Free Proven (Motorcycle Club Romance): Axel and Paige 3 (Fallen Idols Motorcycle Club Book 8) by Savannah Rylan Page A

makin’ damn sure the bastard knew how big of a piece of shit we thought he was. As we pulled up to Raven’s Nest and parked, there were already several members outside waiting, hands fisted, and anger pouring off of them in waves.
     
    Rocco lay still on the floor of the van, no longer pleading and whimpering, hands and feet bound. He was patched long enough to know what happens with this level of betrayal. He knew better than to try to beg for anything different.
     
    Blaze jumped out, conferring with Trista about something. He hadn’t said a word to any of us since hitting Rocco with the gun. I didn’t blame him, poor guy.
     
    I turned back to Rocco. “Better say your fuckin’ prayers,” I spat. “We’re here.”
     
    “Axel? Before we go in, I just wanted to let you know that I’m real proud of the man you’ve become. I watched you growing up in this club from the time you were nothing but a runt kid, and now, well… you’re gonna be a great President one day.”
     
    What the fuck was I supposed to say to that? I nodded, not saying a word.
     
    “It’s okay, Axel. I know my fate is sealed.” Rocco sat up a little on his elbows, and gave me a smile, missing a few teeth from our earlier go-round. “Do what you need to do. No hard feelings, ‘kay?”
     
    “Fuckin’ A, Rocco.” I didn’t bother to respond further. I knew better. The words were as empty as his soul, and anything he said was just him workin’ another angle to benefit only him. I got out, slamming the door, and taking a deep breath before eyeing Ace and Bones. “He’s in the back. Just do me a favor. Tape his mouth shut, too.”
     
    I wasn’t sure if I could handle hearing any more of his sentimental shit, not if I wanted to man up, and do what we needed to do tonight. Pops leaned heavy on his cane, sidled up to me, and clapped me on the shoulder.
     
    “It doesn’t make you less of a man if you can’t do this without at least a few doubts. It makes you more, son.”
     
    I nodded. “I’m just pissed we have to do it at all, Pops.”
     
    He sighed. “You and me both.” We started walking into the club, changing the subject. “How’s that girl of yours? And, when do I get to meet her?”
     
    My smile lifted thinking about Paige. “Surprisingly, after all the shit the Almas put her through, she’s okay. Been workin’ a lot of extra hours and dealin’ with some shit with her roommate, who’s still in the hospital, but the two of us? We’re real good.”
     
    Pops groaned. “Chubs is another problem we need to deal with, but after everything that’s gone down with the Almas and the cars and their guys getting killed, we’re going to need to find another way besides all out war.”
     
    “I know, but we’ve put Chubs on the back burner for too long. I’m more than ready to teach that fuckin’ assholes a few lessons on respect.” My temper rose at the thought, just thinking of how I found Paige that night, bloodied and shaking like a goddamned misfiring engine. I cracked my knuckles, trying to calm the fuck down, but then I thought of Gina, and how she was fighting for her fuckin’ life. Those bastards deserved everything coming to them.
     
    “He’ll get what he deserves,” Pops assured me. “But we take care of our own house first.” He nodded over to where Ace was dragging Rocco across the parking lot.  We were silent for a few somber seconds before Pops spoke again. “So, you’ll bring her by on Sunday?”
     
    I rolled my eyes and chuckled. Pops was like a dog with a bone. There was no way he’d drop it until I agreed, and seeing as we had business to take care of, I relented.  “Yeah, Pops. I’ll bring her on Sunday. But only if you’re making your chicken cacciatore.”
     
    The brief moment of happiness thinking about Paige vanished as we made our way into the club. The anger around the room practically vibrated off the walls.  Ace and Bones had strung up Rocco under the stairs, where the