Chapter Twelve

Pit

I wake with a start and sit up, looking around. Something feels off, and when I glance beside me to see Tessa gone, that sinking feeling only worsens. "Te?" I call out, hoping she's in the bathroom but already knowing she isn't. I sigh heavily.

I dress and head downstairs. Maybe she just went for breakfast. I almost laugh at myself trying to reason with my heart to stop it from breaking. Breaking? What the fuck? See, this is the reason I should have kept my distance. I shake my head angrily as I burst into the kitchen.

The table is lined with hungry brothers who all turn to me when the door smacks back against the wall. Axel arches a brow, but something about his smug smile makes me zone in on him. "Where is she?"

"Brother, you already know."

"No," I yell, balling my fists at my sides.

"She came to me, Pit," he says, standing. "She asked me to send her home. And we'd already agreed on that, right?"

My chest aches and my heart twists painfully. "No," I repeat, shaking my head.

"You knew we had to hand her back," he says calmly.

Fletch heads towards me. "Come on, brother, let's go somewhere else before you get another beating." He tries to put his hand on my shoulder, but I shrug him off angrily, spinning on my heel and heading out the kitchen.

"Don't take him to my office," Axel calls out. "I don't need him breaking shit."

"Jesus, Axel, what's gotten into you?" yells Lexi, and I hear her footsteps running up behind me.

"Pit," she calls, "wait." I push out into the fresh air, inhaling deeply. Fletch appears in my side vision, standing cautiously to my left. Lexi runs in front, spinning to face me and walking backwards.

"You know he's right," says Fletch. "She had to go back."

"I don't think she'll go to the police, Pit," adds Lexi, and I laugh coldly. Trust her to think that's what's upsetting me.

"She can't. We saw to that," I spit angrily.

"You're upset she's gone?" she asks, her voice laced with sadness. "Oh, Pit."

"I don't need your pity," I snap, storming off around the side of the building. I run down the steps and into the empty basement. Maybe a small part of me hoped she'd be hiding here, but when I see she's not here either, I crouch down and hang my head, allowing the pain to freeze my heart.

Lexi's footfalls descend the stairs, and I feel her presence in the doorway. "I hate it down here," she mutters, remaining by the door.

I drop back onto my arse and rest my arms on my raised knees. "It's not meant to be inviting," I say. "You shouldn't be down here anyway, especially not alone without your old man."

She rolls her eyes. "The rules are stupid."

I snigger. "Tell him that to his face."

"Why did she have to go back?" she asks.

"Club business," I mutter.

"She really liked you."

I shake my head, staring at the dirty floor and wondering how many people we've left down here to bleed out. "It was all an act."

"It wasn't."

"She lured me in so I'd let my guard down and she could run."

"But she didn't run, did she? She asked Axel if she could go, and by the sounds of things, you'd already agreed to it."

"Doesn't make it . . ." I pause, feeling like a pussy for even thinking the words.

"Hurt any less," she finishes for me. "So, go and tell her how you feel."

"He can't," comes Axel's voice, and she turns to look up the steps. "We made a deal with her husband, and The Chaos Demons don't break deals."

"Even for a brother?" she demands.

"Don't question what you don't understand, Lex," he warns, coming down the steps and joining her in the doorway.

"You said you'd do anything for your men," she argues. "Even die for them. And here you are, letting Pit break because the woman he loves has left."

"I'm fine," I mutter.

"Pit knows the score," says Axel. "Leave us," he adds, and she sighs heavily.

"I'm around if you need anything," she tells me, and I notice Axel give her a warning glare before she rushes off up the steps.

Axel steps inside, kicking the dirt with his boot. "You know I had no choice."

"I know," I agree. "The club comes first."

"And she was ready to leave."

"Did she say anything?" I ask, finally bringing my eyes to his. He gives his head a shake, and I force a smile. "Great, well, back to business then."

"I know the road is calling, brother, but I could do with the manpower here until things settle." I inwardly groan. "I've called the prospect. He's gonna bring King and Gigi here. I need you at the club."

"Okay," I say, standing. "Did Alec say anything last night?"

"Just that he'd be in touch today."

Drink numbs the ache. As I knock back my fourth and it warms my insides, I smile, letting my head fall back on the couch. King hasn't stopped whining since he got here, and I can't help but think he's also pining for Tessa. My mind wanders back to her and what she's doing right now. She's probably laughing at me, telling her fuckwit husband how she blinded me with her pussy. If I hadn't seen the evidence for myself, I'd have questioned if she even was a virgin. But, fuck, it felt so right . I groan, and Gigi immediately sits up to look around.

"Don't those things ever relax?" asks London, sitting on the arm of the couch.

"They're looking out for me."

"Well, I'm hardly a threat, am I?" she asks, smiling. "You look lost, Pit."

"I'm all good."

"You sure? I could spend some time with you . . . alone."

"Nah," I mutter. Cos as much as fucking London might distract me right now, I know deep down I'll regret it.

Axel bellows from his office. "Church." I push to stand, leaving my empty glass on the table.

"Another time," I tell her, thankful for the escape.

Axel eyes me warily when I flop into my seat while the other brothers file into church. "Are you drunk?"

"Nope," I mutter.

He slides a bottle of water to me. "Well, sober the fuck up, we have a meet with Alec."

I sit up straighter, opening the bottle and gulping the water. Once everyone settles, he tells the brothers the same.

"He's bringing Pavel Oleg, a big player in the Russian Mafia."

"You have a name," I say, "so cut Alec out."

"It's not that simple," he says, irritated by my interruption. "Alec will send me a location, and once we set off, he's going to send a second one. He's not stupid. We've got to leave the kuttes behind, and I can only take two men."

I hold my breath, relieved when he says my name, followed by Grizz. "Once we get to the location, we'll have our phones removed. We'll be checked for wires."

"What the fuck?" snaps Coop. "Who's this guy think he is?"

"Right now, he's in charge," says Axel. "We have to cut him in on this deal before I can gain the trust of the others involved."

"So, we're licking this dick's arse?" I demand.

"Yep," says Grizz. "Unless you think you're not up to the role?"

I want to see this prick in the ground more than anyone, so I relax back in my chair and keep my mouth shut.

We set off in the car after receiving strict instructions to leave the bikes and kuttes behind, and we're all dressed in black suits.

Axel stops the car at a set of gates and presses the buzzer. The gates draw open, and he drives along the gravel road until a large house comes into view. "What the fuck is this prick playing at?" mutters Grizz, looking out the window as we pull to a stop.

A valet comes over, taking the keys from Axel as we get out. "I think we're about to find out," Axel replies as we head up the steps.

The door opens and a butler nods in greeting as we go inside. The place is heaving with people dressed up and drinking Champagne. "I feel so out of place," I complain as we move through to a main room.

"It's all a game to him. We can't kill him in a room full of people," says Axel.

"Watch me," I mutter, and he smirks.

A man comes over, and I instantly freeze. With her arm neatly tucked in his, Tessa stares at me, expressionless, like she doesn't know me.

Tessa

I have spent the entire day being scrubbed, prodded, and poked, and then forced into this overly tight dress which digs into my hips. My hair has so many pins holding it in place, I have no idea how the hell I'll ever find them all. And all I really want to do is sleep. My heart is heavy, and my eyes sting with unshed tears.

Alec spent all of ten minutes quizzing me, and when I told him I'd spent my time in a basement, he dismissed me, ordering me to be ready for seven. The only people I have had contact with since arriving at his apartment work for him.

And now, as he parades me on his arm like a proud husband, I want to run away. So, when I come face-to-face with Pit, I bite my inner cheek so hard, it bleeds. I allow the metallic taste to fill my mouth and breathe slow, in through my nose, out through my nose. In. Out. In. Out.

I didn't expect to ever see him again. That was the plan—live with Alec and forget what happened, then save enough money to leave London.

"Gentlemen, this is my wife, Tessa, although I'm sure you're all aware." He laughs, not caring that the rest of us stand awkwardly, unamused.

"You wanted us here, so here we are," says Axel bluntly. "Don't waste my fucking time with shit jokes."

"Relax," says Alec, smiling wide. "Can I get you drinks?"

"No. Where's Oleg?"

"He'll be here."

"Where are we exactly?" snaps Grizz.

"This is a charity ball. You've probably not attended many."

"Why are we here?" demands Axel.

Alec smirks. "I have my safety, and that of my wife, to think about."

Although my eyes are fixed to the ground, I can feel Pit glaring at me. I can sense the utter hatred he has for me, and I wonder what Axel told him.

"I need the bathroom," I mutter close to Alec's ear.

"I'm sorry, my darling, but I can't let you out of my sight while these feral idiots are roaming."

"Don't think I won't end your life right here, Alec," Axel hisses. "Get me Pavel Oleg, now."

"Which one was it, firecracker?" Alec asks, and I look at him blankly. "Which one took you?" My eyes betray me, going to Pit, who is still glaring at me. "Of course. He looks like the muscle." This time, I don't look away. Pit has no right to be angry with me, and I have no need to be ashamed. I had every right to leave. "Did you fuck her?" asks Alec, and I almost choke on my own breath.

"I already told you no," I hiss, pulling my arm from his.

Alec's hand dashes out, snatching my wrist and hauling me against him. I see Pit move from the corner of my eye, but Axel stops him, shaking his head in warning. "I wasn't asking you," Alec growls before turning back to Pit.

"No," says Pit firmly.

"Why?"

"Because I don't fuck whiney, sneaky, little bitches," he says coldly. His words pierce my already fragile heart as Alec's laugh rings out.

Another man joins us, shaking hands with Alec. "This is Pavel Oleg," says Alec smugly. "Pavel, meet your new suppliers."

"Let's find an office," says Pavel, shaking hands with the bikers.

We're led up some stairs and into a reception area that leads to an office. Alec turns to me. "Stay here," he says, pointing to a chair like I'm his fucking lapdog. The rest of them go into the office.

I wait for the door to close before heading back down the stairs. Fuck him . I'm not a prisoner anymore.

I head for the bar. "A martini," I tell the bartender. "Put it on Alec Clay's tab."

It's almost an hour before they reappear. I see Alec scanning the room, and when his eyes land on me, I hold up my glass and smile. Prick.

He begins a conversation with Pavel, turning his back to me. As the bikers leave, Pit stops, and despite Axel's protests, he heads over. "Not even a goodbye," he says, his mouth close to my ear.

I shudder. "I bet you've snuck out a million times on a woman."

He laughs. "Yeah, but never one I've cared about."

"Stop kidding yourself," I say. "This time next week, you'll have someone new in your bed and I'll be just a distant memory."

"True," he says, making eye contact. "Only I didn't want to wait for the bed to get cold. London filled it nicely." And he turns and walks away.

I stare after him with tears in my eyes. What did I expect? A declaration of love? I hurt him, and now, he's paying me back.

Alec comes over. "Drink up. We have business to attend to."

When I don't drink fast enough, he takes the glass from me, spilling some of the contents down my front and slamming it on the bar. He takes my hand and practically drags me from the building.

Outside, he tugs me to him. "I saw the way he was looking at you," he spits, and I'm shocked by his sudden change in mood.

"Huh?"

"You expect me to believe there was nothing?" His hand goes to my throat and he squeezes. "We're about to find out who's telling the truth."

He releases me and tugs me down the steps. I catch a glimpse of a car slowly pulling away, Pit is staring out the window, his hand pressed to it and his expression pained. I'm so distracted, I don't see Alec's fist until a blinding pain splinters through my head and my knees weaken, almost dropping me to the floor. "And if you've lied, it's going to be a long night."