Captured (Devil's Blaze MC #1)(29)

“You have five minutes,” he says, and my hands shake from the need to end the motherf*cker.

“I need to know why you and Matthew called an end to our truce.”

“We had no truce. You were merely inconsequential,” he says, leaning back in his chair.

“Fuck that. Matthew and I brokered a truce and it’s been pretty f*cking effective the last few years. Then you and the Saints decide to come into my territory and make a f*cking declaration of war. I demand to know why,” I tell him, my voice hard. I’m not toying with the *. I don’t care who he is.

“Matthew’s not in charge anymore, chico,” he says, the slur rolling off his tongue… a tongue I make a vow to cut off someday soon. Very soon.

“Does Matthew know he’s not in charge?”

“My brother does not concern you. You’re running out of time.”

“And you did not answer my question satisfactorily. If you want war, believe me *, I can give it to you. I would rather not see the shedding of blood if it is not necessary.”

“Are you afraid?” the cocky bastard asks, taking a drink from his glass. There’s an empty glass in front of me and an aged bottle of scotch, but I don’t trust the motherf*cker not to have it drugged, so I ignore it.

“Not in the least. Enough of the song and dance, Colin. We both know you wouldn’t strike without a reason, however f*cked up it is. So tell me, what the f*ck does this come down to? Or, we can both get the f*ck out of here and war can begin. I got warm * waiting for me at home. I much prefer that to looking at you.”

His lips curl in distaste. My fist clenches under the table so no one can see it. I keep my face impassive.

“Beth.”

He says my woman’s name and my insides freeze. My brain doesn’t comprehend it at first. How does he know her name? Why is he bringing her up? What the f*ck is going on?

“Excuse me?” I ask, feeling my way in the f*cking dark and vowing to have a word with Beth when I get back. I planned on learning her secrets… but f*ck me sideways, not like this.

“You think you can touch my property? You bought yourself a world of trouble, and the only blood that will be spilled… is yours. And that is a promise. This meeting is done.”

“Your property?” I ask, my voice laced in ice.

“Mine,” he states, and it takes all I have not to tear him apart with my bare hands.

“Does she know that? Because I don’t remember her saying your name when she was begging for my cock.”

Shock comes over Colin’s face, then jealousy. I see it clearly before he locks it down.

“You’re lying.”

“She’s got the sweetest * I’ve ever been inside of. Drains a man dry and begs for more. Too bad you didn’t get a taste when you could, Colin, because she’s mine now, and unlike you, motherf*cker, I protect my property.” I stand up. “Now this meeting’s finished.”

“Return her back to me and I might let you live, Skull.”

“I’ll see you in hell first,” I tell him, not bothering to turn around. “Let’s go boys,” I call to Torch and Sabre. My mouth got away from me. I know there will be blood flowing in this f*cking war, but I can’t stop it. The son of a bitch is never getting his hands on my woman. She is mine, even if I’m going to f*cking make sure she can’t sit down for a week.

“Jesus, when you get serious over a woman, you make sure it’s not simple, ese,” Diesel says, following us out. I don’t answer him. There’s nothing I can say because he’s absolutely f*cking right.





I’m so tired that I stumble with my every step. I’ve been walking nonstop since Marker got me out of there. I kept expecting Beast to find me or one of the others out hunting for me, but so far I’ve been home free. I’m probably overestimating my value. I mean, just because I’m more than halfway in love with Skull doesn’t mean he has the same emotions. He’s told me several times that he’ll grow tired of me. He’ll probably get back and decide I’m not worth the trouble. Up ahead, I can see the bus station.

I find the sight of it brings me both relief and sadness.

I make it through the doors and go straight to the bathroom. It’s been so dry in Georgia that I can feel the dust all over my skin. I freshen up and splash water on my face. Once I make it back to the main lobby, I stare at the big map of the states pinned on the bulletin board. I don’t have a plan about where to go. If I go back to Montana, Colin and Matthew will find me and I don’t want that. Colorado? Texas? Do I pick a small town, or would it be easier to get lost in a big city? There’s so many decisions and I’m scared to death to make the wrong one. I send up a small prayer and hope I’m doing it right.

In the end, I decide to go with the bus that’s leaving the quickest. In fact, this one’s loading right now. I buy my ticket and head to the door. I’m putting my change in my purse and look up just in time to hear that voice hit me.

“Beth. Where do you think you’re going?”

My blood runs cold.

“How did you find me?”

“A better question would be, why did you disobey me?”

I take three steps backwards until I’m pressed up against the side of the building.