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“Yeah, what we honoured, not them. They didn’t give a shit about the charter.

You allowed filth to infect us while you brought in brothers to win a vote.

You should have pushed for the war a decade beforehand.

Nineteen years Hellfire was filth because you wanted to play by the rules. That was your mistake,” Sunny replied.

“Maybe. But we can’t change the past.”

“No. But you should learn from them. I’m back because you have got a dirty member still.

He is amongst you. That’s the damn truth.

I got a text message from a member of our chat group.

I don’t know whose phone it came from, but I was told to be at that spot.

Zeus wouldn’t have known I was there unless someone leaked it.

You’ve got a traitor, Chance, and he’s hiding in plain sight,” Sunny informed Chance.

Chance looked shocked. “Bullshit!”

“I received a message from a burner. We all had burners, if you remember, but only our group knew the numbers. I headed to that place on the strength of that text. When I was shot, Zeus sneered at me, taunted about how did I like being betrayed by my own? I wouldn’t have been in that spot if one of ours hadn’t asked me to be there.

But I’m not sure who, I can’t remember the number for love or money, and my phone disappeared, which was convenient,” Sunny explained.

Chance schooled his expression. “Are you back for revenge?”

“No. I’m here to clear the last traitor out of our club. How did Zeus know we were meeting the night Whiskey and Chaser died? It wasn’t common knowledge. That was a secret meeting, yet Zeus knew and made his move. We had a rat amongst us, and I want his name. He needs to pay for those crimes.”

“You’re wrong,” Chance stated empathically.

“No, I’m not, and you know it! Do not turn a blind eye to this. Don’t fail Hellfire again.”

Chance reeled back, and Sunny felt a little guilty at that jab, but it was the truth. They’d been at war and at a disadvantage because their commander had wanted to play by the rules. That had cost innocent lives and men, and their families had died because of it.

“I need to think,” Chance said, and then shot him a look. “That’s why you’ve not allowed Liv here.”

“Yup. Not going to have my baby girl caught in the crosshairs of a traitor.”

“If there is one.”

“Bullshit yourself all you want, but you can’t deny the facts. I was set up by one of our own, and so was Whiskey and Chaser.”

Chance finally lost control of his expression and looked troubled.

“Like you, Sunny, I want the truth. Bring me proof, and we’ll deal with the traitor.

These men have been at my side since the war, that’s eighteen years they’ve hidden the fact they betrayed us.

If we’ve got a rat, he’s damn good. And I tell you now, I do not believe we have one.

Someone set you up, but not a brother present today. ”

“I’ll get your proof. I just hope you don’t regret this.”

“Truth always comes out.”

“Chance, I’m fifty-one years old. You think I don’t know that?” Sunny replied. Chance inclined his head and headed out.

“Hey! What about this toilet?” Sunny bellowed, glaring at the offending item.

“Get Jinx to move it,” Chance called back.

Sunny muttered a few threats and went in search of the prospect who was fast becoming the bane of everyone’s life.

A week later

Sunny flung the covers away and sat up. Images of tanned, smooth, soft skin kept torturing him. They weren’t enough for him to identify who the woman was, but there was no doubt in his head there had been one. Her moans and cries also echoed in his mind when he tried to sleep.

All he had was the smell of her perfume, and that had faded now.

He ran a hand over his face and got up. Yanking on some shorts, he didn’t bother pulling on a top, and he left his bunk.

He headed down to the rec room and saw it was empty.

Sunny walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

He started making a sandwich when Tiny came in.

Tiny paused, surprised to find Sunny here, and then nodded at the food. “I’ll take two,” he said and grabbed a stool.

“Make your own,” Sunny retorted, but even so, began making Tiny his snack.

“I will make the hot milk,” Tiny announced, and Sunny paused in layering the meat and looked at him.

“What?”

“Something I always make when I’m having trouble sleeping. A snack and hot milk.” “Ain’t we a bit old for that?” Sunny demanded.

“Dude, you are an old man. Hot milk is what old men drink.”

“I ain’t fuckin’ old. Shut your mouth!” Sunny exclaimed, outraged.

Tiny chuckled. “You are six years older than me.” “And you can still shut up! Make me a hot milk, too,” Sunny ordered.

Tiny smirked as he got up and began doing that. A few minutes later, they were eating crammed meat and salad sandwiches and sipping hot milk.

“We never used to eat so good,” Sunny muttered around a mouthful.

“Clio insists on fresh produce every week and keeps everything stocked. They keep going on about hiring a cook, but we can’t seem to keep one. They never last more than a month,” Tiny complained.

“I noticed that. Chance never says why they leave. Is one of the brothers getting handsy?” Sunny asked.

“You’re the lieutenant, one of the top three, you don’t know?” Tiny challenged.

Sunny looked abashed. “This is gonna seem petty, but it’s never occurred to me to ask.”

“They quit for various reasons. Nothing any of us did,” Tiny replied. “Clio’s looking for another cook, as the old ladies are taking it in turns to ensure we have a meal in the evening.”

“They don’t need to be worrying about that.” Sunny felt a bit guilty because he didn’t really bother about shit like that. He should take more interest in that type of stuff.

Tiny took a huge bite of his sandwich and held Sunny’s gaze. “What’s bothering you?”

“Huh?”

“Something’s up. You’re never down here this time of night.”

“And you monitor that?” Sunny teased.

“Dude, I have insomnia. I catch sleep where I can. But that means I’m around a lot down here.” “Sorry to hear that. You had it long?” Sunny asked, deflecting Tiny’s question.

“Since the war. Our one. This latest war just made shit worse. Now speak, you got woman troubles?”

Sunny shot Tiny a look that made the giant laugh.

“Yeah, thought so. Wanna talk?” Tiny offered.

Tanned legs wrapping around him as he buried his head in her pussy flicked into his head. He heard her gasp his name and stiffened. He recognised that voice.

“Nah. Just got a lot on my mind,” Sunny replied.

“Like a traitor?”

“How the fuck did you know that?” Sunny demanded. “Chance flapping his gums?”

“Dude, I think we’ve all figured that out.

You think there’s filth here still. Cherry and Liv haven’t been anywhere near the clubhouse in three and a half years.

Which means you are keeping them away for a reason.

We aren’t stupid. It didn’t take much working out,” Tiny replied. His eyes held Sunny’s.

“Shit. The entire club knows?”

“Yup. Just ain’t said nothing to ya, not because we got something to hide, but because you’re wrong. Time will prove that.”

“What if time proves I’m correct, Tiny?” Sunny asked as he finished his sandwich.

“Then Hellfire will do what’s right. We’ll take care of the rat.”

Sunny nodded but couldn’t help wondering if Tiny was deflecting attention away from himself. But if the entire fuckin’ club had realised his purpose, then it made it harder for Sunny to root the traitor out.

◆◆◆

“What do you mean, son?” Cherry asked.

“I thought I was being clever. I wasn’t. The club’s aware of why I returned.”

“Okay. That just means they know,” Cherry replied.

“Mom. It means they may be watching you.”

“We expected that. I have the go-bags packed and within easy reach. I also have weapons scattered around the house. Don’t worry, I will be fine. But I’ll keep an eye out. If I see anything suspicious, I’ll tell you.”

“Maybe you ought to take Liv and head for the safe house now,” Sunny said.

“Oh, can’t do that, son. I just started painting lessons, and the male model is a rather attractive young man who’s very well-hung!” Cherry chirped, and Sunny snorted.

“Mother!”

“Sunny, lighten up, boy. You need to get laid.”

“Mom, worry about your own sex life and not mine!” Sunny retorted, and Cherry tittered.

As he hung up, Sunny remembered those beautiful eyes staring into his. Shit, which sister had he slept with? Polly or Callie?