Page 24 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

“Yeah, but if we cut off the head of one snake, two more grow in its place,” Rogue adds, running his hand through his shoulder-length hair. I clock Chaos’ expression, like he’s contemplating something, an idea that just struck him. There’s a reason he was chosen as our president when Queenie died. He handles it better than any of us could.

“You’re right. So, what if we take out a few snakes and take over their nest? No nest. No snakes.”

“You aren’t fucking serious. Saint asked for help getting his club back. Not for you to take over his fucking club. We’ve never given a shit about territory.”

“No. But it’s smart. More territory, the bigger we are, the stronger we are. The less of a threat everyone else is. Do you think he’d consider retiring the Kingsnakes MC and becoming a Hell’s Heathen?”

“What the fuck are you even talking about right now, Chaos?” I snap. This isn’t him. “Get to your point. What are you asking?”

“If he’s half as decent of a man as this olive branch represents, then he’d be the new president of the next chapter of Hell’s Heathens, Autumn Cove.”

“Bay,” I correct.

“What the fuck ever.”

Rogue’s head bobs back; both of us are stunned silent. The idea has merit. There are multiple chapters of clubsthroughout one state, and the territories would be spread out enough that we wouldn’t be under each other’s feet, but we’d be close enough to have each other’s backs.

“Sleep on it, Chaos. That’s a big ask. Maybe meet the guy before you ask him to take your club’s name.”

Chaos flips me off while Rogue snorts.

“Get that piece of shit in the garage and get Stitch to keep him alive. He’s going to stay put for a while. Let him sweat. Then he’ll find out what happens to a man for hurting a Heathen.”

Rogue and I work together to get the big asshole out of the van and into the garage. Technically, below the garage. And carrying him down the stairs into the room we use for torturing assholes like him isn’t something I want to repeat any time soon. He smells like a rotting corpse, and I’ve never wanted a hot shower after manhandling someone so bad in my life.

Once Rogue and I get Garrett hanging from the ceiling, we wait for our in-house doctor to arrive to set up an IV. He agrees to keep him sedated enough that he stays asleep and hydrated enough that he won’t die on us. We’ve got big plans for him that he needs to be very much alive for.

After a hot shower, I dry off and collapse naked on my bed, with only one thing on my mind. A pretty little beauty with icy blonde hair and a set of endless blue eyes a man could get lost in if he’s not careful.

The sun is just starting to peek over the mountains, and I know it’s way too early to text her, but I won’t be able to rest until I do.

Me: Tell me you’re alright, sweetheart

Her reply doesn’t come until hours later, and I toss andturn until it does. The same response I’ve gotten from her every other time I’ve asked that question.

Unknown: I’m fine

Me: You deserve to be more than fine

Unknown: That’s life. I’m not your problem

Me: Then here’s your reminder: you could never be a problem if you tried

She doesn’t text back, and I let it go. Even if I feel like begging her to talk to me.

Days go by,and I make it a point to check in with Sienna at the end of every single one. It’s the same conversation on an endless loop, but she’s texting me back, and that’s all I care about. Proof of life. I find myself looking forward to it.

Me: How was your day?

Unknown: Fine

Me: Someday it’ll be better than fine

Me: Did you have a good day, sweetheart?

Unknown: It wasfine, I guess

Me: One of these days it’s going to be great