Nitro's Torment (Sydney Storm MC 2)

Silence.

And then—“I thought you knew.”

I was on my feet before I realised it and walking out of the clubhouse. I could hardly process what he was telling me. My need for violence was extreme. I wanted to punch and kick and thrash and scream this injustice out of me.

Not my Lynny.

It was where her darkness came from, and I’d never known. She’d kept this shit wrapped up tight and it had almost killed her. I should have been there for her. More. I should have done more.

“Rhys, are you still on the line?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” The words came out a strangled mess. “Who did this to her?”

Deep in my gut I knew. I fucking knew.

“It was your uncle,” he said quietly, his words full of regret. “I’m sorry you’re hearing this from me. I honestly thought she’d told you.”

I clenched my fists as I made my way to my bike. “What happened today? Did he hurt her?” I would fucking drag his death out for this. I would make him hurt so fucking much for every ounce of pain he’d caused Marilyn.

“No, he didn’t approach her. She saw him outside her house. Apparently, he was sitting in a car looking at the house for a while and then drove off. I thought it appropriate you know this information so you could take steps to avoid him coming near her again.”

I’d fucking take steps. Joseph would never set foot near Marilyn again.

I needed to get off the phone and deal with this. “Thanks, Doc. I’ve got this covered.”

I ended the call and started my bike. Screaming out of the parking lot, I almost collided with Kick who was entering. Narrowly missing him, I sped towards Marilyn’s house. The ambulance might get there before me, but in case not, I wanted to check on her.

The ride home passed in a blur and as I pulled around the corner of her street, I watched an ambulance drive away.

My phone had vibrated with a call on the way there so I took a moment to stop and check who it had been. I was still waiting to hear back from Tatum.

There was one missed call from Devil. No message. I’d call him later. All I wanted to do was head to Joseph and deal with him. I didn’t want to involve Devil or any Storm members in that. I needed to put the past to rest by myself. And I also didn’t want to waste time waiting for help.

My phone rang before I pulled back out into the traffic. I placed it to my ear without checking caller ID. “Yeah?”

“Rhys.”

I froze.

Joseph.

A dark cloud circled over me as my gut twisted.

When I didn’t speak, he said, “I have something of yours.”

My world crashed down around me.

I dry-heaved.

Every good thing I had in my life, he ruined.

Tatum.

“Do not lay a finger on her, Joseph.”

“Oh, my boy, I’ve already laid every finger I have on her.”

I clutched my stomach and dry-heaved again as the ticking of a time bomb blasted in my head.