Page 19 of Cerberus’s Branding (Satan’s Keepers MC #9)

CERBERUS

“Just cause the doc released you from the hospital doesn’t mean you’re not going to keep your ass in bed,” I grumble staring down at Ember while she adjusts herself in the bed.

I hadn’t wanted her to leave the hospital just yet, but the doc said she was healed enough to leave nearly a week after she woke up. I’d have kept her there until I knew she was fully healed, though I’m sure she’d have killed me herself if the doc had even allowed for her to stay there.

“I’m fine, Jase. The doctor said I could start moving around more, and I need to do it to keep from getting stiff,” she says, waving me off. “Now, go do something and leave me be to binge-watch a serial killer documentary.”

Serial killer documentary?

Seriously?

She thinks I’m gonna leave her be while she binges that shit? I don’t think so.

If I didn’t have to go find out what’s going with all the shit I’ve missed since being at the hospital with Ember, I’d tell her how fucked up it is she wants to watch documentaries. Maybe I should put on something for her and take the remote with me. Then again, she’d try and kill me if I did that.

“Which one are you going to watch?” I find myself asking without thinking.

“I don’t know yet. I wanted to watch the one about the Long Island murders. But I might watch the Fox Hollow one. Maybe even the one about . . .”

“Just watch whichever one you want. Long as it’s not gonna teach you how to murder me in my sleep.”

“I wouldn’t do that to you,” she says way too sweetly.

“Yeah, okay, we’ll see.”

I really wouldn’t do that to you.” Batting her lashes, she gives me a smile I hadn’t seen since right before she was shot .

My mind is immediately assaulted with the memory of her standing there smiling at me, and the next second, she was shot, bleeding in my arms. Mentally, I try to shake it off, but after being in the hospital nonstop and not having any way of taking off the edge, I’m ready to crawl out of my skin with the need to hurt someone.

I knew my brothers had gotten Jon Coleman to the cabin without any problems. The cops had also come by and left.

They came to the hospital for mine and Ember’s statements.

It was time to get my answers now, though, and I need to leave her to watch how to fucking kill me with serial killer documentaries.

Couldn’t she just watch Godzilla or something like that?

Stepping toward her, I lean down, spear my fingers in her hair, and claim her mouth.

It’s not like the little kisses I gave her while in the hospital, but it wasn’t as deep and long as I wanted it to be, either.

She’s still healing, and I won’t be taking any chances with her until I get the green light from her doctor.

He said she needed a few more weeks of taking it easy and not doing anything overexerting herself, which means no sex for the time being.

However, I might have to think of something creative in order to keep her from trying to get what she wants when she wants it. The woman is known for going against orders when they don’t suit her.

“I’ll be back to check on you in just a bit,” I tell her, my lips brushing hers.

“Okay,” she murmurs softly.

“If you are good, I’ll bring you back something to eat.

” I figured she wouldn’t mind having something to eat by then.

Something that wasn’t hospital food or takeout.

Hell, I’d like to go a while without takeout food.

I figured I could cook her up some spaghetti or something before bringing it back in here.

“I’m always good,” Ember remarks, leans deeper into the pillows, and settles in. “I’m not going to go anywhere. I promise. If I need anything, I’ll call one of the ol’ ladies and ask them.”

Those women they’d be jumping to it to help. They wanted to be able to help her while she was in the hospital, and they did, but not as much as they’d have liked. I’m willing to bet they’re in the kitchen now preparing stuff for Ember to have when she wants something.

Leaving Ember to her binge watching, I leave the room and go in search of my brothers.

I knew everyone was here. Reaper had already demanded everyone be at the clubhouse when Ember got back.

He wasn’t taking any chances with her life, and we’d kept her shielded while I carried her through the front doors.

The entire club was still on lockdown, and no one was waiting around for shits and giggles. We were going to meet and figure out what the next step in dealing with this situation would be. I want to take out those responsible for my woman having been shot.

After sitting in the hospital with her for over a week, not leaving her side even for a second, I need to be able to take the assholes out. They’re gonna bleed just as she did. I’ll start with Jon Coleman.

“She settled?” Reaper asks.

“Yeah.” I nod and look around the room. “What are we doing?”

I knew what I wanted to do.

“Azrael, Ghost, Harvester, and Thanatos are sticking to the clubhouse, the rest of us are heading to the cabin. We’re gonna go speak with Jonny boy.

See what he’s got to share with us,” Reaper announces as he looks at the four men.

“I want y’all to make sure none of the women step outside this building.

I don’t give a shit if they want to simply step out for a breath of fresh air. They don’t leave.”

“Reaper, you don’t have to tell them that,” Ivy calls out from the doors to the kitchen, eyes glaring in her ol’ man’s direction. “We know the rules. We’re not stupid.”

Reaper shoots a glare in her direction. “Didn’t say you were, but I ain’t takin’ chances, Precious.”

Considering that she’s pregnant and the two of them have dealt with enough in the time they’ve been together, including raising a set of twins, everyone knows not to step between the two of them. Though it’s not often Ivy would go toe-to-toe with Reaper, not in front of a crowd.

The moment Ivy disappears behind the door to the kitchen, Reaper releases a heavy sigh. “Woman’s gonna be the death of me.” Shaking his head, Reaper runs a hand over his face. “Let’s get this shit done.”

Finally.

“I swear I don’t know anything,” Jon cries. He’s been crying like a little bitch since the moment we stepped into the cabin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I swear if you let me go, I won’t say anything. I promise.”

“Jon, I gotta admit, I don’t believe in coincidences,” I tell him, stepping around him and slapping a hand on his shoulder.

I’d been fighting back the urge to kill him already, but I need answers first. And he’s going to give them to me.

Tombstone was ready to fuck him up. Had already gotten his hands on him. Same with the others.

Because Ember’s my ol’ lady, though, they’ve given me the honor of tormenting Jon into giving us those answers we need.

“Tell me what the real reason you showed up here was? Someone send you?” I demand, squeezing his shoulder where I’d already done damage by ripping into it.

“I didn’t do anything. I just wanted to see Ember. That’s all.” Jon screams when I dig deeper. His body tilts to the side slightly under the weight of my hand.

“How did you even know she was at the clubhouse? She hadn’t told you. Hadn’t even spoken to you in order for you to know that?” It’s a question that’s been bugging me all week.

“I’m telling you I didn’t do anything,” Jon cries and pleads for me to stop.

“Not ‘til you tell the truth.” Digging deeper into his shoulders, I sink the claws I’d put on my fingers earlier into the bone.

The claws were something I had specially made just for me.

They were metal, sharp enough to cut through flesh and bone.

I wanted them before I was even given my road name.

I was called Cerberus for a reason. I will do what it takes to protect those who need protecting.

I might not have three heads, but I was just as dangerous as the myth let on regarding the dog who guarded the underworld for the dead.

No one else touched the claws because they all knew a little secret about them.

They stayed dipped in snake venom until I used them.

We kept antivenom around in case we needed it, but that was mostly for me.

“Tell me why my woman was shot right after you left the clubhouse, and I might let you go,” I tell him, and release my claws from his shoulders.

There’s no way I’m gonna let this bastard go. He’s a punk ass that helped in Ember’s shooting. I fucking know it. Deep down, I know he’s involved. I just have to get him to admit it.

“I’m telling you I didn’t?—”

“Stop fuckin’ lyin’,” I roar and slash the claws along his face.

Jon screams out in pain while I take in the blood seeping down the side of his face. The large claw marks opened his skin, making him look like he’d been attacked by a large predator, which he did. Me.

“Tell him what he wants to know, and we’ll make your death quick. You don’t he keeps this up and it’ll take that much longer,” Reaper growls from behind me .

“I’m kinda enjoying the show, Prez,” Styxx remarks, chuckling darkly.

“Think we all are,” Angel grunts.

“I’ve already told you,” Jon whimpers.

“Don’t lie,” I snarl, leaning into him, hands on his legs, claws digging into his flesh.

“Wanna know a secret about these claws?” I ask, raising one for him to see before replanting it in his leg.

“They’re coated in snake venom, so even if I did let you go, you’ll be dead before they figure out which antivenom to give you.

I’m sure the venom is already working into your bloodstream.

You want to let it torture you more, keep lying to me.

You want to put an end to it? Tell us what you know. ”

Jon’s eyes widened, and he shook his head, dropping it in defeat. “I had no choice. He’s my brother. I had to do what he asked me to do. I didn’t know she was going to be shot.”

Now we’re getting somewhere.

“Who’s your brother? Who shot my woman?” I demand.

“Jacks, he’s Samir’s right-hand man. They came to me and told me that I needed to do this for them. All I was told to do was get Ember out of the clubhouse. They said she was hooked up with you and?—”

I didn’t listen to another word he said.

Jerking upright, I slash one of my claws through his throat, ending his miserable life.

I heard what I needed to confirm what we know.

Samir, Dead Eyes, whatever he wants to be called, was behind this.

He threatened to make her pay the price, and she nearly did.

Now, it was time to turn the tables and make him and his men pay for what they’ve done to my woman. I’m thinking it’s time to make the rivers turn red. I know exactly how I intend to do just that.