Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
KNOX
Ten Weeks Later…
It has been almost three months since Noah took Heather.
We were all relieved when her test results came back negative.
No sexually transmitted diseases. She has been in therapy since we found her and it has been a struggle for all of us but none of us more than her.
The brandings fuck with her head constantly.
It’s a physical reminder every time she looks in the mirror.
It’s a mental torture he continues to inflict on her, even from the grave. I’m positive that was his intention.
Finally it’s time for her to get what she wants. Bones gestures to Benji who has been doing a lot of work with the Morte Mafia gang to gain intel on her family.
“Grave is out of the hospital. And he has been staying with Jedediah.”
Finding out that fucker did not die was a beautiful fucking day.
Heather got the news and fell to her knees as she sobbed.
She was relieved he was alive, and we were too.
He didn’t deserve an easy death. We could’ve gone after him a lot sooner, but we wanted him to heal first so we could prolong his misery.
Heather was initially concerned about people coming after Killian since it was a death match and nobody died.
That’s the one rule with a death match. There has to be a death.
However, since we killed one priest and have the other as our captive, we aren’t worried.
By the time this is resolved there won’t be anybody left.
“He will be at the Morte Mafia compound tonight, but I want to give you a heads up—he won’t be alone.”
Benji clears his throat as if he knows the next bit of news will be hard to swallow.
“He will have Abigail with him. And-“
Heather jumps out of her seat, balls her hands into fists and yells, “What?”
Bones finishes for Benji.
“All reports suggest it’s a consensual relationship. She is in love with him.”
Heather moves closer to Bones, placing her hands on his chest and shoves him.
“Fuck you, Luca. Fuck you. She is brainwashed. That is what my family does to women. There is no such thing as consensual. Don’t you understand? That’s why they control these women with mental torture. It doesn’t require a physical fight to be rape.”
He shocks the hell out of all three of us when he pulls Heather into a hug.
“You won’t call me Luca again. It’s Bones.
I understand why you’re upset. And I know she’s brainwashed.
I just thought you should know she claims to be in love with him, so you’d be prepared for what you’re walking into.
If she tries to protect him, what will you do?
Figure that out before you storm in there.
Hesitate and you’ll get yourself killed. ”
Psycho echoes his thoughts.
“Emotional reactions get people killed. Every fucking time. If you can’t go in level headed, let someone else handle it for you.”
Bones releases her, and I can see the compassion in his gaze.
“You’re family. I hate what all of our women have endured. Including you. I don’t want anything to happen to you. For that reason we will be there.”
He holds his hands up as Heather looks ready to go off again.
“As back up only. We will only be there for assistance if you need it. I’m on your side, Heather. I’m not the fucking enemy.”
She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Benji hands her a map of the compound.
“The good news is, this gang is complete chaos. It’s not well organized, so it’s easy to find a weakness and exploit it.
The bad news is, he’s an absolute psychopath and won’t hesitate to kill anyone.
If I were a betting man, I’d bank on him using your sister to hurt you. He may even go as far as killing her.”
Heather hangs her head down, defeated.
“She’s the only family I have left. Everybody else either enabled the abuse or has turned against me. The day I left I was shunned. There’s no one. Only Abigail.”
Killian reaches for her but waits for her to consent to his touch.
When she nods he grabs her hand and pulls her into a warm embrace.
We share her and there’s never any true jealousy but right now there’s a slight hint of envy building in my chest. Three months without her in my arms is too long.
It has become physically painful as if part of my body is missing.
It’s not about sex but I miss feeling her, touching her.
The physical distance is brutal but what she has needed.
“Then we do our best to keep her safe.”
Bones bends down and opens a large container.
“I want everyone to wear bulletproof vests. I have extra weapons for you. And I suggest Carter goes ahead of everyone, so he can quickly eliminate the other gang members not directly involved.”
Kill and I immediately agree because he’s the best marksman out of the three of us.
“Any idea how many people we should expect there?”
Benji shrugs his shoulders.
“They recently absorbed a smaller gang. It could be as many as a hundred people—all armed. Only the higher up members are aware of Grave’s connection with your family.”
Heather places her hands on her hips, always such a brat.
“Are you suggesting we don’t kill them?”
Bones chuckles darkly.
“Nobody is suggesting that. They are far from innocent, but I promise you they will protect Grave. It’s their job.”
She visibly relaxes as she breathes out a long breath.
“Okay. When do we go?”
Killian glances at me with a smirk.
It’s been a long ten weeks for her. Everyday we had to remind her why we were waiting. The more she healed the more bloodthirsty she became.
“Let me ask you one important question.” Bones says and she nods.
“He has Abigail and is using her as a shield. The only way you can get to him is if she dies. Will you allow that or let him live?”
She shakes her head emphatically.
“I don’t want Abigail to die. If I can prevent her death, I will, but Grave cannot live. He murdered my daughter. Abby knows this. Grave dies. End of story.”
Bones lips lift into a smirk.
“Then the answer to your question is as soon as everyone is ready.”