Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

14. Gio

Chapter Fourteen

GIO

Two Days later

“Long day?” the redhead behind the bar asks.

Her long wavy hair hangs down her side in a twisted side clip. Green eyes look me over but stops short when she spots the bloody and bruised skin around my knuckles. She doesn’t flinch, her face doesn’t twitch, nothing.

“Pour me another one and I might tell you.” I rasp.

Rolling my shoulders to loosen the tight muscles around my neck I try to hold back the groan.

The redhead steps back over with the top shelf whiskey I’ve been tossing back for the past thirty minutes and tips it. The amber liquid spills into the glass until it reaches halfway up and she stops. I curl my finger signaling her to fill it to the brim. I fucking need it.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

She doesn’t seem interested in giving me a real name so she tosses some bullshit answer over her shoulder on the way back to the liquor cabinet.

“Mia.”

I chuckle, “Ok, Mia. I’m -”

“I know exactly who you are, your Stone property.” she quips.

The brat has a smart mouth and the puffy pouty lips to go with it. My dick stiffens with the low raspy laugh she lets out but still the comment fucking stings. I’m more than a damn runner. I’m their right hand. Trusted. Gripping the glass tighter than I should, I slam it back enjoying the burn as it slips down my throat. Dropping the glass on the wooden bar with a loud clunk I look up to meet her eyes.

“I’d watch that pretty little mouth of yours before it gets you in trouble.” I sneer.

Rolling her eyes she comes over with a white wash rag to swipe up the drops I spilt on the counter. Bending to reach the far edge, her tits graze across the arm I have slung over the side of the bar. The black v-neck shirt she has on hugs her far too fucking tight. Shit. My eyes drop to the bare skin she flashes me drinking in the tattoos skin over her collarbone.

“Keep your eyes to yourself before it gets you in trouble.” she shoots back at me.

Using my own damn words to pull me from eye fucking her I give her a half smirk half sneer before I stand. She must think I’m walking away because she makes her second mistake for the night by turning her back on a fucking snake. With both hands on the wood I sling myself over the side to land on the other side of the bar where she’s standing. She freezes.

Pressing my front to her back I let her feel the heat of my body against hers. Slipping my arm around her I slowly slide it up her stomach, across her chest, to land around her throat. The dark ink swirling around my arm stands out against her pale skin. Tilting my head my lips graze her ear.

“I could fuck you right here and no one would stop me. Tempt me again, little tease, and I’ll show you who’s property you are.” I snarl.

I can feel her muscles tighten, but she doesn’t try to fight me off. Yet.

“Whatever you say, wannabe.” she says, her voice far too fucking steady.

This girl either has no survival skills or she’s too air headed to know how dangerous I am right now. On the fucking edge pushed too far. Teetering on the cliff ready to jump. Biting into the curve of her neck I tighten my hold on her throat.

“Easy, little tease. I wouldn’t push your luck.”

She laughs. In a move too fast she slams her elbow into my ribs while spinning to where she faces me with a knife pressed into my throat.

Where the fuck did she get a knife?

My eyes dart over her form looking for a place she could have stored the weapon but come up empty. Her jeans hug her curves perfectly there’s no way she fit it there. She smiles wide flashing me her pearly white teeth and cocks her head.

“Do you know who I am?” she questions.

She leaves it hanging there like I should know her. I don’t, but fuck I’m about to or at the very least my dick is. Curling my lip I push her hand away from my throat and step back into her.

“Damn,” I lick my lips letting my tongue twist my lip ring, “Don’t start something you can’t finish.” I say, grabbing her hand.

Forcing her to trail down my leather jacket to the bulge in my jeans I press her palm over my dick.

“I can’t wait to sink into your cunt.” I spit.

Letting the venom in my words settle over her I shove her off me into the back glass and storm out of the bar. If I don’t get away from the tease I’ll fuck her right there where she stands. Opening the door I don’t look back letting the door slam behind me. Pulling out my cell I check for any updates but when I come up empty I decide it’s time to work off some of this steam. So I head to the one place that does exactly that. The Basement.

“Come on, G. My man.” the man begs.

Fucking beggars. All of them. The closer I appear to be more to the Stone brothers the more people expect a hand out. It’s a goddamn mad house in here tonight and without Ryker in here to put on a show I have to find the fun. Shaking my head I push past the young guy who has a death wish to go over to my boy Easton.

“Yo bossman!” he hollers over the loud ass screams and cheers.

Giving him one nod I step up and check in on the guys and get a breakdown of the night.

He looks to the left before his brown eyes meet mine again, “We need something to settle these fuckers. Blood thirsty ass crowd we have tonight.” he grumbles.

When the crowd wants something gnarly it’s almost impossible to calm them without a Stone appearance.

“Give them a show.” I spread my arms wide not giving a fuck who I hit in the process.

His brows furrow, “Who the hell is going to give them what they want, when what they want is Ryker?” he questions.

“Let me worry about that.” I respond.

Sliding my jacket off I start to take off my black crewneck when he smiles. Nodding with understanding he claps his hands and leans one hand behind him motioning for the mic. I continue to strip down to nothing but my boxers. Before he speaks a woman with tiny ass shorts on and a blue sports bra walks up with a pair of gym shorts.

Perfect .

“Well, well, well. Do I have a gift for you sadistic fuckers tonight.” Easton shouts into the mic.

The crowd turns all eyes on our circle. My clothes on the floor, shirt gone, and a pretty little thing wrapping my fist. Not that I need it but I’m already sporting fucked up knuckles.

“We have a special addition tonight! Our boy G has decided to give someone hell tonight.” he shouts and the crowd goes insane.

Sweaty bodies close in on us but my boys spread out to shove them off giving us room. Easton steps up to me and throws an arm over my shoulder. We head to the ring in the center of the room while he continues.

“Who’s the lucky son of a bitch that gets to go against one of the most powerful men in Del Mar?” he says.

Silence falls over the room. Eyes scan the room looking for someone stupid enough to climb under the ropes with me.

“Most powerful men in Del Mar?” a voice says, letting out a snark laugh.

Easton’s head shoots to the right looking for the voice.

“And who gave him that position?” the voice asks.

My skin heats, the blood pumping through my veins on fire, I shrug Easton’s arm off me. Waiting for this bitch boy to show his face I move around in a small circle with my arms spread wide.

“For someone who won’t step up you talk mad shit.” I bark out.

I don’t need the mic. My voice carries through the room because there is no sound, nothing but heavy breathing and the squeak of shoes. Black hair and green eyes step through the sea of bodies, his face unfamiliar.

“This is me stepping up.” he slides his hands into his pocket.

His relaxed stance and loose appearance does nothing to me. I’m slim. Not built like a gym rat but carved with muscle from everyday labor and heavy lifting. Most people underestimate me because of that but they have no idea how hard I’ve had to fight to get to the top. Ryker only admits it when I have him on his ass but we both know I’m his equal match.

Raising my eyebrows I give him what he wants, “Then let’s get this party started.”

I give him my back knowing that even if he was dumb enough to try anything Easton would put him down before he got the chance. Leaning over the rope I climb into the ring and make my way to the far side giving him plenty of time to change his mind but like a fool he doesn’t. We both hype up the crowd but the only thing they cheer for is blood and gore so I don’t waste my time with theatrics.

We both step to the center to shake hands but I drop mine before he touches me.

“Around here we show respect but since you seem to be new so I’ll save you the trouble.”

He leans back on his heels with a wicked grin.

“You’ll know who I am soon,” he says.

I laugh. Then I lunge forward with a right hook slamming into the side of his jaw swinging his head to the side spraying blood from his mouth. He doesn’t miss a step, righting himself, he bounces on the balls of his feet. Using one hand he swipes at the blood rolling down his chin. Winking, I step back twice giving him room to make his move.

We dance back and forth until the crowd gets restless for the taste of violence. Hands smack the edge of the ring shouting and cursing at us to make our move. Using the distraction I rush him landing blow after blow to his ribs, side, and face. He lands a few hits that sting my already sore body. We match each other blow for blow until he makes his second mistake of the night. The first was to challenge me in front of the people in this room.

“It’s going to be fun watching my father take what should be ours while the Stone family falls. It’s already begun.” he breathes out.

His chest heaves from the force of my last blow but his words ring in my ears pushing me harder. Anger. Rage. Kenna. Cole. Madness. It all floods my vision until all I see is red. Using my left leg I hook him behind the knee taking him down to the ring floor. My hands scream in pain. My arms get heavier with the force of each blow. Both arms swing into his face until I fall forward from exhaustion. Before he can throw me off I use all my force to slam my knee into his ribs pulling a loud scream from his throat.

Sweat covers my body. Blood drips from my eyebrow into my eye. My lungs struggle to pull in air. The crowd goes crazy around me. Rolling off of him I lay on the mat looking up at the bright white ceiling. Easton’s eyes meet mine when he comes to stand over me. He has two of our guys drag the fucker from the mat while he just looks down at me with a questioning gaze. Mine matches him.

Who the fuck is he? And what the hell did he mean?