Zero (8 page)

“You fucked Zero from The Skulls?” he asked, keeping his back to the woman.

She whimpered.

“I suggest you answer me or I’ll make it far harder than it needs to be.” He held the knife up to the light.

“Yes, I was with him.”

“You fucked him?”

“Yes, I fucked him.”

Alan smiled. He always loved the power he held getting what he wanted. Looking in the far corner of the warehouse he thought about the woman who’d pulled him out of the burning building ten years ago. He’d treated her like the treasure she was, taking care of her until she died a year ago. Clara hadn’t been a whore. She’d been a good girl, a good woman, unlike this piece of trash in front of him.

Through his recuperation, the surgeries, the physiotherapy, Clara had been the only one by his side.

When she died, he buried her and then set about taking back what was his. Clara didn’t care about his face or the damage done to him. It was a good thing Clara couldn’t see him now. She didn’t think getting his revenge was worth it.

Alan had nothing else to live for. The woman he loved was dead, and he had a select few men who stood by his side. By the time they were done, he was going to have everything back. Zero had taught him something ten years ago. He knew the other man had no intention of walking away and was prepared to die. There was nothing left for Alan. This game was going to be fun, and if he was lucky, by the end of their time, he was going to be dead along with Zero. Touching his face acted as a reminder to Alan.  Zero was the first man to make him beg for mercy. The game was turned. Alan wasn’t going to make Zero beg. He was going to make the bastard suffer, picking off the others around him before finally taking out the man himself.

He nodded to one of the men, who moved toward the bound woman, the nurse he’d taken from the hospital. Alan had a lot of eyes and ears. He looked forward to taking his time with this game, taking out everyone near Zero before finally killing him, himself. When Alan couldn’t get around, he paid people to do his work. There was always someone willing to do something for money.

Thinking about Prue, Alan smiled. She was going to be so sweet to finally break. The love between the two was strong. He’d seen the way Zero was with her, and it wouldn’t be long before he destroyed the pair of them.

The sound of fabric tearing and a feminine scream filled the air.

Turning toward the woman, the whore, the slut, he pressed the blade to her skin. Alan didn’t care anymore about the blood. Revenge would be sweet.

“I better warn you, whore, you will die here,” Alan said. “It’s nothing personal. You shouldn’t have touched Zero.” He pressed the blade against her skin and slid it downwards. Yes, the game was truly in motion.

Chapter Four

Zero stayed behind as the rest of the men left for the day. Running a hand over his face he looked at Prue, who was working over a puzzle. She’d got on with Eva and the others as if they were old family friends. Prue’s smile and sweet charm had always been refreshing for him. There was nothing fake about her, and she never tried to manipulate him. He watched her take sips from her drink and tuck her hair behind her ear as she nibbled on her lip, thinking. All of her actions drew him in. He’d never watched a woman’s actions before.

“Why do you keep staring?” she asked, glancing over at him.

“I don’t know. I’m pleased you’re alive.”

She smiled, sticking her tongue out at him. “I’m indestructible. You can’t kill me. I’m like a superhero or something.”

“You could have died, Prue. It’s not a laughing matter.”

“You’re going to be miserable, aren’t you?” She placed the magazine in front of her, dropping the pen on top of the machine.

“I’m being serious, and you could have died.” If the bullet had been an inch down he wouldn’t be sitting here talking to her. Losing her was not an option.

“Who gave you the shiner?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I deserved it.”

“Who gave it to you?” She gave him a pointed look. Growling at her, he stood up moving toward the window in her room.

“Nash gave it to me.”

“Great, I’ll remember the name. He can kick your ass for me.”

He turned toward her.

“Why did he hit you?”

“I’ve had a thing for his wife, and I about kissed her. I shouldn’t have gone anywhere near her, but I never listen to reason and so he hit me.” He shrugged. Sophia’s words had hit him square in the face. Nothing he ever did would make her go for him. She was in love with Nash, not him. Zero expected pain, but there was none.

“I’m sorry. What was all that about Steven?”

“Fucker is into you,” Zero said, feeling jealous of the younger man.

“So?”

“You want to be another whore in a whole line of them for Steven?” He folded his arms over his chest, facing her.

“I didn’t say I was going to jump into bed with him. Fuck, what is with you?” she asked, glaring. “You’re really bumming my mood at the moment. Do I need to kick your ass? Even being wounded I’d do it.”

Visiting time was over, but Sandy had organized for him to be with her. Sandy was pulling a lot of strings with this hospital. He was sure they were looking for any excuse to fire her ass.

“Sorry, nothing is with me.”

“You fuck everything that walks. One guy takes notice of me, and suddenly you’re throwing your weight around as if you were my boyfriend or something. Newsflash, we’re best friends.”

Her words cut him deeper than Sophia’s.

“I don’t want you hurt.”

“I’ve been hurt before, Zero. You were not there to mend my heart. In fact, the moment you’re done with needing me, you’re out the door,” she said, folding her own arms underneath her breasts.

“That’s not true.”

“Yes, it is. The moment I didn’t need you to keep the nightmares away you were gone like a shot. After Trevor died and we buried him, you were gone. When you were needed back home with The Skulls, you were gone.” She named off every occasion he’d left her.

Whenever he was around her, he felt guilty.

It’s not just that.

Being around her always made him want something he could never have. He’d promised Trevor he would take care of her. Wanting his deceased friend’s sister was never going to happen. Prue knew him in ways other women would never get. She grew up with him and knew his parents didn’t want him. No one ever wanted him. Gritting his teeth together, he took a seat beside her.

“You mean the world to me, Prue. Nothing is allowed to happen to you.” He took her hand, but she pulled away from him.

“No, you don’t get to hide from me.”

“I don’t want you with Steven.” He yelled the words at her so she wouldn’t have a doubt of what was going through his mind.

“Why not?” She yelled back, never taking his shit.

A nurse peered into the room ordering them to be silent. Going to the door, Zero closed it, giving them privacy, before going back to the bed.

“I don’t want him near you. Please, do as I ask and don’t push me.”

She stared at him, collapsing against the bed. “You’re going to drive me crazy with all of these demands.” Prue grabbed the remote by the side of the bed, turning on the television.

“Is that a yes?”

“Steven is young, sweet even. I’m not going to be fucking the first guy who looks my way. I’m not that desperate,” Prue said. “I know how to take care of my needs.”

He tensed, thinking about her needs. “What?”

His cock tightened. How did she take care of those needs?

Crap.
Now all he saw was her pussy. He didn’t know what she looked like down there, but he suddenly really wanted to know. Zero would be more than happy to be considered to help her with those needs.

She’s not yours.

Prue looked at him. “Are you a virgin?” she asked.

“No.”

“Then you know what needs I’m talking about. Geez, you don’t need to be a guy to need an orgasm or to get off.” She shook her head, flicking through the television. “I’m usually looking over the kids’ work now. How did the school take my absence?”

She was talking about work? All he could think about was taking care of her needs. “They want you to get well before you even think about returning to work.”

“Good. I’ve never taken a sick day yet. They should keep my job for me. I’d hate to start looking now. The whole economic climate doesn’t fill me with too much confidence on the job search.”

“Have you ever thought about moving closer to me?” he asked.

“How would I do that when you said it wasn’t safe for us to be close?” She turned to look at him. Her green eyes were so beautiful and wide.

“Alan’s taken that out of our hands.”

“Yeah, he has.”

There was a game show on. He watched for several minutes, reaching out to take her hand.

“I’ve missed you, Prue.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” She rubbed at her temple, and he watched the movement. “Zero,” she said, glancing at him.

“What, baby?”

“Will you hold me?” She tapped the bed beside her.

Smiling, he climbed on the bed, moving his arm underneath her head and drawing her close. “I’ll always hold you close to me.” They settled down together. He felt her heat, and his cock responded to her closeness.

Down, boy.

Her needs struck him once more. Would her pussy hair be the same as the hair on her head?
Shit.
Cravings yearned deep inside him. He wasn’t some immature teenager who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.

“He’s going to hurt us,” she said.

“I know.”

Zero knew there was not going to be a way to stop Alan once he started. None of them knew where he was. Whizz was working on locating him.

Closing his eyes, he tried to stop the fear from working inside him. He hated feeling fear.

“Your friends are nice. I would hate for them to be hurt.”

He looked down at her. Her face was turned up to his. When did her lips get so plump and inviting?

Shit, this was the last thing he needed, for his mind to be on her body rather than the danger they were all about to face.

“We can’t leave. Otherwise I would do it.”

“Why can’t we leave? When I’m out of the hospital we can just go.” Her hand lay on his chest. Did she know what her body was doing to him?

“Alan will not stop, Prue. He’s going to take out our friends, and he’d do whatever he could to lure us back to him.”

“I hate him, Zero.”

He didn’t say anything. His feelings toward the bastard had never changed. Alan needed to die, but until they found him, they would have to play his games.

“Why did you do that to his face?” she asked. “I know you said you tortured him, but why do that? Why not just kill him?”

“I intended to kill him, Prue. It was never my intention to let him walk free. I should have made sure he was dead.” His one biggest regret was walking away without guaranteeing he was dead.

She settled next to him. “We’ve just got to wait?”

“Yes, we’ve got to wait.”

Zero felt her relax, and he watched the television. After an hour she finally settled into sleep. Assured she was asleep he looked at her face. Her skin was pale, and her complexion didn’t have a single blemish. Reaching out he cupped her cheek, stroking a thumb along her soft skin.

“I’m always going to take care of you, Prue.” He kissed her cheek, feeling his cock pulse, demanding attention. Watching the television, he was at peace. Having Prue back in his arms settled something inside him.

He wasn’t yearning for Sophia or begging for a fight. The beast he kept at bay was resting. The only time he ever felt so calm was in Prue’s arms. Ever since he realized his parents despised him, Zero had always felt some need to take out his aggression whenever he could. Learning how to shoot helped him build his confidence. The fights he got into were always worth the bruises. The pain helped him to feel free all those years ago. That feeling hadn’t changed even now. The club fought him when he needed it.

When Prue told him about the bullies all those years ago, he’d loved the hours he spent training her. She never acted like all of the other girls or women in his life. Prue treated him like a friend. She didn’t blush or stutter in his presence, and she was never afraid to land him on his ass. When had he cut her out of his life? Over the years he’d tried to forget about her, only he found himself at her doorstep when he promised himself he wouldn’t. Nothing had changed inside him. Prue was all grown up now, and they were both having to face their old enemy together.

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he held her tighter knowing his life would be worse for losing her. She made living possible.

****

What the fuck am I doing here?

Butch sat in his seat at the back of the church. The candles were alight, and no one was around to see him. He looked at the man on the cross without feeling. There was no feeling inside him. Staring at the Bible, he wondered if he missed Cheryl. He asked Lash about her, but there was nothing his brother could say. Lash didn’t remember anything about the other woman besides the fact she did beautiful flower arranging that Angel enjoyed looking at. It was like talking to a fucking brick wall.

“You’re back,” Cheryl said, holding a jacket in front of her. He noticed she had a bag on her shoulder.

Putting the Bible back in place, he stood. Her smile didn’t waver, and neither did her gaze. She knew who he was, yet her gaze didn’t leave his eyes. All of the women he’d been with checked out his cut before settling on him.

“Yeah, I’m back. I don’t know why.”

She smiled. “It doesn’t matter why. Maybe you need some help in your life. Church is always open. I hope you find your answers soon.” Cheryl took a step toward him. “Good night.”

His heart raced as she stepped around him. She didn’t try to rub against him.

“Where are you going?” he asked, not wanting her to leave. The only reason he’d come to church was to see her.

“I’m going home. It’s late, and I only help out at the church when I can.”

“Can I walk you to your car?”

“I don’t own a car.” She hadn’t looked anywhere but at his eyes. This was an entirely new experience for him. Most of the women were after the title of fucking a Skull. Cheryl didn’t look upset or expectant when she stared at him.