Chapter 21: The Squeeze
Elsie’s POV
Dean didn’t slam the iron skillet down, but the way he set it on the stove made the metal burners rattle. He turned slowly, his gray eyes fixing on Collin with a cold, terrifying stillness.
"You want to say that again?" Dean asked, his voice deceptively quiet.
"I don't need to," Collin said, his voice flat as he stood his ground. He looked exhausted, the skin beneath his eyes dark as oil stains. "Look around, Dean. We’re taking orders from Skull-Throat. We’re hiding a girl in a closet like we’re cowards. We built our reputation in this club by being the muscle, the ones nobody touches. Now we’re just Stone’s well-trained dogs, sitting on command so he doesn't put down his favorite prize."
Jeremy let out a sharp, mocking whistle from the window, thou
