Sweet Revenge (Sinners MC Book 1), page 21
“You must’ve had me confused with those lowlifes you been in business with.” Pop said, and I swore under my breath. Pop really liked to push the fucking envelope with my father.
“Those lowlifes have made me and this club very wealthy and powerful.”
“Guess I’ll have to see that for myself.” Pop answered.
“Look at me boy.” My father spoke.
I lifted my head and met his stare. His lips were curved in a cocky grin, and I choked down all the shit I wanted to say. I’d have to keep it to myself.
For now.
“You too, Bear.”
I watched out of the corner of my eye as Bear slowly lifted his head before my father continued speaking. “Gotta say, boys, I’m a little surprised you were so easily taken. Always knew my boy was the brains, and Bear, you were the strength. Fuck, if I didn’t hate you so much, I’d almost say I was proud to see you two team up. That was exactly what I’d hoped you’d do for the Widows. Kind of a shame to lose so much potential, but you can’t be trusted.”
He stepped closer until he stood right in front of me and put his face close. I swallowed hard at the familiar stench of cigarette smoke and liquor when he began speaking. “The original brothers, the few who knew what you did and what I allowed because of it, are waiting for their chance with you. They’ve been waiting a long time. It’ll be a nice to finally give them what they’ve been waiting for.”
“I’m surprised you told them I was the one in control.”
His face twisted with hate. “You never controlled one damn thing, boy. I’ve known every step you’ve taken since I threw your sorry ass out.”
“Then you know about the Diablos.” I felt Bear tense beside me, but he didn’t so much as twitch.
His eyes narrowed, and I knew I had him, so I smirked. “Guess you don’t know everything.” I shrugged and pretended to wince like my arm still hurt, knowing he bought it when he returned my smirk. I still needed to sell our story, at least for a few more minutes, and since it had been about two weeks since the pictures were sent, the bruises would be fading, but my fucked-up arm would still be, well, fucked-up. “You tell your cronies about this meeting?”
“Nah, no need to involve them in this. I knew it would be easy. Fuck, I could probably handle both of you myself from the shape you’re in, but I brought a few anyway. Don’t like blood on my cut.” His eyes bore into mine. “You were never going to beat me, boy. Now, where’s the video?”
I wanted to tell him to fuck himself, but I knew better. We had a plan, and I needed to follow it, so I jerked my head toward Pop.
He stepped back, looked at Pop, and held out his hand. Pop stepped forward and handed the small drive to him. He stared at it only for a minute before shoving it into the pocket of his jeans. “Do have to say, I admire your dedication of the right way to run clubs, old man, but even your acts lately don’t make up for agreeing to stay on with this new pussy club, so we’re gonna have to reject your membership.” He chuckled. “As a matter of fact, we reject your whole club, so after we’re done here, we’ll take a little trip to your clubhouse and take care of the rest.” He gestured behind him and smiled in my direction. “And Snake can reclaim his property.”
Snake moved to stand in front of me, and I was surprised when my father stepped away and crossed his arms over his chest, but it seemed like he was going to let Snake have a turn. I braced for what I was going to hear, reminding myself to stay calm and not react.
He grinned. “She’s a good lay, isn’t she? Worth all the fucking work I put into her. It’s a shame she turned.” I narrowed my eyes, but he continued. “Knew she was feeding you information, just never knew how much. The Diablos”—he whistled—“I’m impressed. Never thought you had it in you, especially since you never played hero and rescued our little whore.”
My head jerked back, and my voice dropped. “What?”
He chuckled. “I knew you wanted her, saw you watching her a couple of times. Figured you’d eventually try to play hero, but the fucking cop beat you every time. He’s a pain in the ass. Tried taking him out a few times; the next time, I’ll make damn sure I don’t miss.”
He reached behind him and pulled a gun from the waistband of his jeans, holding it up between us, his eyes running over it like he was inspecting it for something. Then his lips tipped up in an evil grin. “This is the gun I used to shoot the fucking cop. Seems only fitting I use the same one to shoot you too, don’t you think? Since you’re both fucking my whore.”
“Snake,” my father barked out. “Enough. You’ll get your chance when we get back.”
Snake smiled at me while he answered my father. “That’s not gonna work for me, Viper.”
He turned his body quickly, lifted his gun, and shot my father in the knee, causing him to drop immediately, and scream.
Then he laughed.
My body jerked in surprise, and Bear lifted his head, his eyes wide when they locked on my father. I heard Ritz swear under his breath before Snake spoke again.
“Fuck, I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.” He smiled maniacally and saw Bear’s arms stiffen, knowing at any moment he was going to have to snap free of his cuffs.
“There’s new blood in charge now, fucker!” he yelled, but I wasn’t sure if it was aimed at me or my father who lay writhing on the ground.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man by the door reach around his back, and I knew immediately who he was going to aim for. I jerked my wrists and felt the cuffs give way right before I lifted my arm and shoved Pop to the ground. The gun sounded but only seconds before the man shooting it, dropped to the ground, right where he stood.
Then all hell broke loose.
I slammed my body into Snake, throwing him backward, but he didn’t drop his gun like I’d hoped. I heard the sickening crunch of bone smashing bone beside me, but my focus couldn’t waver. Throwing my weight at him again, I tackled him to the ground, pulled my fist back, and slammed it into his side, feeling a rush of pleasure when I heard his ribs crack. Grabbing his wrist, I slammed it onto the ground, finally causing him to drop the gun, and I punched it with my fist, sending it flying across the concrete floor. I pounded my fist relentlessly into his side, taking a few hits to my ribs from the other side while he tried to fight back, but he couldn’t. His wrist was limp, most likely broken, and it was obvious he hadn’t had the fight training I’d had growing up. He was nothing without a gun in his hand, and I planned to take advantage of that. I pulled back and slammed my fist into the side of his face, satisfied when his skin busted open and blood poured from the cut.
I continued hitting him where I could, relentless in my quest for justice, at least the only kind of justice I could serve. Every hit was for my mother, for Maggie, for everyone who had ever suffered at the hands of men like him.
Men I despised.
When he stopped moving, and his arms fell to the sides, I finally stopped and noticed the room around me was silent. My eyes immediately found my father lying across the room with Bear standing over him. He was beat to hell, but still conscious, and part of me was pissed that I hadn’t had the chance to take him out. I looked up at Bear who lifted his chin, and I understood. He’d taken care of it for me, gave him the beating he deserved so I could take out the bigger threat and not the one we expected it to be.
I slowly stood and looked around the room. A room now filled with my brothers. My eyes skimmed over Tank and Skinner leaning against the back wall, their arms crossed over their chests. My eyes dropped to the man on the floor, face down, the back of his skull blown open and knew Pike had saved Pop’s life. My gaze flicked across the room and landed on Pop who stood next to Ritz near the front door. His left arm was bloody, and he had Ritz’s shirt wrapped around it while he held it close to his chest.
I nodded my head in the direction of his arm. “How bad?”
“Just a graze,” Pop said. “Thanks to you, boy. You hadn’t pushed me, that fucker was heading straight to my heart.”
I swallowed hard and nodded when Ritz stepped forward. “If you guys got this, I’m taking him to Kat.”
Bear looked at Tank. “Outside clear?”
“Yep. There were five, some outside the door, couple on the perimeter. We took them out before they saw us. Pike snagged the one guarding the door before we approached.”
“Take the SUV and Skinner with you,” Bear instructed Ritz before turning his attention back to Tank and Skinner. “Pull around your bike, Skinner. Me and Gunner will ride back on yours and Ritz’s.”
Ritz nodded and turned, helping Pop out the door. Skinner brushed past me, but I called out to him, stopping him before he made it through the door. “Thanks, brother. You earned your patch here today.”
His eyes flicked around the room. “I’d have done it to these fuckers without the promise of a patch.”
“That’s exactly why you earned one.” Bear slapped him on the shoulder. “Help Ritz get Pop fixed up and home.”
“You got it, Prez.” Skinner replied before jogging out the door to catch up to Ritz.
“We got this.” I looked toward Bear who was facing Tank. “Tell Pike we’re clear and to get the hell out of here. Take the other prospects with you. Scatter for a bit. Maybe show up at Hanks with Pike for a beer.”
Tank saluted and left through the door at the back of the room. “Understood. See you back at the clubhouse.”
My eyes flicked over Bear and Bull, the only ones left standing with me in this damn clubhouse, and I felt a sense of relief fill me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
GUNNER
Looking at my father, beaten and laying on the floor in front of me, I realized I felt nothing. He had never really been my family. He had never wanted much to do with me unless I was shooting, and even then, it was only for bragging rights. My family was my mom until it became my brothers both in the MC and outside of it. My family became everyone I could count on to be there in both the good and the bad times. The people who stood beside me to fight for what we believe in, and the friends who made it possible for me to move forward by not holding my past against me.
But more than anyone, my family had become Maggie.
Fuck, I loved her. I loved her in a way I never thought was possible. And looking down at my father, and I knew he never loved my mother like that. I would die before I let anything happen to Maggie, let alone be responsible for it.
I shook out my hand, glancing over at Bear who was standing beside me, where he always was. He pulled his gun from the back of his jeans and held it out to me. I slowly reached out and grabbed it, feeling its heft in my hand like an old acquaintance. I spent years holding a gun, being trained to be the very best as a warrior for his army of abusers and killers.
I moved my gaze from the gun to once again stare at my father, hatred boiling in my veins for the loss and pain he’d caused and not only for myself. I could do it. I could end it permanently, and no one would blame me or hold it against me.
“Up to you, brother,” Bear said. “We got your back, no matter what you decide.”
My eyes flicked to Snake who lay unconscious just a short way from where I stood, and I imagined Maggie in the hospital, beat to hell, face swollen, ribs broken and so much more. I clenched my fist at my side and focused on the weight of the gun hanging from my other hand. I lifted the gun and aimed it right at Snake, enjoying the thought of him removed from the world, but I wouldn’t sacrifice my chance with Maggie, especially not for a low-life prick like Snake. Or like my father.
I lowered the gun and took a few steps to stand directly over my father. Squatting down, I stared into the face of the man who had caused so much fear and hate in my life and the lives of others, but now all I saw was a broken and bitter old man.
“Looks like your good little soldier turned on you.” I said sarcastically.
He grunted. “Wouldn’t be the first time I was crossed by someone I trusted.”
I lowered my voice. “You taught me to never trust anyone. Guess you should’ve taken your own advice.”
“You gonna kill me or are you too much of a pussy?” He wheezed.
I chuckled without any humor. “Nah, I’m gonna let the cartel take care of that.” I shrugged. “After all, I don’t like the dirty work. Like to keep my hands clean.” I tilted my head. “And I hate blood on my cut.”
His lips twisted in a sneer when I spit his own words back at him, but he didn’t say anything, so I asked him one last question, the only question I still had for him and one that had been bugging me since Maggie brought it up. “You got other kids?”
He snorted. “Probably.”
“Do I have a brother?”
He smirked. It would be his last “fuck you” to me, and I expected no less, but I still had to ask. “Guess you’ll never know.”
I nodded and leaned in close, putting our faces close together. “You were never going to beat me. I was always smarter than you and stronger than you, and in the end, I always knew I’d be the reason you’d fall. The day I watched you kill my mother sealed your fate, old man.” He tried to roll to his side, but then he winced in pain when I stood and pointed the gun at him.
Staring at him, broken and beaten, I shook my head and dropped the gun to my side. “I’m never gonna be like you.” I leaned over again and slipped the gun to my left hand. “But I am going to give you something to remember.”
Confusion flashed in his eyes, until I raised my fist and slammed it into the side of his face. His head landed on the ground with a loud crack, knocking him out, and finally satisfied, I stood straight.
I faced Bear. “Call Luke.”
He laid his hand on my shoulder. “You got it, brother.”
“You sure?” Bull asked from where he now stood on the other side of Bear. “If they talk, the Widows are coming for us.” He cracked his knuckles. “Maybe we should eliminate the threat.”
“I’m not going to jail. I’m not leaving Maggie,” I answered honestly. “I’m especially not leaving her because of those two pieces of shit.”
Bull jerked his chin up in recognition, but I knew he didn’t agree. It didn’t matter. He would support me and my decision, and if the Widows came after us in the end, he knew I’d stand next to him and fight.
Bull stalked across the room and grabbed two chairs. Bear moved forward, and I watched as the two of them dragged my father and Snake into the chairs and tied them with the rope Bull had grabbed from a spot by the door. We needed to make sure they didn’t have a chance to escape before Luke got there.
Bear reached into my father’s pocket and dug out the drive, shoving it into his own pocket before heading to the door.
“How we gonna explain this carnage?” Bull asked.
Bear looked back, and his eyes scanned the room. “Looks to me like they turned on each other. Plus, we have nothing to explain, considering we were never fucking here.”
“Dimarco gonna believe that?”
“No evidence sayin’ otherwise, is there?” I said before I turned and started moving, only glancing back once before I continued toward the door with Bear and Bull. I was going home to Maggie. With the help of the video and Maggie’s charges against Snake, I’d never have to see either of these pieces of shit again.
We walked together, Bull pulling the door closed behind us before we made our way to our bikes across the street. Bear pulled his phone from his pocket when we reached our bikes, and I knew he was going to call Luke. He’d be here within minutes to take their asses in. He’d also be pissed we lied to him, but in the end, he was getting what he wanted so I didn’t give a fuck.
My head snapped around when I heard the large metal door we’d just exited slam shut behind us. Bear stopped and turned at the same time I did, dropping his phone to his side.
Bear narrowed his eyes. “Nick.”
Nick’s hard gaze landed on all three of us who stood waiting by our bikes. He walked with confidence, dressed in jeans, black boots, a tight black T-shirt, and no cut. His dark hair, which had at one time been short, was now long and hung in his face. But what stood out was the blank expression on his face. The smile he’d once been famous for was completely gone, almost as though it had never been there. The life he’d been living had the power to change a man, and we were looking at a man changed.
He was almost to where we stood when he held up something small and black. As if in slow motion, I watched him lift his thumb and press down on the black object.
My wide eyes flew to the building behind him.
The building that just lit the night sky with an explosion.
“Holy fuck.” Bull jumped back, his eyes glued, like the rest of ours, to the fire burning right in front of us.
Nick stopped when he reached us. “Took care of any fingerprints.”
Bull choked out a laugh, but I knew Nick wasn’t trying to be funny. “Why did you do that?”
His eyes met mine, but his held no emotion. “My only way out.”
“Nick, man.” Bear stepped forward. “Luke would’ve gotten them. You were already out.”
Nick looked back at the fire before he faced us again. “The only way to end them for me was to cut off the head of the beast.” He pointed behind him. “Trust me, nothing short of death was going to stop that man, and no son should have to make that decision.”
He pushed by us and headed to his bike parked at the far end of the parking lot. He knew he was going to have to push that button, but he waited and gave me the option to end it myself.
“Now what, Nick?” Bear called out.
Nick stopped right at his bike and dropped his head before looking back over his shoulder at us. “Now, I fix what I fucked up.”
He climbed on his bike, started it up, and took off down the long stretch of empty road. We watched until he disappeared, and Bear faced me and Bull. “Let’s get outta here.”
“We calling it in?” I asked.
Bear looked at the fire and squinted his eyes, lost in thought before he faced me again. “We were never here.”
