Endo (Full Send #2)

Chapter 37

37

LENA

Without You - Ashes Remain

The taste of salt lingers on my lips, but it’s not the ocean I’m thinking about. It’s him.

The way Reign looked at me, like I was the only thing that mattered in the entire world. The way his hands gripped my waist, strong and steady, like he was afraid I might slip away. And the way he whispered my name, raw and possessive, as if it held the power to ground us both.

For the first time in years, I felt alive—not just surviving, but living. Breathing. And for a fleeting moment, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, I could be his.

The memory clings to me as we dock the jet skis, the group’s laughter echoing across the water. The sun is starting to dip lower, painting the beach in soft golds and pinks, and everything feels lighter. Easier.

I let out a slow breath, glancing over at Reign as he ties off his jet ski with practiced ease. His hair is still damp, the sun catching on the droplets sliding down his skin, and when he looks at me, that familiar smirk tugs at his lips.

“Good ride?” he asks, his voice casual, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—something that tells me he’s thinking about the cove, too.

I nod, a smile pulling at my lips. “Yeah. Really good.”

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I mean it.

The gang gathers their gear, bantering as they head toward the trail that leads back to the beach house. Cece is already halfway through an argument with Wolfe about jet ski techniques—or lack thereof—and Revel is laughing as he eggs her on.

“You wish you had my skills, Wolfe!” Cece shouts, tossing her hair over her shoulder with flair.

“Skills? Is that what you call nearly flipping into the water every five seconds?” Wolfe retorts, smirking.

“It’s called flair, carino ,” Cece shoots back, narrowing her eyes. “Something you wouldn’t understand.”

Revel snickers, falling in step beside her. “Flair, huh? I don’t think flair involves almost eating shit, Cece.”

“Keep talking, Revel. You’ll be eating my wake next time,” Cece fires back, her eyes narrowing in challenge, hands on her hips like she’s daring him to say something stupid.

Revel doesn’t miss a beat, leaning in just enough to make it personal. “Oh, I’ll be eating something, alright,” he drawls, his tone dripping with smug innuendo. “But it sure as hell won’t be your wake, mami .”

Cece freezes, her jaw dropping for half a second before she snaps out of it. “ ?Eres un cerdo , Revel!” she exclaims, smacking him hard on the shoulder, her voice a mix of outrage and disbelief. “You wish, pendejo ! Keep dreaming!”

He just laughs, throwing his hands up like he’s innocent. “What? I’m just saying, Cece. You’re the one with the dirty mind.”

Cece glares at him, her cheeks flushed, but the corner of her mouth twitches like she’s fighting a grin. “You’re lucky you’re pretty, cabrón , or I’d drown your ass next time we’re out there.”

Revel smirks, clearly pleased with himself. “So you think I’m pretty, huh? I knew it.”

“Ugh, you’re insufferable !” Cece mutters, spinning on her heel and stomping up the path, her lavender hair swinging with every step.

The rest of the group bursts into laughter, Wolfe shaking his head. “Revel, you’re gonna catch hands one day.”

“And what a glorious day it’ll be,” Revel replies, his grin wide as he falls into step behind Cece, clearly unfazed by her fire.

Their voices fade as we walk up the sandy path, the soft breeze carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. The sun hangs low, casting long, golden shadows over the trail, and for the first time in so long, I feel... at ease. The laughter, the teasing, the way the team feels like a patchwork family—it’s something I didn’t know I was missing after losing Cruz.

The beach house comes into view, its familiar silhouette outlined against the fading sunlight. This was where the team came to let go, to laugh, to just enjoy life. After his funeral, I couldn’t bring myself to come back here. The memories were too heavy, suffocating in their weight.

But now… now it’s easier. Cruz is still everywhere I look, his memory woven into every corner of this place, but it doesn’t crush me anymore. The memories don’t feel like chains; they feel like comfort.

Like he’s still here in some way, part of the family he loved so much.

It’s… peaceful.

But the peace shatters the second I hear the sound of tires crunching on gravel.

The smile slips from my face as the distinct rumble of engines pulls our attention toward the parking lot. Trucks—black, menacing, and loud—roll to a stop just outside the house. Doors slam, and I know before I see them who it is.

Owen.

The man steps out first, his leather jacket catching the last rays of sunlight. His face twists into that smug grin I hate more than anything. Behind him, his men pour out of the vehicles, their guns drawn, their movements calculated.

My stomach drops.

Reign reacts first, his body going rigid as he steps in front of me, his shoulders squared. “Stay behind me,” he growls, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The others fall into place immediately. Talon and Wolfe move to flank Reign, their expressions hardening. Sayshen and Revel pull Cece and Bexley closer, creating a protective barrier between the girls and the threat.

Owen’s voice slices through the air, sharp and mocking. “Ah, biker barbie. Thought I’d find you here,” he sneers, stepping forward with the swagger of someone who thinks they own the world. His gaze sweeps over the group before landing on me, a smug grin spreading across his face. “You know why I’m here, so let’s skip the bullshit. Hand over the bike.”

Reign takes a step forward, his shoulders squared, his fists clenched at his sides. The way his body shifts, coiled and ready, sets the hairs on the back of my neck on edge. “You’ve got some fucking nerve showing up here,” he growls, his voice sharp and low.

Owen chuckles, clearly enjoying himself. “Let’s not waste each other’s time, Matthews. I didn’t see Cruz’s bike in the driveway, so where the fuck is it?” His tone darkens, his grin twisting into something cruel. “Don’t make me tear through Tampa to find it. Because trust me, I will.”

Reign’s jaw tightens, his voice deadly calm. “You’re not tearing through shit. You already trashed her apartment like a goddamn coward. What’s next? Going after her fish again?”

Owen laughs, the sound grating. “You mean that little tank? What was its name? Blue?” He clicks his tongue mockingly. “Didn’t seem like much of a loss to me. You should’ve been worrying about bigger things, Matthews. Like how bad it’s gonna get if you don’t hand over that bike.”

My stomach churns, a mix of anger and fear twisting in my chest. The way he talks about it so casually, like destroying someone’s life is just another day for him, makes me want to scream.

“Enough,” Reign snaps, his tone hardening. “You want a bike? Take mine. Fully upgraded, worth twice as much. That’s my offer.”

Owen raises an eyebrow, feigning interest. “Yours, huh? That’s a start. Maybe you’re finally learning how to deal.” He nods toward one of his men. “Go grab it.”

Reign steps forward, cutting him off. “You don’t touch a fucking thing until you’re off this beach. You take the bike, you leave, and that’s the end of it.”

Owen’s grin falters slightly, but he recovers quickly. “You’re in no position to negotiate,” he says, his tone sharp now, the mockery gone. “I don’t think you understand, Matthews. I came here to get what I’m owed. And I’m not leaving until I have it.”

Revel steps forward, his stance relaxed, but there’s a dark edge to his voice. “You’ve already taken enough, Owen. You’ve got your dirty fingers in every corner of this city. Isn’t it time you cut your losses before someone cuts you?”

Owen’s eyes narrow, and the air shifts, growing heavier with unspoken threats. “Careful, pretty boy,” he sneers. “You wouldn’t want to get hurt playing the hero.”

“Funny,” Revel shoots back, his voice razor-sharp. “I was about to say the same to you.”

The tension crackles like a live wire. Talon shifts, his hand resting near his waistband where I know he’s carrying, and Wolfe moves subtly to block Cece and Bexley’s line of sight. My heart pounds in my chest, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

Owen’s grin twists into something uglier, more dangerous. “You think you can intimidate me?” He looks past Revel, his gaze locking on me again. “I’m here because of you, Lena. Cruz left that bike to you, didn’t he? But let’s be honest, sweetheart—you’re not doing anything with it. So why not give it up to someone who will?”

Reign snarls, stepping in front of me fully now. “You don’t say another fucking word to her.”

“Or what?” Owen fires back, his voice rising. “What are you gonna do, Reign? You can’t stop me. You couldn’t stop me when Cruz died, and you sure as hell won’t stop me now.”

The mention of Cruz feels like a slap, and I see Reign’s composure crack. His fists clench tighter, his stance shifting like he’s seconds away from lunging.

“Keep running your mouth,” Reign growls, his voice like thunder. “You want to see how far I’ll go? Try me.”

Owen smirks, clearly relishing the tension. “Go ahead. Make your move. But I’ll tell you this—I didn’t come alone, and I didn’t come unprepared. You want a fight, Matthews? You’ve got one.”

The words barely leave his mouth before one of his men steps forward, gun raised, and the crack of a gunshot splits the air.

The gunshot feels like it rips through time itself, freezing everything for a fraction of a second. Then the world explodes into chaos.

Revel moves faster than anyone else, shoving Reign out of the way and taking the bullet meant for him. The sound of the impact is sickening, and Revel stumbles back, clutching his upper arm as blood seeps through his fingers.

“Revel!” Cece screams, her voice breaking as she tries to rush toward him.

Sayshen grabs her arm, yanking her back toward the rocks. “Stay down!” he shouts, his voice sharp and commanding.

Reign’s roar cuts through the chaos as he charges the shooter, tackling the man to the ground with a force that sends both of them skidding across the sand. His fists fly, each punch landing with brutal precision, the sound of bone meeting flesh echoing in the air.

Talon draws his gun, firing at another of Owen’s men who’s trying to flank them. The man dives for cover behind one of the trucks, swearing loudly as the sand kicks up around him.

Wolfe steps in, his movements quick and calculated, landing a clean hit to another man’s jaw before grabbing his weapon and turning it on the remaining crew.

“Get down!” Wolfe shouts, his voice slicing through the chaos as he positions himself to cover the group.

I drop to my knees beside Revel, my hands pressing against his wound as I try to stop the bleeding. His grin is faint, his eyes glassy as he looks up at me.

“Don’t cry for me, short stack,” he mutters, his voice weak but teasing. “I’m too pretty to die.”

“Shut up,” I choke out, tears streaming down my face as I press harder. “You’re not dying. Do you hear me?”

Reign shouts something I can’t make out, his voice raw as he grapples with Owen’s men. Talon and Wolfe are firing in controlled bursts, forcing Owen’s men to retreat further toward the trucks.

Owen stands near the edge of the chaos, his gun still drawn, barking orders to his crew. His gaze locks on me for a split second, and the malice in his eyes sends a fresh wave of fear through me.

My gaze shifts to a gun lying in the sand a few feet away. My hands tremble as I grab it, the weight unfamiliar but grounding.

“Lena, no!” Reign’s voice booms, but it’s too late.

I rise to my feet, the gun steady in my hands as I step forward. Owen turns, his grin faltering when he sees me.

“Put it down, sweetheart,” he sneers, raising his own weapon. “You’re out of your depth.”

“Not this time,” I whisper, my voice shaking but resolute.

The shot rings out, sharp and final.

Owen’s head snaps back, his body crumpling to the ground.

Silence.

His men scatter, shouting as they retreat to their trucks. No one even looks back.

The gun slips from my hands, falling to the sand as I drop to my knees. My chest heaves, my hands trembling as the weight of what I’ve done crashes over me.

“Lena.”

I look up to see Reign kneeling beside me, his eyes dark and searching as he reaches for me, his touch is steady as he pulls me into him.

“It’s over,” he murmurs, his voice low but firm. “You did what you had to.”

I nod, but the tears come anyway, hot and unstoppable.

Behind us, the others rally around Revel. Wolfe and Talon secure the area, making sure Owen’s men are gone for good. Cece hovers close to Revel, her face pale but set with determination as she presses a towel against the bullet wound on his arm.

“Ambulance is on the way,” Talon says, his voice tight.

Revel grins weakly, his head lolling to the side. “Took you long enough,” he jokes, his voice faint but teasing.

“Shut up, Revel,” Cece snaps, her voice cracking. “You’re not allowed to die. I’ll kill you myself if you try.”

His laugh is soft, but it’s there. “Noted, Cece.”

Reign pulls me closer, his hand brushing over my hair as I try to steady my breathing.

For the first time in what feels like forever, the fight is over.

And this time, we won.