Page 9

Ace

Soulless Sinners’ clubhouse, New York City.

“If you don’t get some sleep, you won’t be any use to anyone,” Matthew said, sitting in a chair next to me. “Got that you want to find the kid. We all do, but, brother, you haven’t slept for shit in days. You’re running on fumes.”

“I’ll sleep when I find him,” I muttered as I glanced to my left to find Charlie snoring away, his head thrown back and mouth open. Any other time and I wouldn’t think twice about fucking with him, but not now. I couldn’t lose concentration and so I remained focused as I typed away on my computer, searching for any leads that might lead us to who took Danny and where he was at.

I couldn’t give up. I would never give up.

I remembered when Danny was born. Like everyone else in the clubhouse at the time, we all anxiously awaited the news of a baby girl. Mom was sure this time she was gonna have that little girl she always dreamed about. Poor Mom was overrun with young rambunctious boys and club brothers. She just wanted one little girl to call her own and God help me, though I refused to admit it, I wanted a little sister too. But that never happened because when Dad walked out holding another blue bundle, I groaned. My disappointment must have been palpable, but Dad’s pride was unwavering as he presented my new brother like a precious gift to everyone around.

“Not another one,” I huffed.

“Your mom named him Danny,” Dad said proudly as he kneeled down, showing me my littlest brother.

“He looks like a drowned rat.” I frowned, not impressed.

“He’s gonna need you, Ace. With all these boys around, Danny’s gonna need someone to protect him.”

“He’s got Bailey and Charlie.”

“No, son,” my dad said, placing Danny in my arms. I didn’t want to hold him. I wanted a sister. I already had two brothers. “Bailey and Charlie barely survive as it is. Danny needs you.”

I just stood there, staring at my newest brother and didn’t know what to really make of him. He looked fragile, all bundled up in his blue blanket. He couldn’t even hold his head up. He was too small, but when he opened his eyes and looked at me, I knew I would always protect Danny.

As Danny grew, the bond between us only strengthened. I knew from the start that Danny was different from the others. He was quiet and preferred books, unlike Bailey or Charlie, who were always getting into trouble. So, I took on the role of my brother’s guardian with fervor, always ensuring Danny was safe and happy. Dad and I taught Danny to ride a bike, helped him with his homework and I cheered the loudest at every damn science fair. Danny, in return, idolized me and tried to emulate everything I did. Our relationship became a cornerstone in both our lives, characterized by unwavering support and love, and then I did the unthinkable and left to join the military, breaking my brother’s heart.

I didn’t have a choice and instead of talking to Danny about it, I just disappeared, leaving my parents to explain my absence. I always hated how shit went down between me and Dad that day and now it was too late to fix it. To make matters worse, my relationship with Danny was never the same after. I didn’t know how to explain to Danny that I couldn’t be what Dad wanted me to be. That I needed something more than what the club could offer me.

Years passed and the distance between Danny and me only seemed to grow. I would send letters and occasionally call home, but it was never enough to bridge the gap that my departure had created. I managed to get emergency leave when Dad died, but when I showed for the funeral, Danny wouldn’t even acknowledge me. Then when Mom died, well, that was the last straw. I was out of the country and unable to make it back. That was something I knew Danny would never forgive. Now, Danny was no longer the little boy who looked up to me with admiration. He had become a young man with his own dreams and struggles.

I tried to rekindle our strained relationship as it weighed heavily on my heart, but Danny had built walls around himself, walls that I had unknowingly contributed to. I tried to reconnect, but the easy camaraderie we once shared was elusive. Danny was polite but distant, his responses curt and guarded. The pain of our fractured relationship was a constant ache, a reminder of the things left unsaid and the wounds left unhealed. Knowing he didn’t need me anymore, I left again, hoping that one day I would get the chance to make things right.

It seemed no matter what I did, I kept messing up everything. Even with the shit currently going on, I blamed myself because it was me who offered to help him. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Danny or my other two brothers, for that matter. But I couldn’t do shit until I found him.

Valhalla

Soulless Sinners’ clubhouse, New York City.

Walking out of Bane’s office, I passed Montana’s office to find the asshole sitting alone, looking at his phone. Leaning against the door, I stared at the man who was once a good friend of mine and felt nothing. Not even a twinge of compassion for the man. Logically, I knew he wasn’t to blame for what happened to me, but I couldn’t get past the fact that it was his father who destroyed my life.

“You just gonna stand there and stew, or are we going to settle this shit?”

“Not really sure what you want me to say to you.”

“You can start with why you didn’t reach out after I took the chair?”

“You already know why I didn’t.”

Looking up at me, Montana placed his phone down and frowned. “No, I don’t, Merc. We were all close growing up. You, me, Auggie, and Bella did everything together. We kept nothing from each other. Then one day everything changed. You disappeared, August refused to talk to me, and then Bella up and moved.”

“What happened to Bella?”

“What do you think happened?” My former childhood friend scoffed. “My dad happened. It seems every bad thing that’s happened in my life has been because of him and two of my closest friends knew and couldn’t be bothered to give me a fucking heads-up.”

Shaking my head, I walked over and took a seat. “In my defense, I was dealing with my own shit. You know, being orphaned after my parents died, being kidnapped, then learning I was knocked up, so forgive me if I didn’t have time to pass you a quick note of warning.”

Montana growled. “You fucking know what I meant.”

Nodding, I leaned back in the chair and sighed. “Yeah, I do, and for that, I am sorry. Your dad screwed us all over, Montana, and we can’t change that. All we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward.”

“Can we?”

Shrugging, I muttered, “I don’t know. So much has changed.”

“He never forgot about you, Mere. I think in some way he’s been searching for you since you disappeared.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I sighed, looking down at my hands. “I’m not that little girl anymore.”

“He’s a doctor too.”

“I know.”

“He never married.”

“I know that too.”

“I’ve been sitting here trying to jog any memory loose, anything to help me make sense of all this shit. August was my best friend. He still is, even if he doesn’t care anymore, but what I can’t figure out is why he would accept the brand and work with Dad, knowing who he was and what he did? Why would he do that, Mere? Why wouldn’t August warn me?”

“Can’t answer that, Montana, ‘cause I don’t know. Gonna have to ask him. All I can tell you is that August wasn’t surprised when we uncovered the truth about your dad. It was almost as if he somehow suspected, which is fucking crazy because we were still kids, and no way could we make that shit up.”

“You think Auggie somehow knew already?”

“If he did, he was damn good at keeping it a secret.”

Montana huffed. “That’s one thing that fucker is still good at. Keeping secrets. When he’s not drunk or working at the hospital, he spends his fucking time in his office doing God knows what.”

“Drunk?” I muttered, frowning. “August doesn’t drink, Montana. He’s allergic to alcohol.”

“The fuck he is. Bastard’s been drunk since college.”

Shaking my head, I sat up. “No. There is no way August can drink. Remember when he got deathly sick after that night we snuck into your dad’s liquor cabinet? He almost died. That’s when some specialist diagnosed him with acute alcohol intolerance. It’s like an allergy and very fucking rare. If August drinks, he would have difficulty breathing, break out in hives or, in a severe case, go into anaphylactic shock.”

“Mere,” Montana firmly said. “I’ve seen that fucker down a bottle of scotch.”

“Don’t know what to tell you, but I’d bet every fucking penny I own it wasn’t scotch he was drinking.”

“SILVER!” Montana shouted for the club’s bartender. “Fuck this shit. I know my best friend. That motherfucker is an alcoholic and has been for over twenty fucking years.”

“What?” the pretty bartender snarked, walking into Montana’s office.

“Go bring me a bottle of Bane’s whiskey.”

“His special blend?”

“Yes.”

Saying nothing more, we sat glaring at each other as Silver went to do as Montana requested.

“You know you’re gonna look like a fucking idiot when she comes back, right?”

“I know nothing of the sort, but I know my best friend.”

Smiling, I just shook my head and sighed. “You’re still a fucking idiot.”

Silver returned with an unopened bottle of Hell’s Breath and two tumblers. Placing the glasses and the bottle on the desk, she cocked her hip and glared at the man.

“You want me to drink it too?”

“Just fucking pour us a glass.”

Rolling her eyes, I watched while she broke the seal then poured two drinks. Handing them to us, she asked, “Anything else?”

Montana sniffed the amber liquid and muttered, “What the hell?”

Laughing out loud, I downed my drink and placed it back on the desk. “I fucking told you.”

Following my lead, Montana threw back the drink, then quickly spit it across the room. “FUCK! I hate sweet tea!”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “August always had a sweet tooth.”

Reaching for the bottle, Montana stared at the label. “This makes no sense. The label is legit, but the bottle is full of sweet tea.”

“That’s because when I order a case of Hell’s Breath, Bane has me place a special order with Frank.”

“Are you telling me that the fucking chemist for the Sons of Hell distillery whips up a few gallons of sweet tea just for Bane and slaps a fucking Hell’s Breath label on it?”

Silver smirked, grabbing the bottle and the tumblers. “Yep, and you pay full price, too.”

“Those fucking crates cost five grand!”

Laughing, I gasped. “Oh God, that’s priceless. Five grand for sweet tea!”

F.I.R.E

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The city lights twinkled like stars scattered across the urban sky as I watched the oblivious couple stroll down the bustling streets. They laughed and whispered sweet nothings, their hands intertwined, unaware of the dark figure lurking in the shadows. It was a night of celebration, of joy and love and they had no idea that the shadows held a chilling presence.

I watched them from a distance, my gaze unwavering, my steps methodical and silent. I had been trailing them for hours, blending into the night, my patience unwavering. I knew the couple well. I had studied their routines, their habits and their sins. The life I lived was the result of their actions and tonight, I was determined to exact justice.

Dressed in dark clothing, I melded seamlessly with the night, my eyes fixed on the couple. They had ruined me, taken everything I held dear and now, they would pay. Revenge was a dish best served cold, and I had waited long enough.

The couple entered a shop, their laughter mingling with the music and chatter of the other patrons. I stayed outside, my presence unnoticed, and found a shadow where I could observe without being seen. As the couple looked around, I plotted, my mind racing with thoughts of retribution.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on me. The air was thick with anticipation and my heart pounded in my chest like a war drum. I wanted every detail of this night etched into my memory, a testament to my resolve and the justice I sought.

The couple, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around them, continued to peruse the shop’s offerings. I watched every movement, every smile, every touch, committing it all to memory. This was the night that everything would change—the night when the scales of justice would finally tip in my favor.

I wanted to savor this night. To remember everything in great detail. To remember this was the night justice prevailed.

Following the couple as they left the shop, their arms full of bags, their laughter ringing out into the night, I followed, never losing sight of them. Their joyous expressions stood in stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped my soul. The streets were alive with the hum of city life, yet I remained invisible, a ghost among the living.

They walked leisurely, basking in their happiness, completely unaware of the shadow trailing them. Streetlights cast long shadows and their path twisted and turned through narrow alleyways and bustling squares. Every step they took brought me closer to the moment I had been waiting for.

When they reached a quieter part of the city, where the streets were less crowded and the noise of nightlife faded into the background, I quickened my pace. The time was drawing near. My mind replayed the myriad injustices they had inflicted upon me, fueling the fire of my determination.

They paused at a small park, the dim glow of the lamps casting a romantic aura around them. The couple found a secluded bench and settled down, their laughter now soft murmurs. I lingered in the shadows, my breath steady, my resolve unwavering.

This was the moment of reckoning. The night air was cool, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees. The couple’s voices were mere whispers, but to me, they were the echoes of my past suffering. I stepped forward, the night my ally and closed the distance between us.

Every second felt like an eternity, but I knew that soon, justice would be served. The couple’s fate was sealed and as I approached, the weight of my actions bore down upon me. Tonight, the scales of justice would finally balance and the darkness that had consumed me would be lifted.

The couple, lost in their world, didn’t notice my approach. Their smiles, their whispers—all of it fueled the fire within me. My hand trembled slightly as I neared them, but my resolve was steadfast. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

Reaching inside my jacket, I pulled my weapon and pointed it at the man. I didn’t think as I fired, the soft muted echo of the silencer concealed my actions. I watched while his head tilted forward, like he was looking at something on his jacket. The woman was unaware as she continued on with what she was saying. Moving closer, I placed the barrel of my gun at the back of her head and she stiffened.

I didn’t believe in small talk and wasted no time when I pulled the trigger, quickly ending her life. Like the man beside her, she was now dead. No longer would a child suffer at their hands.

Justice had been served.

Moving her slowly, I laid her head on his shoulder. To anyone walking by, they would look like a couple enjoying the night.

Reaching into my jacket, I quickly sent off a text.

Contract completed. Virginia Stone and Michael ‘Happy’ Hamilton are dead.

Walking away, I looked up into the night sky and smiled for the first time in my life and whispered, “Merry Christmas to me.”