Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
Chloe stiffened at his words, but she pulled back that anger, at least visibly. “Not here. I’m the one you want. I was the one who killed Marcus. And Victor.” A small smile lifted her lips, but it never reached her eyes because she was playing a role. She was fucking with Vendetta.
“Bitch,” he shouted and shoved me away. “You killed my brother!”
She nodded slowly as if she didn’t care. As if she didn’t have nightmares about what she’d done just as much as what had been done to her. “I did. It was him or me and for the first time in that hellish relationship, I chose myself.”
She began to pace, and I was mesmerized by the transformation.
This wasn’t the meek little mouse I’d met months ago, this was something else.
Chloe was fiery and cunning, she was badass as fuck as she slipped into her role seamlessly.
“He was abusive,” she shook her head and paced.
“No, he was cruel. He beat me. He tortured me. He raped me.” She stopped and glared at Vendetta. “I’m glad he’s dead and I’m not sorry.”
“Chloe,” I shouted instinctively the moment her words cut through the air.
I knew what she was doing, she was goading him, and I couldn’t stop her.
She had no idea how volatile this asshole could be.
While I was sure we had backup, I couldn’t risk her getting shot before my club brothers were ready.
She shook her head, another small smile played on her lips.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. I was sure that was the night he would go too far and kill me.
Hell, I wasn’t even trying to kill him when it happened, which is my only regret,” she shrugged.
“He attacked while I was doing the dishes and instinct took over.”
Vendetta was frozen with a mixture of disbelief and fear. He didn’t understand a woman so powerful, as wicked as any man.
“And you know what Vendetta?” she smiled again, this one was creepy as hell with just a hint of malice.
“I got it. As I watched him stagger backwards and fall to his knees, gasping and gargling in pain, I finally understood Marcus. I thought he hated me, and I’m sure he did, but his cruelty wasn’t about that.
It was about the thrill he got out of being so despicable.
Watching the life fade from his eyes was a goddamn thrill and in those moments before he died, I finally understood my husband. ”
Vendetta vibrated with fury and before I knew what was happening, he shoved me to the side and lunged for Chloe.
My heart slammed against my chest as I scrambled to get to my knees and struggled to get to my feet.
Before I stood up, a gunshot rang out. I froze, almost terrified to look at what had happened.
Finally, I risked a look to my left, to Chloe and I waited for her to fall, for a spot of red to spread across her chest. But Chloe held the gun.
And it was Vendetta who staggered backwards, shock and pain written on his face.
Another shot rang out from somewhere outside the cabin, followed by a scream.
It sounded like the cavalry had arrived and was dealing with the rest of the Ghost Riders. About fucking time.
“You… shot… me…” Vendetta croaked out.
Chloe nodded but said nothing for a long moment. Her jaw was set, clenched tight as she watched him gasp and grit his teeth against the pain. “I did,” she finally replied. “You wanted to kill my little girl. That was never going to happen.”
Vendetta’s hand flew to his thigh and panic started to set in when he realized how much blood he was losing. “Nice attempt, sweetheart,” he gasped with a tight smile. “But you should’ve aimed higher,” he scrambled around in search of his gun when Chloe raised her gun to aim at his head.
“Yeah, I should have,” she replied softly. “But I figured someone else might want the honors.” Her gaze flicked to mine, full of an understanding that melted my insides.
This woman was so much fucking more than she ever knew. She was stronger than she realized, tougher than anyone had ever let her see, and this gift she was giving me? Solidified all the feelings I avoided and doubted.
I loved her.
I walked around Vendetta and stood with my back to Chloe, watching this asshole as reality settled in.
The plastic ties gave with one sharp cut, and my hands were free, but my goddamn fingers tingled.
She pressed the cold metal into my palm, wrapping both hands around mine as if she knew exactly what I needed.
Seconds later, possibly a fucking eternity, my hands returned to normal, and I gripped Chloe’s hands.
“Do it.” Those two whispered words sent a surge of something coursing through my body. Her hands fell away, and it was just me and the gun.
“This won’t bring her back,” Vendetta tried through gritted teeth. “That bitch is still dead.”
I smiled. “That bitch was my baby sister.” That was all I said before I raised the gun and pulled the trigger twice, sending his head exploding all over the floor, the furniture, and the curtains.
It was quick and clean.
Almost cathartic. Almost, but not quite. It didn’t undo all the damage done and it didn’t bring Ashley back, but it had evened the score and that was all that mattered. Ash was still dead, and she wasn’t coming back. Neither was Angel, goddammit.
But neither was Vendetta. He was dead and the Ghost Riders were crippled. Temporary or not, it gave us room to breathe. To plan our next steps.
The cabin was silent.
My heart didn’t race as I stared at the man who’d taken my sister from me. I felt nothing but relief at his dead body, and nothing but warmth for the woman who’d given me this gift.
A loud thud sounded behind me, and I turned to find Chloe on the floor, gasping for air.
Her hands braced on the floor and her chest heaved as she fought for breath.
A heartbeat later, a gut-wrenching sob escaped, followed by another and then another until she was an emotional mess.
She sobbed so hard I was sure her heart might give up out of sheer exhaustion, and when she screamed the sound tore through me like a blade.
I was on my knees at her side in a heartbeat, wrapping my arms around her. Holding her. Comforting her. “It’s all right, Chloe. It’s all over.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “You did a good job, babe. Such a good fucking job.”
She sobbed harder, clutching me like she was afraid I might leave her.
Never. I held her tighter. “You’re safe, Chloe. I promise.”
My words had no effect, so I shut the fuck up and I held her close. I held her until she cried out all the tears contained in her petite form, and then I pulled back and stared at her tear-stained face. “Pike, I thought you were dead,” she sobbed.
Suddenly, the door opened behind me and I spun, raising my gun and ready to shoot. My shoulders sagged with the kind of relief that gave me goosebumps at the sight of Diesel, Rocky, and Maverick standing there. “You missed all the fun.”
“Had plenty out front,” Rocky said as he glanced over his shoulder where I could see at least two bodies.
“Aw, I think he’s happy to see us,” Maverick joked.
“Looks like you’ve sorted out the problem here,” Diesel muttered as he nudged Vendetta’s body with his boot.
I nodded but turned back to my woman, holding her as she continued to sob. I was happy to see my club brothers. Happy to see Chloe alive, if falling apart.
I had no fucking clue what tomorrow would look like, but tonight we were alive, and Vendetta wasn’t.
For now, that was enough.