The Scars That Define Us (The Devil's Dust #2)(64)

“I imagine he’s probably taking it pretty hard,” Bull says. With the way Locks has been treating Babs lately I doubt that.

“Anyways, we are on lock-down because it seems our lovely ladies went on a mission to redeem the honor of Babs’ niece without our knowledge,” Bull continues, rubbing his hands up and down his face. “We think the guy they attacked is under the protection of Augustus.” He looks up from under his hands, waiting for the backfire from the guys which is bound to happen.

“The Kingpin?” Bobby questions.

“Yes. They kidnapped some guy, beat him and left him on the side of the road,” Bull informs.

“They picked him up behind a club with green lights. I’m thinking it’s The Green Room, which is on the wrong side of town, Augustus’s territory,” I pipe in.

“Damn women,” Hawk gruffs.

“Why didn’t they bring it to the table?” Bobby asks.

“Apparently, Locks didn’t find it worthy of the table,” I seethe. That wasn’t for him to decide; he should have brought it to the table for a vote.

“So, now what?” Old Guy asks.

“Going against Augustus and his boys is going to be a hell of a war. I’m not even sure if he is the one attacking. We have to think this through before going on that side of town and making waves,” Bull tells us, lighting a cigarette.

“I’ll do some digging, see what I can come up with. Until then, the club is on lock-down,” Bull finishes.

“Everyone is accounted for but Cherry,” Hawk says from the end of the table. I smirk. Cherry is a rebel. She’s always against the club, breaking laws left and right. She’s the worst pain in the ass this club has had to endure. She’s lucky we owe Phillip.

Bull groans a rumble of frustration.

“Of course she’s not.”


Dani

I sit on the bed and I can hear the club become heavy with idle chitchat as it’s filled with family and close friends. Had I known attacking that boy with Babs would have led to this, I wouldn’t have never gone through with it. I haven’t felt the same since I almost killed that guy. I don’t even know if he’s alive. Shadow comes in the room and leans against the back of the door; he looks exhausted.

“Rough meeting?” I ask.

“You could say that,” he replies sarcastically. “The news that Babs is gone and you ladies threw us in a turf war isn’t exactly something to celebrate on.”

I bite my bottom lip and look at the ground; he’s right.

“What pisses me off more is Locks. He should be trying to avenge his wife’s death,” Shadow continues, his hands fisted at his side. “He’d be in the ground already if it weren’t for the respect I have for your father.” He looks at me, his eyes promising me he would do anything to protect me.

The room is filled with tension and silence.

“I’m going to go get something to eat,” he ultimately says, changing the subject and leaving, slamming the door behind him.

Minutes later, he comes back into the room with a tub of chocolate ice cream and a spoon. He leans his muscled back against the wooden door and pops the top of the plastic container using his thumb.

I can’t help but giggle. He’s always eating chocolate ice cream.

“What’s so funny?” he asks, stuffing a spoonful in his mouth.

“You,” I respond, pointing to his tub of ice cream.

He looks up from under his thick eyelashes with hooded eyes.

“You want some?” he offers, pushing off the door and walking toward me. He dips the silver spoon into the chocolaty goodness and places it inches from my mouth. I look at his mischievous blue eyes and open my mouth slowly, as he moves the spoon forward slightly. I move forward to lap up the chocolate, but he pulls it away before I can make contact.

I toss my head back and laugh at his playfulness.

He glances behind him at the dresser then turns back to me with the look of a man on a mission before grabbing a black bandana off the dresser.

“What do you think you’re going to do with that?” I ask nervously.

Shadow smirks like the devil himself with his eyes hooded. I recognize that look of lust in his eyes, and I second-guess having sex with Shadow after just hearing about Babs’ death.

He sits the chocolate tub aside and gestures his hand in a twirling action. “Turn,” he says.

I look at him, unsure if I want him to blindfold me. “Trust me,” he says softly, his eyes raised with excitement.

“It feels wrong, what with Babs and all,” I whisper.

Shadow licks the chocolate from his lips slowly as he fingers the bandana.

“People have different ways to deal with death,” he responds. I can’t deny Shadow. I crave for his affection in this dark hour—just us together, relieving our grief.

I inhale a deep breath and turn slowly. He wraps the soft fabric around my tear stained face, my vision darkening as it’s placed over my eyes. He tugs it as he ties it behind my head tightly. All I see is pitch-black. There is not even a peek of light slithering in. I can feel my breathing go heavy as my heart races against my chest. I trust Shadow, but this is taking trust to a whole new level.

“You think sex was great before, but you have no idea,” he whispers into my ear, the smell of chocolate coming from his breath.