Page 24

Dante

“You look how I feel,” Vienna said as I entered the bar, still wiping blood from my lips. I had spent at least half an hour trying to stem the flow, but every time I moved my mouth, the blood poured freely. “That was quite the argument between Mama and your old lady.”

“How would you know?” I said, eyeing him suspiciously. “Did you even leave the bar last night? No wonder you feel shit.”

“I did,” he nodded proudly.

“Did you fuck!” Jenna hissed. “I kicked you awake on the floor this morning!”

“I wasn’t at the bar, though, was I?” Vienna grinned, tapping his temple with his index finger. “It’s all in the wording.”

“Yeah? You’re cleaning the puke up this time. Before noon. How was my wording there?”

“Ambiguous at best.”

“Do it,” she snapped with a smile, slamming the cleaning trolley into Vienna’s hip. “Before Big Mama sees.”

“I have Big M wrapped around my little finger tighter than a stripper on the pole,” he said, narrowing his eyes as he wiggled his pinkie in the air.

“Who’s wrapped around what pole?” my mum asked as she came through the door behind me. Vienna hurried to lower his hand and sat up straighter on his stool.

“Vienna here was just saying how close you two are,” I grinned, looking back and forth between the two of them.

“Why?” my mum said, a confused frown on her face.

“Dunno,” I shrugged, looking innocent. “He just started bragging about how he has you wrapped around his finger.”

“No,” Vienna gave a nervous chuckle as my mum scowled at him. “That’s not quite – heh, what I meant was…”

“Oh, come on,” Jenna said. “What happened to ‘it’s all in the wording’”?

“Do you know? I’m sure I have a shift at the garage today,” he mumbled, getting up from the stool. “I’m gonna go and give Tools a hand—”

“Stay where you are,” Mama laughed at him. “I’m going to deal with Bee. You,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Vienna, “are a naughty boy.”

“Ooh, Mama, don’t toy with me like that. Not in front of the big man,” he breathed, nodding his head in my direction. “I don’t want him finding out about us like this.”

“I’d eat you for breakfast.”

“I’d cover my dick in your favourite food and tell you to eat until the cows came home. I like to keep my ladies satisfied.”

“Please,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “No wonder you don’t have an old lady, if that’s how you talk to women.”

“Didn’t need to kidnap one though, did I?” He said, still eyeing my mum up, licking his lips at her.

“I’m off to find Crash. Dante… get new friends.”

“I plan to.” I laughed as she walked away and Vienna threw his upper body over the bar, holding his arms out towards my mum.

“Come back, Mama. Come baaaaaack.”

“You’re a weird, weird man.”

“Hey, what can I say? Your mam fires up all those unresolved mummy issues I’ve got. You think Crash would be up for a little menage?” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“I’m not having this conversation with you.”

“What’s one little threesome amongst friends? I’m a very gentle lover.” He reached out and stroked the back of his hand down my face.

“Get the fuck out of here,” I laughed, slapping his hand away from me. “You need to lay off the drinking.”

“Lay off the drinking and lay on your mama? Sold. Point me in her direction.”

“Dante,” a familiar voice came from the entrance, making me freeze on the spot.

“Maybe not,” Vienna said under his breath, sitting back down. The amusing, friendly atmosphere left and was replaced by a chilling coolness. His slurring stopped, immediately sobering up. This was club business, and Vienna never fucked around when it came to the club.

“Officer Bradley. Bit early for a drink, isn’t it?” I said as Vienna twisted in his stool to face him.

“Not a social call, I’m afraid,” he gave a fake apologetic twist of his lips. “Maybe next time.”

“So, what can we do you for?” I asked.

“I’ll just cut to the chase. We’ve had a report from a concerned citizen that a woman is being held against her will here. Thought I’d do my civic duty and come check it out.”

“A report from who?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “You always check out every report you get on us? I’m flattered.”

“Only the important ones. But I’m not at liberty to say where the report came from, only that we received it.

What I can say, however, is that I have it on good authority, that one,” he paused as he pulled the notepad out of his pocket.

“Miss Rachel, no last name given, was last seen being forcibly removed from her employees by a gang of bikers.”

“Those Rough Riders can be bastards at times. Have you spoken to them?” Vienna asked, his face the picture of innocence.

“We’ll be asking all those we feel need to be asked,” Bradley replied cooly.

“Well, there’s no-one being held here against their will, officer. Anything else we can help with?”

“See, the man in question was very concerned about this lady on a professional level. He says her career is at risk because of a gang of ‘thugs’,” he smirked as he made the air quotes.

“Apparently kidnapped her. He was also able to confidently recollect the patch he saw on the leather cuts. And would you believe the name he was able to recall?”

“Enlighten us,” I muttered sarcastically. That bastard. Seems Rachel’s old boss wanted her back.

“Would you believe, coincidence of all coincidences, it said Devil’s Disciples. And, even bigger coincidence, a day after we receive this report, I get word that you have a new old lady. Fancy that.”

“Fancy that,” I repeated. “As much as I’d like to play into your little conspiracy theory, it is just that. A coincidence.”

“A new old lady who moved in with you less than a day of knowing you?”

“I’m irresistible. What can I say?”

“I’m sure you are. But in this case, I’m afraid I’m going to have to question your irresistibility and err on the side of caution. So you mind if I take a look around and see for myself what the situation is?”

“Not at all. You got yourself a warrant there, officer?”

He gave me a small smile. “Not at the minute. Do I need one?”

“To wander around the house my daughter calls home? You bet your ass you do.”

“There’s no need for the hostilities, Dante. I just came to have a friendly chat and offer my best wishes.”

“Much appreciated. If that will be all.. busy day, I’m sure you understand.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Vienna was up and out of his seat, ready to escort officer Bradley out of the pub.

“Just one more thing, if you don’t mind,” he paused for a moment. “Who is the lucky lady? I’m assuming she has a name?”

“My name's Rachel,” came a soft voice from behind us. Vienna and I both froze as Rachel came out of the bar and around to my side. “As I’m sure you’re well aware.”

The officer’s face flashed with shock, but he recovered quickly, giving her a beaming smile. “Morning, Miss.” He held his hand out to her, but she looked at it with distaste and then back at his face, never once extending her own hand in return.

“We’re going to need you to come down to the station,” Bradley said, his tone firm and cold in the light of her rejection.

“For what?”

“We need to get your report on—”

“No.” Rachel said simply.

“I’m afraid it’s not optional. There’s been a very serious allegation made in regards to your safety and—"

“And what?” She snapped. “As you can see, I am perfectly fine. Do I look like I’ve been harmed?

Do I look like I’m fearing for my life?” She linked arms with me and looked up at me, beaming a smile that made my stomach flip.

“I’m not going to deny it and say Dante was…

less than kind with the way he asked me to become his old lady. But I am fine. I am safe. I am happy .”

“With all due respect, ma’am, I’ve seen this before. In cases like this—”

“What case might that be?” I snapped. “You heard her. She’s here because she wants to be here. That’s all you need to know.”

“I’d like to ask her once more. Whilst she’s away from you. Coercion is a powerful tool.”

“I’m not being coerced into anything, and I don’t need anyone interfering in my business, either. And I’m guessing it was Mr Geller that rang you?”

“I’m not at liberty—”

“Forget about it. Well, just so you know, Mr Geller is a sex pest. He has been pestering to get me in bed for just shy of three years. I have always said no. He sees me as his property.”

“And what does that have to do with Dante?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s lashing out because he’s feeling rejected.

I never once looked at him the way I look at Dante.

I have never once felt for him what I feel for Dante.

He’s jealous. You want to talk about coercion?

Maybe you should have a chat with him about how he used to try to coerce me into bed.

” She paused, allowing officer Bradley to absorb what she had just said.

“And whilst we’re talking about Mr Geller, can I just add that leaving his employment was the best thing that happened to me.

Second to meeting Dante here, of course. ”

“I see…” officer Bradley said softly. “Whilst I sympathise with you – I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant to live with all those years – no actual crime has been committed. We can’t arrest someone purely because they fancied a woman.”

“And no crime has been committed here, either. You can’t arrest someone for being forthright and bold.”

“We have to investigate all reports, miss.”

“But not a report of sexual misconduct. Understood.”

“If you were to make a formal—”

“I’m not going to, but you were quick to dismiss it, though, weren’t you? This almost feels like a personal vendetta against Dante at this point. Do you get extra donuts at the station if you bring in a biker, or is this just a special thrill for you?”

He gave her a tight-lipped smile. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

“I don’t accept your apology. Maybe get all sides of the story before you come here next time.”

“With all due respect miss, the Devil’s—”

“Have a reputation. I know. So, if that will be all…” her voice trailed off, and Vienna held the door open for the officer to leave.

“Okay. Well, you know where we are if you need us. Have a nice day, ma’am.”

“Have the day you deserve.” She responded, giving him a kind wave.

The minute the doors shut behind him, she dropped my arm with a hiss, as though it was a hot poker searing her skin.

“Drop my arm faster next time, Rachel. Wouldn’t want anyone thinking you actually had feelings for me.”

“I’ve more feeling for the dead squirrel I saw on the side of the road.”

“I’m wounded,” I said, clutching my chest. “Why are you even down here? Decided you had enough sulking for the day?”

“I was saving your ass. You’re welcome, by the way.” She snapped back, looking at me as though she wanted the floor to open and swallow me whole, dragging me straight down to hell.

“Ahh yes, quite the actress, aren’t you?” I muttered, scowling at her. “I almost believed you for a second there. How many guys have you practiced that look for?”

I’m man enough to admit I was being irrational.

But the way she had smiled up at me… How could that not be real?

It fucking irritated me how much I wanted to see that look again.

And have it be genuine this time. The way she went from hot and cold was baffling.

I was beginning to miss that blank expression.

At least it was easy. I didn’t like how easy it was for her to toy with me with just a simple look.

And it was at that moment, I realised she was under my skin. She was gaining power over me.

“One or two. What’s it got to do with you?”

“No wonder you had such a rich family to work for. You know your way into getting doors to open for you, huh?”

She just laughed at me. “Jealous, Dante?”

“Curious.”

She scoffed at me and shook her head. “Whatever. I’m not being drawn into another argument with you. I’m going back to my room.”

My hand snatched out and grabbed her by the elbow, stopping her from walking past me. “Thank you.” I said, swallowing my pride. “I appreciate you getting the officer out of here.”

She ripped her arm away from me. “I didn’t do it for you.

I have never been able to trust the police.

They say one thing and do another. They bring nothing but trouble.

I did it for me . When I get away from here, and trust me, I will be getting out of here.

It will be through my own choices. Not because an officer came and rescued me. ”

“You’re still holding on to the belief that I would ever let you go?”

“Yup. Just like you’re still holding on to the belief that you would even have a choice in the matter.”

“Who are you kidding?” I laughed at her, spinning her around by her shoulders so we were face to face.

“You’re not going anywhere. Admit it. You like being here.

Oh, I’m sure you’ll scream and shout about how you hate it, how I’m so cruel and awful, how you’ve been kidnapped and held against your will.

The doors open, Rachel. It’s been open all morning.

You could have left last night, early this morning, now…

But you’ve chosen not to. I can see it in your eyes.

You’re here because you're waiting for the moment I decide to take pity on you and finally fuck you like you’ve been gagging for. ”

My head snapped to the side as her hand lashed out and slapped me over the face.

I grabbed her wrist as she brought her other hand up, ready to repeat it, and hauled her against my chest. She struggled, trying to remove her wrist from my grip, but I tightened, turning her hand yellow with the force of my grip.

“Out,” I barked at the bar that had fallen into a deathly silence at the sound of Rachel’s slap. I didn’t look at them. I kept my eyes on Rachel, her own eyes burning with a hatred. “Now!” I roared, barely even hearing the noise as they scrambled to the exit.

“I knew you were a bit thick, Rachel. I didn’t think you were fucking moronic.”