Greyson_A Hell's Harlem Novel by J. M. Walker
Carter had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, no matter how much I argued against him going there. One thing led to another and we were burying him a couple of days later. His abuse finally caught up to him and he raped a married woman. When her husband found out, he set it up that Carter would be taken out.
No remorse coursed through me. No sadness. Nothing. It was like a weight had been lifted from the club and we could finally move on.
“I know some of the shit I’ve done isn’t moral, but he was evil in a way I’ve only seen in a couple of men.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
“I guess you’re happy that I’m your VP now, huh?” Catch asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“Nah. I’ve thought of replacing you too. Maybe I’ll ask Tray if he wants to take your place,” I threw back at him.
Catch feigned shock, gripping his chest. “You wound me.”
I chuckled.
“When’s Eve due?” Catch asked, changing the subject.
“Should be next week but Trixie says that her body isn’t ready and she’s small. Whatever the fuck that means.” I caught his gaze, wondering why he would ask that when he already knew the answer. “Why?” These past few months had flown by. It felt like just yesterday the doctor said she was pregnant and I threatened to beat the shit out of him.
Catch shrugged.
“Catch.” I turned to him. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” His jaw ticked.
“I’ve known you forever. What fucking gives?”
“It’s nothing,” he repeated, his gaze flicking to mine before looking back at the pictures before us.
I wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince but when I saw the pain in his eyes, I let out a slow breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t.” Catch turned, heading down the hall, and shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.
“Catch.” I caught up to him. “I really am.”
“It’s fine, Greyson. You love her. I’m happy for you.”
“Are you?” I grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Don’t.” He shoved out of my grip.
“I don’t want this to be weird for us.” It never used to be but, since Eve showed up, Catch had been distant. He kept his space and hung out with Tray more than usual. “Is there something going on with you and Tray?”
Catch laughed. “He wishes.” His smile fell. “But no. Nothing is going on. Not yet anyway. We share partners but that’s it. I don’t want him like I want … or I did, anyway. Who knows what will happen.” Clearing his throat, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, Greyson. I love you. I will always love you. But it doesn’t mean that I’m a home-wrecker and shit. I see the way you look at Eve. Am I jealous? Yes. I’m man enough to admit it.”
“Is that why you’ve stayed away?” I asked, leaning against the wall across from him.
“Yeah.” He looked at me that time. “I’ve made it weird, haven’t I?”
“No.” I closed the distance between us and cupped his nape. “I love you, brother. Do I wish I could love you like you deserve? Yes. I do. And I’m sorry I don’t.”
When he went to shove out of my grip, I tightened my hold on his neck.
“Listen to me, Catch.”
“Greyson.” He glanced down at my mouth.
Shit. “I want you happy. That’s it. And I’m sorry that happiness can’t be with me. I know you’ll find someone. Whether it’s a man or a woman, I don’t give a shit. If you and Tray end up together, I don’t give a shit about that, either. I just want you happy.” I was rambling but I needed him to know that I approved of whatever he did and whoever he ended up with.
He pulled from my grip, letting out a heavy sigh, and leaned against the wall opposite me. “I could have made you fall in love with me.”
I laughed at his cockiness. “You don’t want me.”
He shrugged. “She’s good for you. It’s nice seeing you smile for once.”
My heart warmed.
“Hey, fuckers.”
Both Catch and I turned and found Tray standing at the end of the hallway.
Tray had his arm wrapped around a woman. He nodded to Catch. “You busy?”
“Nope.” Catch pushed off the wall but paused. “I’m glad you’re happy, Greyson. I really am and I really like Eve as well. I would never do anything to ruin that for you.”
“I know.” I pulled him in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me.” He returned the embrace, letting his arms linger around me a little longer than that of a friend. “I love you, Grey,” he whispered.
My chest tightened.
Catch stepped out of my embrace, giving me a sad smile. “Duty calls.”
I watched him head down the hall toward Tray and the woman.
Tray rose an eyebrow, muttering something to him that I couldn’t make out.
Catch glanced back at me before picking the woman up and throwing her over his shoulder.
She squealed.
I sighed.
Although I had his blessing, it still hurt like a bitch that I couldn’t return the feelings he had for me. He would find someone. It was only a matter of time.
Heading to my office, I pulled my cell out of my pocket and called Sarge. “Anything?” I asked when he grumbled a greeting.
“I don’t think this is something we should discuss over the phone, Greyson.”
I stopped short. “What do you mean?”
“Grey.” Sarge blew out a slow breath.
“Tell me.” My hand tightened on the phone. “Sarge,” I barked when he didn’t answer.
“Fuck me,” he mumbled. “Travis is her husband.”
(Eve)
The bubbles popped around me. The scent of chai and vanilla wafted into my nose, easing my sore body.
Penny was curled up on the laundry hamper, her purrs rumbling through her and into my heart. For the past several weeks, she had been following me around. Everywhere I was, she would be right by my side and she would hiss at anyone who came too close. It was adorable that this three-legged cat was ready to tear down anyone who messed with me. The only person she ever let within breathing distance was Greyson. You would think she was my little guard kitty.
I laughed to myself.
Penny’s head perked up, her eyes moving back and forth in front of her. Once she was satisfied that there was nothing to hiss at, she stretched, yawned, and curled into a ball once again. Her tail wrapped around her body, the white tuft of fur at the tip a contradiction to the rest of her black fur.
The door suddenly opened, revealing a disheveled Greyson.
I sat up. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t answer. Closing the door behind him, he started stripping but refused to meet my gaze.
“Greyson?” I reached out for him. “You’re scaring me.”
His back was rigid, that muscle in his jaw ticking. Fury rolled off of him in waves, but I still had no idea what the hell was going on.
“Grey,” I whispered.
Letting out a slow breath, he stepped into the hot water behind me and wrapped himself around my body. His nose brushed along the length of my neck. His hands cupped my protruding belly. His cock twitched against my ass but he didn’t take it any farther. I wouldn’t have complained but, as my pregnancy wore on, he had become gentler. Which made me miss him even more.
“Talk to me.” I turned, leaning against the side of the tub. Thank God Greyson had a large bathtub.
“I spoke with Sarge,” Greyson said, his voice rough and laced with something I hadn’t heard since I threatened to leave him so many months ago.
Pain.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart racing.
Placing his hand on my belly, his breath caught when the baby moved. “I wish this baby were mine. I wish you were mine first. I wish it were only you I ever loved.”
“What are you talking about?” I cupped his cheek. “I love you. This baby—”
“Isn’t mine.
“You told me you didn’t care about that.” My stomach twisted. “Are you regretting that decision?” Was he breaking up with me?
His gaze snapped to mine then. “What are you asking me?”
“Are you breaking up with me?” I whispered, putting to words the fear coursing through me.
Greyson grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap. “Ask me that again,” he demanded, his voice rough.
“A-Are you breaking up with me?” I repeated, not liking the coldness hidden behind his eyes.
“What makes you think that?” His hands slid down my spine before cupping my ass and pulling me flush against him.
“You’re not making sense. Something is wrong and you’re not telling me what it is. I’m scared and I don’t know why.” I had been doing fine. No nightmares. No fighting between Greyson and me. Something was going on, and I didn’t know what it was.
“I love you, Eve.” He kissed my forehead. “I will go to the ends of the Earth to keep you.”
“What’s going on?” I leaned back. “Greyson.” I punched his shoulder when he wouldn’t respond. “Talk to me.”
His dark eyes snapped to mine. “Travis.” He swallowed hard. “He’s your husband.”
LAUGHTER BUBBLED OUT of Eve. Hard and uncontrollable until they turned into bone-crushing sobs. “It can’t be true. There’s no way I could be married to that monster.” She wiped the tears from under her eyes, her emotions switching so damn fast right in front of me. “I love you.”
“And I love you, Eve, but the facts don’t lie. We’re trying to find out how it’s possible and why the hell Travis hasn’t come for you. He knows you’re here. He fucking saw you.” He was a sick bastard in the way he messed with her head.
“I’ll file for a divorce. I’m not staying with him.” She ran her fingers through my hair, tugging my head back. “You’re mine and I’m yours. I’m not leaving you. I’m not … I don’t want to be with him.”
“I know.” I kissed her softly on the mouth. “But if he finds out that you’re pregnant with his baby …” As much as I didn’t like it, he was the father so he had rights. I would still fight him for her, though.
“Please don’t let him take me from you.” Her voice wavered. “I can’t … He scares me. If it was him I was dreaming about …” She looked down at my hands resting on her stomach. “I can’t be with someone like him and I refuse to believe that I married him willingly.”
“I’m doing everything I can to find out what happened to you,” I told her, wishing with everything in me that Sarge would hurry the fuck up and get me what I needed.
“Sarge needs to work faster. Once this baby comes …” Her breath hitched. “Greyson, what if Travis comes for me? What will you do?”
“I’ll kill him.”
(Eve)
I was married. Of course that would be the case. It couldn’t be something simple. Something far less crazy than that. Besides the fact that Travis was no doubt the father of the baby growing inside of me, I was now married to him, too.
I swallowed past the bile that had risen in my throat. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t be married to a man and be in love with another. Could I? Was this shit even possible?
“Eve.” Greyson tentatively took a step toward me. “We’ll figure this out.”
“No,” I yelled. “This doesn’t make sense. None of this does. Why? Why did this happen? Why can’t we just be happy? You, me and the baby. My baby.” My chest tightened. “Travis’ baby.” I fell to my knees. “God, that monster.” He had been inside me. A man with eyes that haunted my nightmares.
“Baby.” Greyson knelt beside me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “I’m not giving up without a fight, Eve. I promise you that.”
Before I could comment, his phone rang.
“Yeah … what?” All of the color drained from Greyson’s face. “Where are you? Shit.” He hung up, jumped to his feet, and headed to the door.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart racing.
“Catch.” Greyson looked back at me with fear in his eyes. “He’s been stabbed.”
(Greyson)
“Greyson.” Demitry nodded toward me. “This is Catch Hunter. Your new best friend.”
Little did I know at the time how true those words actually were. I had known Catch for years. He was my best friend. If I lost him … My chest tightened. I couldn’t even think the words.
I didn’t know what happened but when Tray called, frantic, the world fell out from around me.
Charging down the stairs to the main floor with Eve on my heels, I found Catch sitting in a booth with his hands pressed to his side. Blood oozed out from between his fingers.
“What the hell happened?” I demanded, rushing to him.
Tray came out from the bar with more paper towels in his hands. “That woman we were with, stabbed him. I don’t know why. She went to attack me afterwards but I knocked her out.”
I grabbed the paper towels from him and knelt in front of Catch, pressing them to his side.
He winced, breathing slow and even. His face was ashen.
“Where is she now?” I asked Tray, applying more pressure on Catch’s wound.
“In my room.” Tray rubbed his neck. “I didn’t know. I swear to fuck I didn’t know.”
“I know.” I looked at Eve. “Call Trixie.”
She nodded quickly, pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her up. “Trixie, we have a problem.”
“Tell me everything,” I told Tray. “Now.”
“We brought her back to my room, did our thing, and I went to the bathroom. I thought she was sleeping when I left her beside Catch. When I finished, I walked into a bloodbath. She was freaking out. I’ve seen a lot of crazy bitches in my time but she was so far gone, it was like she just snapped.” He moved to Catch’s other side and cupped his nape. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, leaning his forehead against Catch’s.
“Don’t,” he wheezed. “I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound,” he said through clenched teeth.
Fuck that. I lifted the towels, the blood pouring even faster. The wound was deep. “What the fuck did she stab you with?”
He grimaced, swallowing hard. “I don’t know but, man, it hurts like a bitch.”
“Where the hell is Trixie?” I demanded, my gaze snapping to Eve’s.
“She’s on her way.” Eve chewed her bottom lip, gripping the phone tight in her hand.
I grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward. “Hold this here and put pressure on it.”
Her eyes widened. “I can’t.” She attempted to pull her hand from my clutches but my hold only tightened.
“You can. Please.” I would not lose him. “You won’t hurt him any more than he’s already hurting. Please, Eve.”
She nodded, blew out a slow breath and took my place. Pressing the towels firmly into his side, she mumbled over and over how sorry she was.
It wasn’t her fault. None of this was her fault.
“Where’s everyone else?” I asked Tray, wiping my hands on the paper towel just as Trixie and Butcher ran into the house.
“I sent them home. I thought it was going to be a quiet night.” Tray punched the wall. “Fuck, just one night, I wanted it to be quiet.”
“Trixie, please help him.” I refused to lose Catch. I refused to lose any of them.
“I will, Greyson.” She gently pushed Eve aside. “He needs to go to the hospital but I’ll do what I can with the supplies I have here. Butcher, I need you to drive us.”
“On it.” He pulled his cell out of his pocket and brought it up to his ear. “We need you to come back. All of you. And watch the house.”
I nodded my thanks when he hung up. The rest of my crew would show up and stand guard. They would be on the ready if any more shit went down. They would kill first and ask questions later.
But right now, I had a woman I needed to confront. Either she was just crazy
HAVING TRAY WITH me while I confronted the woman kept me calm and collected. As much as I could be, with my best friend fighting for his life.
Butcher had texted me that he was driving Trixie and Catch to the hospital. He had also told Eve to go to my room and stay there until I returned, and I was thankful for it.
“She just snapped?” I asked Tray, shoving my phone back into my pocket.
He nodded, scrubbing a hand down his face. “We didn’t do anything that would make her snap. It was all consensual.”
“I would never think any different of you.” But it made me wonder just how rough they were if he felt the need to tell me that.
“Greyson, I swear to God it was consensual.” Tray blew out a slow breath.
“What did you guys do?”
“Tied her up. Choked her a bit. But it was nothing she didn’t want.” Tray punched the wall. “Fuck.”
“Listen to me.” I grabbed his arm. “You need to calm down. I can’t do this shit without you. You got me?”
“Greyson,” he grumbled.
“I asked you a question. Do you got me?”
“Yeah. I got you.”
“Good.” Once we made it to Tray’s room, I heard a female yelling. I gave Tray a look.
He shrugged. “She started losing it after I shoved her in there. I thought I knocked her out. Again, it was in self-defense.”
“Listen to me. I don’t give a shit what you do. But you will help me get this mess out of my house. Do you understand me?”
He nodded.
“I suggest thinking with your brain first next time and not your dick,” I grumbled, pushing open his door.
The yelling only became louder the closer we got to the bathroom door.
Counting to ten, I braced myself and nodded to Tray.
He gave me the key.
Unlocking the door, I waited a beat before I slowly opened it just as something flew past my head. Oh, this would be fun.