“Did Alex put you up to asking me?”
“No. You were happier when we first met working with them. They’re your family. You can’t just cut them off because you want to.”
“I can cut them off, and I have. I’m not going to be controlled in what I do.” He folded his arms. She raised a brow at his gesture.
“You’re acting really immature,” she said.
“Can we drop this?”
“Sure, we can drop it, and then in ten years you can blame me for forcing you to give up everything you love about being in the club.” She folded her arms underneath her br**sts. He couldn’t help but look at them. The shirt she wore showcased her cle**age off to perfection.
“I’m not going to blame you.”
“We’ll see.”
Her answer annoyed him.
“I’m not going to blame you.”
Cheryl stared at him. “Okay, I want you to consider the fact that you gave up the club for me.”
He went to open his mouth, but she stopped him from talking by placing a hand in front of his lips.
“You can say you didn’t, yet it was the moment we met that you started to think about it, didn’t you?”
Butch couldn’t argue with her.
“I’m not angry with you, Butch.” She placed her palm over his heart. “I love the man you are.” Cheryl smiled. “Not the person you think I want.”
“Baby, the club is deeply dangerous.”
She shrugged. “I don’t care. I really don’t care. I love you, Butch. I want to be with you. Matthew can never get away from the club. Alex is his father. Will you do something for me?” she asked.
“Anything.”
“Good. I want you to think about your life with the club. Please, take the time to think about it and then make a decision on whether to leave The Skulls or not.”
He cupped her face, tilting her head back to look at him. “I know I love you.”
“I hope it’s enough.”
Dropping his lips down to hers, Butch silenced her with a kiss. He hoped it was enough as well.
****
Fredrick took a large bite of the juicy steak and moaned. One of the women he’d brought in from abroad was lying beside him waiting until he wanted to f**k her again. There were times he loved using the women who earned him enough to make a good living. Once he finished with his food, he picked the tray up and left the room. If she thought about moving or touching his things, she’d been trained to expect pain. He catered to everything a man desired, even crap he hated himself.
“Beautiful steak, remember to tip the chef,” he said. Ronald nodded from where he sat eating his own hamburger.
Pouring himself a shot of bourbon he looked around the room. “Homer still not returned?”
“Not yet. I imagine he’ll be back within a matter of minutes.” Ronald finished his food, standing up to place the containers in the trash.
“Why do you eat that crap? It’s awful stuff.” No matter where he was in the world, Frederick always loved a good home cooked meal. He made sure he stayed in the classiest of hotels or at least paid a chef to cook for him. Ronald always paid for a burger at the local takeout place. Rarely did he indulge in a decent meal.
“A lifetime spent eating home cooked food. I’ve developed a need for all things easy.” Ronald shrugged. “Was the bitch worth the money?”
“Yes. Are you keeping an eye on the clubhouse?”
“Nothing new is happening. They’re f**king boring when they’ve got an enemy. Why are we doing this again, boss?”
“Because I want what others have failed to get. I want Fort Wills, and I want to own Tiny and The Skulls. They think they’re better than everyone else. It’s time they were brought down a peg or two.”
Homer walked into the room, whistling.
Turning to his other man, Frederick waited.
“Job’s done. Bitch thought she was being clever. We now have two bodies without heads in storage and the two heads on ice for when we’re ready.” Homer reached for a burger as Ronald looked pale.
“Fuck, how could you eat after that?” Ronald asked.
“Killing bitches doesn’t bother me. Now slaughtering a dog will upset me. At least they’re loyal.”
The reason Frederick employed Homer was the fact he’d killed his wife when he discovered her in bed with another man. Homer had tortured both of them, then killed them without a moment’s regret. Frederick had a lot of respect for the man.
“Fuck, man, you’re sick,” Ronald said, flicking through the television.
Both of the men with him had their qualities. Ronald got him all the information he needed without leaving a trail while Homer left a trail.
“Get ready to mail the heads. I’ve got a feeling victory is around the corner.” Frederick poured the other two men a glass of bourbon. Clinking glasses together, he nodded at his men then made his way back to the woman waiting.
Closing the door, he stared at the woman in his bed. Tears fell from her eyes, turning him on.
“Spread your legs, bitch. It’s time to earn your keep.”
Chapter Fourteen
Inhaling the rose blooms, Cheryl smiled as she glanced around the florist shop. With time she’d make changes and advance the business from selling flowers to going into more of a retail outlet. She loved being around flowers, maybe chocolates as well. Cheryl wasn’t sure what would be a good business incentive. For the past couple of days life had been going well. Butch was still looking for work, but they’d made progress with his time at The Skulls. He talked about what he loved, what he hated, sharing everything with her.
She took the time to listen to him talk. He didn’t hold anything back from her, which she was thankful for. Butch told her about the women he’d been with and the life on the road. When he told her about the danger he and the club faced she’d been scared. Throughout it all, she’d been scared by what he admitted to. There was no way anyone could survive so much, and yet he had.
The club was part of Butch. She really hoped he saw the truth and didn’t argue with her about it. He’d not caused any problems with Alex spending time with Matthew. From the day he’d asked to be part of his son’s life, Alex made time every day to come and see him. Cheryl didn’t mind his presence in her life. He’d not tried to interfere with his care. In fact, he’d offered to look after him. She made the introductions with her mother.