As Alex rushed to her feet and began to gather her things, Sam watched with interest as she shuffled through her apartment and out the door. Sam looked over the balcony, and a few moments later, Alex emerged, moving swiftly across the street. As she approached the van, Sam realised he recognised it.

It was the same van that had accosted Sam the night before.

Alex banged on the side of the van and then disappeared behind it.

Moments later, the van sped off, and Alex was gone.

Despite her explanation, despite her insistence, something didn’t sit right with Sam. For her to be this close and involved in a potentially dangerous drugs bust seemed like a desperate play from a government agent in over his head.

Sam felt his fists clench in anger, his fury born out of the manipulation of Alex and how he hadn’t been there to stop it from happening.

But he was more than happy to bring it to an end.

Sam turned and headed to the door, completely unaware that for his entire stay on Alex’s balcony, Agent Joe Alan had been watching him from a few streets down, the binoculars pressed against his eyes and a cruel grin on his lips.

Sam had promised Alex he wouldn’t cause her anymore trouble.

Unbeknownst to Sam, Agent Alan was about to break that promise for him.

Chapter Thirteen

Sykes hated himself for his admission of fear.

In the early hours of the morning, Wyatt had invaded his home moments after Sykes’s latest conquest had left, threatening to castrate him for his disobedience. Having left him with a twisted testicle, Sykes had been unable to sleep, finding himself throwing up a couple of times before throwing back a few painkillers.

Despite his pride at being a tough man, his actual manhood would have to wait.

Today was the day.

The day everything changed.

After trying to stomach some breakfast, Sykes limped his way to his bike, cocked his leg over the vehicle, and lowered himself onto the seat. The pain had been immediate, and his short drive to The Pit was excruciating.

But he couldn’t let anyone see it.

Weakness wasn’t permitted within the Riders. And just as he eyed Wyatt’s seat at the top of the chain, he knew there were a number of guys hungrily waiting for Sykes to slip.

He knew who they were.

And he had plans on how to handle them once he ascended to the throne.

It was midday when Sykes pulled up outside the bar, and luckily, there was no one outside. Gingerly, he lifted himself from his bike, his testicle sending a sharp pain through his body. He took a few deep breaths, straightened his back, and walked powerfully to the front door, gritting his teeth to ignore the agony. With his powerful arm, he threw open the door and marched inside.