... and Forever (Next Generation: Chaos Bleeds 1)

Luke’s dad shoved off the girl and Tabitha she stepped forward, showing him she was strong.

“This stops today,” she said.

“You’re in no position to negotiate.”

“I am.” She looked him in the eye. “I have two clubs at my back. You have one. You can start a war over Simon, go ahead, but you’re not getting to him. We will pick you off one by one. You’re not the injured party and remember, there’s always a slim chance of who Nathan’s father is.” She tilted her head to the side. “You’re getting old. One day soon, your spot is going to be replaced.” She glanced over at Luke. Lash let him go and he gathered his breath. “Your vendetta with Simon ends today. He’s safe to come and go on Fort Wills land and to go back home.”

“You have no power here.”

She smiled. “I can tell Lash to snap your boy’s neck,” she said. “There’s a lonely spot where Ryan is buried. I’m sure both friends will be happy to play around in hell. One by one, I will make sure we pick you guys off so that all that remains is a club getting constantly older. Smaller, until finally, all you are is a bitter, sad memory.”

“You won’t do that,” he said. “The Skulls and Chaos Bleeds are kept on a tight leash.” Another gunshot, and he cried out.

She glanced behind her to see Devil had shot Luke’s father in the thigh.

“I’m not on a tight leash.”

“We do what we want,” Lash said. “You think we let a couple of billionaires dictate to us what we do and won’t do? Fort Wills is my fucking turf. You want to bring on a war, go right ahead. I’m ready. It has been a long time, but you see, I’m still standing. As is my club. We’ve had no end of fucking shit come knocking at our door. We’re still here. Our enemies, their bones are in the dirt, fertilizing the ground. Think about it.”

She pushed some hair out of her eyes. “You’ve underestimated us for the last time.”

“If your boy is a Monster, his rightful place is here!” Luke’s father said.

Tabitha shook her head. “No, he’s with me. You forfeited any right to him when you threatened my family. I’m not some little girl to be pushed aside or bullied. I’m a fucking queen, and I will protect my family. So what’s it to be? Will you be burying a son today?”

****

“I can’t stand this.” Simon paced the length of the apartment. Miles and Daisy were eating popcorn while Anthony took one of the chairs. They all watched him. Nathan was still in bed. He’d only gotten up to go to the bathroom.

The time ticked on by and no one reached out to him.

No phone call.

Just a never-ending darkness he couldn’t stand. He hated being kept in the dark but what he hated more was that it was his woman who was once again out there for him. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked toward the door.

“You can’t go,” Daisy said.

“Patience, man,” Miles said.

“Screw fucking patience. I’m done waiting. I’m done with all this shit.” He didn’t move toward the door. “I’m not afraid of them.”

“Never said you were,” Anthony said. “You’ve got to let her do what she needs to do.”

“Tabby’s been on her own for far too long.”

“Hey,” Daisy said, frowning. “She hasn’t been on her own, okay? She’s always had us.” She pointed at each of them. “It’s tough for her to ask for help. We’ve always been there for her.”

“Just sit your ass down. If you were worried, you wouldn’t have left her,” Miles said

Simon was on the verge of sitting down, but now he was up and ready to fight. “What the fuck did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“Come on then if you think you’ve got a shot at me.” He was ready to fight.

“Enough!” Daisy growled the word. “Seriously. We’re in her apartment. Nathan’s asleep. This isn’t about the two of you or what you guys think. This is about Tabitha. What is wrong with you guys?” She threw the bag of popcorn at Miles and stood. “Stop making this about you. Can’t you see what a big deal this is?”

Simon stared at her as Daisy glanced at each of them in turn. “I’m surrounded by assholes.”

“This is the first time Tabitha has entered Monster Dog territory,” Anthony said, speaking up. “They’ve always had to come onto our turf. If she’s going to them now, it shows how far she has come.”

“Exactly.” Daisy licked her lips. “We all know what happened. None of us have talked about it. Tabs has handled it in her own way. Always. It’s what she does. She’s never opened up to me, Miles, or Anthony. It’s just been what happened. You know?” She blew out a breath. “This is a big fucking deal and I don’t want to screw it up. Not for her. Not for us. Not for anyone. This is big.”