Page 1 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)

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ALI

H ow dare they threaten to withhold orgasms from me?

Who do they think they are?

I watch as the blacked-out truck turns the corner, and I continue to make my way towards Shane’s gym.

Of course, they get to go off and do exciting recon while I’m stuck doing womanly shit.

Cursing under my breath, I mentally go over everything we need and the places I will need to go to get everything.

I’ll show them I’m more than a supply runner. Maybe I should withhold orgasms from them, see how they like it.

The walk doesn’t take too long, with the old gym we’ve been staying at only being a few blocks from the new one Shane and his dad opened up a few years back.

The neighborhood turns from industrial and run-down to livelier and more modern.

It’s an odd feeling being back in the area after only a few weeks of being gone.

A small part of me didn’t think I was ever coming back in the first place, let alone be alive to see it.

I thought the trials were it for me, but I always knew I was a stubborn bitch, and here we are.

Swinging open the door to the gym, my nose is assaulted with the scent of sweat and hard work while my ears are filled with the pained grunts of men and women sparring and working out.

Good ole memories. My own body twitches in response, wanting to hit the floor with the others to stretch out my muscles, but that will have to wait.

I’m on a mission. Get the supplies we need and get back because once we have some decent intel, we can make our move.

That thought makes it even harder to turn away from the floor and the urge to spar and focus on the task at hand. Finding Shane.

A quick glance around and I spot him toward the back, holding a heavy bag in place while a small woman goes to town on it.

I head in that direction, nodding to a few members spread out along the way.

Shane spots me in my approach and holds up a finger to let me know it will be a minute.

I take in the small woman that I now see is a young girl no older than thirteen or fourteen.

She’s a hard hitter, but I can tell it’s all out of rage, not skill.

I’m almost afraid to know why a little thing like her has so much rage built up.

The girl is dressed in a plain pair of black leggings and an oversized T-shirt.

Her shoes have seen better days as well, covered in duct tape and holes.

I don’t even know this girl, but my heart breaks for her. It’s something about the way she looks, the way she is holding herself, and the emotion I can practically feel coming off her in waves.

“Alright. Alright. Let’s take a break,” Shane finally calls out, and the girl flinches before jumping back a foot.

Her breathing is erratic and I can tell it was an automatic response to cower away.

I know it’s not because of Shane; his tone was low, like he knew she might have this reaction.

He glances at me in sadness before focusing back on the girl.

Something inside of me twists as I clench my hands into fists, angry at the reaction. “Hey it’s okay.”

Turning back to me, Shane nods to the girl.

“Ali, this is Evie.” The girl’s head snaps up, her messy, dirty blonde hair swaying over her shoulder and her big blue eyes wide with shock.

“Evie, this is the woman I was telling you about.” I frown at Shane for a second as Evie adjusts her shirt sleeve, taking me in.

I realized she fixed her shirt to hide the bruises on her upper arms.

“And what did you tell her about me exactly?” I cock a brow in question. Evie nibbles on her bottom lip, eyes shifting between me and Shane and back again.

“He said you might be able to h-help me.” Evie’s voice is almost a whisper as she glares down at the floor. I narrow my eyes on Shane but focus my attention on the girl.

“And what exactly do you need help with that a complete stranger could fix?” I ask, but a part of me somehow already knows or has an idea.

“I-I- I. Well…it’s just… ummm…” Before she can get anything else out, a locker room door slams open, startling Evie.

Panic flashes in her suddenly dull blue eyes as they search the room, and her skin instantly pales.

“Never mind. I gotta go.” I don’t even get a chance to stop her before she is racing towards the front door and is gone.

“Who the fuck is that? And what the fuck just happened?” I ask, staring out the front like Evie might come rushing back any moment to explain.

Shane reaches down and grabs a towel off the floor before wiping the sweat off his face. “Ali, this kid needs help.”

“Call the cops or the child protective services. Why do you need me?” The moment I say the words, I inwardly roll my eyes. Cops and CPS won’t do shit. I bet they would just write her off as some troubled teen.

“I don’t know everything, but mom’s a druggie, and I think she’s using Evie to get what she needs.

” My eyes immediately find Shane’s saddened ones.

“She won’t tell me everything, but I found her in the back sleeping one night.

Someone did a number on her, but she refused to go to the hospital.

That was a few weeks ago. I told her that whenever she needed to escape, she could come here.

I started training her about two weeks ago, but she freaks anytime a male gets near her.

So, I told her I might have a friend who could help train her maybe. ” He eyes me expectantly.

“Okay, but there are other female fighters that come here.” I glance around and spot two from where I stand.

“But none that understand what she’s going through.” When I don’t say anything further, he adds, “Will you at least think about it? I know she will be back.”

“Shane, now is not a great time, you know that.” Glancing at the door once more, I shake my head.

“Look, keep training her how you are. Give her my number and tell her to call me in case of emergency. Once we get a handle on some things, I’ll pick up some training with her but try to get more information if you can.

” He looks relieved at my words as he nods in understanding.

“Anyways, do you have keys I can borrow?”

Nodding to the front desk, we head in that direction before he tosses me keys to his truck. “Take care of my baby, not a scratch, Ali, or else,” he warns and I roll my eyes. Men and their cars.

“Yeah, yeah. Or else. Got it.” I wave behind me before heading out.

I hate shopping! I mean, who actually likes shopping? A real psychopath, that’s who.

I had decided that driving across town was a safer bet with all that’s going on.

But boy, do I regret it now. Two and a half hours of multiple stores and way too much peopling to get everything we need or that Riot wanted, and I’m exhausted.

I barely did anything, but damn, who knew this much shopping was actually a mini workout?

My phone went off a couple of times, with the guy’s updates on their recon, but I know it shouldn’t be much longer for them all to start heading back.

Pulling up to the gym, I throw Shane’s truck into park and head in.

I figured it would be easier if he gave me a ride back so that I didn’t have to make multiple trips just to drop off his “precious baby”.

I don’t spot him through the windows, but I’m barely a foot in when Mark, another trainer, nods to the back.

“He wants you in his office; something important.” He shrugs before going back to whatever he was doing on the computer.

I frown at Mark’s words but head towards Shane’s office regardless.

I don’t bother knocking since the door is cracked open. Shane’s eyes snap to mine, and I see a flash of relief before he slumps back in his chair. My confusion grows for half a second before he speaks.

“Someone came here looking for you. He said you were in some kind of serious trouble. Then he claimed he was your brother and that he had been looking everywhere for you. Told me there was a reward for any information on your whereabouts.” My body moves automatically as I step back, ready to make a run for it.

“Calm your tits. I told him I hadn’t seen you in weeks.

That you just disappeared and haven’t been seen since.

But I did give him your apartment address.

Figured it was best to give him something since he knew you came here at some point.

” He winced at that, but I wasn’t planning on going back there anyways, and it’s not like there is anything that gives me away there.

I have an idea I already know who stopped by just from the “brother” comment, but I still have to ask.

“Did he leave you a name or anything?” I cross my arms over my chest, suddenly even more exhausted than before.

I knew Ethan wasn’t going to let me killing our father go, but I had hoped I had a bit more time to figure out how to deal with him.

Because it’s not like we already have killer fathers and their empires to deal with, but the universe was like: “Hey, let’s sprinkle in some psycho half-brothers in the mix as well. ” Thanks universe— NOT.

Opening a drawer on his desk, Shane pulls out a small piece of cardstock. “Yeah, he left a card with a number to call if I hear anything about you as well.” Handing over the small white card, I read the simple black print. Ethan Black. Under the name is a seven-digit number.

“I can see your brain turning, Ali, and I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Shane’s voice startles me.

“You don’t know what I’m thinking,” I snap, and Shane just cocks a brow.

“You didn’t see this guy, Ali. He looked off, like a screw was loose. Isn’t there a saying, like don’t go poking the bear?” I glare at Shane for a moment before glancing back down at the phone number. He’s right in a sense, but he also doesn’t understand.

“Can I borrow the office for a minute?” When Shane doesn’t get up to leave, I narrow my eyes on him. “I know what I’m doing.” I tell him, and for good measure I add, “Please.” Shane shakes his head at me before finally standing and heading towards me.

Right as we cross paths, he gently says, “I really hope you do, Ali.” A moment later the office door closes with a soft click.

Taking a deep breath, I dial the number on the card and lean against the desk, my eyes on the door.

As the phone rings, I nibble on my lip. I really hope I know what I’m doing.