“They were in self-defence. I’m tired of having blood on my hands.”
“Then I’ll figure something out.”
****
Penny stared at the office door wondering what the conversation was about. She nibbled on some crackers that Shelley had given her. Her appetite was non-existent. She’d watched three men get killed. What scared her the most was the fact she didn’t feel sad about their deaths. What did that say about her?
“You’re very quiet,” Shelley said.
“I’m waiting for Damon.”
“Yes, you two did come in with the whole doom and gloom attitude.” Shelley flicked her fingers in front of her. Several of the girls were sitting at the bar staring at the office door.
“It’s important.”
“I’m sure Don will let us know soon enough. I don’t know why it couldn’t wait until after business.”
Penny looked at the older woman. She looked tired and depressed in the low lighting.
“You’re in love with Don, aren’t you?” she asked.
Shelley glared at her. “A fuck from Damon doesn’t qualify you to questions others, Sweet Princess.”
“It was more than one fuck.” The blush filled her cheeks. Would there ever be a time when she’d be able to say the words without embarrassment?
“Okay, you’re more than an innocent virgin. Don’t ask me about Don.” Shelley flicked her hair over the back of her shoulder.
“I didn’t mean to presume. I’m in love with Damon, and I’ve seen the way you and Don look at each other. I thought I’d ask.” She heard the sounds of bodies slamming against walls in Don’s office.
Shelley chuckled. “Don’t fret, Penny. They’ll kiss and make up soon.”
Penny glanced at the door waiting. She looked at the woman by her side and decided to take a chance.
“Grimes is going to start a war between the areas. Damon got information from one of Grimes’s men that he wants to take over all areas. They have weapons and are constantly building them.”
Shelley turned wide eyes to her. “Are you being serious?”
“Yes. One of the men who were captured by Damon and Pearce declared the farms part of Grimes’s land, on his behalf. Then one of the men admitted the truth to Damon. Grimes’s wants to take back all the land and own this area as well.”
Shelley glanced in the direction of the office. Without letting Penny speak, the other woman stood and moved towards the office. Penny did everything she could to keep up. Shelley slammed open the door.
“Is this true?” she asked, her voice high-pitched. Penny looked behind them to see several workers at the club crowding around them.
Damon glared at Penny, and she smiled at him.
“That depends on what you’ve heard,” Don said.
The other woman walked into the office and slapped the man in charge. Don stared at Shelley in shock. His hand stayed at his side. Penny moved toward Damon. Her man wrapped his arms around her.
“You shouldn’t have told her anything,” he said.
“The biggest problem is the secrets. Everyone has a right to know what’s going on,” she said. Damon ran his fingers over her stomach. She leaned against him watching the two people before them. There was a bright red hand print on Don’s cheek. The red marks looked striking on his face.
“Next time, Damon, keep your woman on a tighter leash.”
“What are you going to do, Don?” Shelley asked.
Don stared at Shelley. Penny saw the look on his face. The other man didn’t know what to do.
“Shut the door,” Don said.
Damon closed the door leaving the four of them inside the office. Penny saw the communication between Don and Shelley. They were a couple, and it was clearly shown in their language to each other. Don reached out to take Shelley’s hand. The older woman denied him, shaking her head. “No, this is not a fight you get to back down from. You need to go out there and show Grimes and all the other leaders that you’re not going down without a fight.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It can be that simple. Grimes is going to need those men to farm the land, Don. He won’t attack them. He’ll give them a choice to either work for him or die. If he finds you there, he won’t strike out because he’s afraid. If he wasn’t afraid, he’d have come straight for you,” Damon said. He stood behind her and offered Penny his warmth.
“It won’t work. I know what Grimes is like. He won’t stand for it.” Don shook his head moving away.
“You’ve got plenty of men to fight for you. Pearce told me to give you this. They’re ready, and when you’re willing to do something about it then use it. Penny and I are heading back there tomorrow. I hope you’ll be joining us.”