Hell's Claim (Hellfire MC Book 13), page 18
“And you exposed him to your kids? Lady, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Sunny exclaimed, horrified.
“Jed wanted to make amends,” Belinda argued.
“What could he possibly do to make things better for my mom? Take away her scars? Her nightmares? How about her sense of failure that she did not protect me? We’re never going to see eye to eye on him, and the truth is, I pity you all. Because he’ll blow, that’s the man you married. Primal has information he claims I need. Once I have that, you’ll not see me again.”
Belinda shook her head, but Ronnie looked concerned. “I didn’t know the circumstances. Dad admitted he was very abusive but never told us that. I’m sorry.”
“Watch your mom carefully. I don’t believe for one second that the evil in him is gone.”
Ronnie nodded, his face still pale, but he was listening. That was all Sunny could ask for. As much as he wanted to believe Primal had changed, the memories were hard to deny.
“Sunny…” Primal muttered, and their heads turned to the bed.
“Jed?” Belinda said hopefully, and her face lit up. Sunny shook his head. There was no helping some people.
“Sunny.”
“Dad, wake up,” Ronnie urged.
Primal’s eyelids fluttered, but his eyes remained closed.
An hour passed, and Sunny waited patiently. Finally, Belinda and Ronnie headed out to get some lunch.
“You are the biggest piece of shit I knew, and considering we just fought Fury and his cronies, that’s saying something,” Sunny said to Primal. “It takes a special kind of cunt to do the stuff you did. I would love to say I don’t feel anything for you, but there’s a load of hate. That will never fade. You might have your new family snowed, but not me, I know what resides in your heart, I’ve seen it too many times. You’re nothing but a cunt, Primal, the lowest of the low, and if you were on fire, I’d pour gasoline on you.”
Primal’s eyes fluttered opened. “Hate… me.”
“I fuckin’ loathe you,” Sunny agreed.
“Who shot Enigma? Who is behind my shooting? Tell me who the last traitor in Hellfire is,” Sunny demanded.
Primal blinked, and his mouth worked as he tried to form words.
“Who is it!” Sunny repeated.
“Sunny… Levi…” Primal’s eyes closed, and Sunny stiffened.
Levi. Sunny had a name.
Chapter Seventeen.
Levi
He was chuckling as he rode his bike back to the clubhouse. Madisen had been telling him about a customer who thought the speakeasy part of the club was code for strip joint. Madisen was furious, and Levi had gone to calm her down. The guy had been totally embarrassed, which amused Levi.
Levi saw an SUV appear on his tail and noted that it was approaching fast. He moved over to one side in case the asshole decided to overtake. Things happened too quickly. Levi wouldn’t remember them fully.
The SUV hit his rear type, and Levi spun out of control. Levi headed down an embankment and slid off his bike. A brief thought of thank fuck he was wearing a jacket crossed his mind, and then his head clashed with something, and he blacked out.
◆◆◆
Levi opened his eyes and blinked. It was sheer darkness around him, and he was hanging from a hook in the ceiling.
“You’re messing with the wrong person,” Levi called out as he winced in the pain in his shoulders. His feet just barely touched the floor, but his shoulders ached from being hung above his head.
“The army teaches you a lot of shit. How to fight, survive, and win. We also learn how to keep a guy alive despite him being wounded.”
“Sunny? What the fuck, man? Let me down now.”
A bright light was switched on, and Levi blinked as a punch hit him hard in the kidneys. He cried out in pain and tried turning his head.
“Tell me why you betrayed us,” Sunny demanded.
“I didn’t.”
A second blow landed. Levi winced. “Stop this shit. I haven’t betrayed you.”
“Where’s your old burner?”
“Long gone, brother! Jesus, we did not need them afterwards,” Levi hissed. Why the hell had Sunny fingered him as the traitor?
A belt hit his back, and Levi yelled out.
“Why did you betray us?” Sunny demanded.
“I fuckin’ didn’t! Why do you think it was me?” Levi demanded.
Sunny didn’t reply. His only response was to yank on the chains holding Levi’s arms above his head and lift Levi so his arms and shoulders took his full weight.
“I’m your brother,” Levi said desperately.
Madisen had just discovered they were having a boy. He wanted to be around to see his child born. Sunny had evidence, but it was the wrong evidence. Levi had to reach him.
“Sunny, speak to me. Why do you believe it was me?”
Sunny did not answer but blows hit Levi’s body as he swung back and forth, helpless to defend himself. Levi was terrified. He didn’t want to die. He had a family and everything to live for.
“Fuckin’ talk to me. I’m not the rat,” Levi screamed with real fear.
Sunny had been mid-swing and paused at the terror in Levi’s voice.
“That’s how I felt when I was shot.”
“Sunny, Madisen’s having a boy, he deserves a father!”
“And Liv deserved hers! And you nearly took me from her. You attacked Cherry at home and tried to harm Callie. Your kid deserves better than you!” Sunny roared and hit Levi again.
Levi’s cheek burst open, and he winced.
“Who fingered me? They’ve set me up to escape their own punishment. Fuck, we were close back then. I’m not your rat!”
A heavy blow to the head stunned Levi, and two more knocked him unconscious.
◆◆◆
Levi had no idea how long he’d been out when he came to, but his body hurt all over. Sunny sat in a chair, playing with a knife.
“Tell me the truth, Levi, why me, what did you get from being a traitor? I’ll make it quick for you. Keep the bullshit up, and you’ll be in far worse pain.”
Levi shook his head. Hope was fading, and he was losing his dreams. “It wasn’t me. The rat has set us both up. I didn’t betray you or Hellfire.”
“Primal gave me your name.”
“He wasn’t around when I joined. How the hell would he know?” Levi blurted, seeing what Sunny hadn’t.
“What?”
“How the fuck would Primal know what was happening in the club? Think. He was long gone. He couldn’t have known who the traitor was.”
“Maybe he stayed in contact with some of the other traitors, hoping to get back in,” Sunny retorted.
“You are grasping at straws. I’m not the rat, and you’re going to kill an innocent brother,” Levi hissed.
“None of us are innocent, Levi.”
“Of being a traitor, I am!”
Levi held Sunny’s gaze even though one eye had swollen shut. He hoped Sunny could see the truth on his battered face. Sunny held his eyes, and then everything went dark again. Levi hung alone in the darkness as Sunny moved away.
Hopefully, he had given Sunny something to think about.
Chance
“His bike is mangled. Someone hit him and took Levi from the scene,” Lio reported to Chance.
Not somebody… Sunny, Chance realised. For some reason, Sunny had gone after Levi. He had taken a call from Sunny’s step-mom, who said that Sunny had stormed out of the hospital after promising someone was dead. Belinda had told Chance that Primal had muttered the name Levi, and Sunny had left immediately.
Chance had reached out, but Levi hadn’t answered his phone. That had been three hours ago. Levi had been in Sunny’s grasp since then.
Chance rubbed his brow. They’d only just found Levi’s bike.
“There’s blood on the ground. Levi was hurt,” Lio added.
“Thanks.”
“Who do I put an ABP out on?” Lio asked.
Chance balked at telling him, but he needed Sunny finding quickly. Chance hesitated, and Bear shook his head.
“Don’t know. If we find information, we’ll inform SPD,” Chance replied. He hoped he was making the right decision, as Levi’s life was on the line.
“If you’re holding back and Levi dies…” Lio let the words hang before cutting the call.
“Get me Sunny!” Chance roared at those around him.
Boots hit the floor as those present left. Over half the club had been searching for him already, but Chance needed everyone out there. Bear swapped a glance with Chance.
“Sit down. You know Sunny. Where would he head?” Bear said.
“I don’t know. Sunny’s not the guy he used to be,” Chance answered.
“Sailor is missing as well. Is he in on it?” Bear asked.
“Possibly. I do not believe it’s Levi. Levi can’t be the traitor.”
“No, I don’t see it being Levi either. Why would Primal finger him? If we can figure that one out, we might have the real rat,” Bear replied.
Chance nodded as his brain scrambled. There was something; there had to be.
Sunny
It didn’t feel right. Something was off with the entire scene. Levi had rightfully pointed out something he’d not considered. Primal had left by the time Levi joined the club, so why finger him?
Sunny paced. He was convinced there was a traitor, and Levi’s name had been given to him. But Sunny had a feeling Levi would die proclaiming his innocence, and he didn’t want to kill an innocent brother. Levi had answers that Sunny needed.
He walked to where Levi was hanging and turned the lights back on. Sunny grabbed a bottle of water and held it to Levi’s mouth. Levi drank deeply from it.
“Sunny, you gotta listen. I ain’t the rat. I don’t know why Primal fingered me, but I’m not the traitor.”
“He gave me your name for a reason.”
“Ever thought Primal was behind this shit? That he’s come back to cause trouble? Turn brother against brother? That’s his mojo, isn’t it? Betrayal, backstabbing and pain. Is Primal capable of this?” Levi demanded.
Sunny was in the process of lowering Levi, so his feet touched the floor and paused. What Levi had suggested was true. Primal was capable of this shit. Primal would revel in the chaos caused by his lies.
“Possibly,” Sunny admitted.
“I am not the traitor, brother. Torture me all you want, even kill me, but that won’t make me the rat. But I pity you because you’ll have to live with the knowledge I’m innocent,” Levi ground out. His face screwed up in pain, and Sunny paused again, thinking.
“You could be mind-fucking me.”
“I can’t control your thoughts. But I have never targeted you. I don’t know who the snake is, but I think you’re being set up. Kill me, and Hellfire will take you out, too. They’ll do the traitor's job for him,” Levi said.
Sunny nodded thoughtfully. His gut was screaming Levi was innocent, but he couldn’t be sure.
“If I trust you and this is a mistake—”
Whatever Sunny had been about to say was cut off as the door was kicked in, and Pyro barrelled through it. He took Sunny down to the floor as Sunny fought back.
No! Not now.
Sunny fought with everything he had, but Tiny joined in as Banshee also arrived. The three of them quickly subdued Sunny, tied, and gagged him as Tiny lowered Levi.
“Tell Chance we need Doc, Sunny has done a job on Levi,” Tiny said with hate and kicked Sunny in the ribs.
Sunny’s eyes narrowed. He would remember that. Tiny hauled Sunny up and slung him over his shoulder.
“For what you did to Levi, I’m going to pay back tenfold,” Tiny promised and carried Sunny out.
Callie
I shouldn’t be listening, but I was. And I was devastated. Sunny had gone after Levi and tortured him. But he had been stopped by Tiny, Pyro, and Banshee and was being held at Hellfire. Sailor had reported to the others, and now they were discussing how to get Sunny back.
Without catching their attention, I slipped past and grabbed some keys. I could get into Hellfire and free Sunny. They’d not deny me entrance.
Cherry caught my gaze and nodded. “Bring my son home,” she said.
“I’ll do my best,” I promised.
“Thank you.”
I headed for the car and slipped in. Hands shaking, I started the engine and allowed the car to roll down the dirt track. We were hiding out at a house surrounded by woods. There was only one way in and out, and this was it. But if I started the engine, the team would be on me before I could blink.
Once the car was rolling merrily along and I deemed myself far enough from the house, I started the engine and drove off. Silently, I prayed for Sunny to hold on; I was coming for him.
Chance
He looked around church as he waited for his brothers to arrive. They were coming from all over as they’d been out searching for Levi. Sunny had literally been ten minutes from Hellfire. Chance had put himself in Sunny’s shoes and had known where Sunny would have taken Levi. The one place they wouldn’t search. Hellfire’s old wet room.
His gut feeling had been correct, and Tiny, Pyro, and Banshee had brought Sunny in. Levi was in with a doctor, and Sunny was in the cells. As soon as Chance had Levi safely home, he’d called everyone in. They now had a decision to make. Sunny had overstepped the line.
He heard a commotion and opened the door and saw Clio sobbing on Callie’s shoulder. Callie looked awkward and was rubbing Clio’s back. Thalia stood, hugging them, too, and Chance’s gaze narrowed.
For a brief moment, Callie’s eyes met his and held hate. Then it cleared quickly as Callie offered him a weak smile.
Chance assumed she was mad because Sunny had turned out not to be what she believed. He walked over to her and hugged her briefly.
“I’m glad you’re back,” he said, and she nodded. She hesitantly returned his hug.
“Me too,” she murmured.
Chance felt there was a lot that needed to be addressed, but this wasn’t the time.
He turned as Bear came into the room. “Levi’s resting and will be okay. A couple of broken ribs, some cuts and bruises. Sunny hadn’t hurt him too much, he was just getting started.”
“That’s good. I’ve called church, let’s talk,” Chance said and tilted his head in the direction of church.
Bear nodded, his eyes lighting on Callie with suspicion. She held his gaze for a few seconds before dropping hers. Bear stared at her for a few more minutes, and Chance wondered if he was going to say anything. But Bear turned on his heel and walked towards church.
Callie
It took an hour for every fucking brother to arrive and head to church. Whatever was going on in there was loud as people shouted over one another. The old ladies had headed to see Levi with Madisen upstairs, which left me with Jinx. Jinx was busy doing stuff behind the bar, so it didn’t take more than a few seconds for me to slip away.
I knew where the cells were. Clio had once let their location slip, and I found them easily. Sunny lay on a bed behind the first cell, and his eyes widened as he saw me.
“I hope you can pick locks,” I said and handed him a hair clip.
Sunny started laughing. “You never fail to surprise me!”
He got up and, grabbed the clip from me, and began working on the lock. It took a couple of minutes, but he got the door open.
“Now what?” I asked as he kissed me.
“We get Levi. Somehow, he has the answers.”
“He’s surrounded.”
“No, he ain’t!” Levi said from behind me, and I spun around.
“You can’t have Sunny,” I hissed.
“I do not fuckin’ want him. But Sunny’s correct. Primal gave my name for a reason. I must have knowledge of something. However, we need to get out of here. The club is voting on what to do with Sunny, and I don’t see it going his way. I’ve got an SUV outside,” Levi said.
Sunny and I exchanged glances, and Sunny shrugged. “Ain’t got nobody else to trust.”
“Damn right,” Levi ground out as he winced.
Together, Sunny and I followed Levi up the stairs and out into the open. An SUV was parked outside.
“Sunny, you drive. Just getting here fuckin’ hurt.” Levi tossed Sunny the keys and got in the back, where he slumped down.
I hurried around to the passenger side and climbed in as Sunny jumped in.
“Let’s figure this shit out,” Sunny said as he started the engine.
“Yeah,” Levi agreed and closed his eyes.
“Do you need anything?” I asked, worried. Sunny drove away, but not towards the gates. “Where are you going?”
“There’s a back way out of here, it connects with Lavender’s property,” Sunny replied.
I nodded and repeated my question to Levi.
“I need this shit to end. We gotta figure out who the traitor is and why. The suspicion is killing us all,” Levi muttered.
“Agreed,” Sunny said. Sunny hit the highway, and I pulled out some money I’d taken from his stash.
“I gathered you wouldn’t want to return to the safehouse, so I brought cash,” I stated.
Sunny tossed me a grin. “Clever girl. We’ll book into a hotel and figure this out.”
“Get a fuckin’ king-size, I need to lay down,” Levi griped.
“Ain’t apologising until we work this out.”
“Didn’t expect you to because you’re an asshole,” Levi shot back. “Sunny, I want answers, too. Clearly, Primal believes I have information I’m unaware of. Fuck knows what.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“You believe it’s not me?” Levi asked, and I stared at Sunny.
“Be pretty fuckin’ stupid of you to place yourself in my hands if it was. Then again, it could be a genius move to throw me off the scent. Who the hell knows?”
“Jesus, your mind is fucked, brother,” Levi muttered.
“His mind is fine!” I defended him, and Levi chuckled.
“Madisen’s going to kill me,” he complained.
“Probably,” Sunny replied, and the conversation fell dead after that.
◆◆◆
Sunny picked a motel on the roadside and paid cash for a room. We weren’t staying; it was somewhere they could figure shit out.
