Secret Mayhem (Back Down Devil MC #4)(40)

The entire crowd was silent.

Trev stood and without emotion on his face, he walked back to the crowd. The Lost Men didn't even seem phased by one of their own being killed. They were still lined up, ready to go into the next fight.

It was nothing like the brotherhood of Back Down Devil.

Shay walked through the crowd escorted by Miller and Gaige.

“What was that?” Blaine asked as he held Shay’s bloody face.

Shay looked at Ava. “He had it coming."

Blaine looked back at Ava and smirked.

“Fucking Christ,” Miller said. “I never… well, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen something like that.”

Ava stepped down from the table. She heard Jon call her name, but she ignored him. She just walked. When she was close enough, she grabbed Blaine by the arm and pulled him out of the way. Nothing would stop her from getting to Shay.

“Love, I’m covered in…”

Ava jumped into his arms.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For what you just did… I’ll…”

Shay shook his head and looked at Ava. “I’ll do whatever I can to keep you safe.”

The rest of the world meant nothing to Ava right then. A voice boomed from the center of the circle, trying to get the crowd back into the fights. But Ava and Shay just stared into each other's eyes and in that instant she knew that she would accept his life as hers now, even if death was right around the corner.





seventeen.



Shay held Ava tight. He had never fought a fight with his heart before. All his previous fights had been for fun, for revenge, or for the club. This one was for Ava. When Shay put Ava down, Gaige stood there with a towel. Shay grabbed it and wiped his face. It hurt everywhere, but he didn’t care. He moved the towel and Ava let out a gasp.

“What?” Shay asked.

“Your eye is still bleeding,” Ava said. “I think you need stitches.”

Shay smiled. “No stitches. I’ll hold the towel until it stops. I don’t give a f*ck.”

Shay stepped up on the table and stood next to Jon. He looked down at Ava standing with Miller, Gaige, and Nate. Seeing her there just made sense. He had exposed his life to her, and she was still there. It didn't scare her off. He couldn't believe it.

“You did good, Jon,” Shay said. “I appreciate you keeping her close and safe.”

“I just stood here,” Jon said. “I wanted to help you when they were holding you.”

“I know. But it’s good now. That’s how the fights go. You never know what will happen.”

“What will they do with his body? That guy?”

Shay looked at Jon. “I don’t give a f*ck, Jon. Why should you? He’s gone. You’re not.”

Jon nodded. “Yeah. Sorry.”

“Look, Jon, this is the life. People die. People get killed. Some are good men, some aren’t. If you have some kind of belief about what happens after death, that’s okay. But don’t get caught up in it. Your seconds are ticking away right now. That’s what makes life scary and exciting.”

“I think I have a long time to go,” Jon said. “I’d like to fight sometime soon, if it’s allowed.”

“Well, we do sometimes have prospects fight. Just stay focused, Jon. That’s what it takes to get patched. Listen. Focus. Do your f*cking job. Don’t f*ck up.”

Shay smacked Jon on the back and then handed him the bloody towel. He jumped down and took Ava by the hand. He looked at Miller and nodded.

“You’re crazy,” Miller said. “You were jumped and had a knife pulled on you. And you still made it out of there.”

“Takes a lot more than that to take me down,” Shay boasted.

“I think it’s time we move out of here,” Gaige said. “We need to figure out a use for the Lost Men and then send them packing.”

“I agree,” Miller said. “But Trev did the right thing. He sent a clear message to the Lost Men. He’s not afraid to do what needs to be done. Goddamn I wish he was still patched in.”

“But he’s not,” Gaige said. “His decision.”

“How many fights are left?” Shay asked.

It turned out there were just three more to go. The Lost Men finished with one win and two consecutive losses. When Trev was asked about fighting, he walked away. When the fights were finished, the crowd yelled a bunch of drunken cheers.

Shay had no interest in being near anyone, except Ava. He wanted to finish with the Lost Men, Eight Under, and finally find Caius.

Miller came up to Shay with a cell phone in his hand. “Just got a call from Strokner.”

“Why the f*ck did he call you directly?” Gaige asked.

“He’s getting comfortable,” Shay said.

“He saw our guy again. Caius.”

Shay's blood boiled.

“Where?” Gaige asked.

“He was in a private car, riding around the area. Strokner said it looks like Caius is looking for a location to possibly set up a business venture,” Miller said.

“He’s right under our f*cking noses,” Shay said.

“Let’s get back to the clubhouse,” Miller said.

Shay took a step and Jon jumped in front of him. “Let me get your ride, Shay. As a thank you for trusting me protect your woman.”