Page 31

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I can still feel Abbey on my lips as I take my seat at the table for tonight’s church session. I can’t remember the last time I kissed someone so thoroughly. Maybe when I was a teenager. Even Kylie and I never kissed quite like that.

Soft.

Gentle.

Savouring.

Something has shifted in me, and I can’t fucking figure out what it is exactly, or why the fuck it’s happening, and to be fucking honest, I don’t want to overanalyse it.

Because the fact of the matter is, I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day, or next fucking week, when it comes to my little charity case. This was only ever meant to be temporary, and there’s a whole world of fucking trouble chasing her tail that could change everything in the blink of an eye .

“Our combined investigations with the Marx crew have turned up the same result for the warehouse raid, although, to what end hasn’t been figured out yet.” Smitty addresses his club from the head of the table where ten of us sit, and the others lean against the wall around the table listening quietly.

“The only conclusion is that the pigs orchestrated the raid to get us out of the way so they could come in and find the girl.”

At Smitty’s words, all eyes fall to me.

I don’t move, keeping my expression neutral, remaining relaxed back in my chair even though I want to rant and rave that the pigs need to die.

“But medical equipment was stolen.” JD pipes up, his frown directed at our President. “Surgical equipment, to be exact. I fail to see why the pigs would go to the trouble of actually stealing the equipment and killing our men just to step foot inside the compound while the women were vulnerable.”

“I have to agree with JD,” Mex states, while some of the other men nod in agreement.

I want to nod too, but because I have a conflict of interest, I remain quiet. Still. Observing. Yet wanting to beat my chest and demand we burn the city to the ground to find answers.

“Well, we don’t have any other theories, and neither does the Marx crew.” Smitty lights up yet another fucking cigarette. The second since church started.

“What about the missing prospects? Any word on them?” Spud, our VP, asks, and Smitty shakes his head.

“They are either dead or in hiding. Their families haven’t seen them.”

“What about our inside men?” I ask, no longer able to keep my mouth shut. “We pay those fuckers on the force a lot of fucking coin. Have they looked at the case file for Abbey? Do they have any intel as to why Officer Allen and his posse stepped foot on our turf?”

Smitty shakes his head. “The file for Abbey is locked. They can’t access it.”

I fucking frown. “Bull-fucking-shit they can’t. What about their hacker?”

“Too risky.” Smitty shrugs and I feel like smashing up this entire room.

“Why the fuck would her case be locked? This doesn’t make sense.”

“He’s right, that doesn’t make sense.” JD snarls, and I know he’s thinking about his sister again.

Her case was locked, and the people behind the brutality she suffered were pigs. This feels all too fucking familiar.

“I think the real problem here is that this shit was brought to our fucking front door in the first place.” Spud thumps his fist on the table across from me. “There was no order to rescue the girl, Ringo. You not only kidnapped her, but used our club brothers and a fucking sister to help you, and snuck her in here.”

Anger washes through me at his fucking tone, but I know I did the wrong fucking thing, so I keep my mouth shut.

“What? You’ve never used club resources for personal use before?” JD snaps at our VP. “I’m pretty fucking sure you did basically the same thing with your sister-in-law.”

“Fuck you, JD! I paid for my infraction.” Spud slams both fists on the table this time, his glare lethally directed at JD.

“And so will, Ringo. That’s not even a fucking question. You and everyone here knows he won’t even try to get out of it, yet you fucking did, didn’t you, coward! ”

The second Spud flies up from his seat on one side of the table, and JD follows next to me, I stand and slam my fists to the table.

“ENOUGH!”

As my two feuding club brothers breathe heavily in anger, they turn their glares to me.

“JD is right, I will take whatever punishment our President deems fucking fit,” I glare at our VP before turning it to my best mate, “and other past infractions by my brothers isn’t fucking relevant and should stay in the past.” I grit my teeth, fighting for calm.

Slowly, both JD and Spud lower back to their seats, while Smitty remains in place, relaxed back in his chair, taking another drag of his smoke.

“So what’s it going to be, Prez?” I ask Smitty, still standing, my knuckles resting on the tabletop.

“Club beating. Public,” he says easily, like he decided my fate long ago.

I grit my teeth. “Come on, man, I don’t want Abbey to see that.”

“Punishment for lying about bringing in an unapproved outsider without revealing her real identity is a public beating.” Spud interjects before Smitty nods in agreement.

“Perhaps she needs to witness it, so she understands what’s at stake. This is how we live. She’s in our world now.”

Grinding my teeth, I give my President a nod, not liking this one fucking bit.

I don’t care about getting a beating. I can take it. But the thought of her in distress because of it doesn’t fucking sit well with me .

“Church is over,” Smitty calls, picking up the gavel and slamming it to the table’s surface while standing. “Out to the courtyard for a good old-fashioned flogging.”

The men hoot, and I can’t help but smirk at that.

There are a lot of men in this room who have met my fist from their own punishments, and today, they get to repay the favour.

“Fuck man. I bet it’s times like this you wish you were a drinker.” JD slaps me on my back, and I chuckle. “Nah, there’s nothing like feeling every fucking bit of life. How else will I know I’m truly alive?”

JD scoffs. “Man, you’re going to wish you weren’t soon.”

He bumps my shoulder with his, and we file out behind the others, instantly feeling the hum of energy in the courtyard as the men spread themselves out in a huge circle.

“What’s going on?” Jols asks, moving to my side.

I stare down at her, taking in her concerned gaze as it darts between me and the men.

She’s seen this circle before. She knows someone’s about to get a beating, and the fact she’s by my side tells me she has an inkling it’s going to be me.

“Do me a favour? Stay with Abbey. Keep her out of trouble.”

Jols expression drops.

“Sure.” She nods, walking across the circle where I see the familiar sight of golden blonde hair in a high ponytail.

“Listen up!” Smitty calls over the chatter, and everyone falls quiet, the Doxies shifting closer behind the perimeter of my club brothers. “We have rules for a reason. When they are broken, there must be consequences.” Smitty starts pacing in the centre of the circle, his expression serious, his shoulders rolled back, his demeanour demanding attention .

Even though I should be paying attention to my President, my gaze won’t budge off Abbey, a frown tugging at her brows as I read her lips as she asks Jols what’s happening.

Jols doesn’t respond.

“Tonight, one of our most respected will endure his punishment. He will receive a beating, publicly, and every fully patched club brother will take part in delivering it.”

“What!” Abbey squeaks from across the courtyard, and the moment she goes to take a step forward, Jols captures her arm and starts talking in her ear.

“Every single person will remain present and witness the beating of Ringo. No one will intervene. No fully patched member may refuse.”

A round of slaps rise up as my club brothers clap their hands against their shoulders, a sign of respect to our President as he does what he was voted in to do.

Lead.

“Secrets are dangerous. Secrets can bring trouble to our doors. And secrets are why our Sergeant in Arms is receiving a public beating today.”

“No wait. You can’t do this,” Abbey cries out, trying to shake Jols off her.

“Tie his hands behind his back,” Smitty calls, ignoring Abbey, and Spud steps forward with the rope, but JD steps in front of him and snatches it from his grip.

“I’ll do it.”

“Fine.” Spud holds up his hands, smirking before he backs away and JD turns to me.

“Sorry man. I don’t want to do this, but I’d rather he not be the one to do it.”

I chuckle. “How many times have you told me you wanted to tie me up?”

“Dude, only so you couldn’t fight off a chick so you could finally get laid.” He counters and we both smirk at each other before his grin falls.

“Still. This sucks.”

“Just do it.” I sigh. “I knew the rules.”

Nodding, JD rounds me and I shift my arms, crossing my wrists behind my back as he makes quick work of binding them together.

As he tightens it, I stretch my neck from one side and then to the other, trying to limber myself up as much as I can in preparation for the oncoming bashing I’m about to receive.

When my eyes find Abbey’s again, I spot the tears glistening in her eyes as both Nessy and Jols talk quietly to her.

“You ready?” Smitty asks, stepping into my line of sight, and I shake my head.

“Any chance I can have a minute with her?” I gesture my head in Abbey’s direction, and Smitty glances over his shoulder before returning his hard glare to me.

“You’re pushing your fucking luck, Ringo.”

I shrug, knowing I am, but not fucking caring.

“Fucking hell, either I’m going soft, or I really fucking like you,” Smitty grumbles before turning around.

“Hey Charity Case. Get over here.”

She doesn’t even flinch at the words, but hesitates, her eyes going wide.

She probably thinks she’s about to get yelled at or something, so when her eyes land on me, I gesture my head backwards, silently asking her to come to me.

My club brothers part, waiting for her to move, and after another moment’s hesitation, she does, shifting away from Jols and Nessy, and stepping through the men.

Smitty steps aside as well, and I don’t know if it’s to make her feel safe, because it’s obvious she doesn’t with the way she wraps her arms over her chest as she moves, or if he’s just being respectful and giving us some privacy.

“Get over here,” I demand as she takes her time, and like always, she does what I ask, moving faster until she’s standing before me.

“I don’t want this to happen,” she whispers, those glassy eyes nearly spilling over.

“It’s okay, Angel.” I take a step closer, fucking annoyed I didn’t do this before they fucking tied my hands behind my back. “I know this is hard to understand. We live by our own set of rules in the club. We live differently from mainstream society. But it doesn’t mean what’s about to happen is wrong. This is the way we do things here, and I will take what’s coming to me because I broke the rules.”

“But it’s because of me,” she whisper-yells, stepping up to me and fisting my shirt.

“I don’t blame you, Angel. You need to know I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it means keeping you safe.”

A tear pops free then, so I lean down, pressing my lips to her ear.

“I need you to stay strong for me. No matter how awful it seems, nothing will be worse than knowing you’re in distress.”

As I shift back, I drag my lips across her cheek, and by the time I’m nose to nose with her, those dainty hands grip either side of my jaw before she rises higher on her toes and presses her lips to mine.

Hoots and cheers ring out in the air around us, but we both ignore it, trapped in our little bubble as she kisses me with a level of confidence and determination I haven’t seen or felt from her before.

“Alright, that’s enough. I don’t want to get a fucking woody right when I need to swing fists.” Smitty chuckles, gripping Abbey’s upper arm and dragging her back.

“Let go of her!” I yell, louder than I expected, as red frames my vision at the sight of him gripping her arm.

“Whoa,” Smitty laughs, dropping his hold on Abbey and raising his hands in surrender. “Calm down, brother. I wasn’t hurting her.”

“You fucking touched what’s mine. You’d best not do it again.”

Smitty’s smile drops as he glares at me, calling over his shoulder to his stepdaughter while keeping his eyes trained on me.

“Jols, take the girl.”

“Wait,” Abbey protests, shoving past Smitty and gripping the front of my shirt again as she drags me back down, her caramel eyes wild and frantic. “I’ll be strong. Just for you.”

Then she presses her lips to mine again for a quick kiss before pulling back, releasing my shirt, and walking away with Jols.

Damn it, now I have a semi.

I’m too busy watching my charity case walk away to notice Smitty’s fist coming my way, the crack loud, the hit making me see stars momentarily as I nearly topple to the ground.

Staggering into some of the nearby men, I hear Abbey cry out in protest before Trunk’s voice is in my ear.

“Shake it off. It looks like Prez has more to dish out. ”

I nod, blinking profusely to clear my fucking vision, before turning to face our leader.

“Thanks for the fucking heads up.”

He rolls his eyes. “You should have been paying attention instead of staring at your piece of arse.”

I fucking growl, which just makes the fucker laugh, and this time I’m prepared for his iron fist smacking into my jaw, my stance wide and firm as I work to stay in place from the impact.

“Woohoo.” Smitty jumps as he shakes out his fist. “Who’s next?”

One by one, my club brothers take their swing.

Some go for my face, but most aim for my chest or gut, but the one thing they all have in common is they don’t fucking hold back.

I can feel myself grinning throughout my beating. Pride filling my chest at the loyalty in the air, reminding me of why I’m a part of this.

It isn’t just about brotherhood, booze and chicks.

It’s about family.

Most of the men here, and even a lot of the Doxies, didn’t have a family before they came into the fold. Some had people who are meant to be a family but never behaved like it. And others have never known what it’s truly like to belong until they joined the Southern Sadists.

I might be getting a hiding right now, but I earned it, and I’m not too fucking proud to admit that.

My eyes wander back to Abbey’s each time I right myself from a blow. I can see how hard she’s trying to stay strong. This is pure brutality at its finest for her. She’s been a victim for so long that it’s hard for her to see anything but violence. Hell, she may never see that this is nothing more than maintaining order. Reminding everyone to walk the line. It’s something most outsiders can’t wrap their head around.

“You know what, I fucking hate you for this,” JD snarls at me as he steps up to take his turn. The last man.

“Bullshit. You always want to hit me. Now you can without getting a hiding,” I rasp before spitting a wad of bloody saliva to the brick paved ground.

“True, but I’d rather kick your arse in a fair fucking fight.” He rolls his shoulders back before cracking his knuckles.

Using my shoulder, I wipe at the blood trickling from my nose, my gaze landing on Abbey again. She looks about ready to jump out of her skin, but she’s still watching, and as we stare at each other, I attempt to wink, but I think my eye is already swollen shut.

Fuck it.

“Hurry the fuck up and stop stalling.” I snarl at my best mate, turning my one good eye to him. “And you’d better not go easy on me. If you punch me like a prissy, I’ll fucking demand everyone go again.”

JD’s glare turns dark, fury contorting his expression as his fists ball at his sides.

I knew my words would spur him on. He hates seeing this happen to me, so he wants it over with as much as Abbey does.

“I fucking love you, brother.” He points angrily to me, emotion thickening his voice, and when I nod, he rears back and takes his swing.

I have to give it to the fucker. He didn’t hold back. In fact, I’m pretty fucking sure his hit packed the most fucking punch, slamming into my cheek and spinning me until I fall to the fucking ground.

Cheers ring up, Doxies gasp, and I swear I can hear Abbey scream, “You fucking prick!”

That has me smiling.

Well, on the inside. I don’t think the swelling in my face has much give for expression right now.

“Alright! Alright! Quieten down!” Smitty yells over everyone, and within a few beats, the men fall silent. “The punishment has been dealt. The infraction now in the past. Let this be a reminder of the oath you all swore.”

Slapping palms against shoulders clap into the air, while I struggle to get up off the fucking ground, what with my hands tied and my arse thoroughly kicked.

“Doxies, help Ringo to his room,” Smitty calls before there’s a loud protest.

“No!” Abbey hisses, pushing her way past my club brothers and into the circle. “He’s mine. I will take him.”

Well, fuck if that doesn’t make me fucking smile for real this time.

“Get over here, Angel,” I mutter, now sitting on my arse, purely fucking exhausted.

Hurrying to my side, my Angel lowers down, her expression pinched, but determination in her eyes as she assesses me.

Fuck. I think we have Nurse Abbey here right now.

My cock twitches.

Seriously, I’ve just had my arse handed to me and my cock thinks it’s time to wake the fuck up ?

Behind me, JD quickly unties my wrists and helps me to stand as Abbey slips an arm around me on one side before JD joins in on the other.

“Come on, you old fucker. Let’s get you to your room.”

I snicker at JD, but Abbey doesn’t join in, her focus on each step we take further from the crowd and closer to privacy.

“Shower,” I mutter as we squeeze in through the door, and they assist me into the shitty little bathroom.

“I can take it from here,” Abbey insists, her eyes trained on my best mate, her stare fierce.

Fuck, I love her like this.

“Okay, I hear you loud and clear. It’s fuck time.” JD slaps my shoulder and leaves, while Abbey rolls her eyes at him.

As soon as the partying out in the courtyard quietens with the click of the door, I try to pull away from Abbey.

“I can shower myself, Angel.”

“No. I’ve got you.”

Huh. She’s a stubborn little thing.

“Fine. Help me out of my jeans, then.”

She nods quickly, and even though I am perfectly fucking capable of undoing my pants and peeling them off, I fucking let her at it.

Her cheeks turn red as she hurries to pop the button and then eases down the zipper, those big doe eyes shooting up to mine every few seconds, and then she helps me shuffle the fabric down over my hips.

Shifting quickly to her knees, she concentrates on getting my shit kickers and socks off, too sidetracked to realise my heavy cock is swaying near her head .

But fuck. Then she looks up, those innocent eyes locking with mine, before they widen and she can’t help but steer her gaze to my growing cock.

Hey. I can’t fucking help it. She’s on her knees, looking up at me all fucking submissive, and all I want to do is demand she take me in her mouth.

Fuuuck I want that so bad.

But I can’t. She’s not ready.

“Sorry,” I mutter, biting back a smile.

“What for?” she asks, returning her heated gaze to mine, even while her huskier than normal voice gives her away.

I gesture my head to my cock, now bobbing out in front of me.

“I can’t help it. Seeing you down there looking up at me… well, you get it.”

Her big eyes widen, her gaze shifting back to my cock now at her eye level, which is when her tongue darts out to wet her lips.

Fuuuck.