Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
TORCH
I n the morning, Death sent me to the compound before he went into Raya and Wrenley’s house. I knew he’d watch out for her. If he couldn’t, he’d find someone who could.
I didn’t need much sleep, so after I woke from a few hours, I showered and ate something quick in the kitchen. I figured by the time I finished, Tech would have some answers.
Walking down the hallway to my brother’s large computer room, I heard voices coming from inside. I slowed my approach and quieted my movement until I was just outside the slightly opened door.
“—his name is Tony Handler. He attends Brown Hilltop College and runs a fraternity called Sigma Chi Handler. His grandfather started it.”
“Get to the point that has you lookin’ like you want to kill this prick,” Country demanded.
I tensed. Tech had called Country in. That meant it wasn’t good.
My mind cleared to lock on one name.
Tony Handler.
He was the one texting Wrenley.
Tony was the one I was after. I just knew it.
“Prez, from what I’ve got, it ain’t good.”
“Tell me.”
“I got into Wren’s phone and found out he’s been callin’ and textin’ her for a while. Started out with threats. Said if she didn’t come back and do as she was told, he’d release some naked pictures of her. When she didn’t reply, he sent her a video of people lookin’ at these photos. Fuck, brother. I saw them.” A foul taste entered my mouth as Tech went on. “I didn’t linger, but I noticed she looked passed out in that photo. The threats kept up for a bit, but now he’s switched it up by tryin’ to charm her back. This fucker likes control. Doesn’t like she got away from him.”
“Anythin’ else?”
“That’s it for now. But I reckon I’ve only touched the surface, and I ain’t gettin’ a good feelin’ about this, Country.”
“Christ. Keep searchin’. I want all the information before we talk to Death and Torch. How long do you think until you’ll have it?”
It didn’t matter that all the information wasn’t there.
It was enough.
He’d taken photos of her.
Threatened her.
Tried to control her.
Clenching my fists, I stalked down the hall and made my way outside, ignoring the brothers who called out to me.
Tony Handler.
Tony Handler.
I had his name. I had his college. I had his fraternity. It wouldn’t take me long to find him.
I raced to my vehicle, and I got in. I already knew the town but had to quickly search where his college and place were before I took off. With a full tank of gas, I’d arrive and get to him before the brothers found out.
It wasn’t like I’d kill the guy.
Chuckling to myself, I shook my head.
No. I won’t kill him yet.
Tony Handler had one chance to live.
The only way he’d stay alive was if he listened to me when I told him to stay away from my sweet obsession. If he didn’t contact her in any way, then I’d allow him to continue to breathe.
A smile tugged at my lips when I hoped he didn’t listen. I’d gladly end his life and have his blood on my hands if it meant Wrenley would be safe and happy.
I wanted her to continue to keep smiling like I’d seen her do. Like she’d gifted me. And not have it dimmed.
Halfway there, my phone rang. Country’s name flashed across the screen. After his call, Death tried to reach me, then State and Tech.
It was too late. I already had a head start. I’d be able to do what I wanted before a brother showed. It was still early enough that he’d likely be at the fraternity.
Stretching my neck from side to side, I drove down the street where he lived. An eager thump to my heart pumped adrenaline into my system.
Stopping a couple houses away, I took off my cut before I got out of my car and quickly made my way toward the huge house. There were a few cars in the driveway. One a Dodge Viper. My gut told me it was his.
Another car pulled up at the curb, and two guys got out. They started for the house, eyeing me as I stopped by the Dodge.
“Hey,” I called. “This Tony Handler’s car?”
“What’s it to you?” the blond asked cockily.
I rolled my head back and to the side, grinning.
He paled.
The other guy pulled blondie back and said, “Yeah, that’s his.”
“Good. Get him,” I ordered.
They both nodded and nearly fell over their feet to get inside. While I waited, I sat on the hood. Letting one foot dangle, I brought the other up to plant it on the metal while I pulled my blade free.
Come on, come on, come on .
Finally, a tall, slim guy with brown hair appeared. He saw me and jumped down the stairs. Three other guys followed him.
This was Tony Handler.
Tony Handler.
Who’d taken photos of her.
Who’d threatened her.
Who’d tried to control her.
My addiction. My Wrenley.
“Get the fuck off my car,” he yelled, turning a funny shade of red.
I tapped the knife against my temple. “You don’t know me.”
Tony laughed. “And I don’t fucking want to. Get off my car or I’ll make you.”
I tsked. “Don’t.” I slammed the blade into the hood. He yelled in outrage, but I went on. “Interrupt.” I pulled the blade free and slammed it into the windshield, shattering it. He squealed some more. “Me.” I yanked the weapon up, holding it in the air, but aimed it at the car while eyeing him.
He quieted, holding a hand up to the guys with him. Not that they were even trying to move. Just watched me. Maybe they were smarter than Tony and knew I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be ignored.
“Are you listenin’?” I asked as I ran the tip of the knife along the paint, scratching it.
“Yes,” he bit out.
I watched my handiwork as I carved out the word wanker while I spoke. I’d always liked that word from the first time I heard it on a television show.
“You won’t contact her again?—”
“Who?”
“You’ll forget she ever existed. You’ll delete any photos you have of her?—”
He laughed abruptly. “This is about that whore Wrenley?—”
Using my foot as leverage, I jumped off the car and strode toward him. “Don’t say her name,” I snarled, tapping the end of the blade against my thigh.
Kill him.
“Never say her name.” I ran my closed fists over my face, dragging my skin down and stopping at my neck.
Kill him.
Scowling, I threatened, “If you don’t listen, if you go near her, if you call her, I’ll hunt you down, torture you, and kill you.” I smiled. “Slowly.”
I caught him gulp hard before he nodded.
Dropping my hands, I tapped them on my thighs. “No daddy can save you from me, Tony Handler. No friend.” I glanced to the guys behind him. The color had fled their faces. “You’ll listen?”
“Yeah, man.”
I stepped forward. They all shuffled back. I smiled again at the fear. I could see it in their eyes, in the way they held their bodies, and I swore I could smell it.
I fucking loved it.
Chuckling low, I pointed the knife at him and then up to my eyes. “I’ll be watchin’ you, college boy.”
With that, I turned and went back over to his car. I slashed all his tires before giving them one final stare and walking off down to the road.
What I didn’t expect was to see Blaze standing out front of their neighbor’s house with a phone to his ear. “Yeah, you heard me. No blood, just a warnin’ and a damaged car.” He stared at me, so I stopped at his side. “Yeah, got it. I’ll follow him back to the compound.” He hung up and pocketed the phone.
“Country?” I asked.
“Yep.”
I cocked my head to the side before I tipped my chin back to the fraternity. “You think they’ll listen?”
“Did they need the warnin’?”
He hadn’t heard about it?
“Yep,” I mimicked.
“I reckon they will. You’re a crazy fucker.”
I smiled.
He grunted. “Especially when you do that. You get this look in your eyes.”
Shrugging, I started for my car. “Why’d you follow me?” If he didn’t like my smile…?
“Saw that same look on you as you were leavin’ and knew somethin’ was up. Made sure you had someone at your back.”
Halting, I turned and studied him.
He didn’t trust me, but he still helped me.
I wasn’t the crazy one between us.
“You’re all right. But crazy too.”
He snorted. “Thanks. I think.”
Not knowing what to say to that, I said nothing and kept walking.
“You would’ve killed him if he hadn’t agreed to back off, right?”
“Yes.” I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself.
“In front of everyone?”
My upper lip raised. “Yes.”
“Why?”
Stopping, I looked up at the sky. “He upset Wrenley in bad ways.”
“Okay.”
He understood. He got me. He would have done the same if it’d been Henri.
Maybe I could get along with him after all.
Once in the common room, I saw Country leaning his back against the bar with his arms crossed and dark gaze pointed my way. “Office, now.”
I headed down the hall before he did and waited by the door. He wasn’t alone when he arrived. Death, Tech, and even Blaze was with him.
Country unlocked the door and pushed it open. I entered after him and Death. Blaze stayed by the door, which he’d closed, and Tech sat in the chair to my left, Death on my right.
“Talk, brother,” Country ordered as he sat behind his desk.
I bounced my knee in agitation, not liking being ordered or cornered. But I trusted my brothers. I knew to listen and respect them.
Family.
Wrapping my arms around my waist, I clenched my fists and explained that I’d overheard them in Tech’s workroom. That I couldn’t stop myself from hunting and warning him.
“I didn’t kill him.”
Like I wanted to.
Not yet anyway.
“I know, Torch,” Country said, tone gentler.
I scrubbed a hand over my shaved head, then did it again and again. “I had to tell him. I had to warn him off. He has to leave her alone now.”
“Or else?” Tech asked.
“He’ll kill him,” Death stated.
He read me right.
I grazed my hand over my mouth to hide my smile and nodded, then looked down to my lap.
“Torch, I’ve spoken with Death, but I gotta know. Do you want to pursue Wrenley? Have her as your own?”
My own?
She already was.
But I couldn’t actually have her in my life.
I was too fucked up for her.
She wouldn’t want me if she really knew me.
“No,” I said tightly.
“Brother, you sure?” Tech asked.
I ran my hands over my thighs. “Yes,” I hissed.
“You know you can have a woman?—”
“No, no, no, no,” I chanted. They didn’t get to go there. They’d never asked before. But I didn’t want to talk about women. I got my dick wet with the bunnies. It wasn’t often, though. They faced the other way so we didn’t have to look at each other. No words were said because they didn’t like me. They were scared of me. Only joined with me because I was in the brotherhood. I couldn’t blame them. I spaced a little sometimes. I killed. I hurt people, but I was good a lot of the time.
Until someone fucked with my family.
“Leave it,” Blaze clipped.
“Torch.” Country’s hard tone caught my attention. I stilled and looked at him. “We’ll leave that alone. But you know if you need to talk about anythin’, and I fuckin’ mean anythin’ , you can come to any of us. Any one of your brothers will help you out.”
I nodded, rubbing at my eyes.
A knock sounded on the door.
“What?” Country barked.
It opened, and Quake stuck his head in. “Death, your woman and her sister are here. Sister looks pissed.”
All eyes went to Death.
“Fuck. Raya was gonna talk to Wrenley. Seems like she might have mentioned Tech hackin’ her phone.”
Shit.