Chapter 6

(Chapter song ‘Drop It’ by Slander)

OLIVER I pull on my suit jacket and put on my Rolex watch. Grabbing my money clip, I check my hair.

I leave my room and I'm joined by my six plain clothed Enforcers. They travel with me everywhere now that rogues are running all over the place. Ian's idea. I don’t need it, but it stops him from whining.

We load up into my Hummer H1 and drive downtown.

“So, you gonna tell me why we’re going to a bar?” Ian looks at me in the mirror from the driver’s seat.

I turn to the window. “Need a drink.” I grumble “OK. We have drinks at home.” He says.

“A change of scenery then. Quit asking fucking questions.” I scowl.

“It's dad again, isn’t it.” His eyes meet mine.

“I don’t give a shit about him.” I bite the inside of my lip and jut my chin out.

He turns onto the four lane main street. “We both know that’s not true, Ollie.”

“Just drive, Ian. You sound like mom.” I growl.

“Someone should.” He grits. “He’s half your issues. The sooner you recognize that…”

I flop my arm down. “Ian, drive the fucking car! I don’t need you head shrinking.” I turn back to the window. “Shut up.”

“Fine.” He scowls.

It’s no secret my father pisses me off. Who’s father doesn’t? The difference between me and every other daddy issue idiot, I use it. His bullshit fuels me. I turn it into power I can fill myself with. If he wants to dish his shit, go ahead. I’ll turn myself into a monster. I have zero fucks at this point.

Yes, every now and then, I need an outlet because his bullshit is extra bull and full of even more shit. So, I’ll go to the bar tonight, pound back some bottles and grab some sweet ass to abuse for the night. Then I’ll take what’s left and dish it on the rogues at work.

Ian pulls up in front of the Eden's Hell. A small pub type bar with a small dance area and pool tables. The walls are lined with tables and there’s extra seating up front by the bar.

Ian opens my door and my big size 13 thick boot, hits the pavement.

I stand, puff my chest out and eye the front door. I button my jacket and strut to the door.

A tiny, blonde woman walks to the door and she grabs the handle when I did too. I narrow my eyes. “Let go.” I say in a dominant tone.

Her mouth goes small and she lets go. I can sense a tiny bit of fear.

I open the door and motion inside. “After you. Sorry for scaring you.”

She gives me a nervous smile and walks in. I check out her ass in her little black dress and smirk.

Raising my chin, I walk in with my boys behind me. The bar is so small, I feel like we are a wall that just walked in.

Immediately, I’m recognized and people avert their eyes.

I chew my cheek as I stride toward the bar. My eyebrow goes up when I see what’s behind the bar. She has black, outlined dark eyes. Black hair with red tips and full, thick red lips. She’s super skinny, but still quite sexy. She’s up and down the crowded bar and when she turns, I see she has a fabulous ass in tight blue jeans.

I lick my lips and lean to Ian. “Go sit down and take the goons with you.”

He nods and lifts two fingers. He crooks them and the guys follow him to the back.

I slowly stalk the bar, keeping an extremely close eye on her as I walk up to the middle and step up to the counter. The men on either side, get up and leave.

She eyes me and goes back to serving.

“Beer.” I bark.

She glances at me as she pours a pint from the tap. “Get in line, buddy.” She mutters loud.

I suck my teeth and jut my chin out. Buddy?

I walk to where she is and shove the guys there out of the way. “Now!” I order low. My head is tilted forward as I stare at her.

Her brows scrunch and she glares at me. “Look. Wait your turn or get out!” She barks then walks to the fridges.

My brows raise at this blatant disrespect. I get it, she’s slammed, but she failed my test, now I must correct her.

“OK.” I nod.

I push off the bar and stuff my hands in my pockets.

I look down at the floor with an occasional side eye as I casually walk to the end of the bar. Her eyes meet mine and I can see her get her back up.

I stand at the entrance to the end of the bar, raise my head and tilt it.

She looks me over. Her face looks both scared and pissed.

Wiping my bottom lip with my thumb, I step into her domain. My eyes lock with hers as I close the gap.

“What the hell are you doing?!” She growls and takes a step back.

Biting my lip, I throw a hand out, fist her hair and slam her stomach into the back counter of the bar. I press my chest to her back as I hold her. The glasses on the bar tinkle as it shakes. She struggles, with her hand on mine and whines. The guys at the bar take their drinks and back off. They know she crossed several lines.

Her hair smells spicy, but a scent I can’t really place.

Letting go of her hair, I gently slide my fingers around her throat and pull her ear to my lips. Her skin almost tingles on my fingers. Interesting.

She lets out a snarled breath as she side eyes me.

I lick my lips and relish in the control I have now. “You've got a big fucking mouth.” I growl low.

“Let go.” She grits.

My lips threaten to tickle her skin. “Or…I could give that mouth something to choke on.”

Her eye meets mine and scowls. “If that’s the biggest flex you got, asshole, bring it.” She growls back.

Very interesting. A she wolf with a challenge. OK.

“You need to know where you stand here, woman. When I tell you jump, you don’t even ask how high. When I say drop, you fall to your fucking knees.” My words are low, commanding and veiled in threat.

“Yeah?” She eyes me. “Who the fuck are you to demand anything?”

“The one who can snap this pretty neck of yours without a second thought. The choice is yours. Get me a beer or lose your fucking head.” My lips hit her ear lobe and I feel her blow out a shaky breath.

I glance across the bar as a guy mouths the word ‘Alpha' to her.

Her eye snaps to mine and I run circles around her ear.

“Am I clear?” I whisper. She gets it now.

“Yes.” She grinds.

“Answer…properly.” I can feel my deep voice vibrate on her skin.

“Yes…Alpha.” She clenches.

“Good girl.”

I shove her into the counter and walk away, leaving her heaving on the counter.

I take my spot at the bar and she put a bottle in front of me.

Pulling out my money clip, I pull out a fifty. “Buy one for yourself and keep the change.”

Pushing off the bar, I take my beer and walk to where Ian is sitting.

From my seat at the table, I tip my beer back and watch her like a starving dog watches a steak. Like I said, normally a bird with her attitude wouldn’t get any of my attention, but this chick…I don’t know. I want this fight. She thinks she has bigger balls than me and for some reason I want to take that away from her. I want to cut her down. Control her.

I need to find out more. My interest is peaked and when that happens, I will get my way, even if I have to fight her tooth and nail for it.

There’s also something in her that had my wolf growling. Maybe it’s the way she talked to me. The hatred in her words was ripe and I fucking hate it more. Her defiance to me had me boiling, but also turned on.

I lean to Ian. “Who is that?”

He looks her over. “I don’t know. Never seen her before.”

“New member?” I rub my chin as I lean on the table.

“I don’t think she’s applied yet. She might have a sponsor.” He says.

“Check the records. I want a name and where she came from.” I order.

“I’ll do it when we get home.” He tips his bottle back.

I lean back and settle into my seat. I swig my bottle and watch. I can’t take my eyes off her. She shoots me angry looks in between service. Her brown eyes look tired and are shooting daggers at me.

It's OK sweetheart. Daddy will show you how to behave, I think as I lift my chin, bite my lip and smirk.

****

EZRA My wolf spins circles as I watch him in his seat. I know what she’s thinking. She always thinks it. She wants me to turn her loose and that’s not happening now that I’ve caged her. I’m functional again, but that only means I have to be extra careful or Michael will find me.

Though running into this guy has me worried I made the wrong choice.

After the alley a few days back, I passed out again. When I woke up, I could think. I could hear myself think and no one else. The Croak worked. Don’t ask me how, I don’t know. All I know is I took the bitches voice away. She still constantly pounds on my head, but I can internally ignore that.

When I left the alley, I wandered around town a bit longer. One thing I did notice, was the lack of people on the streets. It took a minute, but I decided a vagrant on the street would stick out here.

I kept walking and stopped to eat some food I stole from another house. Across from where I stopped was Eden’s Hell. Appropriately named, I think. The window had a help wanted sign in it.

From some of the memories I got back, I was a bartender in a former life. I knew it was risky, but I could use the cash. As long as keep feeding myself Croak, I can work. If she doesn’t break through, then no one will know what I am. The Croak keeps the smell away. People can’t detect me as long as I don’t shift. Michael taught me that. Now, I’ll use it to my advantage. I’ll hide in Eden and Michael won’t think of looking for me here. Unless the bitch blows it for me.

I walked into the small bar filled with men who look like death warmed over. Worse than me. They shoot me evil looks then go back to their drinks. It feels like I’ve invaded the inner sanctum of man and they’re letting me know it.

I walked to the bar and there was a blonde guy behind it. He was big and tattooed all over and his hair was long, pulled back into a man bun.

His name is Paulie and we talked for a bit. I didn’t get the sense he could track my crazy. My wolf kept on me and made me feel like I’m on a suicide mission. Which I probably am, but I want normal and a job is normal for me right now. As long as I keep my mind in check. I’m fighting what Michael did to me and my wolf isn’t going to stop it. I’m Alpha of this pack and I’m putting her in her place.

Anyway, he tested me and it was like I was seeing myself for the first time. I poured every drink he asked for to perfection. I held back my tears because I felt so human.

He was impressed and gave me the job.

The next couple of days, everything was fine. The guys are rough and full of venom. For a place called Eden, it’s not living up to its name. Narcissists and control freaks run this place. Placing demands and try to run you because you’re a woman. Lucky for me, my wolf doesn’t like control so I’ve been able to shut them down. I guess part of her anger and bitterness leaks through the Croak which I can take. I just can’t lose it. So, I push these guys back.

Except that one.

I slam a bottle on the bar and shoot him another evil glare. I feel the hatred inside. His smug eyes are all over me and if he’s not careful, I’ll gouge them out.

I had to pause after he grabbed me. My wolf slammed my ribs repeatedly. I know what she’d say if she had her voice.

When I found out he was the Alpha of this place, my anger was reduced to fear. I pushed my wolf down as hard as I could. He’s the last person I want attention from.

I’m usually really good at picking up on Alphas. A skill my wolf is attuned too because she doesn’t want an Alpha. She want to be Alpha. I guess I got so wrapped up in being human, I turned that sense off.

Well, it’s on now and by the way he’s looking at me, I may be in trouble. I’ve infiltrated his pack.

I try to push the thoughts away and concentrate on work. He can’t smell me so he’ll never know. I keep my wolf hidden, he’ll never find me out. I keep him away from me and I’ll be safe.

I just have one gigantic problem. I used my last hit of Croak for this. I need a plan. Obviously, I can’t go back, but maybe I can find others with Croak.

I pour a glass of wine and slightly smile. Yeah…I can hunt out Croak for myself. I know it’s out there. Hanging around the necks of wolves that work for Michael. It’s just a matter of finding them, killing them and taking their Croak.

I like this plan. I like it a lot.

My eyes meet dark ones.

I don’t like him, though. Not one fucking bit.