I Dare You To Meet Me
Chapter 35

…Footsteps, lots of footsteps, and a door opening abruptly were the reason I opened my eyes.

Maggie started crying in her cell as she curled up in a far corner, I got to my feet as best I could and greeted with the coldest stare I could at the bikers that approached us.

I recognised Memphis and Zazu, but besides them two other men in leather waistcoats approached us. My emerald eyes were fixed on the biker in the centre, he was as tall as Hades, his hair was ash blond and his eyes were brown. His body was strong and muscular though not quite Hell’s build, he wasn’t ugly but not attractive either, his features were too coarse but symmetrical, his lips were normal and a healthy shade of pink. But what made my eyes never leave his person was the clear leadership he gave off with every step he took.

Apart from the dragon tattoo that started from his right wrist and went up to his shoulder in black ink. Also the fact that from where he stood I could read a patch on the front of his waistcoat that said Prez.

The ball of men stopped in the middle of our cells, I mentally counted to ten as I tried to hide my nervousness with a cynical smile, a smile that the blond returned to me with no problem causing my stomach to churn threatening to return my poor breakfast.

Damn this wasn’t going to end well.

-Well, aren’t you just like your father? I give him a defiant look with a half smile.

-And not just physically you idiot, if you come any closer I can teach you other tricks. I raise my lips and show my teeth to reinforce my point.

The inept one lets out a laugh as he looks at me with something akin to pride.

-Refreshing, you really are his daughter. It’s taken me a long time to find you, but it’s been worth the wait, you’re finally here.

-You’re the bastard responsible for the death of my mother and grandparents. I affirmed and my body trembled with rage, I scanned from top to bottom the cause of my misfortunes.

The President of this shitty club clicked his tongue in disgust and shook his head as he pursed his lips in a twisted grimace.

-Make no mistake, little body. The only one to blame for those deaths is Hades. If he and the others hadn’t destroyed my family, none of this would be happening.

I can almost see the venom coming out of his mouth with every word.

-What the hell are you talking about.

-Didn’t your daddy tell you, how he and his friends allied to betray my grandfather and father. How we were hunted down and killed by your people, how we lost everything.

My mind worked a mile a minute trying to make sense of his words. I know Hades is capable of many things, but as much as it pains me, I know he never lifts a finger without a reason behind it. Sometimes they are not the right ones. But I’m sure he would never get his hands dirty for something insignificant.

-Hades isn’t perfect, and I’m the first to admit that, but I’m sure your family deserved everything that happened.

I say after a while and I can see the blond’s face harden. He turns to his gorillas and nods to them. Zazu and Memphis come up to me and grab me by the arm.

They drag me to stand in front of the oxygenated man, forcing me to kneel in front of him, leaving a trail of my b***d behind me.

-It’s you and yours who deserved nothing! Nothing! All that power, that respect, those contacts, wasted on weak and small-minded people. You didn’t see the future, and when my grandfather tried to help you, how did you repay him? The biker holds my chin tightly, bringing his face close to mine no matter how hard I try to pull away, turning his back on you, selling you out to the police! Do you have any idea what it’s like to grow up a fugitive, to be hunted like a rat? Do you have any idea what it’s like to have to look over your shoulder and watch your back every second of every hour for the rest of your life?

-If you really believe that, you’re stupider than I thought. I manage to mumble and he lets go, pushing my head away.

He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. When he speaks again he speaks in a bored tone.

-Are you talking about your little adventure in Russia? Please, three years of suffering isn’t the same as a lifetime, so do me a favour and shut your pretty mouth before I break it any more.

-Suffering is not measured by time, that just shows me what an idiot you are, why do you keep us here, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble to kidnap me and I’d like to know why?

-As slow as ever, little body. You’re here.” A sidelong glance in Maggie’s direction and she corrects herself, “You’re here to help me teach your families a lesson. He exclaims like a scientist revealing his greatest discovery.

I force a laugh down my throat, I need time.

-Really? Revenge? What is this? A soap opera drama? Couldn’t you have chosen something a little more original? I don’t know, ask them for money in exchange for us or maybe try to get information out of us. But did it really take you this long to just kill us? I scoffed and got a punch in the face from him.

-Shut up! You are insolent. Now I understand why your father got rid of you when you were a brat, no one in their right mind would put up with you.

My smile fades and my features harden. His eyes sparkle.

-Ahhhh I see, I’ve struck a nerve. What’s the matter, little body, daddy issues, do you still resent the fact that he cheated on your mommy and had other kids? She says with a mocking tone that makes me want to beat it out of her.

-Shut up, you don’t know anything. I spit without being able to help it.

-And not only that, but he also sent them away so he could have them closer. That’s either being a son of a bitch, or a real fuckin’ hard worker. Your mother wasn’t good in bed, was she, so Hades had to explore other options?

-All these years, you and your mother away, thinking about him, missing him. What was he doing? He pauses for breath and licks his lips. He was f*****g anything with a hole between its legs and spawning more bastards. Doesn’t it hurt, little body, being forgotten and hidden away must be a terrible thing. Even more so for your father.

The words make an impression on me, you f*****g bastard. Without meaning to, I glance down at his shoes and clench my jaw as I pull myself together.

-At least… I start to say but stop myself. At least what? Tasha thinks quickly.

-What did you say, dragon got your tongue or what? Dragons, right, that’s it.

-At least my father’s still breathing, unlike your family. Why are they dead, right? Maybe my mother and grandfather are dead too. But I’m not wallowing in anyone’s ashes. You’re pathetic, you bring up problems from the past because you don’t have a present. You’re trying to fix something that has no solution, you’re all alone and the only thing I feel sorry for is you.

Now I’m the one who mocks and my attack hits the target, the blond President kicks me in the stomach that takes the air out of me, I squirm in the arms of the bikers but they keep me in my place.

-Pity is how Hades is going to feel when he realises he didn’t get there in time to save his little girl. Any last words, little horn? I lick my dry lips, tasting my own b***d. I look over my head at the guy and manage to say the following words with all the hatred I can muster.

-You could tell me what your name is, so I can give your name to the Devil so he has something special in store for you when my father kills you.

-For you, little horn, you can call me Xander.

Xander…

I savour and memorise the name in my mind. If this is how I die, I’ll make sure my spirit makes the rest of its existence miserable.

-I’ll be waiting for you in hell, Xander.

-Say hello to my family when you’re down there.

Xander holds the gun to my head, and I stop struggling with the damn bikers. I close my eyes and lift my chin.

I won’t give him the satisfaction of watching me beg.

Maggie starts screaming her head off, and I want to calm her down, but I don’t move.

I just hope Hunter and my dad get there in time to save her.

I take a few breaths and I’m ready to accept my death.

See you soon Nikolai…

More screams and an explosion make me open my eyes again. Xander staggers as does everyone else. The President reddens as he lowers his gun, cursing a couple of times as he gives orders to the bouncers holding us.

I twist my arms further until I’m in a more awkward pose kneeling on the floor facing the stairs. I can’t see Maggie but I hear her stirring in the arms of our kidnappers. I feel Xander’s presence behind me and hear the hammering of the gun. Heavy footsteps echo and my eyes fill with tears as the familiar figure of Hades descends like a bolt of lightning through the place.

You came for my dad…

(…)

-Wake up, doll. You’re here, you’re with me. Breathe.

I take big gulps of air through my mouth in search of the missing oxygen.

It takes long seconds for my eyes to focus on the image of a shirtless Hunter above me, his black eyes full of worry.

My hands feel my sides and the softness of my sheets welcomes my fingers. My mind clears with each passing moment, I’m lying down, in my room, I’m safe. Xander, Memphis, Zazu and all the damn dragons are dead.

I close my eyes and exercise to control my breathing and my crazy heart.

Hunter’s hands are holding my face and his forehead is pressed against mine. I open my eyes and a slow smile creeps into my expression.

Hunter slowly relaxes, and though he’s not smiling I know he’s better, he leans in slightly and his lips brush mine in a light caress.

-Another nightmare?

I shake my head.

-A memory.” I pause, debating whether or not to tell him. “About that day, when you and Hades saved me from that idiot.

The VP’s carbon eyes sparkle dangerously.

-My only regret is that that dragon died so quickly.

-Says the person who stuck a knife in him. My grin widens in an attempt to diffuse the tension created by the subject.

-Any complaints about how I saved your life? says the biker, raising an eyebrow.

-No Vice President. I bat my eyelashes innocently.

-Mmmhmm, now you’re being a smart a*s.

I brush my lips against his and pull his l*p with my teeth.

-And what are you going to do about it?

A hoarse grunt and then mouth against mouth.

My hands wrapped around the biker’s body and pulled him closer, lightly tugging on his hair.

Hunter let out several sounds of compliance as he increased the pace of the k**s.

Suddenly I was no longer trapped under his body, but sitting on his lap while he lay there, completely at my mercy.

Oh yes, I felt powerful in that position.

Now it was my turn to k**s, suck, bite and pull all the exposed skin of the biker’s neck, also his collarbones, chest, and his amazing abs that made me drool.

I tried to move so I could get lower but my ribs chose that moment to remind me that I wasn’t healthy yet and made me let out a m**n of pain.

Hunter, to my disgrace, noticed and sat up on the bed, pulling my body away from his in a flash. His charcoal eyes were bright with desire but they scanned me with concern.

-Are you okay, did I hurt you, you didn’t open your stitches did you?

I wanted to roll my eyes but I just shook my head a little.

-I’m perfect, the night’s sleep completely restored my energy.

-Dolls, until a few days ago you were in a hospital unconscious, you’re not going to make me stop worrying about your health from one moment to the next. Especially when you choose to ignore doctor’s orders and get out of bed whenever you feel like it.

Now I rolled my eyes at his reproach.

-Damn gossipy bikers. I mumbled more to myself than to him.

-The Prez almost strangled Bruno when a brother told him that I took you for a walk in the yard. He said it seriously, but I didn’t miss the amused spark in his gaze.

I shrugged and gave him my lopsided smile.

-What can I tell you, I’m a very convincing person.” An eyebrow arched in my direction, “Speaking of Hades, where have you and him been all day? I asked curiously.

In a way I had grown accustomed to having them hovering around me like flies. A slow smile crept across the biker’s luscious lips.

-Did you miss me so much, beautiful? My eyes narrowed at his proud tone.

-Not at all, I’ve been so busy I hardly noticed.

-Busy doing what, walking more than ten meters without help? I opened my mouth offended by his joke and slapped him on the shoulder as he laughed softly.

-For your information, I was attending to some very important people who kept me entertained all afternoon. Now he stopped laughing and looked at me curiously.

-Who are these people? It was my turn to laugh with complicity.

-I don’t think so, biker, I asked first.

Hunter sighed and ran his hands through his hair, tousling it even more. He looked totally edible in that freshly risen pose.

-I was just tidying up some loose ends with the Prez and some of the other brothers.

I clicked my tongue, not liking where this was going.

-I don’t suppose you’ll tell me any more because it’s ‘club business. Hunter gave me a doubtful look and I turned away, shaking my head.

-Tasha, wait.

-I need a shower.

I ignored the pain in my ankle and ribs and hurried into my bathroom. I closed the door making it clear that I wanted my space.

I shed my clothes and turned on the water. I squealed at the ice cold water I wasn’t expecting and switched to warm water to ease the tension in my body.

I was already relaxing when the door opened and I saw Hunter invading my space, (again), I glared at him as I crossed my arms ignoring my nakedness.

I couldn’t be shy with this man who already knew every inch of my body. More or less.

-Get out of here Hunter.

I ordered in a hard voice but he shook his head as his hungry gaze devoured me. And my treacherous body reacted by remembering the scene from a few minutes ago, my nipples hardening and my breasts feeling heavier.

-You must let yourself run away every time you’re angry with me. He said and walked over to the glass door that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom.

I narrowed my eyes in his direction and lifted my chin proudly.

-I don’t run anywhere.

-Yes, you do. And not just with me, but with the Prez too. Every time we get on your nerves you yell something at us and leave, or just walk away.

-Well excuse me if I don’t want to stay to…. What the hell do you think you’re doing? I changed the subject when I saw him take off his pajama trousers -Don’t even think about it- But the threat was caught in my throat when the biker got rid of his boxer shorts and was naked.

Just as he did with me, my eyes feasted on his body, it really was a delicious sight to start the day.

My lips wanted to form a smile when I saw how happy he seemed to see me but I held it back, I was still upset and I wouldn’t give in.

-Don’t you dare come in here, biker.

But as usual, the huge tattooed man ignored my complaint and opened the door and stepped into the shower with me. He took a couple of steps and I took a step backwards, my back against the wall. The place was definitely not meant to hold two people at the same time.

Especially someone as big and muscular as Hunter was. My eyes followed the water’s path down his face, neck, chest and below. I swallowed and cursed in Russian under my breath.

I stared at the tattoos on his pecs but his hand cupped my chin, forcing me to lift it.

Black against green. Charcoal against emerald.

He swore I’d never seen an expression as sincere as Hunter’s at that moment.

-I told you I’d do my best to balance things out and that I wouldn’t be like your father. Bear with me, I’m new at this and I don’t know how to talk about this kind of situation with someone other than a brother. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you things, it’s just that I’m looking for a way to do it without betraying your father’s trust, but I don’t want to hide anything from you either.

I bit my l*p thoughtfully as my pose relaxed a little, dropped my arms to my side and sighed.

-I can be patient. As long as you never lie to me, biker. I don’t want to hear a lie from your lips Vice President or you’ll see me walk out the door and lock it forever.

-I’d never be stupid enough to force you to leave.” A determined look and a few fingers moving away from my chin. “One of the dragons that was present in the basement the day we rescued you survived and is being, um, taken care of by King, the President of the Demon Angels. He called us and told us he was blurting out some things we might be interested to hear.

-Did he say anything important? I asked in a harsh tone.

-If I’m honest I didn’t understand most of what he said, but I think your father will want to talk to you soon.

We stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, the water sliding down our bodies.

our bodies. My mind was wary, still wanting to ask him for more details.

But my heart was asking me to accept his effort and leave him for the moment, I was in no physical or mental condition to deal with these things.

So following my instinct, I moved as close as I could, closing the distance between the biker’s body and mine, wrapped my arms around him, resting my head at the level of his rapidly beating heart.

I felt proud to know I was responsible for that reaction.

-Thank you for trusting me.

-Slowly, doll. He said in his husky voice.

-Slowly. I repeated with more confidence.

We both stayed in that position for a few long minutes, until he got off my body and insisted on helping me take a shower.

I let myself be pampered like I had never been pampered before.

And that short shower turned into one of the longest, most relaxing baths I’ve ever had in my life. The connection between Hunter and I became even more present in those moments we were locked away from the world and its problems.

The s****l tension was present at all times, but it was nice to realise that apart from our physical compatibility, we were also able to talk to each other.

To laugh, to joke, to do such mundane things as washing each other’s hair.

The biker was doing a wonderful job of making me addicted to his company.

And as much as I loved the change our strange relationship had taken. It f****d me up that I didn’t know what to expect in the future.

What did the biker have planned when the year of me being here was over?

My dad’s VP left me alone in my room when we finished our shower and went to his to get clothes. Arguing that he didn’t want to embarrass anyone if he dared to go downstairs for breakfast in just a towel.

Despite laughing at the man’s comment, my mind was still restless with the uncertainty of what the raven and I had.

I wanted him and he wanted me.

And then what happened?

Damn, relationships are definitely not my thing.

(…)

Hunter Hell POV

It took every drop of self-control I had in my body not to grab my doll’s gorgeous body and f**k her against the shower wall until she couldn’t walk for a few more days.

I had to remind myself over and over again that I was hurt and in no condition to withstand my caveman attacks of losing myself in her curves whenever I had her near me.

It was becoming a challenge not to touch her every second I had the chance.

My c**k and balls hurt like hell but it was worth it if the Russian doll kept looking at me the way she did when I left her dressing.

Her beautiful emerald eyes shining with appreciation and affection made a stupid grin plant itself on my face with no plans of disappearing anytime soon.

F**k this woman who was turning my world upside down.

But I had to get my shit together and get my head together. True, many Dragons had been neutralised when their President died, but there were still a few on the loose and that worried my Prez, just like the stolen documents from Venom and King’s offices that were still missing.

Finding those damn papers became a priority, not only for us, but also for the other two MCs, we would be in a world of trouble if they got into the wrong hands.

The day before I spent the whole afternoon trying to get information out of the Dragon who was still alive, (by some miracle), in King’s custody.

And to my surprise the guy hadn’t cracked and hadn’t let go, even after the beating he’d taken at the hands of the Demon Angels and then at the hands of Hades and me.

The guy had my respect for that, but it didn’t save him from death.

He was complicit in Tasha’s kidnapping and that was unforgivable.

When I finished getting dressed (army green trousers and boots, a grey T-shirt and my leather waistcoat), I came out of my room and saw my wife’s door still closed. I debated for a few moments between knocking and waiting for her or just leaving.

In the end I opted to leave because I still had a lot of things to do and I would never finish if I kept fantasizing about tasting the Russian’s cherry flavoured lips again.

My feet followed the already memorized path to Hades’ office, I stopped in front of the mahogany door and knocked to ask for permission, when the voice of my Prez confirmed that I could enter I opened it and walked into the room closing it again behind me.

Hades was sitting at his desk, but his back was to me as he looked at the gaping hole in the wall he had made when he pulled out the weapons he had hidden so he could rescue Tasha.

I felt a little sorry for the man, he had lost his Old Lady, his father, his in-laws, and had a complicated relationship with his only female daughter. Demian White’s life was definitely a kind of maze with no way out.

His green eyes, which were the same ones he adored in his daughter’s face, were tired and sad. I felt bad for him, but there was nothing I could do to help him. If I pushed Tasha to improve their relationship, it might backfire, and I wasn’t willing to risk the trust I was regaining for anything or anyone.

Not even for my President.

-Are you all right, Prez? I couldn’t help but ask when after a few minutes he was still silent and didn’t even bother to look at me.

-Kore was twenty years old when I met her, and almost a year later she was already pregnant with Natasha,” he started to tell me with his voice lost in his memories, I stood there waiting for him to continue, “I won’t give you the details but when I found out I was a son of a bitch to her and I almost lost her. When she forgave me it was like I’d had a f*****g Epiphany, and when my daughter was born. She was the most f*****g perfect and beautiful thing my eyes had ever seen, I started to see the world in a different light, and I swore to myself that there wasn’t a thing I wouldn’t do to protect her.

-Why are you telling me these things Prez? I asked when he fell silent.

-Because I failed, I didn’t protect Natasha when she was a child, so she and Kore had to run away. I didn’t protect her when she was a teenager, so her mother and my in-laws died and she was left alone when she didn’t have to be. She was just a f*****g kid, I should have been there.

-There’s nothing you can do about it anymore. Tasha is an adult now, and maybe she didn’t have the life you wished for her, but she’s a great woman and you should be proud of her,” I opined in a serious tone and the man composed a look of danger.

-Of course I’m proud of her, you idiot. My girl can f*****g pull the shit out of the a*s of a man twice her weight and strength. Not only that, she’s so f*****g independent and smart she’ll bring the world to its knees if she wants to.

-So what’s the problem then? I asked in a tired voice.

Where are you going with this?

-The problem is that my baby is now an adult and again I am not able to protect her from my enemies or myself. I keep hurting her and pushing her away from me when I want the exact opposite. I know this is all my fault and I can’t blame her for sending me to hell every chance she gets. Damn Hell, every time she talks to me I’m grateful for that because I’m sure it’ll be her last. He runs his hands through his hair and I can see it’s longer than usual.

-What do you mean, keep hurting him, I thought things were getting better between you two.

The big biker gives a slight nod in my direction.

-They are, but for how long? There are still things between us, there are issues we both avoid touching but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it for the rest of our lives. For example there is the detail of Anabella’s will, or that she wants to go back to Russia when the term is over and I don’t know if she will let me continue to be present in her life. And by hell, for the first time I’ll listen to her and do what she asks me to do, it’s the least I can do after all the hell I’ve put her through.

My heart shrinks in my chest and a killer instinct takes over my body when I think of the doll leaving me.

No, Tasha wasn’t going anywhere. She belonged with me as much as I belonged with her.

-I can’t tell you what’s going on in her head, but I can assure you that things are getting better between you. All Tasha has ever wanted is a family, and we can give her that, we just have to be careful not to push her over the edge again and make her want to leave.

Hades g*****d a little and rubbed his eyes with his right hand.

-As if it’s that easy. Every single thing I do with her ends up in a fight or argument between the two of us, and besides worrying about my daughter I have to be 24/7 on the lookout for those damn missing papers. If the police get hold of those papers, my in-laws’ company will go down the drain and so will the club. I won’t let the brothers suffer and I won’t let the only thing left of Anabella and her family’s legacy disappear.

-It’s because you two are so similar in character, but everything will be fine Prez. You just have to have confidence in yourself and keep your trousers on this time. There’s nothing we can do about the files but be patient. Sooner or later the motherfuckers will make a mistake and we will be ready for that. So now stop looking like a beaten dog and better show your daughter how much you want to be present in her life.

I said that in a harsher tone than the rest, I understood that the guy will feel bad about all the shit that came down on him all of a sudden. But he couldn’t afford to fall apart right now.

Not when there was still so much at stake. So many lives at stake.

My Russian’s father stared intently at me for a few moments longer before a small smile began to break out, like the sun on a cloudy day.

-Damn brat, I can’t believe you’re lecturing me on how to fix my shit. You practically crawled into my arms. A laugh escaped my lips and the atmosphere relaxed.

-The years are making you too sensitive old man, it’s not my fault your head doesn’t work as well as it used to. I teased him in a joking tone and the Prez made a horrified gesture.

-I’m not old a*****e, I’m still in the prime of my youth.

-Whatever you say, old man.

-Watch your mouth kid, I have no problem showing you how old I am by giving you a beating you’ll never forget.

-I’d love to see you try.

-Anytime puppy. You better go before I forget you’re my Vice President and damage your pretty boy face.

I give him a half smile and go to one of the shelves where I pull out the ledgers for our nightclub.

I needed to go so I could discuss some things with the director and that would take up most of my afternoon. So I set to work to get there earlier this time so I could spend more time with my doll.

-By the way, Hell.

Hades stopped me before I could get out. I turned to look at him as he took a calm stance with his arms crossed from his chair.

-I’m not going to get involved in the relationship you have with my daughter, it’s up to her whether she wants to be with you or not. But as long as you’re under my roof, my rules are followed. You better keep the door open every time you’re in her room with her or I’ll cut your balls off. Is that clear?

I gulped at that look I knew well, the same look his daughter had. The two of them were identical, though they would die before they would accept it.

-Like water, Prez.

-I’m glad.

And with those words he dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

On the way to the club an idea began to form in my head, and what started as just a thought soon began to take root in my mind and slowly developed.

All right, I had a goal.

It was just a matter of time before I could carry it out and hope that no one would discover me before I could be ready. I also hoped that things would go as well between me and the Russian as they had in the last few days.

As I rode my Harley through the city streets I made a mental reminder to talk to Tasha and tell her about the tragic fate that befell her bike.

Since neither Hades nor I had had the balls to tell her yet, and I didn’t want her to murder me when she was recovered and I didn’t see her.

No sir, better to tell her now while I can still save my a*s.

Maybe I could help her get another bike if she wants. Although I know that a person’s bike is something special that can’t be replaced, I was skeptical about repairing her Harley.

I hoped that having to replace her beloved bike wouldn’t give her a new scar on the still wounded and recovering heart of my wrist.

My wrist.

My Russian.

My Tasha.

A smile of pure satisfaction stretched my lips as I sped through the streets. I wanted to finish my unfinished business soon, who knows, maybe with any luck I could return to the club and find my girl still in bed.

My c**k woke up very happy at the memory of the redhead’s petite tattooed body fitting perfectly with mine.

Yep, I definitely wanted to be with her as soon as possible.

(…)

-Hell, where do you want me to put the life letters of our new employees? asked Roger, a brother who, like me, was working at the club.

-Scan them and send them to Demonio, he will give us a better summary of their background than what they wrote.

-Yes Vice.

My brother leaves to do the task and I continue with my work, I examine the facility from top to bottom, I’m very careful with the details, a couple of years ago some inspectors took us by surprise and gave us a fine of almost thirty thousand dollars because of the health risk that the bathrooms represented.

Hades almost broke my bones for that, and I broke the bones of the jerk who was in charge of cleaning.

Some would say I was too harsh, but I think the guy was lucky to still be able to use his hands after I found him doing lines of coke in the cupboard where we kept the cleaning tools.

I had learned from my mistake, and now I would occasionally drop in as a surprise once or a few times a month. Half the staff were brothers or their relatives, so they kept an eye on the civilians we employed.

I made a mental note to call the architect to take a look at the structure of the building, this last year cracks have been appearing in the walls and I don’t know what the hell it means. And better safe than sorry.

When I finish examining the place I go to the bar to count the bottles we have and the ones in the cellar, they have to match the numbers I have on my list. And I pray that they do because this is the last thing I need to get back to the club. So I start counting.

Three, six, nine, twelve…

Oh, shit.

Three, six, nine, twelve…

Motherfuckers I can’t believe it.

Three, six, nine, nine, twelve…

A pain starts to grow in my head as I get angrier, I want to count again just to make sure, but a little voice tells me that after doing it three times things aren’t going to change just because I want them to.

I curse out loud. I couldn’t be that unlucky.

Three dozen bottles of whiskey, three dozen bottles of tequila, three dozen bottles of wine, three dozen bottles of rum, three dozen bottles of champagne, and three dozen bottles of vodka were missing.

Some a*****e was robbing us.

And the idiot didn’t know what kind of trouble he was in. I took out my mobile phone and texted the brothers who worked here under me, I want all the employees to talk to them, but first I would talk to the crows, this was unacceptable. How the f**k did they not realise what was going on under their noses.

I’m in a really bad mood. And I’d better get my hands on who was responsible before the day was out or I’d have to get Toro involved.

And he wouldn’t be as calm as I was.

I walked over to where the site office was and sat down at the desk to wait for them. A few minutes later I had the eighteen bikers who were on duty today surrounding me.

-What’s up Vice? I was asked by Tiger, one of the few brothers I always got along with.

-Where have you guys been this whole f*****g month? I asked in a calm voice that made them tense up.

-What do you mean Hell, we’ve been working. Roger replied and I raised a skeptical eyebrow.

-Really, you’ve been working every day, are you sure? I asked and the eighteen exchanged dubious glances and then nodded.

-Then how the f**k did over two hundred bottles disappear from the cellar, you idiots? I shouted and they all made dead expressions.

-What, are you sure Hell, I went down there myself two days ago and everything was fine. Cannibal said to me in annoyance.

-You think I’d still be here with you guys instead of at the club having a beer if I wasn’t sure?

Grizzly punched Cannibal for the idiotic question, the crow grunted and punched him back before apologising.

-I’m going to interview every motherfucker that works here to find out who the rat is. But I want you to know that this will reach the ears of the Prez, he’ll take care of your distracted asses, see if you’ll start taking this more seriously for once.

And I left them drowning in their worry.

Hades would cut their balls off for idiots.

Tasha Medusa POV

-Please tell me that’s not what I think. I said as I looked between Caleb and Anton and two other brothers.

My friends were visibly beaten just like the crows, both pairs had split lips and eyebrows, bruises splattered all over their faces, and busted knuckles.

The Russians were annoyed with their arms folded and in front of them the bikers were leaning on each other while holding their ribs.

-They started it. They said at the same time while throwing accusing glances at each other.

-I mumbled as I rubbed the septum of my nose, “You two, you know how Hades feels about fighting in the club, you’re lucky he’s not here at the moment and I have no intention of saying anything to him, but you’d better hope there’s no next time. I called out to the crows, both men looked irritated to hear me but I don’t care, I wasn’t playing. I kept looking at them with my coldest look until they nodded, leaving me satisfied.

-And as for you,” I said looking at my friends who wiped their victorious smiles, “Forty-eight hours in another country is all you endured before you got into trouble, I don’t know why I’m not surprised. I just told Rey to warn Boris, they’re both on their way, they’d better have a good explanation for both of them. Because if they tell them the real reason for the fight- I give a meaningful look at the sweet asses who were sitting on the couch like it was nothing while they were doing their nails and hair. Ugh they didn’t even bother to cover their bodies with more decent clothes – King will have their heads cleaning the toilets of the manor house for a whole year.

The three of us winced at the thought. When one of us caused unnecessary trouble Rey punished us by giving us the housework that no one wanted to do. And people who have lived with men know that it is scientifically proven that the male gender is incapable of keeping a bathroom clean.

And a bathroom shared by five men who loved to eat all kinds of stupid things and who got drunk until their bowels were empty was not a nice thing to see, let alone clean.

-What’s going on here? asked a voice I recognised immediately.

-Damn it, that’s what I was missing. I cursed as I saw the silhouettes of Toro and Bullet approaching us. Both bikers assessed the situation and drew their conclusions, and to my disgrace they turned to look at me with an arched eyebrow, “It’s not what it looks like. I replied hastily.

-Really, because it seems to me that these four apes think more with their c***s than with their brains. Bullet said with mockery in his voice.

-Well…” I paused, thinking of an excuse, shrugging my shoulders when I couldn’t find one. “So it is what it looks like, but it’s not my fault, I’ve always thought there’s too much testosterone in these walls. I muttered that last.

-Your friends, your responsibility, did you forget that, princess? Toro indifferently claimed.

-Don’t call me that again you idiot, and of course I remember. I mumbled between gritting my teeth.

I f*****g hate that nickname.

-Then this is your fault, clean up your mess because I’m not going to do it. Said the huge biker with the scar before continuing on his way leaving us alone.

Bullet followed him after a few seconds but he at least gave me a small smile with a wink before disappearing. I let out a sigh as they left.

-And you three, you have five seconds to get out of my sight if you don’t want me to rip out every hair you have on your hollow heads,” I threatened the sweet asses who looked at me indignantly and started squealing to complain.

With a grimace I raised one hand to reveal my five fingers and slowly began to lower them one by one as I approached them menacingly.

Before I ran out of fingers, the three bitches couldn’t even see the dust from how fast they were gone.

-I dismissed the brothers with a couple of hand motions and they left, cursing and threatening. I gave another sigh and walked over to the couch where the sweet asses were sitting a moment ago, “You know, I should be resting and avoiding stressful situations, not watching over you guys so you don’t kill yourselves with my dad’s bikers.

I said in a harsh tone and Caleb along with Anton gave me a regretful look.

-It wasn’t our intention to start a fight Tasha, or that you had to intervene to separate us. Caleb said calmly, I clicked my tongue and looked at them amused.

-I know none of us are looking for trouble you idiot, they usually come to us on their own. But next time try not to let trouble interfere with the rehabilitation of your friend who has just been kidnapped,” I said and cocked my head to one side as I scanned them up and down, noticing for the first time how little clothes they were wearing. I asked with an arched eyebrow and Anton was the one who gave me a smile of masculine pride that caused me to throw the nearest object at him, (which was only a cushion).

-Idiot. I complained, but all three of us burst out laughing.

-You’re just jealous because you’re not in a position to do it yet,” said the oaf as he sat down next to me, I batted my eyelashes flirtatiously in response to his comment.

-You shouldn’t underestimate my abilities like that Ton-ton, you guys know better than anyone that I always get what I want. Now it was Caleb’s and my turn to laugh at the horrified look on our friend’s face.

One thing I loved about them was that we weren’t jealous of each other. We all knew that our friendship was above any other passing relationship we might have.

But Hunter is not just a passing relationship.

Stupid conscience showing up when no one needs you. Fus fus, get out of here nobody asked you.

-Side issue aside, I want to congratulate you on your way of asserting yourself with those two little bodies. I can tell they respect you around here, Rey will be very happy when he hears that.

Anton told me and I looked at him with curiosity.

-They only respect me because I am the daughter of their President and it suits them. And what does Rey have to do with this? They both shook their heads and looked at me like I was a fool.

-Tasha, we’ve known this kind of environment and the people in it before you did, and believe me, no one respects another person because of someone else. No, respect is something that is earned individually and not inherited. I’ve seen children of gangsters or big-time mobsters get beaten up for not knowing how to earn their place. And Rey was worried about the kind of life you’re leading here. He knows you’re too stubborn to tell us or ask for help if you’re in trouble.

I bit my lower l*p at Caleb’s response. I didn’t know what to say about his first statement, and he was right about the second.

-I’ve done nothing but insult your Prez and cause you trouble since I’ve been here, it’s impossible for you to respect me.

-No, it’s not impossible, just improbable, and I’m sure you’ve done more than you think. As far as we can tell you’re not an unnoticed presence. Damn it Medusa, all it takes is for you to walk into any room for all eyes to follow you, or for you to start talking for the bikers to shut up and listen to you. Do you think these proud and stubborn bikers will do that to anyone, because I’m not so sure-.

Anton continued with the observation and I shrugged my shoulders.

-Maybe, and only maybe, I can accept that they have a point. But what good would it do to respect me as you do, in a few months I will disappear from your lives and you will never see me again?

-Are you sure about that, because you don’t seem uncomfortable or upset about being here?

-Is that a complaint? My tone sounded defensive.

-Just an observation.

And I didn’t have time to answer because some footsteps distracted us. The three of us turned to watch as Boris and Rey entered the living room, right across from the sweet-a*s rooms and the entrance to the basement, where the fight happened this morning.

My other two friends didn’t ask any questions, Boris just (as usual) gave them directions to start treating their wounds while taking things out of a small emergency backpack he always brought with him.

Reykon sat on the other side of me and patted his legs. I didn’t take more than a couple of seconds before I lifted my tired feet and placed them on his thighs.

-Nice outfit. He said seriously but with that teasing sparkle in his eyes.

I looked down and analysed my burgundy shorts together with my long sleeved black V-neck blouse and shrugged my shoulders, was he making fun of my bare feet, I wasn’t in the mood to wear shoes this morning so I did without them.

-He made it clear when I didn’t say anything and I laughed in surprise when I noticed how the seams of the garment were on the outside and not on the inside as they should be.

I sat up a little and started to take off my blouse to put it back in place as it should be. But my ribs, (again), complained about my movement and I got stuck in the middle.

I hissed in pain and cursed in Russian at my useless bones that gave me more trouble than the coronavirus gave humans.

-Do you need a hand? King asked calmly.

-What do you think? I snorted as I rolled my eyes even though I couldn’t see myself.

-Arisca as always, I’m glad rehab hasn’t changed your sense of humour. Life would be so much duller and so much simpler that way. She said but helped me take it off completely.

I was wearing a black sports bra and I wasn’t afraid or embarrassed to show myself like that in front of the guys, they had already seen me even with less clothes on so it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time.

My hair looked like a bird’s nest and the Russian laughed at my annoyed face. Rey came even closer, carefully pulling my legs almost completely over his, then tried to help me with the mess on my head.

-Ready, did it look good? I asked when I saw fit.

-As beautiful as ever Tasha. He answered while squeezing one of my cheeks hard as if I was a little girl.

I let out a m**n of pain and grabbed her wrist to remove her paw from my poor cheek when a throat clearing made me turn my head slightly.

My b***d ran cold and I made a worried face even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.

Shit shit shit shit shit shit.

Of all the times he could have come, why did he choose this one exactly.

Stupid Hunter, this is definitely not the best way for me to meet my best friend. Why does this always happen to me, first with Darren and now with Reykon?

Just when everything was so calm…

-I don’t know who the hell you are, and I don’t care. But I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from my girl and give her back her clothes if you don’t want me to break every bone in your body.

Did my biker call me his girl? Is he marking his territory? Hell, focus on the threat Tasha, he wants to start an unnecessary fight, stop him.

I opened my mouth to retort but Rey beat me to it.

-What if I don’t? He answered slowly without caring or even blinking.

I gasped in horror and elbowed him.

-Don’t even think about it. I said to the crow as I pointed at him.

But it was too late, for he was grinning like a predator that had just found its next prey.

A smile that the useless Reykon smiled back with pleasure.

Stupid men with Alpha male complexes.

What would he do now?