“I warned you she was to be kept away,” the priest tries to whisper to Jacob and the sheriff looks like he wants to spit nails.
“She wouldn’t cross me, you’re lying.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Shall I get her out here? Perhaps if you hear it from her, you’ll believe it then?” Cas says and walks over to the door to the kitchen. He opens the door and my chest tightens knowing I’m going to see her any second now, knowing I won’t do anything to be closer to her or even make eye contact with her. Before Myles was attacked, I would’ve stood beside her as she took her revenge on her father, but now it’s all for Myles. Everything is for him. Fuck the town’s people, no one here are giving them a second thought.
Harper follows Aspen out and is quick to kiss JJ goodbye before disappearing out the door.
Cas ushers Aspen forward and her father trains his eyes on her every move. She takes in the restraints holding him to the chair and the corners of her mouth lift and her eyes shine with happiness. The people who doubted her intentions before have well and truly been misplaced.
“Have they hurt you?”
“Of course they haven’t,” she barks at him, although her gaze falls on me briefly before returning to her father. “I’m not here against my will, father. I’m here to help them kill you.”
“What are you talking about?”
The sheriff and the priest keep quiet and all my efforts of keeping my eyes off her, fail.
She steps in front of Jacob and kneels down to meet his height.
“I know exactly who you are and what you’ve done.”
“I assure you you have no fucking idea.”
“You raped her and then you made me believe she was lying, she needed me and because you were my father and I didn’t want to believe it, you bent my mind until you broke us.”
“I’ve told you before, the girl was troubled and a filthy liar. Is that what’s going on here? You’re helping them because you think I’m a…”
“A rapist, I’m surprised you can’t say it. And I don’t think you are one, I know you are.”
She’s losing her cool and points her finger in his chest. “I heard you threatening her, trying to pay her to leave town, and I found your photographs while I was searching your office for something Cas could use against you.”
Jacob pales as her words sink into his thick skull. “I…Is that why you ran?”
“Finally, that’s the only thing you’ve got right in years. You’re not my father anymore, you haven’t been since the day you raped my best friend. God help you when I step back.”
She’s holding true. Myles firmly believed she would betray us. As she backs off, Jacob’s mouth open and closes numerous times but nothing comes out.
“Who wants the priest?” Cas asks, looking around the brothers. He settles on Grumps and cocks his brow. “Do you want him, old man?”
Barking out a grunt, he pulls out his gun and locks and loads. “You’re not so young yourself.”
Cas smiles warmly and it looks out of place in the middle of the impending violence.
Grumps steps up to the priest and the sheriff and Jacob both lean away as grumps aims his gun at the priest.
“I’ve never put a man of the cloth in the ground before. Any last words, Father, before I send you down to Hell?”
The priest mumbles a load of bible jargon, not answering grumps.
“As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil for it already stands in front of you, motherfucker.”
His finger squeezes the trigger and the shot echoes around the bar, the brothers all quiet. The Willows Peak chapter has seen its fair share of violence and death lately, they don’t react to the priest’s body hanging over limply. The Mercy chapter, however, flinch and some even look away. Pussies.
I can’t help it, I turn my focus on Aspen and her head is tilted as she stares at the dead body. She hasn’t paled like her father and the sheriff. She stands there and smiles. Inside, I’m a raging inferno of lust and need for her. Who would have thought I’d meet a woman who could so easily fit in with my lifestyle? These men are bad in her eyes and them dying for their crimes don’t seem to be affecting her.
It’s one thing wanting someone dead but carrying the deed out or witnessing it is something completely different. There are no takebacks if you change your mind after the fact.
Leaving the priest half hanging off his chair, Cas averts his attention on Aspen.
“You wanted your father dead, here’s your chance.”
She hears him without looking his way, instead she meets my eyes and holds her stare.
She isn’t wavering, but she’s in no rush to move. I nod once, having no idea what I’m trying to say to her without words and she walks over to me.
She holds out her hand and says, “I’m going to need your gun.”
If I couldn’t control my dick, it’d be rock hard right now. I hand over my piece and hear grumps scoff somewhere behind me.
“You should count yourself lucky, I only came home to slit your throat while you slept,” she tells him so quietly the brothers in the back wouldn’t have heard her.
I hear her though, every word. My body comes alive when I hear her voice.
“So why didn’t you? You’ve been home for a while,” he points out.
“You always said to enjoy the fall until you see where all the cards lay. After meeting Mason and his club, I was interested in where they were going to fall.”
“You hate me that much? I’m your father, I’m the only parent you have.”
“No, the only parent I had died a long time ago.”
She releases the safety catch just like I showed her the other night and aims it between his eyes.
My blood is on fire with anticipation to see her carry this out. If I’m honest, I thought his death would be delivered by a Lost Soul, not her.
“Aspen.” He sighs, shaking his head in disappointment. “You could have had everything at my side.”
“I want nothing from you,” she spits out at him. “I can’t even look at you, I hate going to the home I used to love, I can’t look at anyone in this town because they’re cowards and won’t stand up to you. What makes you think I’d want anything you’ve touched or had anything to do with?”
His face fills with redness and wriggles his wrists in his restraints. I’m not worried, I tied him up real good.
“I’ve had enough, now. Get me out of here, Aspen.”
“Oh, you’ve had enough, father?”
She asks politely and nicely.
His eyes widen in warning and she laughs.
“Why didn’t you say, don’t worry, I’ll put you out of your misery.”
In the next breath, the second shot of the night echoes around us, but this time, no one moves. Every single set of eyes linger on Aspen as she stands there, slowly lowering the gun.
She doesn’t move. Her father’s body hangs over similar to the priest, leaving splatters blood on his daughter.
I’m nudged in the back, looking over my shoulder, dad pushes me forward and I get the hint.
Nine steps is all it takes before I’m at her side and I run my hand down her arm until it’s resting on my gun. She’s gripping it tightly and I force her fingers away and stow it away in the waistband of my jeans.
Turning her away from his slumped form, I guide her over to the chair. She sits robotically and I stay close to her as Cas kneels in front of the sheriff.
“We’ve never killed anyone in front of a cop before, it feels kind of good in a way.”
The sheriff’s forehead is speckled with sweat and he narrows his eyes. “I’m sure you’re aware after witnessing the deaths of your partners, you’re not making it out of here alive. However, don’t for one second believe you’re getting out of here as easy as them. The priest and Jacob meant nothing to us, just a temporary problem we would have dealt with, but you made it personal by attacking one of us and now you will the feel the sa
me pain and more you had inflicted.”
“My men will know I’m missing by now, if you’re going to kill me, get it done with before they show up here.”
“They can try, they won’t make it up the mountain that far and they’ll meet the same fate as you and I won’t lose a second of sleep tonight over it.”
Aspen shoots up to her feet and freezes momentarily, before rushing outside. Everyone catches it and grumps jerks his head for me to chase her. She didn’t make it very far when I step outside and look around for her. She stands in the middle of the parked motorcycles and has her head tipped back, her eyes closed and her chest rising and falling deeply as she inhales the fresh, cold air.
“You okay?” I ask, walking up behind her.
“Why do you care?” she asks, not moving from her position.
Biting down on my tongue, I should tell her I do care, I care much more than she realises, but my brother has to come first. He needs me. He’s lying in a hospital bed just to drive in how much I failed him.
“I guess your sister was right,” she murmurs, lowering her head and piercing me with her green eyes.
She starts to walk off, but I want to know what she’s talking about.
“Hey, what did Victoria have to say?”
She stops and turns to face me.
“That you would use me, and guess what, I feel very fucking used. Congratulations.”
My heart sinks to my gut and I flinch, ready to rush over to her and explain exactly how I feel.
Yet, I don’t move.
I don’t say a fucking word.
She walks away and I let her.
“Where are you going?” It’s the only thing I can ask.
“Home to pack. Goodbye, Mason,” she calls over her shoulder.
It’s for the best if she leaves this town, yet it feels so wrong, like I’ve been punched in the gut by a giant.
Aspen
I wandered around the house for an hour before hiding myself in the shower, washing my father’s blood off me. I scrubbed until my skin was glowing red. I should be freaking out, I squeezed the trigger and killed my father. My body should be racked with the shakes, my face saturated with tears, and my conscience flooded with guilt. Yet all I can dwell on is I’ll never see Mason again. I said goodbye to him as I left the mountain and I didn’t look back. Not once.
I go back to the beginning, to when we first met in this very house and try to work out where it went wrong. He was just as hungry for me as I was for him, and then coldness. Drying off, I step into my childhood bedroom and decide to get dressed and get the hell out of here.
I have zero interest in sticking around, I can make a fresh start anywhere, as long as it isn’t here.
The one good thing about leaving this time, I can leave safely knowing my father isn’t causing anyone else pain and suffering, forcing them into lifestyles they don’t want. He isn’t hurting anyone to fulfil his sick, perverted needs.
Opening the wardrobe doors, I scan over the stiff, lady-like dresses, and pull them all off their hangers and dump them out in the hall.
Dragging on a clean pair of jeans, I pair them with my old high school hoodie and set to work. Falling to my knees, I bend over to pull out the suitcase from under my bed. Throwing it up on my bed, I make quick work stuffing the few things I want to keep, like the photos of me and my mom hanging on the walls, all my toiletries, all my clothes apart from the shit my father used to like me wearing, and the bottle of perfumes I like.
Once I’m done, I zip the case closed and wheel it out to the top of the stairs. Letting go of it, it slides down the stairs and crashes to the floor when it hits the bottom.
Returning to the pile of dresses, I scoop up as many as I can into my arms and trek them out to the garden.
Dropping the bundle onto the middle of the lawn, I head for father’s shed, and snatch the gasoline and matches from the top shelf. I finally realise why he liked me wearing this shit, it was for appearances sake. If he got his way and I started working with him, my soul would be tainted but on the outside, all the towns people would see, is the perfectly put together woman. Who could be accused of being a monster when wearing this shit?
Dowsing too much gasoline on the pile, I strike a match and flick it on top. The flames shoot into the air and I step back, listening to the crackles and materials burn. Dropping to my knees, I grab onto the blades of grass and pull until clumps of grass and mud are yanked from the earth. This whole town should burn and be ripped from its roots. My roots crumbled when my mom died and I don’t have any plans on putting my own roots here. Making my way back toward the house, the doorbell’s shrill tone echoes around the walls and I walk through the kitchen, heading for my father’s office. His pride and joy. I’m going to burn everything that can be taken outside.
I’d burn the house down, but I’m pretty sure I can get good a price when selling it, if my father’s wills it to me.
I’m determined to make something good come from his horror. Using his money to achieve it will have him turning in his grave, wherever that may be. The doorbell rings again and I drop the pile of books I was going to burn and head for the front door.
Opening the door, Leonard Cooper is stood before me with his back straight and his hands clasped together in front of him.
“How can I help you, Mr. Cooper?”
“I have an appointment with your father.”
He goes to take a step inside, not waiting to be invited, not that I was planning to, and I step forward, blocking his way.
“He’s indisposed, Mr. Cooper. Unfortunately, your business together has come to an end.”
I expect him to lose his shit, but he assesses me as he takes me in from head to toe and then settles with a smirk.
“And you? Are you ending our business arrangement, you are or were his partner, right?”
“Sorry, I was only there under my father’s orders. There are new people you can form a partnership with.”
“And who would these people be? I must say, I was looking forward to working with you.”
I bet you were, you dirty old creep.
“The Lost Souls. They are a motorcycle club, based up on the mountain.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, and I clamp my mouth shut to stop myself from being rude. He’s not exactly the guy you start an argument with, but I also won’t be inviting him inside for coffee.
“I’ve heard of them, they’ve got quite the reputation. I’ll agree if you make the introductions.”
It takes everything I have not to roll my eyes.
“Fine, and then we’re done.”
“Sure.”
He goes to walk off and I move to close the door when he looks over his shoulder and stops, frowning.
“Let’s go then, sweetheart. There’s no time like the present.”
This guy is something else. Thankfully, the drive is quiet, and he keeps his mouth shut. I said my goodbyes to this place and I’m glad to see Cas outside talking with his brothers, and Mason nowhere to be seen.
Mr. Cooper doesn’t hesitate to climb out and straighten his suit jacket as he waits for me to join him.
The sooner this is over with, the sooner I can move on. One last loose tie to wrap up and I’m done.
He falls into step beside me and I hate how close he chooses to walk beside me.
“Aspen, I didn’t expect to see you again,” Cas says, watching the two of us closely.
“Cas, this is Leonard Cooper.” He knows who is he, I filled him in on him after I first met him. “I’ve told him my father is no longer able to uphold his end of their deal, and he asked if I would introduce him with you and your club.”
Cas’s gaze pins Leonards and he remains quiet while he checks him over.
“What business did you have with Jacob?” he asks him first, knowing full well what he deals in because I’ve already told him.
“Where is Jacob?” he answers with his own question.
“He’s retired.
”
Leonard nods, I’m not sure if he believes him or not but he says, “I was to start running my drugs through town with the protection of his Sheriff.”
“The sheriff is on permanent vacation, he retired too.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re lying, if I were to take a walk about this rock would I find fresh graves?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Cas shrugs and they begin talking about a possible new deal. I realise I don’t need to be here any longer. I’ve made the introductions; my job is done.
I don’t bother interrupting them to say goodbye, I make it halfway back to my car before they notice I’m leaving.
“Miss. Peirce, where are you going?” Leonard asks. I don’t walk back over to them, choosing to keep my distance.
“Home.”
“I don’t think so, I was looking forward to working with you, that is still going to happen.”
I’m confused. He’s a dirty old man, surely there are other woman for him to leer over.
“You can deal with the Lost Souls, I’m pretty sure they are much better at…business than I am.”
“They’re not as beautiful to look at as you.”
Cas, watching Leonard fight to keep me around and seeing how much I want to leave, walks over and asks me to take a walk with him. We don’t go far, just far enough we won’t be heard.
“Taking over the businesses doesn’t mean all businesses, what better way for you to make sure those lines of income are truly dead in the water. You can keep the town clean if you run it yourself, in partnership with me and the club of course.”
Of course, why would I ever assume differently.
“Cas, I don’t want anything to do with this town, illegal or legal. I want to leave, put this place far in my past.”
His eyes hold so much within and most of the time they’re scrutinising and hard. The way he looks at me now it’s almost like he’s human after all.
“The guy clearly will make a deal if you’re involved. How about, I pose a new deal with you?”
“Let’s hear it, if only so I can get out of here.”
He smirks.
“You stick around and help deal with Cooper until we’ve formed a relationship with him, and he trusts us. After then, you’ll never have to see us again.”
Their Fractured Souls: Sons Of Lost Soul MC Book Six Page 12
