Secret Mayhem (Back Down Devil MC #4)(38)

Now the crowd was getting into it. People betting. Blood in the circle. The tension building.

“What you think?” Shay asked Ava.

“I don’t like it,” Ava said. “Do you fight?”

“When I need to.” Shay touched Ava’s cheek.

Ava looked to the circle and swallowed. She shook her head, closing her eyes.

“It’s how it goes,” Shay said. “There’s nothing to hide from in this life, Ava.”

As Shay spoke the words, he looked over his shoulder. He couldn’t help but worry that his brother was lurking somewhere close.

Shay slipped a hand around Ava and pulled her close.

“Look,” Ava said. “Look who’s fighting next.”

Nile walked up to the man in the center of the circle and grabbed him by the shirt. He shouted something and the man quickly nodded.

“We have a change,” the man yelled. “Nile here… wants to pick his opponent…”

The crowd let out a little cheer.

“No way,” Shay whispered with a growl in his throat.

Before Shay could think another thought, Nile looked right at him. The crowd followed Nile’s gaze and it fell silent. Deathly silent.

All eyes were on Shay.

But Shay didn’t need a second to make his decision…

He nodded.





sixteen.



For a second there Ava thought Nile was looking at her. When she realized it was Shay he was looking at, she almost collapsed. By the time Ava turned her head to look at Shay, he was already nodding. His hand moved from her body and he turned to face his club. He jumped down from the table as the crowd started to cheer. She suddenly felt alone and vulnerable on the table by herself.

He had his leather cut already off and was starting to take his rings off. Ava pulled at his shirt.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Doing what I need to do,” Shay said. “I have to fight. I’ll protect you.”

“No,” Ava said. “Don’t do this because of me.”

Shay put his hands to her hips and lifted her. He turned and put her feet on the ground. “When I’m called to fight, I fight. It’s my life, Ava. Either deal with it or leave.”

“Brother, come on,” Blaine said. “Give me your shirt.”

Shay lifted his t-shirt off his chiseled body and rolled it up. He tossed it to Blaine but kept his eyes on Nile.

“Think of all he did to you,” Shay said. “All he said. Think of what brought you here. I’m going to make sure it’s settled.”

Ava grabbed Shay’s wrist. “Please, I’m scared. I don’t want to be standing here without you.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Shay said.

He whistled and a guy came running immediately. Shay grabbed the guy by his leather cut and pulled him close.

“Ava, this is Jon,” Shay said. “He’s a prospect. That means he does what he’s told. His life is the life of the club. That means he will die before someone touches you. Isn’t that right, Jon?”

“Yes,” Jon said.

Ava looked at Shay, then to Jon. She wondered how he wound up with Back Down Devil.

“Tell her,” Shay said. “Tell her, Jon.”

“I’d die for you, ma’am,” Jon said.

Shay turned and faced Gaige, Nate, Blaine, and Jace. “Anyone object?”

“No,” Gaige said. “Do what you're f*cking told, prospect.”

Shay pushed Jon toward the table. He then put a hand to the back of Ava’s neck and pulled her close. He kissed her once, savoring her mouth.

“Love, I’ll be right back,” Shay said. “I’m going to make sure he understands who is in command here. Jon will stand with you. He wants to patch in and that means he’ll do anything to protect the club. And you’re part of this club right now. In this present, this is your family.”

Ava looked to her left. The other guys were good looking, but intimidating also.

“Stand on the table and watch me take care of this,” Shay said.

He kissed Ava once more and then walked to his club. They escorted him through the crowd as everyone cheered. Ava scrambled up the table and stood, her eyes glued to Shay as he pushed through the crowd. He broke through to the circle and kept walking. He made a line toward Nile and didn’t stop until he crashed into him with his bare chest. It knocked Nile back a few steps. Nile then came at Shay, doing the same.

The two men started to exchange words.

“Don’t worry,” Jon said to Ava. “Shay will knock him out. He’s tough."

“Thanks.”

“If I can say it, Shay scares the shit out of me. But I want to be just like that.”

“Where are you from, Jon?” Ava asked.

“It doesn’t matter where I’m from. It matters where I am. This is my life, ma’am. If you feel uncomfortable and need something from me, please let me know.”

Ava looked at Jon, but he was busy scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble. He was definitely loyal to the club and its wishes.

In the middle of the circle, Shay and Nile were nose to nose, still talking. Then Nile leaned back just slightly and head butted Shay. It sent Shay backward, but not before he was able to throw a right fist and knock Nile in the jaw. Nile spun but stayed up.