Fixing my plate with some pancakes and tons of butter and syrup, I sit next to him. There’s definitely an appeal to eating in front of the window. You can take in the grassy land and trees like a little bit of peace in a world of chaos.
“How are you today?” I turn toward him and gaze over his handsome features up close.
Geez, how is he not married, with like fifteen kids running around, being that gorgeous?
It makes me think of all the weird stepbrother/daddy books I’ve seen lately. I get it now, because if Prez was my stepdaddy, I’d be panting for him. I’d damn sure call him daddy and offer to be his good girl. God, I’m messed up, but damn, some fantasy.
“Ah, I’m all right, how ‘bout yourself?” He peers over at me with soft greyish-blue irises.
I take in his short beard and weathered lines around his eyes. You wouldn’t notice them unless you were close enough. He always seems so serious too, as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“I’m okay.” Shrugging, I pick at my food, chewing on the inside of my lip.
“Relax, sweetheart, 2 is just fine,” he mutters, and I perk up, hopeful.
“You’ve heard from him?”
“No. I did hear from Ares though. They’re handling club business. Just keep your chin up, girl. You’ll be straight and fit in around here. He’ll be back when he’s done and he’ll be looking for you.”
Nodding, I take a bite then sigh, “Sweet Jesus, y’all have some good cooks here.”
“That we do, girl, that we do.” He chuckles and we finish our meal in comfortable silence.
I can see the appeal Prez had to 2 Piece. He seems to know more than he should for his age, but doesn’t advertise it. I bet this man would be very interesting if you could get him to open up.
Smiling, I squeeze his forearm gently as I stand up to throw my stuff in the trash. I turn to leave when he clears his throat and I meet his gaze.
“It’s nice having some new females around here and some kids. I hope you’ll stick around.”
“If he asks, I may do that.”
He smirks and nods. I grin back at him and head out. I’m going to check out the bar and see if I can hunt down London’s sexy ass.
2 Piece
About eight hours later…
I’m exhausted and ready to get back to the clubhouse, but we haven’t even gotten started yet. We unloaded all the nasty Twisted Snakes and have them tied up securely in the barn. It’s taken hours for the gas to wear off for some of them.
Twist and I recounted to the brothers everything that happened with Capone and Joker. Ares said it was best to not discuss it here. He thinks we need to wait until we get in church and to talk to Prez.
We’ve basically been sitting here with our thumbs up our asses all night. The brothers seem at a loss, fighting with their thoughts and feelings about Capone. We were completely blindsided and it’s made everyone feel like a giant fool.
The brothers seem more agitated and ready to take some anger out on the Snakes. Nobody likes a traitor and when you form a bond with that person, you’re bound to feel a sense of betrayal. I’m sure each of us have our own ideas on what we’d like to do to him for this.
At least the bullshit between Twist and me seems to be resolved. I hate fighting with my brothers. It’s been on replay in my mind all night; I still can’t get over that whole shit with Capone. The fact I never noticed anything makes me wonder what else I’ve been blind to.
“You coming, bro?” Cain stands in front of me with a guy thrown over his shoulder.
“Yeah, what are you going to do with that one?”
“This one’s for you,” he offers jovially.
I shake my head and grit, “I want to deal with Joker. I have a bone to pick with him.”
“All right, cool, man. I’ll toss this one to Spin. I think he’s the one that tatted up Brently anyhow. See if Spin can get creative with a fellow inker.”
Guess it’s time to show these assholes what happens when you fuck with other people’s lives. I watch as Ares grips the Twisted Snake’s President’s wrist then slams his boot down to snap the man’s bone. The President screams desperately and it reverberates throughout the barn.
“You hurt my Prez’s kid. It’s my job to see you get the correct punishment. Life is full of choices and balance. You made the decision to allow your peons to brutalize another human being. Welcome to hell, motherfucker,” Ares snarls and snaps another bone.
I don’t know how he can handle feeling another’s bones break as he holds them. It gives me chills all over. I hold my breath; just the noise and frantic screams coming from the man shriveled at Ares’ feet are making me want to gag.
“You coming?” Cain whistles and waves his hand in front of my face. I blink. Then attempt to shake off the image fresh in my head of that last snap, as well as the composed features of Ares as he performed his task.
Drawing in a deep breath, I comply, “Yeah, man, let’s do this.”
Following him through the barn, he throws the man off his shoulder in front of Spin. Spin rolls his eyes and the piece of shit on the floor begins his first round of pleading. He’s in for some fun.
I make my way behind Cain to where Joker’s tied up in the center of the barn. He glares spitefully as I get closer.
“You angry because Twist killed your brother dearest?” He remains silent, so I shrug. No skin off my back if he decides to stay quiet. “You know, I think those hogs out back could motivate you to talk.” I chortle, and Cain chuckles beside me.
Chin-lifting towards Joker’s legs, I motion for him to help. Cain grabs the right leg while I grab the left. We trek for the hogs, dragging Joker behind us.
He’s a stubborn fuck not even making a peep. I’d think he’d at least squirm and attempt to make it hard for me. It’s almost as if he’s pouting and attempting to ignore us.
Stupid fucker.
We approach the hogs and a few squeal in excitement as they see us. They’ve gotten used to the brothers dropping off food. Who knew hogs were carnivores. I always thought they ate slop and veggies. “Yeah, yeah, fuckers, we got ya’ a snack!” I call out.
Cain grins evilly and it makes me sick to my stomach, imagining what’s about to happen to this lowlife piece of shit. I know he deserves his fate, but I’m not into torturing fools either. We toss his legs down next to the wooden pig pen.
“Anything you want to say? Maybe apologize for fucking with my girl and my club.” I scowl at him as he lies in the dirt.
He snarls and spits toward me.
“Well, you done fucked up with that one.” I shake my head, chastising him and glance over at Cain’s amused expression, sighing loudly. “All right, brother, let’s see if the hogs will get him talking and confessing his wrong doings.”
“Sounds good, man.” He snatches both of Joker’s legs. I wrap my arm around his neck in a choke hold and we lift him over the fence into the hogs’ chow trough.
The hogs move as quickly as they can, to be the first for dinner. Grabbing the bucket next to the gate that’s filled with leftover slop, I pour it all over Joker’s body as evenly as I can. The pigs swarm him and start to feast on their treat.
Joker’s body jerks violently as he attempts to turn away from the hungry, plump beasts. They grunt and squeak as they start to rip his clothes to shreds and get their first taste of flesh. Joker’s pupils widen immensely as he opens his mouth to let loose a horrific spine-tingling yell.
I’d normally turn away for something gruesome like this, but not today. I’m going to watch the entire thing, because Avery deserves that revenge, and Brently deserves his vengeance. Like Ares said, life is full of choices. This fucker just made the wrong choice, with the wrong person.
Avery might not realize it yet, but when it comes to her safety I’d kill for her—any day. However, after the horrendous act I’ve just committed, I no longer believe I can look her in the eyes and feel adequate for her. I’m tainted, stained, and sullied; I know it, a
nd she will soon if I’m around her enough.
I’ve always been fucked up, but this takes it to a new level. I have no remorse for the individual I just heaved to his death. I should feel something if I’m a decent person, shouldn’t I? Clearly, I’m not and Avery deserves someone who can give her everything she warrants in life. She doesn’t deserve a killer.
I hear the shriek of the miter saw fire up inside the barn and turn to Cain. He just shrugs and swaggers toward the barn. Glancing back, the pigs are busy working diligently on the mutilated pieces of leftover body in their feeding trough. Their faces are covered in blood and gore; it’s sickening but gives me a sense of closure. Well, he’s obviously dead.
Cain enters the barn and I follow along, immediately wishing with every fiber of my being that I hadn’t. Inside, Ares stands behind the loud, screeching miter saw. He has a black rubber apron on over his clothes and bears the part of a real life psychopath, chopping up various body parts of the Snakes.
Twist diligently assists and it takes my full concentration not to puke everywhere. I wasn’t cut out for this. I’ve felt sick with each turn of events today.
Nightmare and Exterminator stand with the Twisted Snakes’ President. His body’s beaten with its limbs tweaked in odd angles. It’s Ares’ handiwork no doubt. It’s amazing how he calms himself now and doesn’t black out when he sets out to destroy his prey.
The President’s barely alive, covered in piss, bruises, and blood. Any man would’ve pissed himself with Ares in charge of torture and behind a saw. Well, maybe not Nightmare; that dude’s fucking intimidating as hell. I can’t even fathom the thoughts that’d run rampant through Avery and London’s heads were they to find us in this situation.
“Bring him here,” Ares orders Ex and Night. They snatch up the Prez and carry him toward the beat-up wooden bench, where the miter saw is bolted down. Now, instead of it being caked with aged wood dust, it’s thoroughly coated in dark syrupy blood.
The Prez grunts, his eyes widening as they close in on the table. I can’t see this shit. I turn and exit the barn quickly; I don’t know how he does it.
Fuck that shit. I’m a little crazy, sure, but that’s pure fucked up shit back there. Feeding the hogs was bad enough, but holding someone and cutting them in pieces while they’re still alive takes the cake for me.
I make it to the side of the barn before the sandwich I had for dinner last night makes it’s reappearance. Jumping back, I move so it doesn’t get on my boots, and then wipe the tears that run down the side of my face as I puke. I don’t know why, but ever since I was a kid, my eyes leak if I get sick.
When I was little, Mom used to tell me it was my tummy weeping because it hurt. Stupid bitch had to go and turn to shit. I’ll never feel whole inside because of all that bullshit growing up.
“All done, brother, we can head back to the club. The rest are going to handle the mess inside and feed the porkers their dinner,” Cain mutters, and claps me on the back.
I swear if we ever have a hog roast, I won’t be eating those fucking pigs.
Chapter 12
Cain and I load up in Loretta and go back to the club, eager to get the hell out of there. I scan the room for Avery when we arrive, even though I know I need to talk to Prez first. I can’t believe everything that went down. My mind is still reeling.
Smiles’ chilling at the bar, drinking a cold beer. My mouth salivates as I watch the condensation drop along the side of the bottle. He’s been quiet lately. I wonder what that’s about.
Fuck, I really don’t want to be the one to fill Prez in about Capone. Smiles chin-lifts toward me and I return the gesture. The benefit of being a biker, we don’t need many words to convey our messages. Cain’s ass is a talker but most of us like to keep more of our shit inside.
Brently’s posted up on the coach, same place we left him.
“‘Sup, kid, where’s your pops?” I glance over his stomach as I ask. Poor guy, he got fucked up. I’d be pissed if that shit happened to me.
“Dad’s in his office.” He gestures toward the hall.
“Thanks.” I head that way and rap a few times on the half-open door.
Prez glances up from his paper on his desk. He looks me over, his eyes calculating. “2? Brother, you straight?” He relaxes back in his beat-up office chair and steeples his fingers in front of his chest.
“Yeah, Prez, mind if I take a seat?” I gesture to the couch resting against the wall. Might as well be at a goddamn shrink’s office, I know that’s about how this’ll play out. With me confessing everything to him and not feeling any better when I leave.
He nods and I sit on the edge of a cushion, propping my elbows on my knees, leaning forward. Best to get this out quickly then I can go hunt down Avery. I proceed to tell him everything that went down, all the way from when we first arrived at the Twisted Snakes’ compound. I get to the altercation with Capone, and his mouth visibly tightens yet he remains silent until I complete my recount of events.
Once I finish, I sit further into the cushions and lean my head back. I’m exhausted and stressed out. I hate being tense; it makes me get the itch to leave on a run.
“Fuck, I knew he was jealous of you, but even I had no idea he had that up his sleeve. Goddamn traitor, I can’t stand rats! If that’s the case, then y’all did the right thing,” He reassures.
“I’m sick of all this bullshit.” I rub my hands over my eyes and the scruff warming my jaw.
“Stop stressing, 2. It’s all figured out now; the Snakes are gone and you can chill with your girl for a while.”
“Ha, my girl? She isn’t my fucking girl. She’s nothing to me. She can’t and shouldn’t handle this shit,” I scowl.
I hear a hiccup and quickly turn toward the door. Avery’s standing there with tears trailing down her cheeks. Fuck, that came out wrong and she heard it. Prez glares at me and shakes his head. Avery shoots me a heartbroken expression and takes off quickly from the doorway. Fuck, she must have been watching for me to come back.
“Go fix that shit, son; that’s a good one and you just about fucked it all up.” He points angrily at me and I stand.
Fuck, how am I going to fix this? Maybe I should let her go.
I look at Prez and shake my head. “Nah, man, she deserves better than me. I’m too screwed up for her. I want her to have a decent life, not be worried about getting shot or about me going to jail and shit.” I shrug, my mind made up and glance toward the door again as if she’d still be there, only she’s gone.
“Listen to me, and you listen good, son. I know what you’re doing right now. I know, because I did that same shit to my wife and kids. Worst damn mistake of my entire life. You though, you have a chance to fix it before it’s too late.”
“I can’t mend that shit. Besides, what’s she going to do with someone like me- someone who’s broken?”
“You idiot, you’re just lazy and scared. Everyone’s broken in some way; you just have to see if your broken pieces fit together. Now get the fuck out of my office.”
Throwing up the deuces, I walk to my room. He doesn’t have to tell me twice. Shit, he’d probably end up shooting me to get his point across.
Opening my door, I’m met with the heartbreaking sounds of sobs coming from the woman I’ve grown to adore. When did I fall for her? It’s like it just happened when I wasn’t paying attention, and now I’ve gone and messed up. I’m rotten for her anyhow. I have to keep chanting that to myself, as I make my way inside.
Breezing over her puffy pink face that’s swollen from her tears, I swallow, attempting to ease the sudden dryness. I’ve never been one to deal with chicks, so I have no idea what to do or say here. Thankfully, my sister turned out to be quite the ballbuster so I didn’t have to experience any emotional breakdowns. If she did have them, then she hid them extremely well.
Avery’s ember irises scan me from head to toe as she stuffs clothes into her bag. Her tear-kissed eyelashes make me want to pull her to me and hold her unti
l they disappear.
I clear my throat and slowly make my way into the center of the room. She sniffles and stares at me as if she’s waiting for me to speak. I don’t know what the fuck to say to her though.
After a few beats, I notice the disappointment cloud her eyes and she throws her belongings into her bag quicker. She bustles into the bathroom and the little clinks of her swiping her makeup off the counter into her bag echoes throughout the room. This seems final, like this is it and makes me feel even worse inside than I did back at the barn. How can losing her appear more tragic than torturing and killing people?
She comes storming out of the room and I sidestep in front of her. I don’t know what to say, but I have to say something. I’m afraid if I don’t, this sensation in my gut won’t disappear.
“It came out wrong,” I whisper and watch for her reaction.
She tilts her head, thoughtful for a second, “Which part?” She hiccups and looks at the ground.
Fuck, I’m such a bastard.
“All of it. I meant it as if, you deserve better, not someone like me.” I tilt her chin up gently with my pointer and middle fingers.
She finally meets my eyes and it breaks something inside me to witness her so distraught. I just killed someone for upsetting her, yet here I am making her cry for me. “I don’t want someone else; I want you.” Her lips quiver and I take in her puffy mouth. It’s swollen from her crying, when it should only be that way from my kisses.
Leaning in a touch closer, I breathe her in. My nose is inches from hers and I stare longingly at her mouth. I could have it, that mouth, those lips; she could be all mine if I choose. I breathe out and her lashes flutter closed.
Nudging her nose with mine, she bites down on her bottom lip. I grasp her hip and tug her body to mine, watching as she patiently waits for me to make my move. She’s giving herself to me right now, mine for the taking, exposed and vulnerable. I never thought the notion of a woman completely submitting herself over would be such a fucking turn on.
Grasping her cheek with my other hand, I tilt her face where I want it. “Look at me, Avery,” I command, and she opens her eyes lazily, taking in my expression.
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 31