“Cut it off,” he said.
Raven smiled. “With pleasure.”
Ava screamed as Raven none-too-gently grabbed her hair and began to hack the length off.
When it was done, her hair was thrown to the floor.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Ava said, sobbing. “Let me out of here.”
“You think we’re going to let you go so you can run back to Creed? The fucking prick?” Raven said.
Ava’s sobs filled the air.
“I’ve had enough of this.” Before Smokey could stop it, one of the club whores had grabbed a scalpel and sliced it through Ava’s leg.
Her screams filled the air.
Kinky grabbed the whore and pulled her away.
The club felt Ava’s betrayal.
“I don’t know who Creed is,” Ava said. “I’ve never even heard that name.”
Smokey tutted. “You should know by now that nothing is ever sacred. There is no escape from what you’ve done.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out the incriminating evidence. “Did you have a good laugh? Did you think you’d gotten me to fall in love with you?”
He wrapped his fingers around her neck, cutting off her oxygen. “You were only ever a decent fuck, and you weren’t any good at that. You were easy, but I’ve had better.” He let her go, and she gasped for breath.
“Please, stop this. You’re making a mistake. I didn’t do this. I don’t know who that man is.” She turned toward Raven. “It was the day I went to the bank. I tried to tell you I had a weird experience. Please.”
“She’s lying,” Raven said. “She didn’t tell me anything about the bank trip.”
“You shouldn’t have done Creed’s dirty work, Ava. You’re going to wish you never met me.” He got to his feet. “Have your fun.”
Smokey left the basement.
He didn’t need to hurt Ava. His club would get her ready so he could make the final blow. Ava wasn’t going come out of this alive.
With her death certificate filed, he needed to go and make some arrangements at her house.
Leaving the clubhouse, he rode his bike to her place. His key still in his jacket pocket, he stepped inside and was hit with the hardest sense of betrayal.
In the back of his mind, he heard her laughter. The sweet sounds she’d made.
The truth was, he’d had every intention of keeping her. She’d gotten under his skin, and he’d even been thinking of a future with her. He should have known better than to make a deal with a woman. They were fucking toxic. No one was different.
Fueling his anger, he made his way up to the bedroom and started to pack a bag. He’d make it look like she was away on a trip or some shit. They’d dispose of her body, and no one would ever find a trace of her or link her to the club.
He’d packed a bag and was heading out of the house when Ugly Beast called.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“Where the fuck are you?”
“At Ava’s house, why?” The boys had already gone and trashed her bakery. He hadn’t given the order, but he didn’t care.
She’d lied to their president and was working with their enemy. There was no way out of this.
“I need you back at the clubhouse now,” Ugly Beast said, hanging up.
Shaking his head, Smokey closed the door, He strapped the bag of clothes to his bike and took one last look, allowing himself to feel the betrayal. The hope of a future dying inside as he looked at the house.
Creed was going to pay.
That fucker thought he won, but Smokey was going to show him. Maybe he’d take her apart piece by piece and mail it to him.
Arriving back at the clubhouse, Ugly Beast was waiting for him.
“Where are the pictures?” Ugly Beast asked.
“I don’t have time for this.”
“For fuck’s sake. I’m trying to save your ass from making the biggest fucking mistake for your life. Where are they?”
“They’re on the floor of the basement.”
A feminine scream filled the air.
“Get Raven up here now. I’m in the church room.”
“I’m not your fucking minion,” Smokey said.
“And right now, you’re not behaving like the boss.” Ugly Beast shoved him. “Get the fuck in church. I’ll get Raven myself.”
Smokey was going to beat the living shit out of Ugly Beast. Maybe even leave him for dead.
He went and took his seat at the head of the table when Ugly Beast returned.
“What the fuck is this, Ugly? I’ve got shit to do,” Raven said.
Smokey noticed her knuckles were red with blood.
He didn’t care. Ava deserved it.
“Watch,” Ugly Beast said.
He hadn’t realized the TV had been brought into the room. Bored, Smokey watched, noticing Fort Clover’s bank and Main Street coming into view. He frowned as the bank door opened and Ava stepped out. She wasn’t watching where she was going, and Smokey tensed up even more when he caught sight of Creed. The fucker had been waiting for her and was dressed in a business suit.