Beyond Perfect (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #2)

Prologue

25 years ago

“Time for some fun.” The leader of the Tarantulas let out an ugly laugh. Pierced and tattooed up the wazoo, Lupo trained his gaze on Jackie. “I hope you’re ready, kid.”

Jackie held his head high. He had to get through this. He would get through this.

All ten of the gang members lined up with pipes and sticks. No bats, though, because they could kill the new guy with those.

Sneering.

“Woo-hoo.”

“You gonna get hurt, boy.”

“Go!”

Jackie thrust his body forward. The first blow landed on his back. Pain splintered through him but he held his tongue. The second seared his right leg. Oh, oh, God, oh God . The third came out from the front of him and hit his chest. His knees buckled in agony but he stayed upright.

Jackie kept going in a blur. He hunched over, covered his head. Bit the inside of his mouth till he tasted blood.

Finally, he got to the end and dropped to his knees. His whole body was in a big ball of pain. Still, he didn’t scream.

He felt a boot prod him. “Good job, Jacko. You jumped in real fine.”

He got a new name that night and now stood on the other side of the gauntlet himself. He’d been on oxy for a while so he was feelin’ great. When his turn came, he smashed the ten-year-old in the gut. The kid went down.

And didn’t get up.

At least Jacko got his turn. He had years to look forward to. At twelve, he was an official member of the worst gang in upstate New York.