Page 120 of The Retaliation You Deliver

“Um…”

Suddenly, a memory hits me and a smile curls at my lips.

Sneaky fucking bastards.

“It’s okay, Mace. She’s on our side.”

Stepping up to Macie, I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

“Ready for our new start?”

“Uh…y-yeah,” she breathes, but I know her hesitation isn’t because she doesn’t want it, but because she’s just hella confused right now.

I’d explain but I’m not sure now is the time or the place.Cindyis already risking enough by doing what she’s doing.

I’m going to owe those motherfuckers big for this.

“What do we need to do?”

“Flick this switch and then play the part.” She winks and my stomach flips with excitement.

I’m actually getting to do this. I’m going to be able to stand here and watch the man who terrorized my entire teenage and adult life drift off into nothing.

“I always vowed I’d get to you eventually,” I tell him, pressing my finger to the switch Cindy points out. “Yes?” I ask Macie, making sure she’s okay with me being the one to do this.

“Yes. Make it happen.”

The click of the switch pierces the air around us a second before all the beeping and whirring comes to a stop and silence surrounds us.

“Congratulations, Leon. Retaliation has been delivered.”

I blow out a long breath, staring at the man before me as the tension that’s been pulling my shoulders tight since I was a child finally starts to abate.

He’s gone. He’s actually gone.

“I’ll leave you to say your final goodbyes. If you need me, you know where I’ll be.”

With a wicked smile, Cindy slips from the room.

Shaking my head, I look up at Macie who’s still looking utterly bewildered by the entire situation.

“Say your farewell, baby. It’s over.”

“Do you know what? I’ve got nothing to say. Even goodbye seems too good for him.”

Her face is cold, emotionless as she stares down at the man who was trusted to bring her up after she lost her entire world. My heart aches for her, for the little girl who suffered as much, if not more so, than I did.

Richard was a part of my life for a few summers. He was in hers for much longer, controlling hers, for years.

“I think we’re done here,” she says after a couple of seconds. “Let’s go.”

“With pleasure, Red.”

* * *

It’s almost twenty minutes later when we finally manage to get out of the hospital after Macie gets caught by the nurse at reception to sign some paperwork.

She’s silent as we ride the elevator down to the ground floor and then we walk out of the building hand in hand.