“Enough.” Smokey stormed up to him. “I am still your Prez.”
Ugly Beast stared at Smokey and shook his head. “You may still be my Prez, but the Smokey that brought Raven back to the club as a patched-in member wouldn’t send her off without her knowing about it. Whatever you and Carlos have planned, I don’t like it. It’s not going to end well, and whatever guilt you are still feeling, that is on you.” He couldn’t believe this.
The club was his life. The club, and his wife, and his kid. They were what he lived for.
For the first time in his life, Ugly Beast was ashamed to wear the patch. Raven was one of them. When she first arrived at the club, he thought Smokey was taking the piss. He figured his Prez was fucking her and using her, but that hadn’t been the case. Ugly Beast didn’t know if Raven had been with any of the club brothers or not. Her past always stayed perfectly hidden, but he had come to realize that for the young woman, her life had truly begun at the club.
To him, they’d betrayed her, and that didn’t sit well with him.
****
Hunter watched Ugly Beast leave.
He wasn’t happy either.
When Raven first came to the club, he had his doubts when it came to a woman member. They never allowed pussy to join, but Smokey had told them to give Raven a chance. She had put her life on the line to save Smokey.
Hunter hadn’t gotten the full details on how they met, but it had changed Smokey. Raven was a fully patched-in member, but she had also taken on several of the roles of prospect when she got to the club, proving to everyone she had a right to be here.
She fought hard.
She was loyal.
Took beatings and bullets.
Never backed down.
He’d seen men cower in some of the dangerous situations Raven had been in. She had earned her place and his respect.
“I’ve been your VP for as long as you’ve been Prez,” Hunter said. “In all of those years, I have thought you have been wrong about one thing, and that was bringing Raven here.” He looked up at Smokey. “And now, I think you’re wrong again.”
“This is good for her.”
“For Raven?” Hunter shook his head. “No, this is good for you and for Carlos. Not for Raven. She believes she’s coming home. She doesn’t know that her life is now with him.” Hunter ran a hand down his face. “I saw it. The moment he looked at Raven, the bastard wanted her. You just gave him what he wanted.”
“Raven can take care of herself.”
Hunter stood, throwing back his seat, and yelled. “But we’re her fucking family. We’re the ones who should be protecting her. Do you even realize what you’ve done? You’ve sold her. Treated her like a fucking whore.”
“No money has changed hands, and don’t you dare fucking insult me.”
“No, but blood won’t be spilled because of it. I bet that is what Carlos promised you. He knows you’ve gotten rid of all of the club pussy that hurt your fucking woman, on your fucking orders,” Hunter said. “You were too much of a fucking coward to do it yourself and now you’re cleaning shop.”
“You watch your mouth. I am no coward. Ava was dealt with by the women.”
“Because of your orders. You knew!” Hunter’s hands clenched into fists. “Ever since Raven didn’t question that prospect, she has second-guessed her decisions. You told her what Ava had done. She would never question you. She didn’t even question you about this. She trusts you that much, and look what you’ve done. Can’t you see that? Out of all of us, Raven looks to you like you’re on some kind of pedestal.” Hunter shook his head.
“Get out,” Smokey said.
“You know what, gladly. You made a mistake today, and you’re going to regret it.” Hunter stepped out of the office.
He and Smokey had disagreements, but this was different.
Hunter felt … like a piece of crap.
Over the past few months, he’d watched the women involved leave, fade away as if they were never there. He got it. They had hurt Ava, and they were just a bit of fun for the boys at the club. Free pussy. Easily replaced. Raven was a different story.
He looked toward the bar and saw Brick and Kinky.
They had gotten Ava from the bakery. They’d dragged her to the basement.
Hunter didn’t know where all of this would end, but he feared the way Smokey was going, it would create a divide that hadn’t existed in a long fucking time within the club.
****
Smokey didn’t feel good.
He sat on his chair, staring out across his office, and knew he had fucked up. There was no turning back now.
Raven was with Carlos, and he had no doubt that the man would do as he said.