As I drive through the territory, they have sentries posted around their land and I know I’m being followed. A part of me wants to turn around, go home. But another part of me knows that I don’t have a home to go to – not anymore. I keep going, speeding toward the New Law’s compound and clubhouse.
They must have signaled the rest of the club, because when I pull into their clubhouse, they let me right in the gates and they are standing outside like they’re waiting on me.
I first notice their leader. He’s older now, but I still recognize him. He’s looking at me with the same hatred as he did years ago.
I keep one eye on the leader, but it’s not him that comes toward me. It’s another man, one I recognize from the past and he asks me what I want.
“I want to hire you, or some of you, to kill Mandala,” I announce loud enough for all the men standing around to hear.
Laughter ensues and everyone stares at me as if I’m crazy. Heck, maybe I am. The man spits on the ground next to my feet. “Fuck off.”
He turns around, as if expecting me to go away, that one man cussing me is enough to scare me off. I straighten my back. Obviously, he doesn’t know me. I’m either brave or stupid, but I’m not leaving here that easily.
When I don’t tuck tail and leave, the leader himself walks over to me. I can tell he’s angry, but I don’t let him see that it bothers me.
I hold up my bag. “I have money. I don’t expect any favors. If you don’t want money for the hit, I will pay you to get my necklace back. The one that Mandala stole from me and still wears around his neck today. It’s mine and I want it back.”
He stares at me but not with interest. When I said the word “money” it didn’t even faze him. He looks like he just wants me away from him and out of his face.
He takes a step toward me and I know it’s to intimidate me. But I don’t back down and I don’t let my gaze on his eyes waver. “I don’t want your money; you have already cost me too much.”
He looks away from me then and directly at another man in his crew. I follow his gaze and see the man, the only man who stood up for me five years ago.
Apparently, he’s paid for that decision.
He meets my eyes, but I can tell he doesn’t want to. He stands there, taking deep breaths and staring me down, almost like he’s willing me to leave. I shake my head at him, as if I actually hear his voice telling me to go. I can’t, though. I can’t leave now. Not yet.
Chapter 4
Klaus
I knew when Devlin opened the front door and ran to Deator there was something wrong. Dad looks over at me and I can already tell he’s pissed off, but I don’t know what for. Hell, I’ve laid low these last five years. There’s not any trouble that I would be bringing to the club.
Deator storms out the door. I get up, tugging on the ends of my club cut, and follow him and some of the other men out.
But it’s not what I’m expecting. I almost fall over as I look at her.
I recognize her even though she’s not a teenage kid anymore. She’s older now, curvy, sexy. Looking at her now, I know if I knew what was good for me I’d get my ass back in the clubhouse or anywhere that was away from her. Mona. Fuck, just her name is sexy.
I feel Ronan walk up to me and ever so quietly, he whispers to me, “Don’t do anything stupid. Stay away from the wolf shifter.”
I look at my older brother and give him my signature fuck you look. All those years ago, he could have had my back and he didn’t. I’ll never forget that.
Deator stands back and watches as Teddy walks up to Mona, no doubt to run her off. My body is tense. I thought Teddy had left earlier, but he must have only gone outside. Of course he’s right in the middle of the action now. I know what kind of man Teddy is and I don’t want him around her. He shouldn’t be around any woman.
“I want to hire you, or some of you to kill Mandala,” she says to Teddy.
Teddy just stares at her. All the men around me laugh like she’s some joke, but if anyone really looked at her right now, they could tell how serious she really is.
Teddy spits on the ground next to her feet. “Fuck off.”
I expect him to put his hands on her, and I know if he does, I will have to charge him. I won’t have any choice. I couldn’t let that happen. Hell, my bear wouldn’t stand by to let that happen.