“She’s not a whore. Dancing is all she was willing to do.”
“We don’t plan on making a scene or an enemy. I’m going to go in and get her out. No harm, no foul. Then she and my brother will disappear until they forget about her.”
“You’re going in on your own?” Jameson’s eyes travel over my form, his lips pulling down in a frown. What he doesn’t know? Alone is how I prefer to work. Quiet, officiant, and deadly—if need be. It’s only when shit turns bad that the chaos comes into play.
“Unless you’re willing to spare a couple brothers to help?” Leo shrugs his shoulders, letting out a harsh laugh, his nerves rattling his vocal cords. My brother isn't like me. Our old man beat him constantly growing up, and he witnessed so much horrendous shit happen to our mom, it shaped him into this wary, on edge, frightened human being.
“You know we can’t be involved in any of this. This conversation never even happened,” Rage informs him.
“We do a lot of business with the Aires. Ronaldo is off limits,” Animal adds.
“What conversation?” I stand and pocket my lighter.
“This is a suicide mission.” Animal tells me, his jaw ticking. He doesn't think I should do this for my brother. But what kind of man would I be to leave a woman in a place like that knowing she doesn't want to be there?
“It was good seeing you,” I turn to leave, pausing for just a moment to look at Lily one more time.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Lily
I pull open the large wooden door and step inside the church, my stomach twisting. Fists squeeze my internal organs until the air in my lungs seizes. My legs shake with the effort to keep me upright. I've been here so many times, always staring at the building from my car, trying to build up the courage to walk inside. Today, I found it.
My gun is loaded and tucked into the back of my jeans. The blade I keep strapped to my ankle is sharp and ready to bleed this place of evil.
Decorative windows and tall ceilings offer a peaceful illusion. A giant cross hangs behind a podium at the back of the room, dominating the space. A mix of musty furniture and candle wax surrounds me. The rows of wooden bench seats are faded from all the god-fearing asses planted in them every week, praying with a man whose soul is darker than the bowels of hell.
My feet carry me down the center aisle toward an open casket surrounded by flowers. My heart pounds against my ribcage, in sync with the throbbing of the stitches in my ass cheek. As I get closer, I see a body inside. A young woman. Hollowed cheeks painted in the mortician's makeup, the rouge overly red for such a young girl.
What happened to you?
Her black dress stands stark against the white satin lining. Her arms are folded to rest on her stomach, almost in prayer.
"Are you a relative? The service doesn't start for another hour."
His voice crashes into me like a sledgehammer, bashing down the walls I'd built up. Sirens blast through my brain. Everything I’ve fought to overcome tumbles to ash.
“Get on the bed, Lily.”
Why did I think I could do this?
Shoving my trembling hands into the pockets of my jacket, I shake my head. My hair bounces around my face, hiding me from view.
"How did you know her?" He steps closer, and acid burns in my stomach. His darkness creeps over me, draping me in dirt until it fills every pore, invading every hole, turning my bones to cement. I can't move. I'm back in that room, cowering beneath his torment.
“Get on the bed, Lily.”
No!
I got out.
I got out.
"No!" I scream as his hand lands on my shoulder. Spinning around, I barge past him and race for the door, tears cascading down my cheeks, blurring my vision. Pushing out the door, I grip the railing of the stairs and fold into myself, my legs turning to jelly. I gasp, dragging gulps of air into my lungs, my fists clenched.
He has no power over you.
It's a lie.
The door behind me opens, and like a frightened rabbit, I jump up and dart across the street. Getting into my car, I drive away without looking back.
I’m not strong enough.
I have to be.
I pull into Kirby's Bar, swinging my car into the first parking spot I come to. Shoving my gun into the glove compartment and slamming my hands on the wheel, a strangled scream retches from the deepest parts of me.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I swipe the tears from my eyes and take a deep breath, frowning when I recognize the people coming from the bar and walking past my car.
Chaos.
Without thought, I jump from the car, the gravel crunching under my boots.
"Hey! Wait up!" I call out as they make their way across the lot to their bikes. The scent of summer rain clings to the air and dampens the roads. Rays of sunshine soak through a break in the clouds, warming my skin.
A smirk tugs up Leo's lips when he sees me approaching them. Chaos stands with his legs slightly parted, his hands clasped, dangling below his waistband, head tilted, studying me.
"Twice in one day, lucky us." Leo beams. "What can we do for you?"
I'm focused on his brother when I say, "I'll help you."
Leo's deep chuckle hums through the air, washing over me. "With what?"
"Getting the girl back."
Leo shakes his head, looking around to make sure we're still alone. "I don't think your brother would like that."
"Why?" Chaos interrupts, his brow pinched. "Why do you want to help?"
I step closer, until we're almost boot to boot, nerves bouncing around inside my stomach. My head is fuzzy, my eyes swollen and burning. "Because I want you to help me with something in exchange."
The wind picks up a scattering of leaves, swirling them around our feet. The trees looming over the parking lot sway, the heavy branches hanging like gallows.
"Zane, come on. Animal won't like this either."
"I don't see anyone else lining up to help you." A lump forms like a brick in my throat. Desperation seeps from my pores.
"What makes you think I need help?" Serenity gleams from Zane's ocean-blue eyes. I want to bathe in them, soak up every part of him, calm the turmoil ripping me apart.
"Because, if you really thought you could get in and out undetected, you wouldn't have come to the club earlier asking if the brothers would come for you if shit turned bad."
"Animal's a friend. We came out of respect."
"Let's help each other."
"Sweetheart, I don't think you'll be much help." Leo frowns, running his gaze down my body.
"My name is Lily—and you have no idea what I'm capable of." I narrow my eyes.
Leo holds his hands up in surrender then swings his leg over his bike and pulls on his helmet.
"What is it you need help with?" Zane asks, licking his lips. My stomach dips, but it’s definitely for other reasons.
"Some trash needs taking out." I drop my gaze to the knife sheafed at my ankle and lift my pant leg.
He jerks his chin to my ass. "Milk?"
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. "He was barely worth the effort of a hand-wound. Someone else. And I don't just want to harm them, I want them dead," I say in a hushed murmur, my teeth gritting.