Page 31 of Porter (Dirty Misfits MC 2)
But that didn’t stop him from glaring at me before Astrid rattled off at the mouth.
“What happened? Are you all right? Did you get shot, too? Where does it hurt? Does Raven know? Should I go call her or something?”
Brooks placed his hands on her shoulders. “Astrid, I’m good. I promise.”
“So, you’re not hurt? Like, at all?”
He shook his head. “I was one of the lucky ones.”
Astrid shoved his chest. “Then, what the hell happened!? Why in the world have you guys been shot up and beat up to hell and back?”
“Thanks?” Archer asked.
She shook her head. “You know what I mean. Who did this to you?”
Brooks shrugged. “Just some assholes. We taught them a lesson and it’ll all be good from here.”
“I don’t believe a syllable of that.”
Chops scoffed. “Smart gal.”
Astrid tossed him a look before her eyes connected with my stare. “What happened, Porter?”
Brooks stared a hole into the profile of my face as I shrugged. “Just some bullshit.”
Astrid narrowed her eyes and she looked just like her brother. “It was clearly a big deal, and I want answers. Now.”
Chops ground his teeth together. “Everyone, shut up.”
Astrid clicked her tongue. “Someone start talking or I’ll call an ambulance.”
Brooks rolled his eyes. “Can you just let it go?”
I shook my head. “Just tell her, dude. You know she’s not going to stop.”
Astrid held her hand out. “Thank you. At least someone gives a shit about me.”
Brooks pointed to his chest. “I give a shit about you.”
“Then act like it, asshole.”
The two of them stared one another down for the longest time before I broke the silence. “She’s not your kid sister anymore, Brooks. She’s not that thirteen-year-old with braces and pigtails. Look at her.”
Brooks chewed on the inside of his cheek as his eyes fell down Astrid’s body. Then, he slowly looked over at me and a wildfire burst behind his eyes. “Why don’t you stay the fuck out of family business?”
I scoffed. “Funny. I thought I was family.”
Brooks nodded curtly. “And you’d do well to remember that.”
But Astrid’s shrieking made all of our ears ring. “Someone start talking right now or so help me God I’ll fucking go to the police and every other law enforcement agency and throw all of you where I sometimes feel you deserve to be! Now tell me why the fuck you guys have been shot to hell and back, god damn it!”
My eyes widened as she drew in a sobering breath. “He’s right, Brooks. I’m not a little girl anymore that you have to protect. That’s not your job. I’m a grown ass woman and I can handle what you throw at me. But if you don’t start talking, then understand this: not only will I move away, but you’ll never hear from me again. And you’ll get to spend the rest of your life living with the fact that you pushed your only other shred of blood family away with your bullshit. So, what’s it gonna be?”
Chops chuckled. “Might want to be more specific about who’s exchanging information, since you seem to have secrets of your own, sweet girl.”
Astrid hissed at him. “Call me that one more time and I’ll show you exactly what I carry in this purse. Got it?”
Brooks narrowed his eyes. “The fuck does that mean? What are you hiding from me?”
She shook her head. “You’re one to talk, you stupid bastard.”
Brooks towered over her. “What the fuck did you just call me?”
I charged over to them and stepped between them both. “Enough! That’s enough out of both of you.”
Brooks yelled in my face. “What is Chops talking about!?”
And before I could calm the situation, Chops did something that sealed his fate in eyes.
He signed his death certificate with the words that flew out of his mouth.
“Isn’t it obvious? Porter and your sister are clearly sleeping together.”
And the look that painted itself across Brooks’ face was one I’d never forget as long as I lived.
Mostly, because it was the closest I knew I’d ever come to death in my life.
Sixteen
Astrid
The breath left my lungs as Chops’ words rang out over the entire room. I looked over at Porter and saw something akin to fear and wrath on his face. And when I dared to stare up at my brother, the look he gave Porter made me want to jump in front of the man and yell at him to run for the hills. How in the world did Chops even know about us?
I didn’t have time to worry about that, though.
I had to save Porter from my brother’s need for blood.
“Is it true?” Brooks asked.
I reached up and grabbed his chin, slowly pulling his gaze to mine. I was the one responsible for all of this. I was the one that didn’t do much to stop Porter’s advances. So, in my opinion, I was the one that needed to take the brunt of my brother’s anger.
