Page 32 of Fall of Hellfire (Hellfire Society #3)
twenty-four
ARSEN
C ash just dropped a bomb into Ali’s lap like no other.
We have all discussed wanting to create a mini trial for our fathers and Ethan as a last fuck you to them.
It’s only fair they made us go through one to attempt to survive, so why not return the favor.
I wasn’t one hundred percent on board at first, thinking Ali might not want to relive that situation again, and after going through what Ethan did to her recently.
I didn’t want to assume she wasn’t strong enough, but it’s a lot to go through in such a short amount of time.
That was all until we came back to the Black estate and found her carving up Ethan herself.
It was a magical sight, and I’m not even the psychopath of the group.
Ali, who has been silently blinking at us in confusion, slowly nods her head in understanding before the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen on a woman brightens her face.
Even with the dark of the night swallowing us whole, she is shining right with excitement.
“Soooo… you like your present?” I ask hesitantly, wanting to make sure we aren’t crossing a line.
For all we know, she might want Ethan’s death quick and simple.
I think we’ve passed the point of thinking killing is something Ali is against. She killed her step-mother, without even thinking twice, and we’ve seen her in a ring fighting two grown ass men.
Ali is not like any other woman we’ve known, and thank God for that because she was pretty much made for our dark little hearts.
“Like it? I love it. Honestly, it’s the most romantic gesture I’ve ever seen.
” She’s beaming now, bouncing on her toes as she darts her eyes to each of us before finally jumping forward and wrapping Cash in a tight embrace.
She hangs onto him for a few long moments before turning and moving to Riot, doing the same before lastly coming to me.
I wrap my arms around her back and hold her tight to me, inhaling her fresh, sweet scent.
Ali nuzzles into my chest, mumbling a soft, “thank you”.
Riot claps his hand, breaking the moment and causing Ali to pull away.
“Let the games begin!” he announces. The four of us move to the back of the SUV, to the tree line where the three men are tied up.
All three have seen better days, each covered in a variety of cuts and bruises, but we made sure they would be able to participate in tonight’s festivities.
As we approach, James lifts his head, barely being able to manage it before spitting at our feet.
“Fuck youuu,” he slurs before his head slumps back down to his chest.
“This is off to a good start,” I snort, as me and the guys move to cut the men loose. They drop to the ground with heavy thumps, letting out pain filled groans in their weak states. Moving back to stand in front of them, I stare down at the lumps of flesh soon to be dead men.
“Alright, gentlemen, welcome to the new and improved Hellfire Trials!” Riot announces, taking on a spokesperson accent and doing a crazy hand gesture like he was really on TV introducing a TV show.
Ali lets out a giggle, which really only encourages the psycho to put on more of a show.
“The rules are rather simple, you see. First rule: you get a thirty minute head start before the hunt begins. Second rule: you are able to use any and all weapons placed about the game. Yes, we have stashed knives, guns, and more high and low. But be forewarned, there are also many traps, such as bear traps, holes in the ground, and spikes in various areas.” He adds an uuuuhhhh and ahhhh, like sound effects are needed.
“Now, the last rule is simple and one I know you all know really well. Survive or die.” He grins wide before leaning close to Ali to mock whisper, “My money is on them dying.”
There is a long pause of silence as we let the men absorb the information. Ethan and Henry are still on their hands and knees, breathing rough. They were in our care longer than James and are in a bit rougher shape. James has gotten to his feet, swaying unsteadily but glaring at the four of us.
“You heard the rules. Ready?” Cash asks, taking a step back.
The rest of us follow suit, watching in fascination as the last two men climb to their feet.
“Set,” he adds. “Thirty minutes on the clock…Go!” he yells the last words making the men jump before turning and stumbling off into the woods.
We all watch as they fade into the darkness.
“What happens if we can’t find them in the dark?
” Ali asks, moving to lean against me for warmth.
She’s in a pair of black spandex shorts and an old band T-shirt that I think belongs to me.
We told her to wear something comfy for tonight, so she wore what she would wear to the gym.
Including a pair of bright pink Converses, that somehow brings together her badass hunting look, she didn’t know she was going for.
Cash lets out a chuckle before pulling out his phone, hitting a few buttons, and then showing her the screen of a map and three red dots moving about it.
“We’re tracking them like animals, but we only plan to use it if we have to.
The fun is in the hunt.” He throws her a wink, and I swear I see her blush even in the low light of the moon.
“Anyways…” I say, pulling her attention back to me.
“We got you one last present for the evening. Come here.” I tug her to the side of the SUV, opening the door, which turns on the interior light and pull out a duffle bag.
I hand it over wordlessly and wait for her to open it.
I’m not disappointed when she does. Somehow the smile she’s had on her face since she found out about this little game gets mega-watt huge as she reaches in and pulls out a hot pink bunny mask with studded sparkles covering it.
Shuffling a few other items aside, she also pulls out my bat, Riot’s “lucky” chain, and several hunting knives for her and Cash.
Her voice falters as she spins, facing the three of us with her bunny mask in hand. “You guys shouldn’t have.”
“Don’t cry, Bunny.” Cash reaches for her but pauses midway.
“Damn it, A, you made her cry,” Riot snaps, but Ali is already waving her hands and fanning her face.
“Happy tears, I promise.” She sniffs, this time wiping at her eyes.
“I just never thought I would find someone.. well, someones who just understood me. Accepted all my broken parts and still loved me for them.” She glances up, this time wearing a softer smile.
One that says it all. “Thank you guys. How will I ever repay you?”
“I’ll take a blow job,” Riot blurts out. I smack him on the chest but he just shrugs. “What? She asked.” Before I can tell him that’s not what she meant in any way, Ali beats me to it.
“Well, first one to kill their mark and make it back to the car has to go down on the other.”
And like I knew from the start, this woman is perfect for us as a round of “Deal.” Goes up. I don’t even have a mark to hunt, but bet your damn ass I won’t be missing out on tonight’s celebrations.
“Gear up and let’s get hunting.”