Rely on Me - Elizabeth Knox Page 0,18

flying fuck. I just heard about what happened. I’m not calling Gamble. Ravage isn’t answering, so you’re the next one in my lineup. Is she okay?”

Shit. It’s been a few days, but I guess no one was really advertising what happened here. I sigh, wishing I could tell him something different. “She’s alive, so that’s the good part. Her surgeon said it was a miracle she even survived surgery. Though, he doesn’t want us holdin’ our breath. Said it could go sideways at any moment ‘cause she’s so small.”

“Holy fucking shit. Do you have any idea who did this?” I’ll be honest. I’m happy that so many of Gamble’s friends are calling members of the club to get updates and not bothering her. It just shows us all how important she is to them.

“The cocky bastard sent a message, apparently. We’re still workin’ on tracking him down. I was handling club business in Puerto Rico at the time.”

“Dammit. I hate she’s going through this. She’s been through enough, don’t you think?” Something in Demon’s tone is a little pissy.

“What’re you trying to say, brother?”

“I’m wonderin’ how in the fuck this happened. You’re the enforcer. You’re the one who’s supposed to be watching out for her, and for Ace too I might add.”

“Did you hear a word I just said? I wasn’t here, Demon. And if you think for a second, I’m not givin’ myself shit over this, you’re dead wrong. I failed her. I should’ve told her to send someone else down to Puerto Rico. If I had, this might not have happened.”

“Got that right.” Demon huffs.

A few moments of silence pass us by before either of us speak, but Demon’s first. “Shit, sorry I got dicky with you. I’m just pissed. I’m pissed this happened, especially to her. The woman has been through hell. Fuck, I know too many people who would’ve offed themselves if they went through what she has.”

I nod my head even though he can’t see it. “You got that right. You heard anything else about us?”

“Mmm . . . you mean the bit about you all leaving the Royal Bastards?”

“That would be it.” I reply.

“Yeah, can’t say I blame you. It only means what I assumed in the first place.”

“What’s that?”

“One of Rancid’s enemies came after Ace, put it together and all, right?”

“How the fuck did you know who Ace’s father was?”

“Okay, lemme settle this right now. I’m not as stupid as y’all think. I can fucking add, dipshit. Plus, Hart is that little girl’s dad and we know it. Her sperm donor on the other hand was a piece of shit we all wanted to put in the ground a lot sooner.”

“True that, brother.”

“I just wanted to call in and see if I could get an update. You text me when there’s any change. Alright?” Demon’s one of Gamble’s closest friends, and I appreciate how he’s not bombarding her with this task. She’s barely sleeping and eating as it is and doesn’t need more stressors if you ask me.

“Sure. How’re things with you down south? I heard some shit . . . some whispers about a certain redhead you were supposed to get rid of for us.”

Demon chuckles, “She’s my problem now and it’s none of your damn concern.”

While his tone is playful, there’s a threatening level of seriousness about it. “Just watch your back, brother. She betrayed us, it doesn’t mean she won’t do the same to you.”

“I’ve heard the same shit from others, believe me. But Mammoth, fuck, man . . . I probably shouldn’t say this, but I’ve never been the type to hold my tongue. Y’all might not be in the Royal Bastards anymore, but you’re still our family. No one can blame any of you for going with Gamble, and if anyone tries to blame Gamble for making the decision to leave, I’ll personally put their body in the ground.”

“Thank you, brother. I knew we could always count on you.”

“Hell yeah you can. She’s gonna start up her dad’s club again, right?”

“She is. Seems like the right thing to do.” Hart passed that message along today, that while being a Royal Bastard wasn’t for her, she felt being outside of the MC life wasn’t true to her character. Splitting from the Royal Bastards should help us with some of our issues, but in hindsight she shouldn’t have ever been part of this club. She was here as a joke, as a way for Rancid to show a trophy off