Page 30 of Sinner's Malice

Tess sighed, hugging her husband. “Montana Ethan Stone. You are a big softy. Of course, Silver is your girl. We all know that.”

Hugging his wife, he muttered, “He hurt my girl, Tessa.”

Closing my eyes, I turned away.

I couldn’t watch anymore.

Montana was one of the strongest men I’d ever known, but seeing him breakdown before my eyes, I felt ashamed.

I did this.

I was to blame.

Not Malice.

Mercy cleared his throat.

“Montana, I really hate to say this, but the club rules are clear. Silver is now and forevermore Malice’s woman. He branded her, then claimed her. For all we know, she could be pregnant. Until we locate Malice and find out what brought this on, Silver needs our help.”

“I can prescribe her the morning-after pill,” Bane suggested. “That will take care of one problem.”

“No,” I growled, looking at the man.

“That’s what is bugging me.” Largo frowned. “I know Malice. He wouldn’t just claim Silver. Something set him off.”

Looking at Torment, he stepped forward and said, “My best guess. It’s because she went out the other night. Over the years, Silver has shown no desire to leave the clubhouse. The second she does, Malice claims her. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“If he’s been waiting all these years, why do that to her?” Payne asked, pointing his finger at me. “Sorry, brother, but I don’t buy it. No man who’s waited years for a woman would hurt her like that.”

“It’s more than that.” Torment groaned.

“What do you mean?” Largo asked.

“Malice came to me today. We talked. When he told me about Silver, I raced over here. The second I saw her, I yelled at him. Told him to fucking leave, and he did.”

“Torment’s right,” Vicious added. “I wasn’t around when Silver showed up at sixteen, but I’ve heard the stories. Other than Montana, Malice has been the one watching over her, protecting her. We all saw how he treated her. Yes, he was a little rough and short-tempered with her, but he cared for her. I saw the way he handled her with kid gloves after those fucknuts shot up the clubhouse before taking Largo. Malice demanded that Bane take care of Silver first, and she only had a bruised cheek. He cares for her.”

“Well, he has a fucking funny way of showing it!” Montana sneered.

Payne added, “We need to come up with a plan and soon because I know Malice. Brother is going to go ballistic if he comes back and sees all of us hovering around her. Now that he’s claimed her, no one, and I mean fucking no one, will be able to get within ten feet of her without him losing his shit.”

“Payne’s right,” Fury spoke up. “Does anyone have any idea where he might have gone off to because, trust me, he won’t have gone far?”

When no one spoke up, I whispered, “He won’t come back.”

Kneeling before me and reaching for my hands, Torment asked, “What do you mean, sweetie?”

“Saw his face. His shame. Hates himself for what he did.”

“You think he’s gone? Like really gone?”

I nodded.

Turning, Torment cursed. “We’ve got a fucking problem then. When Malice came to see me earlier, he said some things. Private things. If Silver is right, then we need to find him fast, because the longer he is out there, the deeper and darker his fears will become.”

“Explain?” Montana ordered.

“Malice’s greatest fear is becoming his father.”