Secret Mayhem (Back Down Devil MC #4)(21)

Is that all it was though?

If Ava didn’t go back to the clubhouse, did that mean Shay would just find another woman for the night then?

Probably.

Ava couldn’t help but feel as though her time was ticking down. The lies were going to catch up to her.

“I need to run,” Ava whispered. “I need to run right now. Run fast. Run far.”

But even with those thoughts, Ava couldn’t find the strength to stand. She sat there on the beach, staring at the crashing waves, listening to the squeals of happiness and laughter around her. The sun's reflection on the water was serene. Ava couldn’t move. In both her heart and mind she hoped Shay would come get her. She hoped he would want to find her and help her. To save her. Protect her. Maybe even… love her?

Ava shut her eyes. Shay was an outlaw biker. His heart only beat for his club.





nine.



The room was filled with smoke and the disgusting scent of the Lost Men. Shay’s fingers twitched, already needing a damn drink. He was not ready for what was about to be decided. The decision would set off a chain of events that would change, and ruin, a lot of lives.

Miller walked to the head of the table and looked around. “Stinks like * in here.”

Everyone chuckled.

“That’s just me,” Blaine said. “Had a great night in the clubhouse.”

The door opened again and Nile walked in. He gave a nod and shut the door. “Sorry about that. Was just finishing a little business.” He looked at Blaine. “Sorry about your bed, Blaine. You should probably just f*cking burn that thing. It was a rough night.”

Shay eyed Nile and got a shit feeling from him. He looked at the door and considered leaving the meeting to check on Ava. He didn’t like that Ava had been alone with Nile creeping around. He hoped Nile wasn’t dumb enough to try anything, but the man was part of the Lost Men. They didn’t care. They would accept death for even the dumbest thing which is why they were tossed out of their MC’s in the first place.

Shay looked at Trev. How many times had he cruised the streets of Frelen next to Trev? Causing trouble. Ending trouble. Enjoying drinks and women. Shay never understood why Trev had gotten himself thrown out of the club.

“I’m going to be right up front,” Miller said. “We have some enemies out there that are pretty scary.”

“Scary?” Nile said. “You boys get scared?”

“Nile,” Trev said. “Talk again and I’ll cut your f*cking tongue out of your mouth.”

“Scary,” Miller said. He pointed to Griffin. “Check it out.”

Griffin reached under the table and lifted a small box. He opened it and dumped it on the table. Jonesy's fingers rolled out onto the table and it shut everyone up.

“Holy shit,” Trev said. “Whose fingers?”

“A guy we paid to help us,” Miller said. “Good friend of the MC. He was tracking down who planted the bomb in Shay’s car. And they got him. They sent us these two fingers separately to send a message."

“They also attacked my girl,” Erik said. “Made her face look like mine.”

“That’s harsh,” Trev said. “That’s what respect and structure gets you though.”

Erik started to stand, but Miller called him off. “We’re not here to discuss politics and how the laws of a MC work. We’re here to work together. Because if this MC goes down, it will be trouble for everyone. Including you guys.” Miller paused and looked around. “We’re not dealing with bikers right now. We’re dealing with men in expensive suits who have the mind of outlaws. That’s scary shit to me. And it should be to you. But we will end this. The way it needs to be done.”

“I was the target,” Shay said. “But I got out of the car and Erik stuck his head in to check it out. Then the bomb went off. There was another attack that killed a mechanic who was helping us. Then, at a fight, Erik’s woman was attacked. They’re coming after the MC and hard. Now they have teamed with one of our local rivals. These guys aren't going to stop until they get what they want.” Shay cleared his throat, trying to keep himself straight. It wasn’t a group of guys. It was one guy. His brother. Caius. “This fight will be violent and deadly. Be prepared.”

“It’s a true war,” Gaige said. “We have a friend of the club who is a wealthy businessman. He can give us some insight on things, but we have to show our presence and prove we have no fear.”

“But that means all our lives are on the line,” Miller said. “So I’m going to make this clear just once. Anyone who wants out, go now. You came down here. I thank you for that. But if you don’t want this, then leave. It’s going to be bad.”

Miller folded his arms. He looked around the room. Not a single person moved. Shay's heart pounded in his chest. These Lost Men were definitely out of their minds. They had no reason to stay and help them fight. But they were going to, and whether they wanted to admit it or not, that was the respect each of their own clubs had instilled in them.

“Then it’s settled,” Miller said. “We move forward. The second you go out in those streets, you are marked men. You are allies to Back Down Devil which makes you targets to our enemies.”

“The world is our enemy,” Trev said with a grin. “I’d rather walk the streets with a target on my forehead than ride into the sunset with my balls tucked between my legs.”