Fuel and Fire

CHAPTER 8-2

Kiki stood near the sinks with two other tramps behind her while fury twisted across her face.

“You don’t belong here.” She spat.

“Funny because Knox seems pretty comfortable with the idea.” I said washing my hands calmly.

“You just another temporary piece of ass.” She said and that annoyed me instantly.

“You came in here to embarrass yourself or was that an actual goal?” I asked turning slowly toward her.

Kiki shoved me hard. Bad idea. I grabbed her wrist automatically before slamming her against the bathroom wall hard enough to rattle the mirror beside us.

The other girls screamed immediately while Kiki swung wildly toward my face. I ducked before punching her directly in the stomach.

She folded over coughing while I grabbed her hair and shoved her towards the sinks.

“You wanna keep going?” I snapped.

Kiki clawed toward me angrily before slipping on spilled water and crashing sideways into a bathroom stall.

Honestly, that part almost made me laugh. Then she came at me again screaming.

So I punched her directly in the mouth and blood hit the floor instantly while she collapsed against the tile groaning.

Silence filled the bathroom for half a second.

“Holy shit.” One of the girls whispered.

“Anyone else feeling emotional?” I asked straightening my shirt calmly.

Nobody moved, which was a pretty good choice on their behalf.

By the time I walked back into the clubhouse five minutes later the entire f*****g building already knew.

Because apparently news traveled faster than bullets around here.

“No f*****g way.” Crow said as he spotted me first and started laughing.

“I told you she fights dirty.” Torch said pointing at my proudly.

“I don’t fight dirty.” I argued.

“You broke her lip.” Marison said raising an eyebrow.

“She brought attitude into a confined space.” I said.

Roman shook his head while hiding obvious amusement and then Knox stepped directly in front of me.

“You alright?” He asked calmly.

I blinked once because somehow that question felt sweeter than concern should coming from a man who literally sold illegal weapons.

“I’m fine.” I said.

His eyes moved over my face carefully before his mouth twitched slightly.

“You hit her hard?” He asked.

“You sound impressed.” I said crossing my arms.

“I am impressed.” He said.

Heat rushed into my chest immediately while Crow yelled dramatically from the couch.

“Our president likes violent women.” He yelled.

“Shut the f**k up.” Knox barked.

The clubhouse erupted laughing and a loud whistle suddenly echoed near the bar while Bones shoved a nervous looking prospect forward. I think they called him Pup.

He was the youngest prospect in Devil’s Hollow and constantly one mistake away from cardiac arrest by the look of him.

“Prospect earned partial colors tonight.” Bones said as he held up a folded patch calmly.

Everybody quieted instantly. Pup looked stunned while Roman stepped forward holding a beer.

“You f**k up less than Crash. That’s basically impressive around here.” Roman admitted.

Laughter rolled through the room while Pup grinned nervously.

Bones handed over the small bottom rocker patch while everyone watched carefully.

“Prospects earn every inch. No shortcuts and no whining.” Bones said firmly.

“Yes sir.” Pup nodded quickly.

Knox stepped beside him then and suddenly the room felt serious again.

“You wear that patch, you represent every man in this club. You bleed for Devil’s Hollow and Devil’s Hollow bleeds for you.” Knox said calmly.

The silence afterward hit differently. It was heavier and real.

I watched Pup’s expression shift into something almost emotional while patched members slapped his shoulders proudly afterward and for the first time I understood this club wasn’t just crime and motorcycles.

It was family. A twisted and violent family. But still family.

Hours later the party finally slowed while I sat beside Knox on the clubhouse couch half asleep against his shoulder. And for one rate moment everything felt almost peaceful.

Then the explosion hit. The entire clubhouse shook violently while windows rattled hard enough to crack.

Everyone jumped up instantly. Roman grabbed his gun before the echoes even stopped.

Outside, flames lit up the night sky. And somebody screamed:

“The warehouse is f*****g burning.”