Page 14 of Satan

“I do, and you can help me, or I can call Rico,” I told him. “Either way, I’m getting what I want.” And I knew Rico would give me any resources I needed if it meant keeping Chet safe. Rico had a soft spot for people who’d been abused, even if he wouldneveradmit it in this lifetime.

Rurik cocked his head to the side and slid his hands into the pockets of his pressed, fitted slacks. “And what, exactly, is your plan, William?”

I leaned back against the table and crossed my legs at the ankles. “I’m taking out the president of the SDMC.”

Rurik’s eyes lit up like the true psychopath he was, and he smiled like the cat that got the canary. Grabbing a chair, he settled into it and steepled his fingers together in front of his chin. “Tell me more.”

12

Chet

“No,” I snapped, crossing my arms as I glared at William, anger burning hot through my veins. “No. You’ve lost your fucking mind.”

He arched one perfect brow at me, but I stood my ground, refusing to back down, even if every bone in my body was telling me he was about to go full Dom-mode if I didn’t get my attitude in check. Butfuck, how could he expect me to be okay with this? He was planning to infiltrate the Savage Dreams MC clubhouse andkillthe fucking president, and the only person he had backing him was Rurik.

Hyram didn’t even know about his wild ass fucking idea.

“You think you can tell me what to do, baby?” he asked, his voice eerily calm.

I jerked my chin up defiantly, still standing strong. It was possibly a stupid decision, but I couldn’t just stand aside and let him do this without at leasttryingto stop him, even if it wouldprobably be futile. “Fuck yes, I can. Especially when you’re putting your fucking life at risk, William. If you’re caught, they willkillyou. And then, where will that leave me, huh?” My voice cracked, my chest splitting wide open at the mere thought of no longer having him. Of him no longer being alive. Ineededhim. Didn’t he understand that?

He sighed. “Even Malik has stated their club doesn’t want this war, Chet.” I stubbornly clenched my jaw. “If their own members won’t nip this shit in the bud, then I will. The problem needs to be eliminated. They’re targetingyou. And that’s crossing a boundary for me.”

“I can take care of myself?—”

“You shouldn’t have to!” William shouted at me, finally losing his cool. I reared back like he’d slapped me. William hadnevershouted at me before, and Ihatedthat it hurt so much now that he had. I’d officially pushed his limits. Immediately realizing his mistake, he blew out a harsh breath and shoved his hands through his hair, disrupting his curls. “Fuck, baby—” He reached for me, but I took a step back.

I could handleanyoneyelling at me but him.Neverhim.

“Chet—”

I stepped even further out of his reach, trying my damnest not to cry. I was angry and hurt, but I wouldnotshow that to him. Not now. Not when it felt like a whole fucking ocean was splitting us in two.

“No,” I snapped, my voice shaking. “You do whatever the fuck you want to do, William. My opinion has clearly never fucking mattered to you, and neither have my feelings.” He clenched his jaw, but something akin to agony lingered in his gaze, shreddingme apart even more. “You and Rurik do whatever the fuck you two think you need to do.”

I stormed out of our room before he could stop me, and I headed straight for Nolan’s room. Nolan tried to stay out of everyone’s business, but I knew if I asked him to keep William away from me, he’d do so without hesitation.

“Chet!” William shouted after me, but I was already banging on Nolan’s door. Nolan swung his door open, looking at me in alarm. My chin wobbled, and I sank my teeth into my bottom lip.

“Nolan—”

I couldfeelWilliam closing in on me. Nolan, taking the silent hint, quickly tugged me into his room, then used his massive frame to block William from entering. William’s growl was audible, and his anger practically filled the room, damn near suffocating me. “I don’t know what happened between you two,” Nolan quietly told him, “but I suggest you just give him space.”

With that, Nolan shut the door in William’s face, not even giving him a chance to respond. I clenched my hands into fists as Nolan turned to face me. He stared at me for a moment, then heaved a tired sigh. “I don’t want to know what happened,” he said, “but you can hole up in here as long as you need. I’ll go get you something to eat, okay? I have a key, so just lock the door once I leave.”

I stiffly nodded. “Thank you,” I croaked.

He nodded and clapped a hand to my shoulder, then turned and left the room. I quickly flipped the lock, then rested my back against the door. Slowly, I slid down to sit on the floor, and a tear ran down my cheek. I both loved and hated William’s overprotectiveness. But I just wished he would think about myfeelings too when he decided to go do something this fucking reckless.

If I lost him, I hoped he knew that would be it for me. I would pull a fucking Romeo and kill myself just so I could be with him in whatever hell hole awaited us after we died.

13

William

“Who pissed in your Cheerios?” Rurik drawled when I stepped out of the clubhouse. He was already waiting on me, dressed in black slacks, a black button-down shirt, and shiny Oxfords like we were headed for a business meeting and not to literally kill a man.

I shot him a cold stare, but he just continued to look amused. Grabbing his keys from his pocket, he began striding toward his SUV. Silently, I followed. Once we were seated and he had the SUV turned on, he said, “I’m guessing Chet’s pissed with you?” At my silence, he continued, “Don’t worry. I’m on Malik’s shit list, too. He actually punched me in my gut, shoved me out of our room, and slammed the door in my face.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Gonna have a nasty bruise later.”