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Epilogue II

Kaia

“ W hat are you doing all the way out here?”

I spin, startled by the gruff voice. I take a look around, not actually sure where “here” is until I spot the barn-like structure that we call the Rev Room now.

“Oh, just needed a little space. So I took a walk.” I shrug, looking into the dimming light at Sniper.

I’ve been around the brothers long enough to know them all now. Some, like Rider and Flack and Tav are very easy to get along with. Others, like Sniper, are a little quieter, preferring their own company. Or in his case, the company of the brother he’s been keeping alive.

“What are you doing all the way out here?” I return the question.

“I don’t actually know,” he answers quietly.

I blink once, then twice. I’m not sure if that’s an invitation for me to ask what’s bugging him, or for me to leave the man alone.

“You ever just wish you could let things go? Just get over it?”

“Oh, I’m the wrong person to be asking, buddy. Have you not seen me hold a mean grudge at Judge this whole time?” I smirk.

He stares at me, as if staring right through me. “That’s not a real grudge. I know you want to be close to him. You’ll forgive him, you know? You’re already there. I, on the other hand, I can’t forgive.”

I swallow, not wanting to concentrate on my feelings for Leo. Judge. “Can you forget maybe?”

“Not while he’s still alive,” His gaze moves to the office, as if able to stare right through the walls to his brother.

“Have you thought about ending it for him?” I inch closer, wanting to see his face when he answers.

“I don’t think I’m strong enough.” His shoulders slump and he stares at the ground. He takes a deep breath and then shakes his shoulders out. “We should get back, care to walk together?”

“Nah,” I swallow, “You go on. I think I’ll walk and think a little more.”

He tips his head at me, ambling back toward the party, DJ Rider playing Shaboozy.

I turn to look at the building behind me, Sniper’s words ringing in my ears.

He’s a good man. Hell, the whole MC seems to be filled with good men.

Well, kinda. I mean, they seem to kill people pretty well, but I don’t think it counts if you’re only killing bad guys. Probably.

My curiosity gets the better of me and I slip inside, the LED overhead lights flickering on.

My gaze roams the large open room, settling on the man in the corner.

I thought he looked terrible the first time I saw him, but now, he looks barely alive.

He’s covered in cuts and bruises, congealed blood.

Aside from looking beaten to within an inch of his life, he seems to have all his body parts, so amputation wasn’t one of the torture methods used on him.

Although I can’t imagine Sniper to be that kind of guy.

I know a little about his background, Judge told me and I can see why he wants his brother to suffer like his sister did, however I also know that Sniper can’t take this man’s life.

Moving closer to him I spy the syringe on the stainless steel table.

I’ve seen how Pops used it on Renae, giving her just enough to relax her before we essentially blew her up.

There is more liquid in this syringe than the one he gave her, so I know this will work.

My steady footsteps creep closer to the man, lying curled into a ball, whining like a pitiful animal.

Removing the cap I hold it up so he can see it, and I’m surprised when his gaze fills with relief instead of fear.

“You know what happened to your sister, and instead of stopping it, you did it to other people’s sisters, wives, girlfriends.

You deserve everything your brother has done to you and more, but your existence is hurting him.

That’s why I’m doing this. Not out of kindness to you, but to your brother.

Burn in hell.” I stab the needle into his neck, his main artery stark against the skin thanks to the lack of food he’s been given during his time here.

I watch as his body slumps, his breathing slowing until there are no more breaths to take. Removing the syringe I replace the cap, throwing it in the sharps bin on my way out of the building, stopping when I come face to face with the man who has the same eyes as my children.

“You’ve done that before, haven’t you?” Leo’s bright green eyes stare into mine, searching for a lie.

“Yes, I have.” I stare back, daring him to ask, daring him to just damn well ask what I’ve been through these past years.

We stand staring at each other for what feels like an eternity. His face doesn’t give anything away. I expect him to walk away in disgust but instead he bands his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. “Kaia, baby, you talk, I’ll listen.”