Page 36

Chapter 36

Lashes The Aces are dead. This isn’t them. I’m not even sure how the fuck we got here. One minute we were driving to the clubhouse, and the next minute Ry was screaming, and all I saw were headlights as the vehicle smashed into us so fucking hard that the Charger rolled. Last thing I remember is my head smacking hard against the windshield. I’m lucky to even be alive.

“Ry? You good?” I rasp, as my throat screams in pain at how raw it feels. The wet fabric covering my eyes takes over my ability to see him. I’m not sure how long we’ve been here but judging by the throbbing ache in every limb and the stiffness in my neck, I’m guessing over twelve hours. The Aces put us through more torture than this. But Ry. He’s probably worse for wear. “Ry, if you’re with me. I need you to make a sound. Anything, baby,” I rasp again as the chain continues to bang against the metal slab.

A muffled noise comes from beside me, which leads me to believe he’s gagged. Mother fucker. If he has his sight but not his voice, we can’t communicate to get ourselves the fuck out of here. This is something me and my brothers would do anytime The Aces tortured us. We’d use our senses and each other to escape. Wait a minute. If whoever is doing this to us knows to take away our senses, and the only way to communicate with one another, then it's Jameson behind this. No way! It can’t be!

The door creaks open, making a loud scraping sound that causes me to grit my teeth. Then it slams shut, followed by footsteps, heavy ones, that approach us. They pour another bucket of water over my head as I scream, gasping for breath, while continuing to drench me. I refuse to succumb to the psychological warfare; the trauma of near-drowning overwhelms me, bringing back all the years I was held underwater. All the memories I kept locked away are bleeding into my soul, begging to be released, but I won’t allow it. Not for anyone. This will all be over soon. I have to stay positive: my wife has our location and will rescue us.

A slap to the rib cage takes me out of my thoughts, causing me to gasp for air. Blood rushes in my ears as I brace myself for the next hit, which comes all too soon as the switch splits my skin on impact. Blood leaks down my side as another hit comes against my wet flesh.

Ryder screams into the gag as the person takes turns giving out our lashes. I grit my teeth every time the switch splits my skin, praying this will be over quick but it just continues between the lashes and the water. Ry screams beside me, thrashing so fucking loud against his chains. It fucking kills me that I can’t see what the fuck is going on, but then I feel it. My hip burns as the smell of burnt flesh hits my nostrils. My screams echo through the room as I feel my skin being melted down to the bone.

Tears fall from my eyes as I try to catch my breath, but another hit of the switch splits my shoulder, causing me to tighten my hold on the chains. I convulse as someone pours salt all over my body. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on for. Then, it all stops as footsteps get closer to us and I take a deep ragged breath, praying for rescue.

“Don’t get too excited there, boy. We are only getting started. Next up is your little cunt of a wife. She will be here soon and I can't wait to kill all of you, including your devil spawns. I think we should drown them like rats.” He laughs sinisterly.

“You stay away from my family, you piece of shit!” I spit, but another bucket of water drowns out my screaming, causing me to choke and gag yet again.

“I’m taking everything, including your entire organization. The Kings and their Queen must fall down. The Pawn will rise, wiping the board clean.” He laughs as the door scrapes along the concrete as it’s pulled open. A silencer goes off. Pop, pop, pop. Thank god. It’s gotta be my girl.

Ryder’s muffled words echo throughout the room, but I can’t make out what he’s saying as the blindfold is ripped off of me. The light blinds me as I blink, trying to focus, but then I hear his voice.

“Hello, Brother. Long time no see.” Then everything goes black.