Judge of Hell (Hell Night Series Book 3)

by Alex Grayson

  “Babies?” I ask hoarsely.

  “Yes, babies. They were introduced to Hell Night when they reached a year old. Everything but penetration was allowed. Once they reached five years, full initiation was required, meaning nothing was prohibited.”

  “Oh God!” I gasp, my hands flying to cover my mouth. I bend at the waist, the alcohol threatening to come back up. My forehead touches my knees, and I pull in large gulps of air.

  How is this even possible? How in the hell could anyone even think about doing something so repulsive? I know there are despicable people in the world, sick people with twisted minds who like to prey on the innocent, but abusing babies? I have no idea how to wrap my mind around something like that. I don’t want to wrap my mind around it.

  “Breathe, baby. In through your nose and out through your mouth. Slowly.” A hand rubs up and down my back. I suck in a breath and let it out through my mouth. “That’s it.”

  I don’t know I’m crying until a hiccupping sob escapes my lips. I try to rein in the torrent of tears, but they just keep coming.

  Judge continues to soothe me, whispering soft words I barely hear. After several moments, I lift my head and sit up. Using the end of my sleeve, I wipe my nose. My head pounds, and I hear the unsteady rhythm in my ears.

  “You left me for nothing,” I tell him through a scratchy throat.

  His brows form a deep V.

  “I would have stood beside you while you murdered them.”

  It’s the God’s honest truth. People who can so easily harm children in such ways have no business walking among the living. They have no place on earth. They all belong in hell.

  He grabs my hand and looks down at our laced fingers, his thumb smoothing slowly over the back. It takes him several minutes, but then he lifts his eyes back to mine.

  “My brothers and I don’t only hunt down the people who escaped Malus. Sometimes we’re given information about others who have hurt other children or women. Ones who have gotten away with their crimes or are given shit sentences and will be released too soon, only to do it again.” My eyes widen, and he scoots closer to me, his fingers tightening around mine. “Each person we take out deserves nothing less. They prey upon the weak and destroy lives. They break into homes and rape and beat innocent people. They kidnap them and hold them hostage, inflicting permanent damage to their minds and bodies.”

  “How are you able to do this without being caught?”

  “We’re careful. We’ve made contacts over the years. People who think like us and want to rid the world of the vileness. People who help cover our endeavors. The reason Malus is so special to us is because there’re times when the victims have nowhere to go. No family, no friends. Sometimes they need a new place to start. A place that makes them feel safe. We give them that by offering them a place to live here in Malus.”

  I pull in a breath and try to absorb what he’s saying. In a weird, fucked-up sense, I find it kind of noble what he and his brothers are doing. They protect the innocent and take out the bad.

  “The reason Malus is safe”—his eyes narrow, anger marking his features—“normally, is because we don’t tolerate anyone who harms another. There are strict punishments given to those who do.” He pauses, his fingers twitching in mine. “The town holds a meeting and the people vote. It has to be unanimous. If there is undeniable evidence pointing to the abuse and they’re found guilty, they’re given the Expiration Penalty.”

  I swallow thickly. “The Expiration Penalty?” I whisper.

  He nods. “Yes. It’s just as it sounds. My brothers and I have a ritual where the convicted is taken to a specific location where The Finishing, the name of the actual punishment, is carried out. They’re shot between the eyes, the heart, the base of the neck, and the groin, all kill shots to ensure death. They’re given an unmarked grave, because they deserve no recognition.”

  I bite the inside of my cheek, overwhelmed with this knowledge. Sweat beads on my forehead and tingles crawl over my scalp. I close my eyes and take in several deep breaths.

  “Everyone here knows about these rituals?” I ask, lifting my eyelids.

  “Yes. We only accept people in Malus who can handle our brand of justice. Almost every person here has their own horrifying story.”

  “These… Finishings. Is it just you and your brothers who perform them?”

  His chin jerks up. “Although every adult here agrees with our methods, we don’t want to put the burden of killing someone on their shoulders. The location is off-limits to everyone except my brothers and me. And we’re extremely strict about no one being present during The Finishings. And before you ask, children do not know. We leave it up to the parents to decide when they should know. The youngest allowable age is sixteen. Some parents wait until they’re eighteen. It’s better for them to be informed in a controlled setting, versus them finding out other ways.”

  I think of Maisy, of how she would react to something like this. She’s asked me multiple times about my scars, and I’ve always told her it was from an accident, giving no more detail than that. She’s so young, and I want to keep her mind as innocent as I can for as long as I can. She doesn’t need to know the monstrosities of the world yet.

  “You don’t worry about anyone letting something slip? What about the children who grow up and leave Malus. That’s a huge secret to carry.”

  “It’s not often that people leave Malus once they’re here. This is their home. They feel safe here. We’re a very tight-knit community. Malus offers something no other town can. Even the ones who go away to school choose to return here when they graduate, because this is where they grew up. Their family is here, and that’s not always blood relations, but every single person here.”

  I lick my dry lips, nerves skittering across my spine. “But can they leave if they want?”

  Oh, God. Are Maisy and I trapped here?

  His smile is gentle, and it alleviates some of my anxiety. “There are no prisoners here, Ellie. Anyone is free to go if they wish.”

  My shoulders sag with relief, and I feel foolish for even thinking he would hold people captive.

  “So, Maisy and I can leave if we choose too?”

  His eye twitches at the corner and he releases my hand, sitting back several inches and clenching his fist on his thigh.

  “Yes,” he grits between his teeth. “But I’ll be going with you.”

  My mouth drops open in shock. “You would leave Malus for us?”

  His nod is jerky and stiff. “I gave you up once; I won’t do it again. And Maisy is my daughter. I’ll be damned if she spends her life without me in it.”

  I really, really love this man. And I think he really, really loves me too. He has to, to be willing to give up everything for Maisy and me.

  Reaching over, I snag his hand again. “We’re not going anywhere, Judge. I just wanted to make sure I still had that choice. What you have here in Malus would seem deranged to most. I’m not saying I fully agree with your methods, but I do understand what you’re trying to do.” I frown. “Although, I am fully on board with you taking the people out from your past.”

  Relief hits his face, and his shoulders relax. He flips his hand over in mine and intertwines our fingers together.

  “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

  The way he says it has my back stiffening in unease. But then again, it can’t be any worse than what he’s already told me.

  “What?” I ask, my voice strained.

  His grip tightens around my hand, as if he’s afraid I’ll pull away.

  “The two men who attacked you, the ones who were caught and sent to prison, I had someone… take care of them.”

  I recoil, my heart sinking all the way to my toes.

  “How?” I croak.

  “JW found someone within the prison who would take care of them. They made it appear like a prison brawl had gotten out of control. That’s not all though.”

>   I hold my breath and wait for him to continue.

  “JW also located the third guy.”

  “What? Oh my God. Are you sure?”

  “Yes, we’re sure. The stupid fuck has been in contact with one of the two in prison. Apparently, they’re cousins. His name is Billy Collins, but he’s been going by the name Billy Coburn. Coburn is his mother’s maiden name.”

  “Holy shit,” I breathe. “This is unbelievable.” My heart starts pounding in my chest. “Have you called the police and told them?”

  There’s a stubborn set to his jaw as he says darkly, “The police won’t be involved. I sent Emo after the guy to bring him back here. That was the message I got earlier. Emo just got back with him.”

  I jerk back, and a small gasp leaves my lips. Terror tries to claw its way inside me, but I fight the fear.

  “I’m telling you this because you need to know. The motherfucker will pay at my hands.”

  A lump forms in my throat, and it feels like a thousand pounds sitting on my chest. The thought of that man being so close leaves me dizzy and unhinged.

  I clear my dry throat.

  “W-what are you going to do with him?”

  “Give him exactly what he deserves for hurting you,” he answers with conviction.

  “I want to be there,” I blurt out of nowhere, surprising not only Judge but myself as well.

  I see the refusal in his eyes before it rolls off his lips. “No.”

  “Do you know part of the reason why I didn’t put up much of a fight to move here?” I don’t give him time to answer. “Or the reason why I never dated in twelve years?” Lifting my hand, I place it against his cheek, the bristle from his five o’clock shadow abrading my palm. “I was scared. The alley they forced me into was dark. I never got a good look at their faces. So, the one who got away, I never knew what he looked like. He could have been anyone. It took me months to leave the house, and even then, I was constantly looking over my shoulder. Twelve years later, and I was still looking, although not as often. I’m tired of worrying where he is and if he’ll come after me should we ever cross paths again.” I straighten my spine. “Please, Judge. I need to do this.”

  Several emotions slide over his face, and each one says he doesn’t want me there. Pain is the last one and it stays there as he stares at me for several long seconds.

  Finally, he gives a clipped nod. “Okay.”

  Leaning forward, I slide my hand to the back of his head and press my lips against his mouth. “Thank you.”

  “Tomorrow, I’ll have Misty and Derek watch Maisy. They’re watching Elijah for Trouble and Remi.”

  My stomach bottoms out and my palms become sweaty. I didn’t expect it to be so soon, but there’s no sense in waiting. It’s actually better to get it over and done with.

  Tomorrow, I’ll be faced with one of the men who changed my life forever. Not only that, but I’ll watch the life drain from his eyes.

  Guilt should grip me at the idea of watching another person die, but it doesn’t. Instead it fills me with a great sense of contentment.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  JUDGE

  THE CLOSER WE GET TO THE lodge door, the tighter Ellie’s hand gets in mine. She’s been very quiet the last hour, and I wonder if she’s regretting her decision to be present while my brothers and I take care of Billy.

  As much as I understand her reasons behind wanting to be here, I still fucking hate it. I don’t want her to see this side of me. I firmly believe what my brothers and I do is something the world needs. Incarceration isn’t a strong enough punishment, and rehabilitation is a joke to some of these sick bastards. There’s not one kill I regret committing.

  But it still doesn’t sit well with me that Ellie will see it.

  Stopping in front of the door, I turn. Her wide eyes are fixed on the rotting wood separating us from the lowlife inside. Using my knuckle, I turn her face until she’s looking at me.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask for probably the tenth time.

  No hesitation. Only her throat bobs as she nods. “Yes.”

  “If it gets to be too much, you tell me. If it bothers you in any way, you tell me. If I do or say anything you can’t handle, you fuckin’ tell me, Ellie. You understand?”

  “Yes,” she repeats.

  We’ve been over this before, but I try one more time to warn her.

  “What you’re going to see isn’t going to be pretty and for damn sure not gentle. It’s going to be ugly and hideous. There is no mercy for men like Billy Collins.”

  The color drains from her face, but her jaw is set, resolute in her decision. “I’ve got it.”

  I turn and push the door open, stopping just inside the threshold to let Ellie take in her surroundings. The lodge is old. A few broken chairs on their sides. Cobwebs in every corner. Dust on every surface. Paper and debris litter the floor.

  There’s an old table set up in the center of the room, and that’s where Ellie’s eyes are pointed. Lying on his back with his arms, chest, and legs tied down is Billy Collins. Either he’s been knocked out or he’s passed out, because his eyes are closed and only his chest moves with the rise and fall of his breathing.

  Emo is about ten feet away, propped up against a wall in the corner. His onyx eyes blaze hatred as he stares at the piece of shit on the table. Trouble and JW are leaning against the kitchen counter, closely watching Ellie. They didn’t like the idea of her being here either.

  Ellie’s hand leaves mine and she takes a few hesitant steps closer to Billy. The fear in her eyes matches the tremors I just felt in her hand.

  With her back rigid, she steps close enough to see his face in the dim light of the room, but far enough to keep several feet between them. Her frown is deep as she regards the man who inflicted years’ worth of pain on her.

  “Is he already…?” She stops and looks to Emo.

  It’s Trouble who answers. “No. Just in a forced sleep.”

  I’m actually surprised at the condition Billy’s in. He has some light bruises on his face, and a small trail of blood stains his chin, but other than that, Emo hasn’t done much damage to him.

  “Ellie,” I call, and she looks at me over her shoulder. “I want you over here.”

  She turns back to Billy for a few more seconds, then walks to me. Her expression is no longer frightened, but instead empty, as if the sight of Billy lying unconscious on the table doesn’t affect her.

  I bend my knees and put my face in front of hers. “I can still take you back home.”

  She’s shaking her head before the last word leaves my mouth. Giving her a tight nod, I press my lips to hers in a brief kiss. “Stay over here. If you need to leave, tell me and I’ll take you out of here.”

  Once I have her agreement, I turn and face the table.

  My blood pumps heavily in my veins as I make my way over to Billy and get my first good glimpse of the man who almost took away two people I love. He was twenty-two when he attacked Ellie, the same age as her. He has shoulder-length, greasy, dirty-blond hair and is skinny as fuck. Unkempt full beard and mustache. Clothes that look like they haven’t been washed in weeks. The wretched smell coming off him suggests he hasn’t washed his body in just as long. He’s looks like a cracked-out drug addict. Even if I didn’t know what he had done, the sight of him would disgust me.

  I pull a pair of black latex gloves from my back pocket and put them on, then give his cheeks a few slaps to rouse him from his sleep. His eyes jerk open, panic widening them, and they dart around the room.

  “What’s goin—”

  “Right here, motherfucker,” I growl darkly.

  His eyes slam to mine and grow as big as saucers. The rope binding his arms go taut as he tries to pull them to his body. His gaze slides to his wrists, then he lifts his head to look down at his torso and legs. Alarm tightens his face.

  “Fuck,” he mutters, looking around the room again and spot
ting Emo, Trouble, and JW. I’m purposely standing in the way so he doesn’t see Ellie. His head swivels back to me. “What in the hell is going on?”

  I get right to the point. “Twelve years ago, you attacked a woman.”

  The muscle in his jaw twitches. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man.”

  I step to the side, and his eyes dart past me to Ellie. His brows drop, and he squints to see better.

  “You and your buddies dragged her into an alley and beat her so badly she had to have multiple surgeries to repair bone damage. Her face was so fucked-up she needed plastic surgery.” I grit my teeth. “She was pregnant with my child.”

  His gaze flies back to me. Dawning realization slides over his face, and the blood in his cheeks drains away.

  He looks back to Ellie. “I’m sorry,” he says shakily, as if that’s all he has to do to get out of this.

  I step in his line of sight. “You think she’s going to save you?” I laugh sinisterly. “You really fuckin’ think after what you did to her, she’ll lift a finger or show an ounce of pity?”

  I grab the mallet that’s lying on the table by his hip. When he sees it, he begins thrashing against his bindings.

  “Even if you get out of the rope, you won’t get far,” I say casually, walking to the end of the table where his feet are. “You see that man there?” I jut my chin to Emo. “He’d love nothing more than to gut you from gullet to groin. I should probably mention that he keeps his knife dull for a reason.”

  The jeans at his crotch darken as he pisses himself.

  “Fuck,” he yells, twisting his wrists against the rope. His chest heaves and his hips buck. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It wasn’t my idea to hurt her. We were just looking for some cash to score a hit. I tried to talk them out of it, but they wouldn’t listen!”

  He’s lying, but it wouldn’t matter if he wasn’t. He took part and the outcome was still the same.

  “Speaking of your buddies. Have you heard from your cousin lately?”

  His head lifts, and he watches with frightened eyes as I pull off his shoes and toss them to the side. I leave his crusted socks on.