Page 27

“Yeah, I’m starting to think that way, too. We only have Sunny’s word on all this, including him nearly being caught at Zeus’s grave. Watch your tongue,” Chance warned as Edwards came close enough to hear their conversation.

“Seems Hellfire is having some trouble. A dead body turns up linked to Hellfire, a woman was attacked, and now someone’s shot at you, and we’ve a severely injured ex-member. Hellfire’s past seems to be in the present, right now,” Edwards stated.

“We wanna know what’s going on as much as you,” Chance replied, looking bored. “But the problems are finding us, not the other way around.”

“Maybe if your past wasn’t so…” Cross said and left the sentence hanging.

Bear snorted. “Dude, we are clean, we’re the good guys.

You might not think so, but where were you a year ago when Rapid City was under attack?

Didn’t see either of you there defending the city or its people.

You were hiding under a table, praying we did your fuckin’ jobs for you. Don’t come here shit slinging.”

Edwards scowled. “That has nothing to do with this situation. One of you here is a murderer. I have the body. Someone needs to pay.”

“And where is your proof a Hellfire brother killed him? You’ve got nothing,” Chance retorted.

“And how do you know that?” Cross demanded.

“Because you’d have arrested us. You’ve got one body and no idea who killed him.

Take your scaredy cat asses and get the fuck off my land.

I’m tired of your baseless accusations, and I’ve got an injured brother.

Sunny is my priority right now. Next time I see either of you, have a warrant, and I’ll have a lawyer,” Chance said dismissively.

Bear turned and began heading for the clubhouse.

“One body? Sorry, didn’t you hear? We’ve got two. Jason Blackwood, Zeus’s cousin, known as Grinder,” Edwards declared. “Coroner has some interesting shit to say about him.”

“I’m sure he does,” Chance agreed and walked away.

Bear held Edward's gaze.

“Anyone who helps will be given amnesty,” Edwards offered.

Bear snorted. “Bring a warrant. You ain’t got anything linking us because there isn’t a link.”

Edwards smiled coldly. “We’ll do that.”

“While you do, consider who you’re getting justice for. Kiddie fuckers, addicts, woman-beating assholes, rapists and literally the scum of the earth. Ain’t nobody mourning their deaths and probably plenty of victims celebrating them,” Bear said and followed after Chance.

Sunny

He’d been stitched up and discharged himself by the time the club began arriving. Sunny was waiting for news on Primal.

“Injury?” Chance asked.

“It tore through the skin, nothing major. A couple of stitches. Primal is in surgery. His chances of survival are low,” Sunny said.

“How’d you feel about that?” Bear questioned him.

Sunny looked puzzled. He certainly felt the same way. Why would he care about Primal’s chances?

“Frustrated. I think that fuck had answers, and someone shot him to shut him up,” Sunny replied.

Bear and Chance exchanged glances.

“Only you and I knew Primal had returned?” Chance clarified.

“Yeah. I didn’t call anyone else. Did you?” Sunny challenged, his gut tightening.

“No. Just us two were aware,” Chance stated.

“What you saying, brother?” Sunny demanded. He guessed exactly what Chance was hinting at. Chance was trying to turn this back on him. Why? Had they made a mistake clearing Chance?

“Seems suspicious. Primal arrives with information and is shot to keep that quiet. What revelations could Primal have offered? And only two of us knew,” Chance declared.

“If you’re calling me dirty… that’s your mistake. Turning this on me won’t make me stop looking. Bullet, Whiskey, Chaser, and I are owed justice. I intend to get it. If he wakes up, let me know,” Sunny said and walked out.

He was struggling to control his temper.

Maybe Chance wasn’t clean after all. Had Chance decided he wanted the club and murdered his own father?

It happened, Cutter had killed Slash. Sunny shook his head as he hailed a taxi.

He was without wheels and had never felt so naked.

On the trip back to the clubhouse where his Harley was, Sunny considered his options. Sunny was going round in circles.

He would organise a meeting with his team tomorrow and talk shit through. Sunny needed to clear his head and get some clarity. Everything was becoming foggy and mixed up. Sunny hadn’t expected it to be clean cut and simple, but this was worse than he’d imagined.

Callie

It was late when Sunny arrived home. Way past midnight, but I’d waited for him.

Cherry had fallen to sleep on the sofa, and Harry had carried her to her room.

He’d been careful not to jostle her. Liv had gone to bed about two hours after Cherry, and I waited alone with a book for Sunny.

I knew Sunny would be back and didn’t want him locked out or knocking someone up.

His bike’s engine cut as I headed for the front door and opened it. Sunny got off looking tired.

“Kitten, you shouldn’t open the door,” he said.

“I checked it was you through the peephole,” I responded, and Sunny nodded.

“Did you get business resolved?”

“No. Somebody shot Primal. He’s in surgery.”

“What?” I gasped as Sunny dropped a kiss on my lips and shut the door.

“Is everyone in bed?” he asked.

“Yes. I will make you a coffee,” I replied and headed for the kitchen.

“Babe, I need to shower, do you mind?”

“Go ahead, I’ll make drinks.”

“Great, I’ll make the sofa up after I’ve showered. You got blankets and pillows?”

“I was thinking you’re too big for the sofa. Why don’t you share my bed?” I asked shyly.

Sunny blinked before drawing me into his arms. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m not saying we need to fuck each other, but you won’t get a good night’s sleep on that sofa,” I replied.

Sunny offered me a slow grin. “Whatever makes you happy.”

“I’ll fetch you a couple of colas, do you want anything to eat?”

“If you’ve got leftovers, I wouldn’t say no. Dinner seems hours ago.”

I chuckled. “It was. Use the bathroom in my bedroom.”

Sunny nodded and grabbed his backpack from where it was beside the sofa.

“Thanks, Callie, for trusting and believing in me. Thank you for giving me a second chance,” he replied.

With that, he disappeared towards my room, leaving me with a warm glow in my belly.

It faded quickly as I headed to the kitchen. Someone had shot Primal. That meant Sunny had been close to getting his answers. Somebody out there was very dangerous and clearly watching Sunny. Otherwise, how would they have known that Primal had come here?

I was plating up Sunny’s food when he returned. He wore shorts and was bare-chested. My eyes flew to his shoulder, which was bandaged.

“What happened?” I gasped, flying around the island to peer at it.

“I caught a glancing bullet. Callie, I’m okay. It merely sliced my skin.”

Nausea rose as I understood what he was saying. Sunny had been shot. A chill ran down my spine. Was this what life was going to be with Sunny? Waiting for him to come home at odd hours and wondering if he’s even coming home alive?

“Stop!” Sunny said, reading my thoughts.

“This is an extreme situation, kitten. Once it’s done, we move on.”

“What does that look like?” I wondered aloud.

“Whatever you want it to. Tell me your plans for your future. What do you foresee?”

I bit my lip. Would Sunny agree or approve of what I’d planned?