Chapter Ten

Pit

I get into church and drop down in my seat, ignoring the glares from Axel as he waits for the room to fill up. I'll apologise, but not in front of everyone.

He bangs the gavel on the table, and the brothers quiet down. "We've finally had contact with Alec Clay. He's offered us a deal."

"Is he in a position to cut a deal?" asks Fletch, laughing.

"Well, seems he doesn't really give a shit if he sees his virgin bride again," says Axel, and I finally meet his eyes. That fucker isn't fighting to get her back and that pisses me off. She deserves better.

"She's not part of the deal?" I ask, trying to stop the feeling of hope from building in my chest, because there can be none. I need to get back on the road.

"Oh, he's getting her back," says Axel firmly. "She's not our problem."

"She still saw what I did," I point out.

"And I don't think she'll be in a rush to report you, do you?" he asks, arching a brow.

I'm aware of the other brothers staring back and forth between us, wondering what all the tension is. "But just to cover your back, we have a solution," says Grizz, bringing my attention to him. "You'll take her on this job," he continues, sliding a piece of paper towards me with an address on it. I groan, knowing this isn't going to end well. "She's going to help you."

"No fucking way," I snap.

Axel stands, slamming his hands on the table. "We're trying to clean up this fucking mess," he bellows, "so you'll fucking work with us." I resist the urge to roll my eyes, staring hard at the paper until my vision blurs. He lowers back into his chair. "She can help clean up. That way, she's an accessory."

"Not if she goes to the police and tells them everything," I point out.

Coop nods in agreement. "He's right. If she tells the police she was terrified, they'll put her in witness protection."

"She's been fucking bullied most of her life," says Grizz, and I stare at him. He grins. "I overheard your little heart to heart."

Anger rushes through me and I stand, making a grab for him over the table. He leans back, narrowly escaping, and the brothers closest to me drag me back into my seat. "That's fucking sick," I yell, "using her vulnerability like that."

"What choice do you have?" yells Axel. "You wanna risk it?"

I take a calming breath, and my brothers release me, all going back to their seats. "You know you'll pay for that, right?" asks Grizz, smirking. He's going to kick my arse properly this time, and I won't have a choice but to take it.

"Let's focus on the task at hand," snaps Axel. "That fucker has contacts in Russia and Ireland."

"We can't trust him," says Fletch.

"Of course, we can't," says Axel, "but we lost our deal and it's taking time for them to get on board again. You know the Chinese hate being let down, and selling in London ain't making us enough. If we can get these contacts, we can end Alec further down the line."

"What's the deal?" asks Coop.

"A seventy-to-thirty split, but I've knocked him down to twenty percent until trust is established."

"And the woman?" asks Coop.

"She stays for now. When the deal goes through and money is finalised, she goes back to him."

My heart stutters, but I give an approving nod. If we do this deal, my life can go back to how it was. Just me, the road, and my dogs.

"It's the only choice we have right now," adds Grizz. "We have to move those guns and soon. We've had them sitting there for far too long."

"If everyone is happy," says Axel, glancing around the room, "then we can get on with our day. I'll let you know when a deal is struck." He bangs the gavel and everyone moves out, leaving me, Axel, and Grizz alone.

The second the door closes, Axel is out his chair. His fist connects with my chin in the exact same spot Grizz got me less than an hour ago, and I hiss as pain radiates through my skull. "You fucking disrespect me again, I'll take your eyes out," he yells, adding a punch to my gut. I drop from my chair to my knees, coughing, and he storms from the room.

Grizz looms over me, and I brace myself for his onslaught, but instead, he holds out his hand for me to take. I grab it warily, and he helps me to my feet, patting me on the back extra hard. "I figure you're in enough pain," he says, smirking. "It's gonna get a whole lot worse once you let her go."

I frown. "Huh?"

"Tessa," he says. "You've fallen for her."

"Bullshit," I mutter, rubbing my jaw.

"I heard the way you were, brother. Axel sees it too. That's why he got her back here. Leaving you two alone would be a disaster. There's only so long you can restrain yourself, right?" He laughs. "I'm impressed you've gone this long."

"Usually, I just pull the trigger," I mutter, following him from the room. "I don't get to know them."

"And that's where you went wrong," he replies. "Just do this job tonight and then avoid her, man. She's married, and part of the deal will be getting her back to her husband in one piece and intact." He slaps me on the back again before heading for Axel's office.

I go out to my bike. I need to feel the rush of speed and forget about this shit for now.

Tessa

There's a light knock on the bedroom door before a key turns and it opens. Lexi sticks her head in, smiling, "Hi. Are you okay?"

I give a nod, and she steps inside, closing the door behind her. "Axel said I could bring you some food," she adds, holding out a plate for me, and I take it. "I hope cheese sandwiches are okay."

I nod, picking one up and taking a bite. "I love cheese."

"I think you'll be going home soon enough," she adds, and I stare as she takes a seat beside me. "I overheard them talking about it." I give a slight nod and place the sandwich back on the plate. I don't know why I'm suddenly filled with dread. "You don't look so happy," she pushes.

I sigh. "I don't really have a home. Well, not yet."

"They mentioned your husband?"

"I've only just married him. It's his fault I'm here." I give an empty laugh. "I had it all figured out, and now, this has happened and it's made me think it all over. What if I've made a mistake?"

She smiles kindly, placing her hand over mine. "You can always leave your marriage."

"I guess."

"Unless . . . well, unless you're scared of your husband?"

I shrug. "I don't know him."

Lexi frowns. "How come?"

"It was more of a business deal than a marriage," I admit. "And now, my eyes have been opened," I add.

She gives a knowing smile. "Pit?"

"He's not as bad as I thought."

"They never are," she says with a laugh. "Have you told him?"

I nod. "He's not interested. At least, that's what he says."

"Yah know, it could just be that you've been with him too long and you're reading into things too much. Go home and then see how you feel."

The door opens and Pit comes in. I'm instantly relieved. He's been gone most of the day, and I was starting to worry that Axel had sent him home. Lexi stands. "I'll come back tomorrow to check on you," she offers, and I nod in agreement.

Pit doesn't meet my eyes, but he hands me a set of clothes in black. "Get changed."

I stare at the leggings and hoodie. "Are we going somewhere?"

"I have a job to get to, and you're coming."

"I am?" I'm surprised, seeing as earlier they didn't trust me to even leave the door unlocked. "How come?"

"Tessa," he mutters, taking my chin between his thumb and fingers, "don't ask me questions. Just trust me and it'll all be over soon." He presses his lips to mine and then steps back, immediately leaving me cold. He tugs his hood up, something I haven't seen him do in weeks, and then he sits on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, waiting for me to change.

We ride for twenty minutes before he stops the bike outside a bungalow. It's quiet, with dim streetlights and no traffic around. The only other building nearby is a school, which is obviously closed. I get off the bike. "Keep your helmet on," says Pit, also climbing off. "And whatever you do, don't make a noise."

"What's happening?" I ask as he takes my hand and leads me towards the bungalow.

"Remember what I said," he adds.

He tries the door, and it opens. "Aren't you going to knock?" I whisper. He gently squeezes my hand, reminding me to be quiet.

We go inside, and Pit heads straight for a door at the end of the hallway. He twists the knob and shoves it, releasing my hand as he steps inside. An elderly man sits in an armchair. He doesn't look at all surprised to see us. "Finally," he says, smiling.

"That's all you got to say?" asks Pit, taking off his helmet. I go to do the same, but Pit stops me, shaking his head.

"I've been waiting for weeks," the man replies. "You took your time."

"See, I'd be begging right about now," snaps Pit.

"Why would I?" asks the man. "It won't help. I'll save it for when the devil gets hold of me."

"Scum," Pit mutters, taking out a knife from his back pocket. He removes the leather sheath, and I stare wide-eyed as I back away a few steps.

"I don't regret anything," the man spits, suddenly sounding angry. "It's natural. In some countries, it's legal."

"Then you should have moved," snaps Pit, gripping the man by the collar. He doesn't fight, and I stare, mesmerised at how calm he looks considering his situation.

"You shouldn't judge me, biker, until you've felt the buzz of that tight little pussy—" Pit slices the knife across the man's cheek, carving a line from one ear to the other. I back away a few more steps until I hit the wall. My chest tightens, and as blood pours down the man's chin, I grip my stomach, praying I don't vomit into the helmet.

"I am judging you," sneers Pit, and I see the man I first met, that cold and angry biker. "And when I get to hell, I'll make your life misery." He pushes the knife between the man's legs, and he gurgles in pain, his eyes rolling back into his head. Pit twists the knife, causing the man to jerk before he passes out. I watch in horror as Pit drags the blade from the man's groin, up through his stomach, only stopping when the blade snags on something. Then he pulls it free and slices the man's throat.

I rush out the room, pulling at my helmet and throwing it to the floor before dropping down beside it and vomiting onto the dirty carpet. I squeeze my eyes closed, picturing the blood spilling from the man and onto the floor. More vomit leaves me, and I sit back on my feet, wiping my mouth across my sleeve.

I feel Pit's presence behind me. "He deserved it," he mutters.

Rage replaces the sickness as I push to my feet, shoving him hard in the chest. "You fucking bastard," I scream.

"Remember what I said," he hisses. "You have to be quiet."

"In case I wake the fucking dead?" I yell, shoving him again. He doesn't budge, which frustrates me more. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Two reasons," he says, not quite meeting my eyes. "The first, so you see who I really am. The second, because I'm following orders."

"This is not who you are," I cry. "You're pushing me away because of what I said." Tears begin to fall, and I swipe at them angrily. "I get it, you don't want me, but you don't have to make me watch this bullshit."

He finally meets my eyes and that haze he had there while he sliced into that man is lifted, replaced with what I think is guilt. "You were sick," he mutters, nodding to the stained carpet behind me. "Evidence you were here."

I inhale sharply. "Fuck."

"We need to leave."

"Leave?" I repeat, panic setting in once again. "But I need to clean that up. If we use bleach or . . ." I flap my hands in panic, looking around me. "Maybe he has some," I add, rushing for the nearest door and shoving it open. It's the bathroom, and I go in, pulling open the cupboard and dragging the contents out onto the floor. "Shit, there's nothing." I glance back to find Pit leaning in the doorway, watching me. I can't place the look on his face, but I know I don't like it. I stand, turning to him. "Why aren't you helping me?"

"This is my insurance," he mutters. The ringing in my ears dials up a notch until it's the only sound I hear over the thumping of my heart. "If you go to the police about anything, I'll tie you into this murder."

"But I . . . I didn't . . ." My words trail off. The betrayal burns me so deep, it's hard to breathe let alone say the words rushing through my mind.

"You were in the room while a man died and you did nothing, Tessa. You're an accessory, and if I get caught for any of it, I'm taking you down with me."

"But if they find my DNA here," I whisper, the words sounding broken through my heavy breaths, "they'll arrest me anyway."

"Cleaners are on their way. But I have your pictures." He holds out his mobile, and I stare at the image of me vomiting on the carpet.

"That doesn't show murder," I spit. "It shows me reacting to something I didn't like."

"Are you willing to take the risk, Te?" I'd fallen in love with the way he'd shortened my name, but right now, it makes my skin crawl. "I just need one more picture," he adds, and the words feel like he's forcing them out. He reaches for me, but I step back, almost slipping on the bathroom floor. He grabs me, yanking me from the room and shoving me into the living room. I freeze, staring at the man bleeding out as his dead eyes stare blankly at me. A sob escapes me, and I slam my hands over my mouth. The flash of a camera makes me look back to where Pit is snapping photos of me next to the body.

"No," I scream, rushing at him but slipping and losing my footing. My hands save me as I crash to the ground, but I realise too late they're in the blood and I slide, landing on my stomach. I lift my hand and stare at the sticky fluid. "Oh god," I whisper. Then I scramble back, trying to stand but only covering myself further. "Shit," I hiss.

Hands reach under my arms and I'm hauled to my feet. "We need to go," he whispers, startling me.

He leads me towards the door, pushing my helmet onto my head as he opens it. I begin to wipe my hands down my leggings, discovering those are soaked in blood too, smearing it further up my arms. I sob silently as I climb on the bike. Instead of holding on to Pit, I grip the bar behind me. I don't want any contact with him whatsoever. I hate him.