Final Ride (Lords of Mayhem 4)

In this world, you had to battle to keep what meant the most to you. Once his mom put out the word, no one tried her. Until the next new girl came into the fold looking to land the cushy spot of old lady to a top dog.

Hawk scanned the area and froze when he spotted Rayen dragging a protesting Ariel away from the bar.

“Son of a bitch.” Hawk stalked over and stood in front of Rayen, stopping him in his tracks. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“About to have some fun here with your borrowed girl. What any man would do fresh out of jail.” Rayen smirked.

“She’s not on the menu,” Hawk growled.

“Have the rules changed that much? I’m pretty sure, house mouses are community property.”

“You coming into my house, questioning me? Did you forget I’m more than your brother? I’m the vice president. Whatever the fuck I say goes.” Hawk clenched his hands into fists, determined not to let his brother get under his skin. Rayen wanted the attention, but his dysfunction wouldn’t allow him to seek it out normally. Not after spending half his life high, babied, enabled, and then imprisoned. Hawk knew it logically, but the sight of Ariel restrained by Rayen’s hand stuck in his craw.

“Isn’t that the pres’s job description?” Rayen said.

“Is this really how you want to start shit off?” Hawk asked, not willing to screw his mother’s happiness.

“It got your attention, didn’t it? Earlier I wasn’t even good enough to say hi to.”

“Is that what you think? You guys ambush me and you’re shocked when I walk off?” Hawk shook his head. “Let’s not bullshit one another and act like we parted on good terms.”

“You going to hold my past against me forever?”

“From where I’m standing, I could hold the present against you and be justified. I’m only going to say this once, so I suggest you listen. Keep your fucking hands off Ariel. She’s not for you.” Hawk snatched her hand away and shoved Rayen backward. “You got something you want to get off your chest, you bring it to me directly like a man.”

Rayen rushed forward. “You want to do this now? Get it over with?” Hawk said. “We both know you’re spoiling for a fight.”

“The shit you did was wrong, and you know it,” Rayen growled.

“I was tired. The title family only stretches so far before it breaks and simply becomes a matter of genetic sequence.”

“So now I’m not even your family?”

“Did I say that?” Hawk barked. “Let’s take this out back. Ariel, stay here with your girls. You’re about to get what you wanted, Rayen. The pound of flesh you think I owe you. Then I don’t want to hear anything else about it. You don’t like me? I don’t give a fuck. But Mom and Pop deserve better. They spent a good chunk of their lives cleaning up after your messes. I’m not about to let them do it again.”

“Fuck you, Hawk! You’re not better than me.”

Hawk moved fast, grabbing Rayen by the back of his neck and squeezing hard. The brothers rushed up.

“You need help, V.P.? Someone forget their place?” a voice asked in the crowd.

“No, this is family business and will be dealt with accordingly. Don’t say shit else ’til we get out back,” Hawk growled. “If we don’t come back in twenty minutes, come out after us.” Hawk released his brother, whose musc

les bulged beneath his T-shirt.

Little Rayen had packed on fifteen pounds of solid muscle and had perfected his war face. The snarl would scare a lesser man, but it did nothing to move Hawk. He’d been kicking his brother’s ass from the time he was ten and Rayen was eight. That tradition would not end today with the entire Mayhem crew waiting for them to come back inside. Besides, they needed this moment to take out their frustrations on one another. The disappointments, the heartbreak and the downright misery that came with being virtually shackled to a junkie through the height of his addiction.

The metal door slammed shut as they stepped out into the back parking lot. Rayen darted forward, landing a blow to Hawk’s jaw. Hawk’s head snapped to the right. Pain exploded and anger bubbled to the surface. Hawk lifted his fists, protecting his face as he circled his brother, looking for an opening. Rayen leaned forward in an aggressive stance. His brown eyes were wide and wild. This was a man used to defending himself at a moment’s notice. A red haze of rage fell over Hawk’s eyes and he struck out like a snake, quick and precise.

He landed a few shots to Rayen’s ribs and stomach, doubling him over, and quickly followed the move up with an upper cut. Rayen stumbled backward and let out a roar. Rayen charged forward, shoving Hawk backward. Hawk firmly planted his feet to avoid toppling. Rayen drove his fist into Hawk’s belly. Air rushed from Hawk’s lungs and he grimaced. Rayen smirked, standing over him like the overindulged prick he’d become. Anger pushed Hawk past the discomfort and he forced his body back into an upright position. They circled one another like two heavyweight contenders in a ring. Hawk darted forward and faked right, landed a solid blow to Rayen’s left eye. Rayen countered with a blow to Hawk’s ribs. They continued on until they were both bruised, bloodied, and exhausted.

Their feet shuffled against the ground as they sized one another up.

“What the hell are you angry at me for, Ray? Haven’t you realized by now you’re the one who placed yourself in this situation?” Hawk said, tired of the drama when they had real threats against Mayhem brewing.

“Of course I know that. But you just gave up, washed your hands of me and never looked back. Like I was nothing,” Rayen spat.

“It wasn’t about you, Rayen. For once in my life, it was about me. I needed to step away from the situation, so I did. You know how much guilt I carried around over the years about something I had no power to control?” Hawk shook his head. “You think I hate you, or I look down on you? I really don’t. I did what I needed to do, cut the self-imposed umbilical cord, and let us find ourselves apart.”