Secret Mayhem (Back Down Devil MC #4)(57)

“Brother,” Caius said, “it’s the final chapter of the story. You may be stronger and bigger. You may be the cool guy. But I'm… I’m the smarter one. Always have been…”

Suddenly Caius’s head snapped back and a knife slid across his throat. A wound opened instantly, spraying blood everywhere. Caius disappeared as Erik appeared. He looked down at Shay, a mild look of satisfaction on his face.

“You’re late,” Shay said, coughing on his own blood.

“No, I'm right on time,” Erik said.

He walked away.

Gaige and Nate rushed into the room and brought Shay back to a seated position. Miller came next, walking slow and with a serious look on his face. Caius was stumbling back, touching his bleeding neck, shaking, looking around for help.

“They’re all dead,” Miller said to Caius. “You should have picked a smarter crew to team up with. Eight Under had no idea what hit them. They thought they were untouchable with you around. But you were in here and they were out there. I don’t know who’s dumber… Eight Under for thinking they could beat us or you, Caius, jumping into bed with a bunch of dumb *s…”

“What… happened?” Shay asked.

“Cut him loose,” Miller ordered.

Nate cut Shay loose. The pain was unbelievable. Blood was everywhere.

Miller walked to Shay and crossed his arms. “We knew where Eight Under would be. We took care of everything. As planned.”

“He... he shot me,” Shay said. “Twice.”

“I know,” Miller said. He clamped a hand on Shay’s right shoulder. Shay cried out in pain. “I’m sorry, Shay, but you have to understand something. Back Down Devil is my life. It’s my blood. It’s my soul. And I know it’s the same for you. The bullet holes in your leather and the scars that will form on your shoulders… let them be reminders of what happens when you don't trust us. Even for a second.”

Shay nodded. He swallowed blood and his pride, knowing Miller was right.

Miller then helped Shay to his feet. He moved so Shay could see Caius on the ground, still bleeding. His hands twitched.

“Go tend to your brother,” Miller said.

Shay stumbled to Caius and stared down at him. Caius’s eyes were glossy as he looked back up. There were no more words to say. Shay reached forward with his foot and placed it to the wound on Caius’s neck. He stepped down and crushed Caius’s throat until he no longer made noise. He was gone.

Then Shay turned and faced Erik, Nate, Gaige, and Miller. He nodded.

“Hurts?” Gaige asked.

“Like a motherf*cker,” Shay said.

“The wounds, too?” Miller asked.

“Yeah, those too.”

Shay took a step and pain swelled. He fell to one knee on the cold concrete. He then felt a hand on his neck.

“It’s okay, Shay,” Miller said. “Stay with us.”

Shay looked up and reached for Miller. “You… and everyone else. You’re my brothers.”

Miller nodded.

Shay closed his eyes and the strength drained from his body.





twenty-five.



Shay woke in a hospital room. He had no idea how he survived the gunshots and the damage to his face and head. It took him a few minutes before he felt like he could move.

When he turned his head to the right, he found Ava curled up in a chair, sleeping. Her hair was in her face. She had a leather cut covering her body. When he saw the bullet holes, he smiled.

She looked beautiful. She was the reason he survived. She was his strength.

“Bro, hey, look at me.”

Shay looked forward and saw Blaine standing at the edge of the bed.

“Where the f*ck did you come from?” Shay asked.

“Hanging around. How you feeling?”

“Sore. Like I was shot?”

Blaine smiled. “You’re a crazy f*ck, man.”

“I was tied to a chair. When he put the gun in my mouth, I actually started to think I was a goner.”

“Nah, man, come on. Miller wasn’t going to leave you. You know that. Things worked out just fine.”

“Yeah,” Shay said. “I’m in a hospital bed.”

“It happens to us all,” Blaine said. “Caius is dead. I’m sure you know that. Chief is taking care of the messy details for us. Miller sent the Lost Men packing, and made damn sure they didn't come near Ava. He had to set a few of them straight, but I took care of her while you were occupied.”

“Oh?”

“She was trying to sneak out of the clubhouse. To save your sorry ass. You have a good woman there.”

“I know,” Shay said. “But she doesn't deserve this life…”

“Fuck that,” Blaine said. “Life is what it is. You want to wear a suit and tie and sit at a desk? Come on, brother.”

“I know. I just fear for her.”

“No need. You’d kill before someone could breathe on her.”

“Did you breathe on her?”

“Oh man, when I grabbed her, she started wiggling against me. Fighting me. Got me so f*cking hard, I jerked it three times to cool down.”

“You’re an *, Blaine,” Shay said. Then he smiled. “But thanks. Means a lot to me.”