All my brothers kept at least a three-foot distance between themselves and Lark.
“The man is sick, needs to be ended. He doesn’t human traffic himself, but he is a big buyer. The poor women sent to him don’t last long. He recorded what he did to Danny.”
His voice went colder when he spoke of Danny. I wanted to see the video and yet, I didn’t. Bile rises in my throat as images of all the possible things were on that video flash through my head. Focusing on Lark who for the first time showed a hint of emotion.
“Danny’s mine.”
His laughter echoed around us.
“Danny may be yours, but she is also mine.”
Anger rushes through me. I will kill this motherfucker if he thinks for one moment he was taking her from me.
“Danny is mine. I will fucking kill you if you try to take her from me.”
I didn’t even see him move. The feel of his hand as it wrapped around my throat had my lungs stalling in my chest. He gave a slight squeeze in warning.
“I will end you before you even know it was the end. Danny is my family and I will enjoy taking you apart if you so much as blink at her wrong.”
His voice was colder than before. His breath came out in white puffs. It was seventy degrees out here and the air that passed his lips made it look like it was in the negatives. Then, the words sank in. Danny was his family? My confusion must have been clear to see. I didn’t need to voice the question before he was answering it.
“Years ago, there was a kidnapping of the Carter family children. All the girls and all from high ranking families. Mine was among the high ranking. My sister just six months old vanished along with so many others. We have been looking for them since. Our parents hunted and maimed, still to no avail.”
His voice held a slight hint of emotion. Then it hit me like a pistol whip to the head. Danny was mafia. The more I think on it the more I realize the signs were always there. Her brown hair and brown eyes. The slight tan skin that never lightened.
“Ah, I see it has finally hit home. I want to kill Marcus myself. But I think you need to do this for her.”
I was ready to fight him for it. Marcus was mine.
“The very moment I laid eyes on her I knew she was my sister.”
His voice held a note of sadness.
“I always wished her life was a good one. That she wanted for nothing. Instead, it was a nightmare the only bright thing in her life was you.”
I could see he respected me. I was going to be family to the most feared hitman in our dark world. He finally released me.
“I’m going to be an uncle.”
My kids will be the most protected in our world. With an uncle like him, no one will want to touch them for fear of Lark or myself. The need to end this was taking precedence over everything else. I needed to get back to her.
Without a word, Lark melted into the shadows. We waited a few minutes before slowly following. Lark would clear our path. The sound of gunfire rent the air. Men, all dead, were sprawled over the lawn. Picking up the pace we move into the house.
The gunfire was louder. Splitting up was our best option. I move with a stealth and speed I have honed well over the years. Raising my gun, I fire with rapid succession, each one hitting their target. I don’t wait to see the bodies drop.
I needed to get to him. The closer I got, the more my blood would sing and hum. The pleasure of each kill sent little sparks through me. I was in my element. I was getting closer to him. The bodies littering the floor became more and more.
My heart beat faster with every step. Then I was there. Right where I needed to be. He was waiting for me. He may not know it, but he was. Closing my hand around the knob I grip my gun tighter. The door was silent as it swung open.
Marcus was a cocky bastard. He was sitting at his desk drinking. His cold smile was the last smile he will ever have.
“Have you come to bring back what’s mine?”
His voice was smooth not a hint of emotion could be heard. The anger tried to surface trying to take control, but I fight it back, I need this to be calculating and precise. I didn’t want it to end too quickly. I wanted to savor this moment, a moment I could pull to the surface when I need a moment of clarity.
“She’s mine.”
His laughter echoed around us. It was hollow and cold.
“She’s mine, didn’t you see my marks on her?”
I don’t let him bait me. This is not the time for such bullshit. Keeping my gun pointed at the sick fuck.
“Get the fuck up and slowly move away from your desk. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
As if he was humoring me, he slowly climbed to his feet. He had an air of confidence and arrogance.
“Walk towards me. I want you to sit right here in this chair.”
Without removing my eyes from him, I point in the direction the chair was. This was going to be a slow and painful death. The moment his ass hit that chair, I shot him in both kneecaps. I didn’t want him to get away.
This was a little insurance, as well, as an example of what was to come. Quickly, I replace the gun for my knife.
“Did you know the smaller the cut the more it hurt?”
Something in my voice must have tipped him off. I could see it in his eyes. Yeah, motherfucker, I’m going to enjoy slicing into your skin, watching the blood well and flow over. Grabbing his chin, I pinch it between my thumb and index finger.
Squeezing slightly as I did. The first slice across his face, was beautiful. I made sure to press deep as I went. The one inch incision welled with blood slowly leaking down his cheek. The only sound that escapes him is a grunt.
Oh, I was just getting started, by the time I finish, he would be screaming and begging for it to stop. Pressing the knife into his forehead I feel the skin splitting under the pressure of such a sharp object. Instead of moving, I press it in deeper. Not deep enough to puncture his skull, but close.
I wanted to close my eyes and savor it, but I couldn’t, I didn’t want to miss a moment of this. I wanted to categorize it keep it locked in my head as a reminder of what she went through. I press the knife under his eye.
Slowly, I push it in at an angle. I wasn’t going to stop until I punctured his eye. That was when the screaming started. The sound caresses my senses. It sang to my soul. I watch the light leave his eye as I took his sight.
I wanted him to see what I was going to do next. I wanted him to watch it all, then and only then, will I take his other eye and finish him. I continue my path downwards I slice into his arms, thighs, abdomen, and his feet.
I could see muscle and tissue through the wounds. His screams have become hoarse and cracked. His eye pleaded for death as I continued to cut into him. He wanted mercy, a mercy he will not receive. Did he show them girls mercy? Did he show Danny mercy? No, and I won’t show him mercy.
With each cut, I was freeing them. Freeing all the helpless girls he destroyed. It felt liberating. With a sigh, I puncture his other eye. It was time to finish this. Danny needed me. Pressing the knife into his abdomen, I savor the feel of it sinking deep.
I promised to gut anyone who touched her, and that was exactly what I was going to do. Tugging the knife upwards, it slices through him like a hot knife through butter. The screams turned to gurgles as his last moments take him.
Pulling the knife from his worthless, almost unrecognizable husk, I turn and walk out of the room. It was over finally over now I could go home and tell her she was safe. That I would never let anything happen to her again.
Axel’s grim face met me as exited the room. My heart stopped.
“It’s Danny. The hitman tried to take her.”
I could tell he wanted to say more, but I was already running. She needed me and I was too busy torturing a man instead of just ending him. Reaching my bike, I stop dead. Lark was casually leaning against my bike.
“Don’t tell her. I will. When she’s ready I will be there.”
All I could do was nod
and then he was gone and so was I.
Chapter 37
Danny
He was back. I could feel his heat as he sat next to the bed. It called to me in this cold, dark place. For once in my life, I felt complete and whole. Almost free. The feel of Jesses calloused fingers tracing my face left a trail of warmth in their wake.
It was like my whole being was in tune to his. My love for him was so great, so big, so life consuming my body literally reacts to his. The sound of his voice alone has my body shivering and my stomach clenching.
I remember the moment my six-year-old self-laid eyes on him it was like a jolt of recognition. Like I’ve known him my whole life. Our meeting was imperative and I could tell he felt it too. My world centered on him. At first, in friendship, then over the years more.
I felt more for him than our friendship. His soul called to me. I heard whispers over the year’s drift through my mind of soul mates. Was that even a possibility? To meet someone so young and know he was the most important thing in your world?
That was how it was for me. It was like a flood gate opened when I was finally a teen and my feelings for him evolved. The years of separation were like a hole had been carved into my chest. Like a part of me was missing.
It was a lonely existence. I could feel his regret, his anger, his pain and fear. They felt almost like my own emotions, like I was the one feeling them. Killing that hitman was like a wake up call.
“Get a prospect to clean this shit up.”
His voice was cold and dark. Jesse, in that moment, was almost terrifying. But I know he will never hurt me not like that.
“She killed him herself.”
The disbelief in Axel’s voice had a smile forming on my face. Yeah, I did kill him and it felt amazing. It was almost natural. What’s wrong with me? Did they break me more than I knew? Did the monster who bought me twist me somehow?
“Someone should have been here with her.”
The regret and disappointment replaced the cold tone.
“Where did she get the gun.”
Again, Axel’s voice was filled with disbelief. I will have to remember this moment and remind him of it, constantly. The thought had giggles erupting in my head. I know I needed to wake up, but my eyelids felt so heavy.
At the same time, I was enjoying this. Listening to everything around me and feeling his love. Something I’m not too sure will be there when I wake up. The thought has my heart stuttering and a sharp pain piercing my chest.
What will I do if things are really over? Does he know it all and no longer wants me? Maybe I’m too broken. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to stay right here and never wake up. Here he loved me, out there the world is uncertain, cold even.
Thinking about the darkness that was my life before my escape had the memories fighting to expose themselves. They wanted to escape the chains I so carefully placed them in. They swirled and pulled tugging at their restraints.
I was helpless to stop the few that escaped. Then, I was there again. In that house and in that attic. My mother was giving me disgusted looks while my father looked off into space so unhappy with me he couldn’t bear to look in my direction.
You would think I would be used to this, yet the pain still came. The self-hatred that had me wishing for moments of death. My own parents couldn’t love me, why would Jesse still love me? It was a question that visited me often.
In my darkest weakest moments, it would haunt me. Taunting me to let it all go, to cease to exist I was a waste of space. Taking up precious air others needed to breathe. Then he would come to me. My other half, my Jesse, his smile would brighten it all up and his voice was like a warm blanket pulling me through, yet another cold storm.
The scene changed. I was still in the attic, but I had pried a nail out of the floor. Jesse hadn’t come to me in days and hopelessness was swallowing me. The walls were closing in ready to crush me. I couldn’t stay here and there was no escape.
I watch as the nail presses into my skin. Surprisingly, it didn’t take a lot of pressure to split the skin. The pain was sharp. But I wouldn’t let that stop me. I needed to end this to end it all. Dragging the nail up my wrist vertically I watch the blood well up and start a steady flow.
The burning in my wrist was slowly dissipating as the darkness slowly closed in. Spots danced in my slowly dwindling vision. This was it the ultimate freedom. The relief I so desperately needed. One moment I was in the memories the next he was there.
His lips pressed against mine. His breath was warm as it caressed my lips.
“Please baby. Come back to me.”
His voice was so full of sorrow, so full of pain it hurt to listen to him. He needed me and I was helpless to deny him. So many what ifs tried to drown me. His voice was like a beacon calling me home. Opening my eyes was easier than I had thought.
He was here. Right here looking in my eyes. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
“Baby?”
His voice so full of hesitation and love had tears spilling from my eyes. I wanted to tell him it was all okay that I was okay, but I knew that would be a lie. Nothing was okay, not with him out there hunting me. Deep down I knew he would never give up.
I know what I needed to do. Once again, I will sacrifice everything to save them, to save him. This was it, all I would ever have. This little moment of heaven.
“I love you baby.”
His voice was so tender, so loving.
“I love you too.”
The words were out before I could stop them. It would only hurt us more. These words of love and joy would only bring pain in the end. They always did. My eyes close as his hands cup my cheeks. He was so gentle just like my Jesse.
For a moment, I was transported back in time to a place where it was always just us. Happiness and love was all we had, there was nothing in this world in our world but that. But those days were gone like a wisp of smoke.
“Will you lay with me please?”
I know this was a mistake, but I needed it to keep me warm in all the cold nights ahead. Instead of using words he climbed into bed behind me and pulled me close. The feel of his body pressed against mine was pure bliss.
Laying there taking deep breaths to soak up his scent. I wanted to remember how he smelled, how he felt, the sound of his voice. This would be all I had. The baby belonged here where he or she will be safe. The thought ripped what was left of my heart from my body. I was losing everything.
I knew what I needed to do. What I was going to do. Even if it took me until the end of my days I was going to kill that monster hiding behind a human mask. It was the only way it would be over, the only way they would be safe.
Lying here I let the resolve settle like dust after a blast. Killing was easier than I had thought it would be. Killing him would be beautiful. I was doing this for Jesse, our child and that poor woman. I know I should be doing this for me, but it wasn’t about me, not anymore.
Chapter 38
Danny
Jesse has finally relaxed enough to sleep. We’ve been lying here for hours just listen to each other breathe. It was both a heaven and hell. I never wanted it to end, but it was time to go, time to end this all. Slowly scooting to the edge of the bed.
I watch his hand tightened on the bed. I needed to do something or he’ll figure it out. Grabbing my pillow, I slip it in front of him. His arm snatches it, pulling it close. Relief and sadness washed over me in waves. All the stitches pulled as I moved to the window.
Each step a reminder of what he did to me. Of what he did to her. I couldn’t look back no matter how much I wanted to see Jesses face, no matter how much I wanted to climb back into bed with him I can’t. I found my purpose in life.
I only hope he killed my parents already. Saving me the trouble of having to back track and end them as well. They were monsters just like him. The moment my foot touched the window frame my new life started.
Maybe, when it was over I could come back here. Maybe, th
is would be home? The moment my feet hit the ground with a body jarring impact. Every barely healed cut stung and burned. Tears fill my eyes as the pain became intense.
I couldn’t let it slow me down. It wouldn’t be long before Jesse figured out I was gone. Running was my only option. My skin pulled and tugged as the stitches tried to keep it together. My bare feet slapped painfully against the pavement.
My legs were cold. I was missing my pants. I wanted to turn around and get clothes. No, Danny, if you turn back now you won’t be able to get away. My determination was stronger than my modesty. I was making good time considering.
Freedom was so close I could taste it in the air around me. That was until a shadow stepped out of nowhere.
“Wait.”
The voice was dark. Instead of fear I felt comfort?
“Danelle.”
He knew my name?
“We need to talk. I know where you’re going and it’s pointless.”
No, it wasn’t pointless. I have no idea who he is, but he wasn’t going to stop me. I was going to slay that monster.
“I’ve been looking for you for years.”
Fear skittered across my consciousness. I was out here alone with a man who I couldn’t even see and no one knew where I was. I watch as he steps from the shadows, his black jeans, and black hoodie helping him blend into the darkness. It was almost like he belonged there. In the darkness.
“You look so much like her.”
Her? Who’s her?
“Our mom.”
No, was he? Did they sell him too?
“Did they sell you too? I don’t remember you.”
“NO! Those people weren’t your family. You were stolen along with other female mafia children. We have been looking for you for years, little Lyla. I remember mom bringing you home how beautiful you were.”
“I don’t understand my name is Danelle or Danny not this Lyla you speak of.”
My heart was racing like it already knew what my brain hadn’t figured out.
Jesse: The Son's Of The Apocalypse MC Page 9
