And I did, completely forgetting to muffle my screams of ecstasy, as did Chase when he found his release seconds after mine.
I collapsed against his chest covered in sweat and panting for breath, but his next words had me shooting off the bed. “You were a little loud. You might want to make sure I locked the door.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Carbon
I was shocked when Coal was discharged from the hospital only five days after being shot, but I was damn grateful for it because I had a job to do, and I needed everyone associated with the club to be in Croftridge. Copper and his crew followed the convoy bringing Coal home but planned to return to Devil Springs the next day, which meant I had a small window of opportunity to do what needed to be done.
Harper spent the day babysitting James while Reese helped Ember and Mrs. Martin prepare for Coal’s arrival. By the time all was said and done, it was late, and she was exhausted. Phoenix offered her a room at the clubhouse so she wouldn’t have to drive back to the farm and, thankfully, she took it.
After she went to her room for the night, I waited until the coast was clear and joined her. Usually, she snuck out to meet me somewhere on the farm, and we spent a few hours enjoying each other’s bodies. This time, she was exhausted, and I needed her to fall asleep sooner rather than later. Crawling into bed with her, I pulled her to my chest and kissed the side of her face.
“Tired,” she mumbled sleepily.
“I know, baby. Just want to hold you.”
I held her in my arms and prayed it wouldn’t be the last time I had the chance to. I buried my face in the crook of her neck and breathed her in before I carefully got out of bed and quietly walked to the door. I turned back to look at her one more time and almost decided to say ‘fuck it’ and stay with her. But, I couldn’t. Because I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do this.
Cracking the door, I peered into the hallway to make sure it was clear before I stepped out and walked straight out the back door. I couldn’t risk anyone seeing me leave.
After weaving my way around the club property to avoid the security cameras, I finally made it to the fence. Hoisting myself up and over, my feet hit the ground running and didn’t stop until I arrived at my condo where my Mustang was parked. Within seconds of arriving, I was in the car and on the road.
The next part of my plan was going to be tricky and had the potential to ruin everything, my life included. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and focused on the task at hand. I knew I would only get one opportunity, so I couldn’t afford to miss it.
I slipped into a janitor’s closet unnoticed and kept my eyes on the man in the hall. He was sitting in a chair with his eyes glued to his phone looking bored, and tired. He yawned. He stretched. And within half an hour, he was asleep.
My chance had arrived. I left the closet and moved into the room without making a sound. When my eyes landed on him, my mind quieted, and everything around me ceased to exist. All I could see was him, but the rage I expected to consume me was strangely absent. Instead, I felt an overwhelming obligation to make the world a little less evil by removing this demon from it.
I wanted to make him suffer before I ended him. Make him pay for the beautiful, innocent lives he stole, leaving mine and my sister’s forever tarnished. He deserved to have his teeth crushed one at a time with pliers held by my hand. I should get to hear his screams as I plucked each fingernail from its bed before pulling each knuckle from its joint. He should die lying in his own excrement after I broke every bone in his body I could get my bare hands on, and he should have to look me in the eye while I did it.
Sadly, he wasn’t going to get everything he deserved. Life wasn’t fair, and I was being forced to settle for a minuscule amount of what I felt was rightfully owed to me. The knowledge that he stared into my eyes while he descended to Hell would have to suffice.
I stalked to the side of the bed silently. Simultaneously, one leather-gloved hand shot out to cover his mouth and pinch his nose closed while my other hand reached under the covers and squeezed his balls. I didn’t know if he would even feel the pain, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Or maybe it would. Ha!
The moment my hands landed on him, his eyes popped open, and he tried to fight against me, but I was far stronger than him when he wasn’t injured, and I wasn’t pissed. I kept my eyes locked on his and smiled. “Hello, Omen.”
He bucked and wiggled as best he could, trying desperately to escape my hold. I had to fight to hold in my laughter. I shook my head and smirked. “You clearly didn’t think I would come for you.” I pulled my lip ring into my mouth and grinned. “You’re making this so much better than I expected. Thank you.”
His wide eyes fluttered before closing, and his body went limp. I immediately released his nose but kept my hand over his mouth as his body automatically sucked in some much-needed air.
It didn’t take long for him to come around. When his body tensed and his eyes flew open, I brought my thumb and forefinger together again, effectively closing off his air supply. I didn’t have an abundance of time, but there was no way I was letting him die an easy death. If anything, he was going to be well aware of what was happening to him and who was doing it.
I smothered him until he lost consciousness, over and over, one time for each member of my family, one time for his part in my nephew’s kidnapping, one time for hurting Reese, and one time for Boar’s father. But the last time, the time where I ended him, was for all of us.
I watched with glee as his eyes closed and his body relaxed, but I didn’t let go. I kept my hand over his mouth and nose while I silently counted out 180 seconds. My free hand came up and felt his neck for a pulse. When I was sure it wasn’t there, I let go of him and took a step back, wishing I could at the very least spit on him.
With a sigh, I turned on my heel and approached the door. The hallway was clear of hospital staff and the police officer was still sleeping in his chair. I moved quickly and quietly, disappearing into the darkness as if I’d never been there.
By the time I made it back to Croftridge, I’d had plenty of time to process what I’d just done. He was far beyond my first kill, and I highly doubted he would be my last. Taking his life didn’t bother me. None of the lives I’d taken bothered me, because I only took lives that deserved to be taken. It’s not that I saw myself as judge, jury, and executioner, but I felt a need to protect the ones I loved and, more times than not, the justice system failed to protect. Our laws were focused on punishing a crime after the fact instead of trying to prevent them in the first place.
Feeling like I had finally written the end to this chapter of my life, I parked my car at my condo, trekked through the woods, hopped the fence, snuck into the clubhouse, and crawled into bed with the woman I was growing to care about more and more as each day passed.
CHAPTER NINE