“Child’s play,” Rock said.
“Like taking candy from a fuckin’ baby,” Animal added and several members guffawed.
“Rock and I will make sure the alarm system is disengaged at the old man’s house before we teach him his lesson. We’ll meet at ten and go from there. Any questions?” Hawk asked.
After a round of questions and answers, church was adjourned. Not all of the members were participating in the night’s activities—namely, Banger and Jax, who had obligations with their families.
The members went into the main room to have a couple of drinks, play some pool, and have fun with the club girls. Shadow downed a shot of whiskey before going up to his room. He needed some quiet time to think over what Scarlett had told him about her dad loving his mother. He couldn’t help but think that George Mansfield was the one who was ultimately responsible for his mother’s murder. If he would’ve told his mom in the beginning that he was with solidly married instead of leading her on to believe that he was going to divorce his wife, things may have turned out very differently.
“Fuck!” he shouted while he banged the side of his head with his fist. Shadow was sick and tired of thinking about it, and if he had his way, he’d just put George out of his mind and move on. But Scarlett loved her dad and he would always be in her life.I’m gonna have to confront him. I have to do this for her.Satisfied for the moment that he had at least made a decision, he took out his phone and texted her a quick message, telling her he was tied up but they could have dinner the following night. He kicked off his boots, then lay down on the bed and flung his arm over his eyes.
* * *
Shadow, quickly butquietly, sprinted behind Warren’s parked car, crouching low so the asshole wouldn’t see him in the rearview mirror. Rock had scrambled the security cameras a few seconds before he, Helm, Axe, and Cruiser entered the garage. Four of the other brothers were lying in wait for Jonah at his apartment.
The jangle of keys hitting the pavement told Shadow that the asshole had opened the car door. A few cuss words echoed in the underground parking lot, then Warren bent down and picked up the keys, and staggered away from the car. Like a flash of lightning, Shadow intercepted him, and Warren bumped into his strong chest.
“What the fuck?” Warren slurred as he looked up.
The annoyed look on the jerk’s face was quickly replaced by fear.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, swaying in place.
Shadow could smell the alcohol on his breath. “We got a score to settle, motherfucker.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” All of a sudden Warren seemed to have sobered up.
“Yeah, you do. The more you bullshit me, the harder I punch.” Without warning, he sank his fist in Warren’s belly.
The man’s hands clutched his stomach as he bent over. “Is this about Scarlett?” he gasped, trying to catch his breath. “I’m over her. We’re good, bro.”
Anger flooded his veins. “I’m not yourbro, asshole.” Shadow threw a quick punch that connected square with Warren’s jaw.
The asshole stumbled backward. “Fuck! What’s your problem?”
“Fuck … I don’t know.” Another punch to the man’s face. “I guess I don’t like shit thrown at me and my bike. I’m funny that way.” Several more quick, hard jabs to Warren’s face. Sizzling pain radiated from Shadow’s injured wrist, but he ignored it.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Whatever happened to you, I swear it wasn’t me.”
“Wrong, fucker. Itwasyou!” He then delivered blow upon blow to Warren’s ribs, belly, and back up to his face. Satisfaction spread through him when he heard the crunch of bones shattering.
Warren’s hand flew to his nose. “Shit! You broke my nose.”
“That’s not all I’m gonna break,” Shadow growled.
“You’ve made a mistake. Really, I don’t—” The asshole stopped short and his eyes widened with fear as they landed on Axe, Helm, and Cruiser who came up behind Shadow then circled around Warren.
“Do you wanna rethink what you were saying?” Axe asked, his hands clenched.
“Okay, guys. Okay. Just don’t kill me. I have money in my wallet and you can have my car. Just—”
“We don’t want shit from you!” Rage filled Helm’s voice.
“What then?” Warren’s eyes darted around the parking lot as if trying to find a means of escape.
“The truth,” Shadow said calmly.
The other three bikers stepped closer to Warren.