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Soul

I was losing Bryony. I could sense it. She had been shocked by today’s events, and I could understand why. A suburban mom whose main difficulty had been a divorce and fighting her ex-asshole-husband.

Bryony was right; what did she know of this life? But I was falling for her. Everything about her attracted me, and I couldn’t… wouldn’t set her free. I should, I honestly should, but I was too damn selfish. Bryony was mine.

“You should have been scared. Tap is evil. I suppose people could say the same about us, but that’s because they don’t understand us. We’re not bad, Bryony, maybe we are morally grey, but we’re certainly not the Screaming Barons or the Bloody Scorpions. Tap was using you women to send a message. We heard it, and now we’ll respond,” I stated.

“Why not let it go? Why escalate it?”

Bryony asked.

“Because taking the higher road means Tap will see that as weak. There's only one language people like him understand. We’ve no qualms using it to warn him off.”

“But I don’t wish to be involved in that.”

“I agree, babe, and you shouldn’t have been. Tap crossed a line today, and that’ll be forcefully challenged. Old ladies and children are off-limits. Tap will be reminded of that.”

“Soul, I don’t think I can handle this. I know nothing of this life, and I’m not sure I want to learn.”

Panic kicked in, my gut twisted, and my fingers clenched. “Bryony, it’s my job to protect you and the kids. I failed today, but I won’t in the future. Any woman, not just you, should be safe to walk down the street and not fear being confronted. What happened was frightening, but it will not happen again. Tap will be made aware of the lines he crossed. I promise. Don’t leave me,” I begged.

“Soul, how can I when we’re not even together?”

Bryony asked with a short laugh.

“But we’re heading towards building something solid. And make no mistake, we are in a relationship,”

I stated as I threaded my fingers through hers. Bryony couldn’t go. I’d not let her. All three of them belonged to me, and I desired the whole kit and kaboodle. Bryony and those kids. Mine.

Possessiveness rose in my chest, and I wanted to stamp myself all over them. Nobody was going to take them away from me. No one.

“Can we take this slow and explain things to me that don’t make sense? What might seem a stupid question to you or the old ladies isn’t to me. I do not like Warden; he’s an ass, even though he offered to find this psychic teacher. And I don’t think Warden would care if I was hurt or not.”

“You’re wrong, and time will prove that,”

I said with complete faith in Warden.

Bryony nodded. “Can we enjoy the view now?”

“Your wish is my command, babe,”

I replied as my fear subsided. Bryony was going to stay, and that was all that mattered.

◆◆◆

I laughed as Ham stared at the coffins in delight while Maci wrinkled her nose.

“And dead bodies go inside them?”

Maci exclaimed.

“Yup, it’s called a final resting place.”

“I don’t like this,”

Maci stated and crossed her arms.

“Can I get in one?”

Ham demanded, and Trevor snorted from the other side of the room.

“Sure,”

I said, wondering how ghoulish Ham was. He’d been fascinated by everything ever since we arrived this morning. Bryony had needed to concentrate on a book she was editing, and it was important. I offered to take the kids, which they both agreed to before Bryony could utter a word.

Ham had inspected the crematorium first and the furnace we used to burn the bodies. Weirdly, he had even laid in it while Maci freaked out at him. I’d allowed him and wondered if I had a serial killer in the making. Then he’d looked at the urns and gravestones and had picked out his own. Maci had enjoyed looking at the pretty flowers, even though they’re for dead people.

And now we were down in the casket area, and Ham was doing his best vampire impression.

I chuckled as he rose with his arms crossed and hissed at Maci, who squealed.

“I wonder if Mom would let me have one of these as a bed. It’s quite comfortable,”

Ham said, and I choked at the look on Maci’s face. She looked horrified.

“I don’t think so, bud,”

I answered before Maci freaked out.

“Where are the bodies kept?”

Ham asked, and Maci began shaking her head.

“Too far! Too much, no!”

Maci cried.

“Cold storage is off limits, dude,”

I replied as Maci looked at me with relief in her eyes.

“Okay. I want to see the makeup lady,”

Ham demanded next.

I hoped Mariah liked kids. Because she was about to get dumped with one.

Maci was quiet as we walked to where the horse and carriages were kept. It was at the far back of the cemetery, about a fifteen-minute walk. We’d purchased our own rather than rent off someone, and it worked well for us. The club owned four black stallions, which pulled one of four carriages we had.

“Is something wrong, Maci?” I asked.

“No. Yes. I messed up,”

she whispered.

“How?”

“We’re not at school, and Ham is angry because he’s lost mates again. It is my fault,”

Maci explained.

“No, it’s not! You didn’t ask for that little asswipe to hurt you. What happened, Maci, was on Toby’s head and not yours,”

I stated firmly.

“Ham said his friends are frightened to talk to him now in case the police are called on them.”

“Why would they be scared of the cops if they are doing nothing wrong? Only bad people need to be worried. Seems to me they’re not real friends,”

I replied.

“Ham wants buddies,”

Maci mused.

“What about you? Don’t you?”

“No, because even friends lie. And I hate liars,”

Maci hissed.

“I understand that, sweetness.”

“Yeah, because you’re special, like me!”

“Exactly, Maci!”

I smiled at this child who was wriggling her way into my heart. Fuck. I wanted to wipe her sadness away, hug her better, and reassure her nobody would ever hurt her again. But that would be a lie, and Maci would know it. But I did understand one thing about kids.

“How about burgers, fries, milkshakes and ice-cream?” I asked.

“Yay!”

Maci cried, beaming, and I’d guessed right. Kids loved junk food!

Bryony

This morning had been so productive, and I’d finished the book and sent it back. It was a new author to me, and her style was different from what I was used to. It had forced me to triple-check the edits before sending it off, but it was done now, and I was happy.

I had been planning to relax, but my phone had pinged. I had received a notification. Maci’s script was ready.

Jumping in the car, I thought I’d pick up some fresh seafood and make a paella for dinner tonight. I had chicken breasts and spicy sausages already, so some prawn, etcetera, would be easy to grab. I parked behind the pharmacy and headed inside to collect her prescription. The guy at the counter told me the pharmacist had just popped out and asked if I could come back in ten minutes.

Unfussed, I headed towards the harbour where the best fish was to be found and purchased what I needed for the paella alongside some fresh fish. Then I picked up the medication and remembered I needed to grab some peppers and headed in that direction.

“Hey gorgeous,”

a guy catcalled.

I ignored him and hurried into the grocers, buying what I needed. When I came out, I saw he’d been joined by another, and they were both watching me.

“Fancy a drink, babe?”

the first man called, and I shook my head.

“That ass, juicy as fuck. Come here, darlin’, let me show you what a real man looks like,”

the second added.

I sent them a look of disgust and headed towards my car. Footsteps thudded behind me, and I realised my mistake.

I was slammed against the wall, and my arm wrenched up my back. Moments later, I was shoved down the alley and into the empty car park.

“A man speaks to you, bitch, you don’t ignore him. You get on your fuckin’ knees and suck dick and be grateful he noticed you,”

the asshole snarled.

Terror flooded me as I tasted blood in my mouth from where my face had been slammed against the wall.

“Help me, Mac. Let’s get her back there, show her what a real man does with a pussy like hers. I bet my cock would ruin her,”

the second guy sneered.

“What’s the betting, Duster? She’s got a nice, tight cunt waiting for us.”

I couldn’t speak, as I was so terrified. I was spun around and slammed against the wall again. Hands ripped my blouse and roughly grabbed my breasts and squeezed hard. I wanted to scream, but it was stuck in my throat as I gazed at the men in front of me.

The one called Mac laughed as he leaned forward and licked my neck before biting. The pain made me scream, and a blow hit my face.

Hands tore at my jeans, and I felt them unzip. I was going to be raped in an alley as people walked past.

“Let me go!”

I finally found my voice and began fighting back. I slapped at the hands trying to tear my jeans down, and I hollered again. “Someone help!”

“Shut the fuck up,”

Mac snarled.

A blow hit my face.

I screamed, and my mouth exploded in pain with another punch. I bit Duster’s hand as he tried to cover my mouth and shrieked as hands finally pulled my jeans down.

“Bend this cunt over,”

Mac ordered. “Remember this, bitch? If we let you live, we’re with the Royal Bastards.”

“But I’m with the Royal Bastards!”

I yelled and Mac and Duster paused, and I struggled to get free. Mac’s hand wound in my hair and yanked my head towards him.

“You don’t have a cut.”

“I’m dating Soul!”

I cried. “Stop! Someone help!”

Mac licked the side of my face. “Then taking your tight cunt will be even more of a pleasure. Duster, call for a van. I think we found the new entertainment for the club. A Royal Bastard pussy.”

“Let me go,”

I yelled as Mac punched me in my stomach.

Mac slapped a hand over my mouth and leaned into me. “I thought I was just going to give an uptight cunt a lesson on a real guy and how to behave. See, bitch, a man plays a compliment, you nod, smile sweetly and accept his attentions. That is a woman’s place in the world. Instead, I get to fuck up a Royal Bastard. That’s gonna give me and my men some pleasure.”

“Let her go!”

a man yelled. “I’ve called the police.”

Mac snarled and lifted his head. Standing in a doorway leading into the rear of the pharmacy was the pharmacist. He held a gun in his hands, which badly shook. He was in as much danger of shooting me as he was them.

“Looks like you get lucky today, bitch,”

Mac sneered and licked my face before biting my lip hard.

I cried out in pain as Mac followed Duster down the alley. My legs gave way, and I collapsed in a heap.

“Miss, the police are coming and an ambulance, just hold on,”

the man shouted.

“Point that gun away from me,”

I gasped as I pulled my knees up tight and curled into a ball. Sobs wracked my body as I remember Mac and Duster’s hands on me.

My breasts hurt, as did my stomach and ribs. My face was also swelling. Soul had been right. A woman should be able to walk down the street safely.

Soul

I barged into the hospital and headed for the desk. “Bryony Teague, an ambulance brought her in.”

“Who are you?”

the receptionist asked.

“Soul!”

Lissy called and hurried towards me. “She’s in with the doctor.”

“What happened? How is she?”

“She was attacked. Soul, she was nearly raped. Bryony’s a mess. I noticed the commotion at the pharmacy and saw them wheeling her into the ambulance,”

Lissy said.

I nodded. I’d received the call from Lindy, who Lissy had called. Lindy had come for the kids, and I’d got my ass here as quickly as possible. Some of the brothers and Vogue were already here, and I headed towards them.

“Has anybody seen her?”

“No. The cops are in with her, and we’ve not been allowed in,”

Kosmic replied.

“Romeo’s coming to get us inside,”

Vogue said.

“They won’t let anyone in?”

I asked. My skin was itching. I needed to get to Bryony.

“Nope.”

Anxiously, I paced back and forth as we waited for Romeo. My brother arrived seven minutes and thirty seconds later; I was through the doors and heading for Bryony.

She was in cubicle three. I opened the door, and my gaze first lit on Myers. Great detective, but he hated the club. I sucked in a breath as I took in Bryony curled up in the bed. She looked so fuckin’ tiny.

“Jesus, babe,”

I hissed and hurried around.

Bryony flinched back, but I gathered her up in my arms and rocked her.

“I’m here, it’s okay,”

I whispered as Bryony pushed against me and then finally clung to me.

A huge sob burst from her, and Bryony began crying. “Where’s Maci and Ham?”

Bryony managed.

“With Lindy, babe, they’re safe,”

I replied.

Bryony broke down into further sobs.

“What happened to her?”

I demanded.

“What’s your relationship with Miss Teague?”

Myers retorted.

“We’re dating. She’s my woman,”

I said as I stroked Bryony’s hair. Her face had been a mess from the quick glimpse I’d seen.

“Miss Teague was attacked and sexually assaulted by two men. They identified themselves as members of your MC. I’m going to have to ask you to leave,”

Myers stated.

“What the fuck? Nobody from my club would attack and assault a woman. Bryony, baby, it wasn’t one of us,”

I exclaimed as I rubbed her back.

Bryony pulled away. “They wore cuts and said they were from your club. They wanted me to remember that.”

Tears streaked her cheeks, and I gaped at the state of her.

Her left side of her face was deeply bruised and swollen. Her nose was slightly bent to one side, and her bottom lip was split, and was that… fuck, teeth imprints marred it. There were marks around her neck, and on the right side of her forehead was a large graze.

“Jesus Christ,”

I murmured.

“You told me your club would never hurt me. Was this a warning?”

Bryony sobbed.

“For what, babe? Why would you think that?”

I was completely confused.

“Mac said—”

“Mac?”

I stiffened. Myers stood up.

“Mac and Duster. They claimed I was disrespecting—”

“Baby, they ain’t Royal Bastards. Mac is the President of the Screaming Barons. Duster is one of his members,”

I explained softly as I tried to pull her closer.

Bryony fought back and pushed away.

“I told you, I wasn’t made for this life. I can’t do this. Just go. Bring the children here, I’m discharging myself. And then I am taking my kids and getting the fuck out of this nightmare town,”

Bryony said.

“Bryony, please. Myers, leave. I want to talk to my woman,”

I demanded.

“You know what I haven’t heard, Soul? You’ve not asked exactly what happened to Miss Teague. All you’re concerned about is her not leaving you. Miss Teague was the victim of a particularly nasty sexual assault. She was terrorised by two men with nefarious intentions that, one way or another, had links to your club.”

“What the fuck would you know, Myers? You’ve been looking to take us down for years,”

I snapped, stung by his words.

He was right. I was a schmuck. “Bryony, baby. Look at me. If space is what you want, that’s what you’ll get. But I will be outside waiting. I’ll make sure you get justice,”

I promised, gently touching her hand.

“Your idea of justice isn’t mine. Go, Soul, and let me give Detective Myers my statement. Stay away from my children and me, please. We don’t belong with you,”

Bryony whispered.

Bryony turned her face from me as I left the room.

◆◆◆

I sat in church, barely keeping my temper in check. Warden had called church, and I explained what I’d learned from Bryony and then Myers.

“I read Myers and Bryony’s mind when they left. Myers escorted her home. I witnessed everything in her head. Mac and Duster didn’t know Bryony was linked to us. They spotted a woman they liked and forced attention on her. From Bryony’s point of view, they intended to rape her and came damn close,”

Romeo said and flashed images into our heads.

Anger built in me as I watched what happened from Bryony’s POV.

Several of the men gasped as we felt Bryony’s fear.

“When you declaring war? And I want in the first salvo,”

I asked Warden when I finally gained enough control to talk.

Warden glanced at me, surprised. “What do you mean ‘war’?”

“Bryony was nearly raped. Did you miss that?”

Warden looked at me. “Soul. She didn’t have a cut on. This wasn’t an attack on the club. This was an unfortunate incident of a woman being assaulted.”

Disbelief hit me. I gaped at Warden, unsure if I’d heard right.

“What did you say?”

Dynamo snarled.

“If it had been Jane Doe who worked in the bakery, we wouldn’t declare war. We’d let the police do their job. It’s no different from Bryony. The cops will arrest Mac and Duster,”

Warden said.

“And when they come and attack her and the kids to force her to withdraw her statements?”

Vogue demanded.

“Then she calls law enforcement or withdraws her statement. I can’t declare war for an act that was not against the club,”

Warden explained patiently.

“Bryony identified herself as dating me,”

I ground out.

“But she doesn’t wear a cut,”

Warden refuted.

I shook my head. “She was my woman and claimed my protection.”

“Soul. Bryony didn’t have a cut. It wasn’t an attack on us.”

I slammed my hand on the table. “And fucking Iona and Rosalea weren’t fuckin’ wearing cuts when we stepped in. Iona didn’t wear a cut when we went after her at the Screaming Barons’ compound. One rule for you and another for the rest of us,”

I shouted.

Warden’s face turned dark. I was livid and didn’t give a shit.

“You all take note. If it’s his woman or family, we go to war. If it’s one of ours, they can fuckin’ rot. You’ve betrayed me, Warden!”

I yelled, getting to my feet.

“Sit down, Soul,”

Warden snarled, standing himself.

“Nah. If you were someone I respected, I might listen. But you—you just lost my respect. Go fuck yourself. I’ll never ride for you or your woman again.”

With that, I stormed out.