Page 45 of Massacre

“Amber...” His voice cracked, softer than I’d ever heard. “I’m not sure anywhere is safe. I’ve burned many bridges in my time. But I have a fighting chance with my club. The problem is, I won’t leave you unprotected.”

“I survived before you,” I said, forcing strength into my voice.

“Wait a minute,” King interrupted. “Amber, you said the man you met at the bar had an accent.”

“That’s right.”

“Was it Russian?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never heard a Russian speak before.”

“Te samaya krasivaya zhenshchina, kotoruyu ya kogda-libo vstrecal, you ya boudou ostavshuyus chast svoei zhizni blagodarite boga za to, chto nashel tebya.”

Turning my head slowly, I smiled as I looked up at Massacre. “That was beautiful. What did you say?”

Massacre’s lips lifted in a rare, almost hesitant smile—the kind reserved for secrets and scars.

“He said you are the most beautiful woman he’s ever met, and he’ll spend the rest of his life thanking God that he found you.” Romeo scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “That’s right, asshole. I’m not just a pretty face.”

“You!” King snarled, pointing his finger at Romeo. “You’re done. Get the fuck out of here before your mouth gets you killed.”

Cash stormed over to Romeo and sighed. “You really need to learn to read the fucking room, Rome,” he snapped, shoving him toward Tank. “Take him downstairs until he learns to behave.”

“This is bullshit,” the man argued as Tank grabbed his arm. “Amber belongs here with us. We can protect her. We’ve been doing it for five fucking years. He left her. Abandoned her. She’s ours!”

Moving me to the side, Massacre walked over to Romeo. “You think you can protect her from the Russian Mob? How about the IRA or the Italian Mafia? If that doesn’t make you shit your pants, what about the Brotherhood, or the Manhunters? Here’s the thing, Romeo, I own my past. I know what’s coming and what to look for. You don’t. You may not like me. Hell, I don’t like myself most days, but I can fucking guarantee you that the only one who can protect her is me.”

“It’s because of you she’s in this mess.”

“You might be right, but are you willing to risk her life for some sort of misguided loyalty you can’t seem to let go of?”

“Amber is fucking family!”

“Maybe that’s true, but remember one thing. She’s my wife.”

“And on that note.” Cash jumped in and yelled, “Tank, get him out of here.”

“Come on, Rome,” Tank said, yanking him toward the kitchen. “Let’s go before you get yourself killed.”

The second he was gone, Massacre asked, “Amber. Did the accent you heard at the bar sound anything like what I said?”

I slowly nodded.

“Shit,” he cursed. “Firestride told me he found someone close to me. I just never imagined it would be Amber.”

“Ghost, get everyone packed. We’re leaving in the morning. King, sorry to cut and run, but we need to table all further discussions for a later date. I need to get Massacre out of here fast. I don’t want his troubles falling on your head.”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I spoke up, halting all conversations.

“You have until sunrise,” Reaper ordered, then walked out of the room as the rest of the Golden Skulls followed, leaving only Massacre behind.

“I’m sorry, Amber. I really am. I won’t make this decision for you. Only you can decide your fate. Whatever you choose, I will support.” With that, he kissed my forehead and followed the others.

“Sis,” my brother Dante said, walking over to me with Sypher next to him. With everything going on, I’d forgotten they were still in the room with me. “I’m not going anywhere. No matter where you go, we will find you.”

“Let’s go, babe,” Sypher said, ushering Dante toward the stairs. “She needs to make this decision herself.”

Turning to King, I looked up at the man. “What do I do, King?”