Free Shadow Ops: Danger's Heat (Kindle Worlds Novella) (A Shadow Ops Novella Book 2) by LS Silverii Page A

noticed KC clinging to Chase’s side. Both tense, their eyes covered every inch of the confined space. Hands never relaxed away from their weapons.
    A warped pool table was situated in the middle of the room. A faux stained-glass light fixture swung on chains that clanked beneath oscillating ceiling fans that only served to kick up the funk that clung to the walls. Hollywood assumed the sheet of plywood leaning against the west wall was probably used as a desktop during the club’s “bible study” time.
    Rose moved into the light as if to challenge Justice’s dominance. Billy lingered closer to the door, and Hollywood ended up in an odd position between two greasy bikers who leaned against the bar. Voodoo continued her contrary behavior and sat on a stool next to Justice.
    Eight other club members entered through two separate side doors to join Justice and the two bikers next to Hollywood. Both doors had been concealed behind Savage Soul flags and a Nazi swastika banner. A low ceiling compressed the tension, but didn’t subdue it. Most of the men weren’t as colossal as Justice, but they looked as determined to punish outsiders for invading their turf.
    Shit, this ain’t going to end well at all.
    Hollywood glared hoping to catch Voodoo’s attention. It was either time to de-escalate the situation, or discover she’d walked them into a trap. His hand slipped beneath his shirt to grip his weapon. Hollywood’s escorts moved in until their smelly leather-vested torsos were physically touching him. He peeked at Billy, who now had several SS members next to him.
    Though the lighting was dim in the furthermost corner across from him, Hollywood could see two more bikers had angled their fat frames toward Chase and KC. The others aligned themselves in scattered positions blocking exits and bathroom doors.
    “So we gonna party or what?” Justice asked.
    “What kinda party you throwing?” Rose’s words snapped through Metallica’s Enter Sandman ’s blare.
    “Well…” he grimaced while scratching his matted beard, “…since there are you ladies in the house, how about we dance?” He reached for Rose’s right arm.
    “Dance with this,” she said, twisting her shoulders away from his reach.
    Justice’s momentum carried him one step too far. Before he could adjust, Rose had unsheathed her KA-BAR, pushed her left foot off the top of the pool table, and slung around to land on the giant’s back—her knife pressed into the thickened skin at his throat.
    “Crazy bitch, you gonna pay for this,” he rasped as she filleted his skin enough to bleed. The other ten bikers stood frozen.
    “All we asked for was your help—not your bullshit. We got work to do, so stand down soldier.”
    Once again, Rose was in complete command of the situation. Hollywood laughed to himself once he realized her positioning by the pool table was purposeful. She’d anticipated the need for a launch platform.
    “All right.” Justice gagged. “Just checking your metal to make sure you the real deal. We don’t dick with porky pigs. Fucking moves like that make me wonder what you’re like in bed.”
    Rose slipped the blade one more inch as payback for that disrespectful remark. His growl signaled he knew it.
    “Time is wasting. I’m going to ask you again, Justice, you in or out?” Hollywood stepped away from his two shadows.
    “Anything for this country,” he said, coughing once Rose released him.
    “I want your word that you’ll pull no more crap like this. Thousands of lives are at stake—American lives.”
    “These ten men are all Vets. Only ones I’d trust not to kill you given the chance. At least not until after we stop this shit.” Justice didn’t glance away from Rose.
    “Understood.”
    “They all convicted felons and carrying weapons. Mostly stolen or illegally modified. You got a problem with that?” He challenged her by standing close with his hands mashed into his hips.
    “We’re not ATF. As long as