Crucifixed (Royal Bastards MC: NYC Book 2) by B.B. Blaque (best books to read for self development .TXT) 📕

you’re no match for the Catholic Church, even if it is a rogue group of vile priests. This is serious, Giovanni, and they sequestered her away from the rest of us this afternoon.”

Giovanni.

This afternoon?

Knowin’ the kinda freak Gingersnap can be in the sack, I wondered why she couldn’t just play the virgin and give into whatever they wanted. I wasn’t thrilled about it, but if she was cornered, there was a way out.

“First, how the fuck . . . hell . . . are they gonna know she’s not a virgin anymore? She can pretend, believe me when I tell ya.” I snapped at the waitress when she looked in on us and motioned for another round. If the sister wasn’t gonna drink hers, I definitely would. “Also, why would you come here if it’s hopeless for us to go up against the big machine? Ya lost me on that.”

“From the whispers we’ve heard . . . the group of men has a doctor who proves a nun’s virginity with an exam. Face it, as soon as they see the marks you left this morning, they’ll want to look even further. Some of the sisters have gone away and didn’t come back . . . sisters we heard were impure. If they find out Sister Fiona isn’t a virgin, I’m terrified of what will happen. I may have some semblance of innocence, but make no mistake, I’m not stupid. Her life is in danger. If she’s put up for auction and dishonors God and those men publicly, they won’t take it lightly.”

My mind was reelin’ and I couldn’t believe what I was bein’ told.

“Okay . . . that’s the first part of my question answered. What’s the rest? What makes you think we can stop the unstoppable Catholic Church?”

“Because, Giovanni . . . you love her. From what she’s said, you love her so fiercely that if anyone is capable, it’d be a man like you. Not just a man, like you . . . only you. Only a man who knows the ways of the church and who is madly, truly . . . deeply in love . . . one with your newly acquired skills since leaving us . . . could have a shot at getting her back. If you can’t do it, it’s hopeless.”

For the sister to come into our bar durin’ business hours and walk by thirty or more naked bitches just to tell me all of that, it had to be as bad a situation as she thought.

“Let’s get one thing straight before we go any further. I didn’t leave the church. Those cocksuckers threw me out on the street in the middle of winter. I was a homeless teenager for Chrissakes . . . one of the poor unfortunate souls we always prayed for and tried to help. Don’t get me started on the added grand prize of becomin’ an addict. So, excuse me if I’m bein’ crass, sister, but I got no love for any of those motherfuckers. I’d slit their throats on general principle. Just know goin’ in, this ain’t gonna be pretty. I’ll take care of it my way. Because she’s involved up to her tits, it’ll be barbaric and I won’t promise you anything less. You’ll see just how deep my love runs.”

Bone and blood deep.

“Giovanni . . . Crucifix . . .” She stopped and did the sign of the cross. “What you just said is why you’re the man for this. You have a very dark history with the church, especially Sister Antoinette from what Fiona told me. Your love . . . pain . . . rage . . . those are the things that will make you a force to contend with. You don’t know what you’re walking into so don’t try to do it alone. Please tell only your closest allies about this. I have faith in your heart to get it done, no matter the cost.”

Of course you do. You think I’m already goin’ to Hell.

8

Sympathy For the Devil

“So what was up with the penguin? I saw her leavin’ and she didn’t look quite as unsettled as when she came in, but you were still MIA. Strokin’ your dick or what?” Hazard was sittin’ at the bar countin’ money for Casket. Last call had come and gone and transformation station was probably down to a couple stragglers. “You two were back there for a while . . . did you get her to break her vows?”

I was still tryin’ to put shit together in my mind before I let it out with Hazard or anyone else. Part of me wanted to go it alone, but that probably wasn’t the best idea. I had a whole crew of brothers and we’d have a better chance at takin’ them on.

What about Brooklyn?

It’ll have to wait.

“Eh . . . I’ll fill ya in when I figure it out. It’s way too much to process at 4:30 in the mornin’.” I walked behind the bar and poured myself a rocks glass of Jack. There was a time comin’ that I’d have to be totally on the ball. That night I needed to calm my mind down enough to wake up and figure shit out. “It’s probably gonna end up in a war you’d never expect. Get ready, bro’.”

I didn’t wanna be around anyone and decided to sleep in the office. The clubhouse party would probably be in full swing and I wasn’t in the mood for that shit. I needed space.

Why the fuck didn’t you just stay with me?

I coulda taken care of you.

“Night, Hazard. Man, I’m just gonna go upstairs and close my eyes for a while.” I hugged our road captain and headed for the stairs. “Do me a solid and don’t tell the guys where