It was hard to breathe, as he examined her for… forced… I couldn’t even think the word and Danny in the same thought. My body was strung tighter than a bow string. Fear like I have never felt before coated me as images of her future, if it did happen flashed before me.
I would not leave her, but I could already see her struggles. My already broken heart shriveled a little more as the thoughts surfaced. I have never felt such relief for another human being in all my life. The moment the words left his mouth that he didn’t, that she didn’t, I sunk into the nearest chair.
My body went lifeless in its relief. She may have escaped that, but who knew what other monstrosities were forced upon her. The baby was safe and healthy as can be, another moment of immense relief.
“We need to head to the location she called from and fan out from there.”
Jace and Axel nod their heads. I would have remarked on the bobble head like nodding. Humor had no place here.
“Should we call in the Carters?”
Jake’s voice held a slight current of awe. Lark was a superhero, of sorts, to him. Honestly, that man terrified me.
“After we check it out, no need to call in the boogie man.”
Axel’s voice carried a hint of unease. We may finally close this chapter of our lives. Finally avenge our families.
“I can’t leave her alone.”
“Ella already said she would stay. She didn’t think leaving her alone right now was a very good idea. She’s having a hard time with this. Danny gave herself over for Ella.”
The last part was whispered. Jake’s voice held so much pain. I didn’t blame him, the idea of never seeing her again was like a hot hook to the gut twisting and twirling pulling my insides out with its burning hook.
I would forever be hollow without her. I will spend the rest of our lives crawling and begging for her to forgive me if needed. She will never know another moment of fear or pain. I will slowly end the person who tries.
I watch them leave knowing I also need to go. But I couldn’t leave her here helpless and unprotected. Reaching into the end table drawer, I pull out the 9mm I bought for her the day she turned eighteen. I was going to give it to her when she called.
It was a sign of love and protection, but also the proof I trusted her to protect herself and me when and if needed. The call never came. I should have given the gun up years ago, so many times I wanted to. It was always hers, though.
Slipping it under her pillow as I press my lips to her forehead.
“I wanted to give this to you baby when you called for me to come get you. You will never know how much I fucking regret not hunting you down. I need to leave. There are things that need to be done. I remember the moment this little 9mm compact conceal, and carry caught my eye. I knew it was yours.”
Sighing, I place another kiss to her forehead.
“I want you to know if you need it, it’s here for you.”
I wanted a sign she heard me, that she understood. Not even a roll of her eyes under her eyelids. Will she ever come back to me? Fuck, if I was her would I want to? Without looking back, I turned and walked out the door.
No matter how much I wanted to look at her face one more time. Search for any sign she was with me. I knew the moment I did, I wouldn’t be able to leave. I wanted her to wake up to a safe and secure world. In order for that to happen, I needed to leave and kill every single member of this Mafia family.
The room was silent as I walked through it and out the door. No one said a word. The door slammed behind me. The echo was like a bomb going off. My long stride eats up the space between my bike and I. I couldn’t get there fast enough.
The moment my ass touched the seat I was firing her up. I don’t bother to look to see if they followed I peel out of the parking lot like the hounds of hell were nipping at my heels. They may be running behind me, but they weren’t coming for me they were coming for them. The men about to breathe their last.
The air was crisp and the sun was bright. Normally this was no ordinary ride. This was the ride to the end. It felt like time has slowed down and was dragging. No matter how hard and fast I pushed my bike the scenery looked the same.
The only thing I could do was think. Think of all the things I missed out on for being a fucking prick. Even all those years ago, I should have looked for her even if to prove she moved on. But now, now all possible scenarios for our future looked bleak.
She may never wake up. I couldn’t help but feel this was all my fault she suffered endlessly. Tears filled my eyes at the thought of her never opening those beautiful brown eyes. Her voice may never fill a room again.
I have never been so fucking relieved at the thought of killing. But pulling up to the location, well, as close as we could get. From the looks of it, she called from the forest. Looking at the other side of the road had my heart rate speeding up.
Good girl baby. She stayed in a location that helped us find this place. Killing my bike, I take in the large iron gate and the well-manicured lawn. Everything in me turned cold. This Don killed my parents. Took out most of the club and tortured my girl.
This moment was something we all dreamed about. Turning, I look at my brothers, I could see it written on all of their faces. Brandon, Axel, and Jace were here.
“Call in Lark.”
The words were dark and cold. My feelings were reflected back at me. It was written on all of their faces. Axel has his phone pressed to his ear. Calling in Lark had a moment of glee surfacing. Now all there was to do was wait.
Something I hated to do at this point. I needed to kill him for all he’s done.
“He’s mine.”
I could tell they wanted to argue. I was prepared for a fight, but the nods I got in agreement had my heart hammering and my palms sweating. This was it! He was mine!
Brown eyes. Her voice may never fill a room again.
I have never been so fucking relieved at the thought of killing. But pulling up to the location, well, as close as we could get. From the looks of it, she called from the forest. Looking at the other side of the road had my heart rate speeding up.
Good girl baby. She stayed in a location that helped us find this place. Killing my bike, I take in the large iron gate and the well-manicured lawn. Everything in me turned cold. This Don killed my parents. Took out most of the club and tortured my girl.
This moment was something we all dreamed about. Turning, I look at my brothers, I could see it written on all of their faces. Brandon, Axel, and Jace were here.
Show original message
“Call in Lark.”
The words were dark and cold. My feelings were reflected back at me. It was written on all of their faces. Axel has his phone pressed to his ear. Calling in Lark had a moment of glee surfacing. Now all there was to do was wait.
Something I hated to do at this point. I needed to kill him for all he’s done.
“He’s mine.”
I could tell they wanted to argue. I was prepared for a fight, but the nods I got in agreement had my heart hammering and my palms sweating. This was it! He was mine!
Chapter 34
Made man
Finding her was easy. I knew exactly where she went. Pressing the binoculars against the bridge of my nose I scan the windows looking for the room she was hiding in. They left the windows open and the curtains tied to the side.
It was like an open invite. They were missing the sign pointing down, saying here she is. The blood flowing through my veins started to hum. The excitement of the chase and the challenge flowed around me.
She made this interesting. I was almost thankful to her. I had a moment of awe at her determination even after everything. I should thank her; I’ve been in a funk as of late. This was a challenge that brightened up my dull life.
My jobs became a blur of repetition. But she kept it interesting. I was surprised she had it in her to run. To scale that tree and run after what the boss put her through. For the first time in my life I felt a slight
stab of sorrow at having to destroy such a wonderful thing.
Sighing, I remove the binoculars and try to picture the layout I was able to catch through them. I would make this quick for her. She’s earned that. A quick needle to the neck and out she goes. I almost want to let her go for now just to continue the chase.
Slipping the black leather gloves on I give them a slight tug. Making sure they are nice and secure. You would think she would be on the second floor. That would have been another plus. It’s too bad she’s on the first floor.
Silent yet swiftly I make my way to the building. Keeping to the shadows, my only true friend. My breathing was steady as my body tightened, ready for the climax. Reaching the window was easier than I thought it would be.
It was kind of disappointing. After they had seen her, seen what she’s been through you would think her security would be top notch. Sighing in disappointment I pull myself through the window. My agile, muscular body, making the climb simple and silent.
Slowly lowering my feet to the floor, I scan the room with quick trained eyes. I could hear only one person inhaling and exhaling. They were even and low. Signaling the owner was sleeping. Slipping into the room, I look at the tortured girl sleeping peacefully in the bed.
Slipping my hand into my suit pocket. My leather covered fingers wrap around the needle. Slowly, I approach the bed. Uncapping the needled, I press on the plunger slightly. A little of the liquid squirted out in an arch.
With a sigh of regret, I lean over. The moment this needle touched her skin. It would all be over. Savoring it was something I needed to do, but it wasn’t a logical move. I was so close to ending this beautiful adventure, something I haven’t felt since the beginning, so many years ago.
I was so focused on savoring the end, I didn’t see her move. I didn’t see the end. So very different they I had planned.
Chapter 35
Danny
He left me a gift. Such a beautiful gift. The gift of safety. Tears once again fill my eyes. I wish I could blink them away but my body refused to work. All I could do was listen. Ella stepped out for a minute to get a few snacks.
She’s been tempting me, trying to get me to wake up with promises of yummy treats. I want to wake up. I wanted to savor the sweetness of surviving. Images of cakes and cookies danced inside my mind. Kind of like the dancing snacks at drive-in movies.
I was ripped from my thoughts when the sound of crinkling leather reached my ears. Yes, this was a clubhouse full of leather wearing bikers, but the sound of this leather was different. When all you can do is lay here your other senses heighten.
Fear crawled up my spine. It was the shadow man the smell of him invaded my nostrils. He may not wear cologne, but the stench of death followed him. The moment his feet touched the floor I knew he was going to take me, take me back to him.
I couldn’t go back there. I wouldn’t go back there. His silent steps sounded like stomping to my over sensitive ears. No one will hear him but me. The hair on the nape of my neck started to stand as his steps drew him closer.
I was once again on my own, no one could save me from what they didn’t know about, from what they didn’t hear. Crinkling leather followed by the sound of friction on fabric. He was going to drug me that was the only explanation I know he wouldn’t kill me; he couldn’t kill me.
My fingers twitch. For the first time in I don’t know how long, not really. I was able to move. He was getting closer. Then he was leaning over me, his breath close to my ear. I knew if I didn’t do something now, then it was over.
I have no real idea how the gun ended up in my hand and pressed to his head. I watch as shock converts his usually stony face. I knew the moment I squeezed this trigger it was over for him. Everything seemed to slow down to a snail pace.
I know it only took seconds, but for some reason I felt the need to savor it. It took relatively no pressure on the trigger. The gun kicked as the bullet was released from the chamber. I swear I could see the bullet as it struck him in the head.
Almost dead center between his eyes. The entry was small. Smaller than I had expected. You would think blood would spray from the bullet’s entry, but it didn’t. Not really. Yes, it bleeds but it seemed there was more force the further the bullet got from the gun.
Glancing behind him with a flicker of the eyes. I took in the blood spraying from the exit. Chunks of what I believe to be brain matter and some of shadow man’s skull land on the walls behind him. I will always remember how his eyes widened as he realized it was over. His mouth moved words I couldn’t hear. There was a ringing in my ears. A loud humming noise. When his knees gave out and he fell forward was the moment I realized he was way too close.
I tried to roll out of the way, but I was way too slow. Just because it felt like time slowed doesn’t mean it really did. His head hit my hip and I got a close look at the back of his head or what was left of it anyway and to be honest it didn’t look like much.
The room was flooded with people. How did I miss that? My eyes strayed back to the husk of what was the transporter in a sense to my hell, to the man who belonged in the fieriest pits of hell. Why was I just staring at him?
Was it the curiosity? I mean there really wasn’t much there. It looked more like a broken bowl, a very weird shaped bowl. My chest was rising and falling steadily. Why wasn’t I freaking out? Why wasn’t I hyperventilating?
I should be a complete wreck. I was drugged, tortured, I watched the ending of another tortured soul. Her lifeless eyes telling more now than they did then. Now I got a glimpse into what her last days were like. How long did she suffer?
My arm hurt, why did my arm hurt? Lifting my eyes, I look at my arm I mean really look at it. There were bandages all over it. I wanted to see. I needed to see what he’s done to me. It was then that it hit me. My arms were still outstretched because I was holding a gun between my hands. My right index finger hovering over the trigger.
Slowly lowering the gun, I reach for the bandages. My calm cracks as I tug and pull, rushing to get the bandages off. When I finally removed the last one from my arms I look at them, at what used to be my arms. The stitches pulled at my skin holding it together in the places he cut me. Long straight cuts covered my arms.
I lost count at ten. I could feel the rest of my body now and the realization it was cut, lots and lots of cuts, had me not wanting to continue the search. I felt for a moment, less like a woman and more like a creature.
Only for a moment. I survived so much! These scars are proof that I survived! The more I stared at them the more beautiful they became! Movement to my left had me going stiff for just a moment before relaxing. I know shadow man worked alone.
Ella crouched down in front of me tears running down her cheeks.
“Danny?”
Nodding my head was the best I could do at this moment. My lungs felt heavy and my throat felt dry and parched. It was like they had read my mind. Whoever, they were, I didn’t really look at them and I really didn’t want to right now.
If I look at them, they may want to talk and I do not want to talk right now. Ella pressed a glass of water into my hands. The glass was cold and covered in condensation. The moment the water touched my tongue I was drinking greedily.
“What happened, Danny?”
I look from her to shadow man who it appears she shoved aside. When did she do that?
“He came for me; I knew he would. Just like the boss will.”
“I’m so sorry Danny I should have been in here with you.”
“It’s okay, he’s gone now.”
My head nods after I finish. It was uncontrollable. I keep waiting for the upset to come. The knowledge to sink in that I killed a man. But the more I think about it the less it seems to matter. Killing him was almost like breathing.
Natural.
“Danny… Jesse left to go find him. The man that took you.”
Looking at her I tell her something I know will hurt.
“He killed your parents.�
�
Ella looked so sad as she acknowledged what I just said. Sighing in relief when she didn’t burst out in tears I slump into the bed. I was so tired. The darkness tugged and pulled. Until it pulled me in.
Chapter 36
Jesse
Darkness has fallen. Our phones have been put on silent. It grated. Danny could need me and I wouldn’t know. I hated waiting, the longer it took to get to him, the harder it was to control the anger and ice pumping through my body.
He needed to die and he need to die now! The longer we took the more chances he has to do something. The thought he may have already done something flits across my mind. No, she was safe at the club house.
Reminding myself she was safe, didn’t seem to help. The only way she will be truly safe is if I was with her. Movement in the dark tree line had my head turning in that direction. My heart beating at a sedate pace.
Lark stepped out onto the road and I feel a moment of fear. The man was fucking scary. His black hair and almost black eyes coupled with his perfect appearance all black suit not a hair out of place. For someone walking through the woods that was a very impressive feat.
His silent feet make no sound as they hit the pavement. The man was like a ghost, you could only see him if he wanted you too, and for most, seeing him meant death. His cold dead eyes look directly at me almost like he knew what I was thinking.
The slight tilt to his lips confirmed I was right.
“I’ve looked into Marcus.”
I looked at the air around him, half expecting the air to have chilled. I could only stare as I waited for him to continue.
“What did you find out, Lark?”
Axel’s voice filters into the air around us. I almost forgot about him. I almost forgot about all of them. Looking around, I watch as they close the space between us, almost forming circle. Seems I’m not the only one who has a slight fearful respect for the hitman.
Jesse: The Son's Of The Apocalypse MC Page 8
