“Bailey, I’d worry about myself and let my cousin worry about what she did or didn’t do. For the record, I had nothing to do with why she’s not here. As for Mera taking over my spot in Tyrant’s bed, it’s never happening. I know that for a fact. I may not know much else, but I do know that.”

  She tried to walk past me but was told firmly by Crypto to sit her ass down and stay there. Bailey flounced over to drop into a chair. She crossed her arms over her chest, crossed her legs at her knees, and bounced her foot impatiently. She reminded me of a petulant child who was denied their favorite toy. It was hard not to laugh.

  I jiggled my leg as I stared at the door. When it finally opened, I jumped to my feet and moved toward it. The first one through the door was Tyrant, followed by Scythe and more brothers. I had eyes only for my man. I quickly examined his person to see if he was injured. The only place that appeared to be marred was his hands. They were scraped and bloody, with swollen, red knuckles. They looked painful. I rushed to him. No one tried to stop me.

  Tyrant’s scowling face changed to a smiling one, and he held open his arms. I sank into them and placed my cheek on his chest. My arms hugged him to me, and his arms wrapped around me.

  “I missed you, babe. Are you alright? Is it over? What happened to your hands?” I rambled.

  One of his arms let go of me, and it raised my chin so I was staring up at him. His mouth descended on mine, and he thoroughly kissed me. I eagerly twined my tongue around his. It took several attempts to pull apart entirely. When we did, I saw we were the center of everyone’s attention. Tyrant chuckled under his breath.

  “I’ll explain later. First, I need to take care of one last thing, and it can’t wait. I want this entire ugly affair resolved. Just know, you and your brother are safe,” he reassured me.

  “Did anyone on our side get hurt? Can you at least tell me that?” I asked.

  “No, bébé, none of ours were seriously hurt or killed. There are a few scratches, but nothing to worry about. My hands are the worst.”

  I sagged in relief. He turned me so we could face the center of the room. “Alice, Bailey, and Kendall are to come with me. The rest of you are free to come or remain here. The rest who aren’t back will return as soon as possible. This lesson can’t wait,” he stated gruffly.

  His tone made me want to shiver. The women exchanged worried expressions.

  “Lakelyn, you should probably stay here. It’s not going to be pretty,” Tyrant softly warned me.

  “I don’t care. I know this has to do with you-know-who. I want to be there regardless of whether it’s ugly.”

  “Then let’s go. I need to be curled up in bed and inside of you as soon as I can.” His words flooded my body with warmth, and I became aroused.

  As we left the clubhouse and went outside in the dark, it seemed all the Kings present were behind us. Walking between them and us were the sluts. The walk wasn’t a far one. When we reached outside the storage building closest to the clubhouse, Tyrant stopped and faced the crowd. There were exterior lights so we could see each other.

  “What you’re about to see is a lesson I want you all to remember. I don’t want this to be any of you. And while you may think there’s a mistake, I can guarantee there hasn’t been. What happens at this club stays here. Anyone caught talking about this or revealing anything that can harm anyone connected to this club will be dealt with in a manner you won’t like, up to and including the same as you’re about to witness.” Tyrant’s coldness was apparent. I did shiver. It earned me a gentle rub of his hand up and down my arm.

  We turned back to the door, and Drax held it open. Walking inside, I didn’t know what to expect. What I found was a large building like any other, where you might store a lot of cars, crates, or equipment. The thing that stood out was the chair in the middle, and the woman tied to it. Her head hung down.

  The noise our entry made had her raising her head. She was muzzled. When she saw us, her eyes widened, and she began to scream behind her gag. She tried to wiggle, but there was no way she was getting free. I heard feminine gasps, and then I was jostled as Bailey pushed past me and ran to her cousin. She sank to her knees next to the chair Mera was tied to.

  “What did they do to you? Oh my God, Mera, why?” she moaned. Her hand went up to remove the gag, but Brutus was next to them now, and he caught her hand and shook his head.

  “You don’t touch anything unless Tyrant says it’s okay. You need to listen, Bailey. It’s for your sake,” he warned her.

  “My sake? How can it be? You have my cousin tied up like some animal. What is the meaning of this? Why is she here?” She looked back at Tyrant.

  “I don’t know what this is, but you let her go,” she demanded.

  “No, I won’t. The reason Mera is tied up and gagged is that she earned it,” he sternly told the young woman.

  “I don’t believe that! What could she have done that earned her this?” Bailey asked in outrage.

  “She threatened my old lady. You know that’s not tolerated,” Tyrant told her.

  Bailey glanced at me and scowled. “So you take her word, someone you’ve known barely a month, over my cousin, who has been a part of your club for two years? That’s ridiculous. She’s lying.”

  “Bailey, stop and think before you speak,” Brutus warned her.

  “Like hell, I will! Everything around here went smoothly until she and her brother showed up out of nowhere. Suddenly, she’s causing trouble, and now this. I don’t believe she’s who she says she is, Tyrant. I think she was sent here to cause problems. Send them away and let Mera go. You’ll see I’m telling the truth. Kick Lakelyn out,” she demanded.

  “Bails, I don’t believe she’s lying or causing trouble. I’ve gotten to know Lakelyn. You have to. She’s been nothing but nice to us. The only one who did anything was Mera when she attacked her in the clubhouse. Mera was warned and must not have listened for this to happen,” Alice defended me.

  “Yeah, you’d defend her, Alice. You’ve been kissing her ass and hanging out with her. Do the others know that? She’s been alone at Tyrant’s house with Lakelyn. I wonder what they were talking about, or I should say, what plan they concocted. Is this your doing, Alice? Did you and that bitch set up my cousin?” Bailey snapped. She was on her feet. I felt the tension growing in Tyrant. I didn’t want this to escalate. It would be terrible enough for Bailey.

  “Bailey, I didn’t concoct a lie about your cousin. And yes, while Alice and I have talked alone a few times, it had nothing to do with Mera. I have nothing against any of you as long as you don’t touch Tyrant or come after my brother and me.”

  “Yeah, sure you don’t. Everyone knows that old ladies hate women like us. You’re jealous that we had your man before you and that he enjoyed sex with us, probably more than he does with you,” she snarked.

  “I’ve heard enough! One more word, and you can pack your shit and leave, Bailey. This wasn’t Lakelyn’s fault. She didn’t come running to me, telling me that her feelings were hurt or that she wanted Mera kicked out because she was jealous of her. There would be no reason for it. I love Lakelyn. She’s been officially claimed. Her property cut will be presented to her as soon as it arrives. I plan that to be one of many claims to show the world she belongs to me, and I belong to her.

  “Mera thought she’d eliminate Lakelyn by any means necessary, and I’d somehow forget all about my old lady and claim your cousin. That would’ve never happened. If anyone took Lakelyn away, I’d scour the planet looking for her until my dying day. If she were harmed, I’d ensure whoever harmed her was punished. And if someone worked with our enemies to kidnap her, I’d make sure they paid and were never a threat to her again,” Tyrant gruffly rumbled.

  “You’re saying that Mera did one of those things? No way. She wouldn’t betray the club, no matter how much she might hate Lakelyn or anyone else. You’re family to her,” Bailey protested.

  “Yet, that’s exactly what she did. She conspired with not only enemies of Lakelyn’s but also an enemy of ours. She set things up to make Lakelyn and me argue, then used that to get my old lady alone so Mera could let the enemy into the walls of this compound. If I hadn’t gone searching for my woman when I found her missing, if I were a minute or two later, she would’ve been kidnapped, and God knows what would’ve happened to her. Do you know where we were tonight?” he asked.

  Kendall and Alice stood there frozen in shock. Bailey raised her head and gaped at him. Disbelief was written on her face. When she didn’t answer him, he continued anyway.

  “We went to eliminate the people who set up that kidnapping. The same people who were behind my brothers and me almost being killed in a double-cross last month. The same ones who killed Lakelyn and River’s dad and caused them to leave their home and live on the streets, homeless, to hide from them. People who deal in making other humans into slaves of all kinds. That’s who your cousin was helping, and all because she wanted someone who didn’t want her and would never be hers.”

  Bailey was shaking her head, and tears were in her eyes. She stepped back and mumbled, “No, no, it can’t be true. Mera would never do that.”

  “Remove her gag,” Tyrant demanded of Brutus, who walked over and lowered the cloth tied around Mera’s mouth.

  Mera immediately began crying. “Please, Tyrant, don’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was upset and wasn’t thinking. I’ve been in love with you since I came here. I thought you had feelings for me. Even when you fucked the other sluts, I thought I was special, and it was only a matter of time before you’d realize it and make me yours. I get it now. I wasn’t. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

  He stared at her impassively. He let the silence that descended as she cried stretch out for several moments before he said anything back. “I want you to tell everyone in here what happened yesterday. Tell them what you did. I won’t tolerate any more lies,” he growled.

  She sniffed until the tears slowed, then hung her head as she spoke. Her voice was soft, so you had to listen closely. She wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone.

  “I knew Alice had gone to see Lakelyn at Tyrant’s house, and I knew he didn’t like us in his home. I thought I could take advantage of the situation and get rid of her once and for all. I watched, and when I saw him come home from work and stop at the clubhouse, I staged a conversation with Bailey. It was about how Alice had been in his house. I saw his face. He wasn’t happy and went straight home. I waited and watched, and not long afterward, Lakelyn stormed out of the house. She took off, walking toward the side gate. She made it so easy. I didn’t even need an excuse to get her there.

  “I caught up to her, and we exchanged words. I’d let some men who wanted to get their hands on her know about the gate, and I gave them the code. I texted them to be on standby after I ensured Tyrant heard the conversation. They tried to take her, but she fought back. Suddenly, Tyrant and others were surrounding us. Bullets flew, and one of the men was killed and the other wounded. The wounded man and I were brought here, where the guy was questioned, and he verified who hired him and more. The last thing I saw, they’d taken him out of here. I’m so sorry. I’m ashamed of what I did. It was spiteful, and I didn’t think they would hurt our club family. I had no idea they tried to kill anyone last month!” she wailed.

  “Exactly! You didn’t think! You almost traded the safety of everyone on this compound, including your own cousin’s safety, so you could have what you were told would never be yours!” Tyrant roared.

  I grabbed onto him. I thought he was about to go over and hit her. He was vibrating with fury.

  “Honey, shh, calm down. I’m fine. I’m here with you.” I tried to soothe him with a calm tone.

  Mutters came from the other two sluts. However, it was Bailey who shocked me. She was in Mera’s face, screaming at her.

  “You lied to me! You kept telling me Tyrant was waiting for the right time to let the others know he wanted to claim you. You said it was against precedent, so he had to ease them into it. Even when I questioned why he had sex with the others, you said that was a cover-up. This whole time, I’ve listened to lies, and I stuck up for you every time you got bitchy or overbearing with someone. You’d warn others away from him. When he claimed Lakelyn, and I asked about it, you told me it was a smokescreen that he didn’t want her.

  “I came here looking for a family. God knows ours was shit, but you told me how good it was here. And guess what, it is. Even if I’m never more than a piece of ass to these guys, it’s better than what I left at home. I’m protected. Hell, living on the streets is better than home. You gave me hope, and now I find out you repaid the club with lies and betrayal. How could you?” Bailey sobbed.

  Haze came forward and wrapped Bailey in his arms. She sobbed against his chest. He led her out of the building. My heart ached for her. I wanted to hug her, but I was held next to Tyrant. The tension was thick in the air as my man faced those left.

  “I will not tolerate anyone selling out this club, our family. I don’t care who it is or why. Let this serve as a lesson. You cross this club, your family, and you will die.”

  I heard the other women gasp. Mera was muttering repeatedly, “No, please, no.” But I knew by the look on his face there would be no stopping this. He glanced down at me.

  “Mon doux bébé, this is your last chance. Go to the clubhouse, and I’ll be there as soon as I finish.”

  “No, you’re my man, and I’m your old lady. My place is at your side. End it.”

  He sighed but didn’t argue. Letting go of me, he nodded to Brutus and Hayride. “I want her tied between those two posts. Arms and legs spread.”

  They immediately went to work. They cut the zip ties from her. As Mera begged and struggled, they easily dragged her to the support posts that held up the floor above. They produced ropes and, in no time, had her tied the way Tyrant wanted. I had no idea what he intended to do. I steeled myself to show no emotion.

  “I need you to hold my colors and shirt,” he told me.

  I nodded. He removed them, gave me a tender kiss, and I held them clutched to my chest. Tyrant went to a metal chest against a wall. He opened the lid and brought out something. It wasn’t until he returned and unfurled it that I saw what he held. It was a long bullwhip. I gulped. He snapped it in the air, and the crack of it made some flinch or jump. Somehow, I stayed still, but it took effort. He walked over to stand behind Mera.

  “I could shoot you in the head right now, and it would be over, but that’s easy. A quick way out. For what you did and almost caused to happen to my woman, you deserve to feel some pain. And I want it to serve as a reminder to the others. I can tell you from personal experience that being whipped hurts like fuck. It’s almost as bad or sometimes worse than being cut with knives, broken glass, and more. I should know. I’ve had them all done to me and so much more.”

  “No, please, don’t,” she sobbed.

  He didn’t bother to respond. He stepped back and let the whip fly. Her scream was so loud. Her wails grew strained and hoarser as he landed more blows. They tore through her shirt, shredding it and her back. I fought not to pass out or to vomit. I’d never seen anything like it. I tried to imagine him enduring it. I knew he had received some when he was a kid. They weren’t all from his captivity as a SEAL. Even though it felt as if it lasted for hours, he stopped after five or six strikes. Mera sagged by her arms, sobbing.

  He handed his whip to Cobra and walked back up behind her. “I’m sorry it had to turn out this way, Mera,” he said a moment before he grasped her head and snapped it sharply to the side. The crack was audible. As she went limp, a wet puddle started to form underneath her, then the smell of shit wafted in the air. You could’ve heard a pin drop when he faced us.

  “Alice, Kendall, if you no longer want to be part of this club, I understand. You will be allowed to leave. However, if you whisper a word about what happened here tonight or any other secret that results in us being arrested or rumors circulating, you will face the same fate. You took an oath when you joined us. You swore you would always protect the Kings. See that you do. That’s it for tonight. Cobra, you know what to do.”

  Cobra nodded, then Tyrant gestured at me. “Lakelyn, we need to talk,” he said dully, then motioned me to proceed with him out of the building.

  I was suddenly nervous. Why did he appear so withdrawn? He didn’t look at me or say a word the entire walk back to the house. Oh God, what could it mean?

  Lakelyn: Chapter 20

  I was so apprehensive about what was about to happen that I felt sick. Tyrant didn’t take us upstairs to our bedroom. Instead, he led me to the living room. I sat on the couch, and he chose to stand across the room from me. I clenched my hands together to disguise the shaking. He’d removed his boots on the porch. His cut, which I carried when we left the dungeon, he took from me and hung up. His silence finally caused me to break.

  “Tyrant, whatever you want to say, just say it.”

  “I know nothing I can say or do will make up for what happened in the past several hours. I thought about what I might do, but the only thing I thought of was one I couldn’t do. I want you to know I’ll help you and River get home and get your lives back up and running. You just need to stay long enough for us to verify we got all of Jacquots’ men. It won’t be safe for you if any are loose. I’ll have my guys take you there as soon as we do that. I’ll speak to your landlord so you can remain in the apartment. I’m sorry.”

  Tears stung my eyes. He was dumping me. Why? I didn’t understand. “So that’s all you have to say?” I asked.

  “What more do you want me to say?” he countered.

  Anger pushed my tears away. “Why the fuck did you bother to say all that shit you did out there in that building and to make me fall in love with you if you didn’t mean it? What happened? Did you discover you prefer variety and someone who doesn’t cause you to lose out on lucrative deals and will let you fuck whomever you want? Well, if that’s what you want, then fuck you, Killian Hawke. I don’t need or want another fucking thing from you or your club. I’ll find my own way home, and it’ll be within the hour!” I yelled as I came to my feet and took off from the room. I was heading for the stairs. I refused to let him see me cry. He was a heartless bastard.