Ruthless Hold (Back Down Devil MC #9)(11)

Eden shook her head. She had seen enough already.

The two men had chains around their wrists and those chains were hooked around a bar across the ceiling of the building. They were dangling, the tips of their toes barely touching the floor. They were shirtless, their skinny bodies exposed, wearing nothing but jeans and black boots. They had blindfolds on and gags in their mouths.

“They f*cked up,” Trev said. “They f*cked with me. With my club. We actually just took a vote right before you showed up, Eden. You know what that vote was for?”

“What?” she asked.

“To kill them or not.”

“Jesus.”

“The vote went the way we wanted,” Trev said. “They’re dead men breathing right now.”

Eden started to shake even worse.

Trev then pushed Eden forward. He then walked toward the men and reached for his knife.

“Hey, Stevie!” Trev yelled. “You awake, my man?”

The guy started to thrash and try and scream.

Trev put the knife to the guy’s throat and looked at Eden. “Here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to talk to me or I’m going slit his throat. Either way, I win. Because when I’m done with Stevie here, I’ll take care of Keith. And if they’re both dead and you’re still not talking… hope you don’t mind chains…”

Eden felt her heart pounding in her chest. This guy was real. This guy was the epitome of outlaw biker. For a second, she thought about running but she knew he’d catch her in a second. Or someone else would. And maybe that someone else wouldn’t be so nice.

Nice? He's got a knife to guy’s throat and he’s the nice one?

Eden shivered and put her hand out. “Stop.”

“What?”

“I saw someone get murdered last night.”

“Keep talking.”

“I work at a tattoo shop,” Eden said. “Okay?”

“You don’t have any ink.”

“Who says I need ink to be a tattoo artist?”

“It’s weird.”

“Says the guy with a knife to another man’s throat.”

“Fair enough.” Trev took the knife away. “Keep talking. How does this connect with your father?”

“He sent me a letter.”

“You’re father sent you a letter?”

“Yes.”

“Bullshit on you,” Trev said.

He started to move at Eden, knife in hand. She tried to walk back and lost her balance. She turned and fell into the wall. She rolled to the door and Trev was right there. His hand grabbed her ass and Eden jumped, yelping. As she tried to smack him, she felt his hand cupping her tight.

Eden wiggled away and swung again, managing to get a slap across Trev’s face.

He smiled and lifted his hand, showing her that he hadn’t been getting a cheap feel but rather getting the picture out of her back pocket.

“No,” she said. “Please don’t damage it. Someone already burned the letter.”

“Stay right there,” Trev said. He unfolded the picture and his eyes went wide. “Holy f*ck.”

Then there was silence.

Eden could only hear and feel her heart.

“I wasn’t lying,” she finally whispered.

Trev turned the picture around. “Where the f*ck did you get this?”

“My father sent it to me.”

“With a letter?”

“Yes.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“It’s… it’s just impossible,” Trev said. “When did you get this?”

“A long time ago, okay? Almost a year ago.”

“Ah, f*ck,” Trev said. “You’re not f*cking with me?”

“No. Why?”

Trev folded up the picture and put it in his pocket.

Eden jumped forward. “Please. That’s the only picture I have of him.”

Gently, Trev put a hand to Eden’s shoulder. “Okay, here’s what is going to happen next. We’re going to trust each other. You have no idea that bomb you’re about to set off, sweetheart. I’m willing to help your ass as long as you help me.”

“Meaning what?”

“These guys that busted up the tattoo shop. Did they give a reason?”

“No. They shot Dimitrio dead. He owns the place. They didn’t realize I was there. Then they started to come on to me. When they saw the letter and the picture, they wanted to rape me and kill me. They knew you guys.”

“Fuck,” Trev said. “Okay. I’m going to give you someplace to settle for a minute. Okay? I need to address this. Move with me right now.”

Before Eden could say a word, Trev grabbed her by the hand and started to lead the way. Feeling his tight grip on her hand filled her with heat and made her feel protected. This coming from a man who just minutes ago had a knife to another man’s throat. Eden was beyond confused, beyond scared, desperate for an answer.

They walked from one building to another. They went up a set of steps and Trev opened the door. He then turned and stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled. Two men in leather cuts came rushing to Trev’s whistle. They barreled up the steps and halted right before him.