Chapter 23 Reaper
The roar of the engines fills my ears as I ride in formation behind Scar, Nitro, Talon, and Matrix. I’m at the rear because I’m the enforcer of the club, always watching their backs. Tonight, we’re taking on a mission that’s been at the back of my mind for years—breaking into Blackstone’s mansion.
Excitement and fear war within me, sending my nervous system into overdrive. I keep telling myself I’m ready for this, but the reality is, I might come face to face with the man who terrorized me for four long years. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive about the whole situation.
“Almost there,” Scar shouts over the wind.
As my adrenaline starts to pump harder through my veins, I grip the handlebars tighter. My brothers are with me. I’m not alone. Somehow, that makes this trip easier.
As we pull off the highway onto a side road, the moon casts eerie shadows on the trees around us. We park our bikes below a tree that conceals one of Matrix’s security cameras. A couple of years ago, he installed surveillance around the property. Not on Blackstone’s land because that would be too risky, but close enough that we could get a general idea of what was going on at the mansion. We could see who was coming and who was leaving.
We were specifically looking for kids to make sure Blackstone wasn’t up to his old, disgusting tricks. Never caught any on camera, but he could have used other ways to sneak them inside. The thought is so revolting I gag as I pull off my helmet.
Matrix wastes no time in yanking his laptop out of his backpack. He used the cameras to track the guard shift changes over the last few days. Hopefully, they haven’t deviated from the typical schedule.
“We got a five-minute window coming up,” Matrix announces, making me feel even more anxious yet excited about what’s ahead.
“Ready when you are,” I tell him, trying to sound more confident than I actually am.
“Be careful, both of you,” Scar warns us with a stern look. “Talon, Nitro, and I are here to create a diversion if needed, but it’d be better if you two get in without being seen.”
“Got it, pres,” I reply, sharing a determined nod with Matrix. “We’ll be careful.”
“Come back safe, so I don’t have to deal with your old ladies,” Scar adds before turning away.
“You got an old lady now?” Nitro teases.
“Shut the fuck up,” I snarl.
“Let’s do this,” Matrix says.
Together, we set off toward the fence that surrounds the mansion.
“Man, I gotta get back to Daisy by morning, or she’s gonna chop my nuts off,” Matrix whispers, trying to lighten the mood as we prepare to make our move.
I chuckle, even though the tension is still thick in the air. “Don’t worry, bro. If we’re not back by sunrise, Lexi and Daisy will be coming for both our nuts.”
“Great, double nut-chopping. Just what I need,” he mutters with a smirk, adjusting his gloves.
As we move through the night, shadows play tricks on our eyes. Every tree is a potential predator. Each bush is suspect.
“You sure you turned the electricity off?” I mutter to Matrix, eyeing the electric fence warily.
“I’d bet my life on it.”
Working together, we cut through the wire with precision and speed. My heart races as we run toward the mansion, ducking behind tractors and other farm equipment to stay out of sight. Blackstone’s idiotic attempt to look like a regular Montanan farmer ironically helps us. Jackass.
My breath comes in short pants as we reach the door we’ve chosen for our entry point. I pull out the keycard and hold it to the reader, hoping against hope that it’ll work. Nothing happens. Panic crawls up my chest. But then, the green light blinks on, and the door unlocks with a soft click.
“Shit, it worked,” Matrix whispers, his eyes wide with surprise.
“I thought you said it would.”
“I was pretty sure.”
“God dammit, Matrix,” I hiss as we pull our guns from our cuts. “Let’s do this.”
Pushing the door open just enough for us to slip through, we step into the dimly lit hallway. So far, no one’s around, but the real danger has only just begun.
The air inside Blackstone’s mansion is heavy and oppressive, suffocating me with memories I’d buried deep within my soul. It’s been over a decade since I last set foot in this house of horrors, but it feels like I’m being dragged back in time to when I was his prisoner.
“Damn,” I mutter under my breath, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that threatens to consume me. My mind flashes back to a particular night—Blackstone’s twisted grin widened as he inflicted pain upon me. His eyes filled with perverse satisfaction. The rage and helplessness I felt back then surge through me now, tightening around my chest like a vise.
“You okay?” Matrix asks, furrowing his brow.
“Fine,” I reply, pushing down the memories and forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. “Let’s keep moving.”
We creep through the dimly lit hallways, our footsteps muffled by the thick carpet beneath us. As we’re about to round a corner, I hear footsteps approaching. Without hesitation, I melt into the shadows, my heart pounding in my ears as I motion for Matrix to do the same.
I grip my gun, ready to attack.
As the guard nears, I watch him carefully, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When he’s close enough, I spring from my hiding spot, grabbing him and putting him in a chokehold. His eyes widen in shock, but I hold on tight, refusing to let go until he slumps in my arms, unconscious.
“Nice,” Matrix whispers, impressed.
I nod, quickly checking the guard for weapons before taking his gun and sliding it into my cut.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say, my voice barely audible.
We have what we need, and I know our time grows shorter by the minute. My thoughts drift to Lexi, Daisy, and the rest of our family waiting for us back at the clubhouse.
The weight of the unconscious guard bears down on my shoulders, but I push through the pain, knowing that every step takes us closer to our goal. Matrix is close behind me, his eyes scanning the surroundings as we make our way out of the mansion and through the field.
“Stay low,” I whisper, mindful of the farm equipment scattered throughout the area. It provides us with cover, but it also means there might be more guards lurking nearby.
As if on cue, another guard walks past, oblivious to our presence. I hold my breath, tensed and ready to strike if necessary. But he keeps going, and soon, he’s just a distant figure disappearing into the night.
“Let’s move,” Matrix says.
We continue toward the fence where Scar waits for us, his face etched with worry. He helps me pull the guard through the hole we created.
“Heavy fucker,” Scar says as I shift the guard off my shoulder onto his.
“Need a hand, pres?” Nitro asks.
“Nah, I got ’em.”
When we get back to the rendezvous point, Tucker’s there with our nondescript white van. Scar and the other club members load the guard into the cage.
“Keep him quiet,” I tell Tucker, who nods as he ties up the guard and gags him. Though still unconscious, I know this guy will be a problem once he wakes up.
“Al right, let’s get the fuck out of here,” Scar orders.
We mount our bikes, and the roar of the engines fills the air. We’re far enough away that Blackstone’s men didn’t hear us coming, and they won’t hear us leaving.
As Scar leads the way back to the clubhouse, my mind races with thoughts of what comes next. I can’t wait to get my hands on this fucker. It’s been over a decade since we were Blackstone’s prisoners, so I doubt this guy was one of the guards who kept us trapped in the basement, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to bash his face in. I’m sure he’s just as bad as they were. Blackstone doesn’t hire good people. Well, except Lexi, but look how that turned out.
Upon returning to the clubhouse, I spot the van parked out back by the entrance to the cellar. I open the back, only to find the guard now conscious and struggling, his eyes filled with anger and fear.
“Easy there, buddy,” I say, reaching in to grab him. He kicks out at me, but I dodge and land a solid punch to his face, knocking him out cold once more.
“Should’ve stayed down,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“Dumbass,” Nitro snorts.
“Let’s finish this,” I say to Matrix and the others, my voice full of determination. This night has been full of risks, but I know deep down we’ve taken a step closer to bringing justice to Blackstone and his twisted operation.
I drag the guard down the cellar stairs, his body limp and heavy. The dank smell of the dungeon interrogation room fills my nostrils as I shove him into a chair, securing his wrists and ankles to the cold metal. A single flickering lightbulb hangs above us, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
“Showtime,” I mutter under my breath, beckoning Scar, Talon, Nitro, and Matrix to gather around.
Splashing icy cold water on the guard’s face wakes him up from his stupor.
“Who the fuck—oh, you fuckers.” The guard eyes our cuts.
“You’re going to tell us everything you know about the guard shifts inside the mansion,” I command, staring deep into the guard’s eyes. He glares back at me, defiance written across his bruised face.
“Fuck you,” he spits out, earning a tight slap across his cheek from my gloved hand.
“Wrong answer,” I say, my voice low and menacing. Slowly laying out a variety of surgical instruments, I give the guy time to think through his options. His eyes go wide as a scalpel glints in the low light. “You’re only making this harder for yourself if you don’t start talking.”
“Blackstone’s going to kill you for this.”
“Right.” Talon smirks and crosses his arms over his chest.
“He doesn’t even know you’re gone,” Scar says, casually leaning against the stone wall across from our prisoner.
“Let’s try something else,” I suggest, grabbing a pair of pliers from the table behind me. I hold them up to the guard’s face, watching his eyes widen in terror. “Now, are you ready to talk?”
“Go to hell!” he shouts, but I can hear the fear creeping into his voice.
“Suit yourself,” I reply, clamping the pliers onto one of his fingers and applying pressure. He screams, but I don’t let up until I hear a sickening crack.
“All right, all right! I’ll talk!” he gasps, tears streaming down his face. I slowly release the pliers, satisfaction coursing through me.
He spills everything we need to know and more, singing like a fucking canary.
“What else?” I demand the moment he takes a breath.
“That’s all I know. I’m just one of the guards. They don’t tell me anything else.” The terror in his voice makes me believe him, but that doesn’t stop me from fucking with him.
“Are you lying?” I ask before turning to the other club members. “What do you guys think? Is this asshole full of shit?”
“Fuck you! I wouldn’t even be working this fucking job if my cunt ex-wife hadn’t gotten a good lawyer,” the guard whines. “Bitch got full custody too because I slapped her around a bit. You know bitches need to be put in their places.”
I backhand him hard enough to jerk his head back before turning to Talon with a twisted grin. “He’s all yours, brother.”
“About damn time,” Talon scoffs, stepping forward and landing a series of brutal punches on the broken guard. I watch as his fists connect with flesh, the sound echoing through the small room.
“Anyone else?” I ask.
“Not tonight,” Scar says, shaking his head.
“Don’t want blood on my clothes. Holly says we’re out of that blue spot cleaner shit. I was supposed to pick some up from the store on the way home,” Nitro says.
“I’ve got an extra bottle at my place. Follow me, and I’ll give it to you,” Scar says.
“Thanks, pres.”
“All right, everyone out,” I order. “You don’t want to see what’s next.”
“Nope,” Nitro agrees. “Don’t need to see that shit.”
“Yeah, I’m out too,” Talon says.
“Get Tucker to help you clean up after,” Scar says.
“I’ve got this.”
I wait until they’ve all left before pulling my knife from my belt. The cold steel gleams in the shadowy darkness. As I plunge the blade into the guard’s chest, I see the faces of all the guards who tortured me in Blackstone’s dungeon. It wasn’t just Blackstone. They all had a hand in it. Eventually, they’ll all pay for what they did.
When his body goes limp, a thrum of excitement vibrates through me. I can’t wait to get back upstairs and into bed with my woman. My cock hardens at the thought of plunging into her tight little pussy. But first, I need to take out the trash.
I haul the body back to the van, tossing it in like a bag of garbage.
“You need help?” Tucker asks, materializing out of the darkness.
“Nah. Next time,” I promise, because there will always be another body to bury.
As I slam the van doors shut, dark excitement surges through me. One more bad guy gone, one step closer to justice.
The thought of Lexi waiting for me at the clubhouse sets my blood on fire. I can’t wait to release this pent-up energy, to lose myself in her and forget the night’s horrors for a while. With one last glance at the clubhouse, I start up the van and speed off toward my favorite dumping ground.