Burned (Devil's Blaze MC #3)(5)

“I’m sorry, we don’t know any Andre—” I start to say.

“I do!” Bethie interrupts. “That’s Skull. Is he here? Can I see him, please?”

“I’m sorry honey, he left. He said you would want this.” The woman hands Beth the package. “I better get back to rounds. The admissions office was swamped and I told one of the nurses I’d check with you. I’m glad you and the baby are doing so well.”

When she leaves, I turn to look at my sister because I know this can’t be good.

“Donahue?” I prompt, knowing that dig can only mean one thing.

Bethie doesn’t respond; she’s too busy staring at the big manila envelope like it’s a snake. Her hand trembles as she reaches inside and pulls out three things. The first is a folded note. The second, a picture, then finally a large roll of money. I won’t know how much until I count, but from the hundreds and the size of the roll, I’m going to say it’s easily a hundred thousand. She reads the note, then lets out the saddest cry I’ve ever heard in my life. It sounds as if it was torn from her body. She drops the note as the sobs overtake her. I clumsily wrap one arm around her, then pull her close while using my other hand to grab the note and read it for myself.



Beth,



I’ve known for a while that you were alive. I had hoped you wouldn’t reach out to me. You were fun and I enjoyed what we had, but you’ve been gone a long time. I’ve moved on. I have a new woman now and she gives me just what I want: a warm * without so much f*cking drama. She doesn’t have to be trained, either. She knows how to make a man happy.

Something permanent was never in my plans and your ass cost me too much. I could hate you for not warning me about your family. I guess I owe you something. I’ve thrown some money in here for you to disappear. I never want to see you or your child again. As far as I know, the baby is probably Colin’s. I’m not about to let you blame me for it.

Stay away from me and my club. If I even hear you’ve been trying to talk to me again, I’ll make anything Colin would have done to you look like a cakewalk.



Skull



That’s when I see the picture. It’s of a man I can only assume is Skull. He’s kissing on some tramp’s neck, his hand on her naked breast, while she’s obviously taking a selfie of them.

I hold Bethie and let her cry. She trembles in my arms as her dreams come crashing down around her.

My hand trembles too… but mine is with anger.





Almost 2 years later

Meeting with Colin on Paradise Ridge

(mentioned in Craved—Sabre’s story)



“I don’t like this, boss.”

“That’s because it’s been damn good not having to deal with that f*cker Colin,” says Skull.

“Well, yeah, that too. But f*ck, man. It’s been quiet. What’s making him rear his head now?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be here. Jesus, I move two states away to get away from this * and the memories, and here I am again. This crap is never going to leave me alone.”

“We could just go, boss.”

“Fuck, no. I’m not running from these motherf*ckers.”

“You ready, ese?” asks Diesel. The last couple of years have aged him, too. He’s harder than he used to be.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Skull growls, then walks towards the meeting room. Sabre and I fall in step behind him. Crusher, who is now part of Diesel’s crew, and another guy come up behind us.

“Jesus f*ck, they let anyone in this damn place,” I say to Crusher.

“They needed someone to pretty up the place when your damn mug got close.”

“Fuck you,” I grumble, but the smile freezes on my face as Colin comes into view.

“I thought I told you motherf*ckers I wanted nothing to do with you again,” Skull growls, not bothering to sit down. “I meant that shit. I especially meant it with your sorry ass, Colin, so you better have a really good f*cking reason for calling this meeting.”

“Oh, come on now. You can’t be that bitter or you wouldn’t have agreed to this meeting,” says Colin.

“And just like that, we’re done. Contact me one more time and I’ll cut your f*cking head off. I’ve got a bigger reach than you these days. Believe me when I tell you, I will not hesitate to destroy you.”

“I really don’t want to hear your idle threats, Skull. This is a business meeting, nothing more.”

“We don’t have business. The guys I do business with aren’t even in your hemisphere. I give them the word and you’re wiped off the map. Understand?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“Not interested.”

“It’s something I think you would love to be part of.”

“Fucking hell. It’s like you don’t have enough brain power to comprehend what I’m saying to you. I want nothing to do with you. I know Matthew said that you had nothing to do with the bomb that killed my man’s family, but I don’t trust you, and you didn’t deny that shit when it first happened. I’d just as soon see your throat slit than talk to you. Now this meeting is done. I knew better than to even show up.”