36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Dylan
Sitting in my uncle's office waiting for him to arrive, leaves me wondering what I’m even doing here. Usually if it's a race, he will just tell me over text, but I’m guessing that’s not what this is about. Gio let me know he was running late and to make myself comfortable in his office. I’ve never been in here before. It’s very big and luxurious, with a desk tucked in the far back and a large oval table, much like the one Fatal has in their “No one is allowed in here” office. I’ve only seen glimpses of it during passing if one of them happens to come in and out.
I fidget in the leather chair as I go through all the reasons why he would call me here. I hope this doesn’t have anything to do with Hazel. He shouldn't be privy to what we get up to but that doesn’t mean Preston didn’t open his big ass mouth ratting us out. The door opens and the man of the hour walks in dressed in a suit. This is a sight to see considering in all the years I have been sneaking around to spend time with him, not once have I ever seen him dressed in anything but jeans and a tee.
“You look dashing this evening, Uncle.” I say with a big smile and he rolls his eyes, loosening the tie and pulling it over his head, tossing it onto his desk. He takes off the jacket and tosses that as well, but he doesn’t stop there as he unbuttons the dark charcoal gray dress shirt, ripping it from his body. I laugh because you can totally tell this is not his doing or his style.
“Ahh, that’s better. You’re lucky you’re my niece, otherwise I’d be stripping down to my boxers. I fucking hate suits, but your uncle insists I wear them to meetings. I’m the fucking boss. I should be able to dress how I like, but noooo I have to be professional. Fucking crock of shit if you ask me.” He rants and I laugh harder as he continues.
“Have to be professional in front of a bunch of gangsters and criminals. Please make it make fucking sense.” He mocks and I have tears running down my face as I continue to laugh at his charade.
“Laugh it up niece, laugh it up!” He smirks.
“Okay, okay, I’m finished. What’s up? You summoned me here and I know it's not for a race. So spill it.” I say as he grabs a folder and sits opposite of me.
“Why are you so fucking far? Can’t we sit at your desk?” I whine and he laughs, shaking his head.
“Jameson will be here momentarily, then I’ll explain everything.” He says and now I’m suddenly nervous as my hands begin to sweat.
“Am I in trouble or something? Is this what it feels like for a dad to sit their daughters down and have ‘the talk’?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Oh, no, no, no. I only had the talk with my boys, who then threatened to kill any guy that touched their sister.” He laughs and I shake my head, thinking the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Bentley is the same way. The door swings open and a heaving Uncle Jameson barrels his way in. Uh oh, he doesn’t look fucking happy.
“You.” He points at his brother and my eyes widen as my uncle sits back and folds his arms over his chest with the biggest smirk on his face.
“You ever do that shit again, I swear to god–” Uncle Spade clears his throat and looks over at me then back to his brother whose eyes connect with mine and he smiles.
“Hello, my Little Creature. Sorry for the outburst.” He says, then looks back to his brother.
“You will be dealt with later.” He growls and Uncle Spade just laughs.
“Sit the fuck down and shut up already.” He orders and Uncle Jameson takes a deep breath and sits, shaking his head as he gets himself situated. I wonder why he shakes his head. I almost ask but Uncle Spade clears his throat.
“I asked you to come here so we can talk about something that fell into my lap. I need you to answer truthfully. We would never judge you or think less of you. My blood runs through your veins, that means you are mine to protect, love and cherish. Family and loyalty mean everything to me.” He confesses and I nod, waiting for the interrogation to start. He’s not like my mom though. He isn’t pressing me like she does. Anytime in the past that I have confided in him, he’s always listened and gave me advice if I wanted it. He’s never raised his voice, or called me a liar and most of all, he’s never been down right mean and malicious. If anyone has been a parental figure in my life it’s him.
“When was the last time you spoke to Easton?” He asks and I freeze. Shit.
“Umm, it’s been awhile. A week or two.” I answer truthfully.
“Why is that? Did something happen? You two were very cozy not too long ago, and then the shit you pulled at the bar, is the last time you two were seen together.” He says with a raised brow and I look over at my other uncle with narrowed eyes. Little rat. His eyes connect with mine and he shakes his head.
“I didn’t snitch on you. Slash called Spade, and I was sent to see what was going on, so put the claws away, Little Creature. Have faith in your old uncle.” He laughs, shaking his head again. It’s seriously on the tip of my tongue to ask him what the fuck is up with the shaking but Uncle Spade clears his throat, clearly waiting for answer, so I take a deep breath and cringe in my seat as I speak.
“For one, I didn’t pull anything at the bar. Me and the girls got litty titty and we had a great time. I didn’t know asking for a cigarette from some guy would cause such a scene, thank you very much.” I say and they both laugh.
“Just like your Aunt, I swear if I didn't know that you are my sister's kid, I could put my life on it that you were Jade’s.” He says with a grin. I clearly can’t avoid this any longer. Fuck. My. Life.
“The morning after the bar incident, Benny came barging into Easton’s room at The Den with a video compilation of me that was sent to him. I don’t know who sent it, but it wasn’t good and put Easton in a very compromising position which caused my brother to flip out and kick his shit in. Apparently, after I walked out with Ace, the rest of Fatal beat the shit out of him.” I say answering with half truths.
“Did he try to explain or come clean during or after?” He asks and I am not liking where this is going.
“He asked Benny to let him explain but he was too far gone to stop. When I approached, he asked me the same thing and I told him he was dead to me and that was the last time I saw him, other than from my window later that night.” I answer as my hands become clammy gripping the leather arm rests.
“We know what happened to you at the academy. We also know Easton was there and everyone else who’s responsible for hurting you. I don’t take this shit lightly and I’m a little pissed off you didn’t come to me about it. I would have taken care of it and no one would have had to know.” He confesses and my eyes widen at the revelation as embarrassment creeps up my spine, making me want to crawl away and hide.
“I didn’t tell anyone, I buried it acting like nothing happened. Even as they continued to taunt me. It wasn’t until a month or two later that I told Easton after beating the shit out of that girl Bianca for claiming she was carrying his baby, meanwhile she was playing him from the st–” I say but Jameson interrupts.
“Bianca who?” He asks.
“Bianca Pierce,” I growl and he slams his fists down onto the table.
“I knew I smelt a fucking snake. Can’t they all just fucking die and stay dead. I fucking told you Spade! This shit reeks of them.” He seethes as my uncle nods with furrowed brows as he thinks. I take a deep breath trying to center myself but my hands shake waiting for the ball to drop.
“What if I told you, because of your actions and deceit, you killed an innocent man?” He says and I gasp, covering my mouth with shaky hands.
“What do you mean killed an innocent man? Me and Easton killed Garett and George together and he killed Bryce alone. None of them are fucking innocent!” I yell, slamming my handson the table, but he shakes his head, sliding a folder down to me. I catch it before it flies off the table and open it.
“Easton is dead because of you. You didn’t let him explain that he was lured there by someone texting him impersonating you from your fucking cellphone.” I gasp, reading the text messages that are blown up.
“Once they got him inside the academy, they sent him a video of you being beaten, hanging from the ceiling by chains.” He growls as he plays the video on the big screen TV. Tears stream down my face as I watch my dangling body swinging as they lay hit after hit.. The video stops and I read the rest of the messages.
“Easton ran up those stairs trying to get to you, unarmed and alone, knowing he could very well lose his life trying to save the one he is ordered to protect; the woman he loves. They cornered him but he still fought to get to you, until he couldn’t, taking a pistol to his head. When he woke up, you were strapped to a bed with a sac over your head–” he continues and I interrupt.
“I know. I remember bits and pieces. They kept drugging me, except they said it was supposed to knock me out fully which it didn’t, I could feel or hear everything, but I couldn’t move to fight back or scream either. I was even hallucinating at times.” I say and Jameson chimes in.
“Wait, you weren’t asleep, but you could still sense everything, even though you were paralyzed? And you couldn’t scream either, did I get that right?” He asks and I can only nod my head.
“Words, Dylan. I need your words,” he commands.
“Yes, when I was hanging I was able to open my eyes, but what I saw was a hallucination. I saw all of Fatal in front of me but the voices didn’t match the distorted faces. When I was strapped to the bed, I had the sac blocking everything out, thank God, but I was still able to open my eyes. It wasn’t until Easton placed that blow to my head knocking me out, that I was actually asleep because once I came to, Iwas able to fully move and scream and that’s when they drugged me again.” I admit, taking a deep breath as Jameson sits back in his seat, tapping his finger on the table.
“This is a bigger problem than I originally thought. Too bad she didn’t see the color of the syringe. That formula is either off or she’s susceptible to the injection. I really wish you would have come to us. I would have taken a blood sample to see exactly what you were drugged with.” He says with a look of worry.
“I agree, I think this goes much deeper than we originally thought. The Maker has a copycat who’s sloppy and using multiple formulas into one injection, which can kill a person. That’s not what they were created for.” Uncle Spade grits.
“It’s like Acid Dreams and Violet Lucies had a deformed baby,” Jameson growls, his voice laced with disgust.
“Hazel is already on the hunt for him. Nothing more we can do but leave the bait and hope he’s stupid enough to take it.” He responds.
“Operation: Catch a Rat just got a whole lot more sinister.” Uncle Jameson grins.
“Okay, back to what we were saying. Easton was held at gunpoint and forced to harm you and after knocking you out, he was zip tied to a chair and again forced to watch those men defile you.” Uncle Spade says getting back on track and I shake my head.
“I saw the video–” I grit, starting to get real fucking angry with the accusations.
“Yeah you saw an edited video to paint Easton as a predator. You never took a fucking second to think. Neither did your brother and the rest of Fatal. You all assumed the worst and because of that, he’s fucking dead.” My uncle spits and I keep shaking my head as tears stream down my face.
“He’s not fucking dead. Stop saying that!” I scream.
“Turn to the next picture.” He orders and I flip the page seeing a man with a bullet hole in his temple. His face is barely recognizable. Curly dark hair caked in blood. I think I'm going to be sick. I turn andvomit all over the floor beside me. A napkin is slid in front of me but I don’t move as the tears continue to fall down my face. No. This can’t be happening. I-I killed him. I did this. All because I didn’t give him a chance to explain.
“You knew this man your entire life and he never once harmed you! He took a fucking oath to protect you, on my fucking orders, and never once has he ever gone against my word! He was like a son to me. I saved him from the life me and your uncles had. How could you ever think he would do something like that to you?” He spits as I shake my head, never taking my eyes off the dead man in front of me. Irun my fingers over the picture, wishing I could have handled this differently. Now he’s gone. I can’t, I fucking can’t. I shove the folder away and look up at my uncle, his face riddled with disappointment. My heart hurts so fucking bad.
“Answer me!” He yells and I jolt from his tone.
“I-I don’t know.” I stammer and he slams his fists against the table.
“You don’t know? You don’t fucking know. That’s not a good enough answer.” He growls.
“I-I was so hurt, embarrassed and ashamed. I watched the video and saw Easton doing those things to me. I wasn’t thinking logically, I wasn’t thinking at all. Why didn’t he come clean? Huh? Why is this just my fault? He had plenty of time to come fucking clean and just tell me the truth!” I yell.
“Men do stupid things and make irrational decisions for the ones they love. Would you have actually listened? Or just block him, writing him off like you did the first time, instead of dealing with the problem head on. You run and hide like a little rabbit. You’re a fucking Rodriguez! We don’t fucking run, nor do we cower!” He yells and I jump again at his tone.
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m sorry. I don’t fucking know!” I yell. This can’t be real. It just can’t be.
“There’s nothing left to say. A young man's life was taken too soon because you reacted first instead of taking a beat and using the brain God gave you. I’m disappointed in you. As your punishment, the next race will be your last one. You will reveal your true identity to Fatal and let the cards fall where they may. Now go home. I’ll be in touch.” He says, dismissing me. I get up on shaky legs and leave as fast as they will carry me.
Getting in the car, I start it up and leave the same way I always come in. Once on the highway, I break, letting the tears pour down my face. I sob so hard I can barely see anything in front of me. A horn honks and I veer to the side of the road, skidding in the dirt as I slam on the brakes.
I’m so sorry Eas. I’m so sorry for not letting you explain. This is all my fucking fault. I’ll never fucking forgive myself for this. I slam my fists against the steering wheel, screaming bloody murder. I can’t. I just fucking can’t. I close my eyes for a moment trying to calm down but I can’t, I keep seeing that picture of him over and over again. It won’t leave my mind. It’s fucking torture. I don’t want to remember him like that. I scream again. I need to get home. I-I just need– HIM .
Two months later, I’m a shell of a person. I refuse to speak to anyone, including my mother and brother. I’ve just been silent. Carter came out of hiding and has been texting me, threatening to come hurt me again, but I don’t care. They could kill me and I could care less. I actually pray for it nightly. If it brings me closer to Easton, then do it already. He’s been a missing person for the last two months, his body never found. April has scoured the earth for him with my mother by her side. I refuse to accept it. Not until I see his body in front of me. I’ve spent numerous nights in his room, sleeping in his bed, inhaling his scent. Last week his smell started to fade and I broke down, trying to find it. I wear his shirts to bed praying the smell never fades but it does. I imagine seeing him from time to time in the crowds at school but once I blink, he’s gone.
Tonight, I was summoned for my last race. I went to the warehouse and retrieved my bike. Now I wait on the starting line for my brother and the rest of Fatal. There’s a few newcomers tonight that I’ve never seen before but I don’t care. I’m not in the mood to even be here, but orders are orders. As the other racers line up, some girl in a bikini does her thing with the flag and off we go. I hit the throttle taking off, speeding down the same road we always race on.
All I can think of are the times I would get a rush beating Easton on race night. He always wanted to be the best of the best, but he could never beat me. Now I’ll never get to race beside him again. After tonight, I’m selling my bike and gear, there’s no fun in it anymore. Not with him being gone.
One of the new guys comes real close to my bike, taking me out of my thoughts as we hit our first turn. He skids in front of me trying to veer me off the road but I handle my bike with precision and whip ahead of him, hitting the throttle at full speed. I shift gears getting ready for the straight run to the finish line. This fucking guy is on my tail again. I hit the nos and he can eat my dust as I cross over the finish line and circle around.
I stop at the roadmaster to collect my winnings and head back to where my brother and the others stop. Just as I hit the kick stand down and climb off my bike, I see a crowd forming. I think nothing of it and walk over to my brother and stand before him with my hand on my hip.
“This is a turn of events. Usually you dip out and we never get a chance to meet the infamous Midnight Rider.” He mocks with a laugh. Oh, he better laugh it up now because he’s about to lose his shit. I take my helmet off and shake out my hair.
“Surprise, brother.” I say with a grin as his mouth drops open and ‘what the fucks’ are being thrown around by the others.
Surprise, surprise.