect put three beers on the table and then stood there.

I gave it a few seconds and saw Trev getting pissed.

“Hey, *,” I said. “What do you want? A f*cking tip?”

“I, uh, no…”

“Get out,” I yelled. I reached for my knife and whipped it out. “You’ve got ten seconds to disappear or I’m cutting off a finger.”

That got the prospect moving.

I swear - some of those guys were only in it for the image. And when they did something for us they expected something in return. That’s what a lot never learned. You never, ever expect a thing in return. What you work for and what you earn is respect. I would take a bullet for Jasper not because I would expect him to do it in return. Fuck no. I would take a bullet for Jasper because I respected him. And because if a bullet were to come at me, he’d take it because he respected me.

“What are we doing here?” I asked Trev.

It was me, him, and Jasper.

“First off,” Trev said. “I guess we owe a congrats.”

“To the monster for settling down,” Jasper said. “I don’t believe it.”

“I don’t think many of us do,” Trev said.

We eyed each other again, knowing it was all bullshit. But I respected Trev for keeping his head on straight for the moment with this thing.

“So I guess she sticks around,” Trev said. “Good for her. We’ll keep her ass safe.”

“Keep her ass away from Cash,” Jasper said. “Christ, I heard him last night telling some chick that he was money. That’s why his name’s Cash. What a frigging moron.”

“As much fun as this casual chat is, can we get serious?” I asked. “I’d like to settle up with my bride-to-be. She really didn’t have a chance to explain herself yet as to why she pulled a gun on a prospect. Her mouth was preoccupied.”

“Good for you,” Jasper said.

“Takes guts to do what she did,” Trev said.

“That’s why I’m marrying her.”

“Right,” Trev said. “Right.”

“Okay, back on track,” Jasper said.

“My father.”

“He owes the O’Nuall family a lot. More than we could ever think of helping with. From * to gambling to drugs, it’s full circle. He was either too dumb or just didn’t realize that he was in debt three ways with the same group.”

“He’s a complete *,” I said. “I wouldn’t save him if it was offered to me.”

“Good,” Jasper said. “That might make this easier.”

I slammed my beer down, sending bubbling foam up and over the top. “Fuck. Someone tell me what’s going on right now.”

Trev looked at me. “Fair enough, Trent. The O’Nuall family wants him dead. They’re willing to work with us and negotiate on this gun situation. But your father is a big pawn.”

“Then let him die,” I said.

Jasper put a hand to my wrist. “It’s not that easy, brother. They have specific terms.”

“Trent,” Trev said. “They want you to kill him… they want you to kill your own father.”





twenty.



(harlee)



I bent a little and tried to open the drawer. My plan was to get the gun and get Duke out of my way. Then I’d run for help, screaming for Trent as I hurried through the hallway.

But Duke made the first move and made it fast.

He came at me and I screamed. I covered my face and moved out of the way, losing any chance at getting a weapon. He kicked at the nightstand and then took out his gun.

“Please,” I whispered.

Without a word, he did something to the gun and the clip fell out. He tossed it to the bed and then placed the gun on the nightstand.

“I just want to talk,” he said.

“Then talk,” I said. “You come near me again and I’ll scream for Trent.”

Duke laughed. “You’re engaged now, huh?”

I showed him my hand. “Yeah. So?”

“Trust me, sweetie, I don’t buy that for a second. Whatever you have on Trent, it must be good.”

“Meaning?”

“He wouldn’t give a f*ck about some bar hopping whore like you,” Duke said. “I’ve seen him run through so many women. Now all of a sudden he’s into you? A woman that was going to kill me? Unless your * tastes like chocolate ice cream.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I said.

Duke turned and stepped toward me. “Engaged ain’t married. If I wanted a taste, I’d damn well take it. Trent owes me one anyway. So keep f*cking with me.”

I froze up and felt my blood ready to freeze up next. “So what do you want?”