Carnage (Royal Bastards MC 3)

“How did that go?” I gesture behind him, referring to his meeting with Animal.

“Time will tell. Things are going to get dark until we find out who the rat is and deal with the mess they made for us.”

“What does that mean?” I bite my lip and cradle my arms around my stomach.

“It means we probably won’t see each other for a little while. But when it’s all over, I’ll come for you.”

My heart races out of my chest. The pit returns, churning my insides. I know this is who he is. If the club goes to war, he goes to war with them. He always planned to make those who took him pay, but the thought of him getting hurt again or killed is paralyzing. I can’t show him my fear or give him more weight to carry on his shoulders.

“Promise?” I say, offering a smile.

“Nothing and no one will keep me away.” He pulls me into his chest. The warm embrace almost brings a tear to my eye.

A door opening followed by footfalls behind Ezekiel draws our attention. Jameson comes to a stop, staring at me over Ezekiel’s shoulder. “We need to talk.”

“Can’t it wait?” I grind out. I want more than a few stolen seconds.

“No,” is all he says before he pushes into the kitchen and barks out Lily’s name. “Lily, we need to speak. PB, Idiot, come too.”

“Go with your brother. Find me when you’re done.” Ezekiel strokes his finger along the pulse in my neck, sending a shockwave of heat between my thighs.

“I will.” Giving zero shits about what Jameson thinks, I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him again, tugging on his hair.

“This is bullshit. I don’t want to be here. None of this crap has anything to do with me,” Lily bitches as she struts up the corridor with us.

“She’s exhausting,” PB groans, nudging Idiot with his shoulder.

“You’re all exhausting,” Jameson huffs.

“Can I just go do what I need to do?” Lily demands.

“There’s nothing you need to be doing that’s more important than staying alive. You’ll shut the fuck up and do as you’re told,” Jameson barks as he pushes into the main room where everyone else still lingers.

Melanie comes through the front door, her gaze landing directly on Jameson, her eyes narrowing as she storms through the room, a flustered Mason on her tail. “Don’t ever have someone come collect me like I’m luggage,” she fumes to Jameson, still in her scrubs, a large bag on her shoulder. “I told you this morning not to go to work.”

“Told me?”

He attempts to pull her in for a hug but she steps out of his reach. An amused whistle comes from PB, and Jameson slaps him on the back of his head.

“Ow,” he whines, rubbing the spot.

“I don’t want to fight in a room fall of assholes, Doc. Just get your ass in my arms.”

“My work is important to me.”

“I know, baby, but it’s not more important than you. Shit’s going down and I need to know where you’re at—and it wasn’t at work.” He jerks his head to me.

“I’m glad you came to your senses,” she tells me, dropping the bag she’s carrying. “I got what Ezekiel needs and brought you some clothes,” she informs me, opening the bag and handing me a dress and cardigan.

“Thank you.” I take the offering, not correcting her on how I came to be here.

“Why are you so red?” Jameson asks Mason, who’s avoiding eye contact with Melanie and hovering a good five feet away.

“Your woman slapped me.” There’s embarrassment in his tone.

“How fucking hard did you hit him?” PB asks, eyeing the red cheek, angry and bright.

“It was more of a surprised tap.” She actually looks sheepish about it.

A snort comes from Lily. “It’s because he’s a ginger. They bruise easy.” She smirks, looking him over. “Also, why is your kid a different color?” she adds, to the shock of us all. Mason not being the father of his kid is something everyone comments on but no one says anything to him about.

Jameson grabs her arm and marches her away before Mason can respond. The brothers listening in all avert their eyes, pretending to be busy. Melanie falls in line with me. PB grabs up her bag and follows us with Idiot in tow.

“You two, in there. Girls, you’re with me,” Jameson announces, sending PB and Idiot into the meeting room and walking us to Animal’s office.

“I need to use the bathroom,” I tell him. I just want to change and sleep for a week.

“Make it quick.” He points to another door. “You can use my room.”

I go inside. It’s a tidy bedroom with a twin bed, a chest of drawers for furniture, and an en suite made up of a shower, sink, and toilet. Making quick work of changing out of Lily’s clothes I’ve been stuck wearing for days, I slip into the old summer dress Melanie must have found in my closet from a couple summers ago back at the house. It still fits but isn’t really my style anymore. Splashing some water on my face, I stare at my complexion. It’s dull. Dark circles sit under my eyes. My hair is messy from Ezekiel’s ministrations. Sighing, I touch my fingers to my lips and suck in a breath before making my way back to my brother.