Chapter Six. #2
An image flashed into my mind. Phoe was lying in a heap on the floor. For a moment, I thought it was a flashback to the past, when her ex-husband had kidnapped her. Then I noticed the clothes matched what she’d been wearing today. My phone pinged, and I picked it up, my gut tensing.
‘Phoenix is beautiful asleep. If you want Phoenix alive, follow my instructions.’
Judas had Phoe. In his murderous hands, he held my heart and reason for living. I didn’t react, unsure if he was in my mind. Instead, I let emotions wash over me. I felt a tickle and hesitated slamming the walls down.
“Drake, shut that shit down,” Belladonna ordered, bursting into the kitchen. Everyone paused and looked across.
“Judas has Phoe,” I stated, anger rising. Judas had touched my wife. He’d dared lay a finger on my woman.
“I caught the flash, but Judas wasn’t fast enough to retreat this time. I can track him,” Belladonna confirmed.
“What does he want?” Romeo asked.
“He’s not said. Just sent me the image and a text.” I shoved my phone at Belladonna, who glanced at the message.
“Judas wants you to panic. He’s going to get off on the reaction you give him. So don’t. Don’t react and keep everything locked down. Judas will make a mistake.”
“Come here. If you bring anyone, I’ll shred Phoenix’s mind and lock her back in her nightmare. You know what Phoenix fears.”
I read the threat and ground my teeth. My phone pinged again as Judas sent the address. I frowned as I instantly recognised it. That little bastard.
“What’s Phoe’s worst fear?” Romeo asked.
“That she never escaped her ex, and this is all a dream. Phoe has nightmares that she’s in a coma, and all this is imagination. My wife is terrified to wake up and learn she’s still married to him.”
“That sucks,” Nun said, sucker in her mouth.
“Yeah.” I rubbed a hand over my neck. This wasn’t the first time somebody had targeted Phoe. But this instance filled me with fear. The guy was fuckin’ crazy and would destroy Phoe even if he left her alive. Phoe didn’t deserve to be locked into a living nightmare.
“You’re going to that address?” Bogeyman asked.
“What do you think?” I retorted, standing.
“We’ll come,” Belladonna said.
“No. Judas is watching for you. Give me twenty minutes and then follow. Phoe is the priority. Hear me? Phoe—not me. Get her safe and then deal with Judas.”
“What if he attacks you? You won’t be able to withstand Judas if he’s close,” Belladonna argued.
“Then you do what you can. If I don’t make it, stop him.” I held Belladonna’s eyes, and she nodded reluctantly.
“I’ve not lost anyone yet,” Belladonna murmured.
“Then let’s hope your winning streak holds. Twenty minutes,” I said and didn’t bother waiting for a reply and hit my hog.
Judas
Michaelson was coming. I sensed him. His brain was still closed, but I knew his presence.
It was right Michaelson came here, where everything began.
Phoenix made a small noise, and I turned and checked her over.
She had strong mental shields, but they weren’t a match for my power.
Not up close. I walked around the clubhouse.
The place was cleaner than I’d thought. I’d expected beer bottles and underwear thrown about.
Since taking Phoenix and bringing her here, I’d had a poke through. Everything was neat and tidy, and it didn’t make sense. I hadn’t even found any stashes of drugs. Not that I would use them.
“Who are you?” Phoenix murmured as she opened her eyes and stared.
“Don’t you know? You should recognise the victims of your husband.”
“That doesn’t tell me who you are,” Phoenix retorted.
Angrily at her ignorance, I leaned down and slapped her hard.
“Watch your mouth when you address me. I’m a man, show respect!”
Disbelief formed in Phoenix, and I saw it. I punched her this time and watched her head snap back with the force of it.
“I’m the person who’s going to make Michaelson suffer. He has to pay for his crimes,” I snarled.
“What crimes?”
I hit Phoenix again, and her lip split open. “The murders he carried out. Michaelson has so much blood on his hands, they should be stained red permanently.”
“Who did you lose?” Phoenix whispered.
“You don’t know? Damn, you’re as callous as he is.
Are you so selfish that you don’t check on the victims of the people Michaelson murdered?
No, don’t answer. I bet you are. God, I was going to spare you, but no, I’ll make your death painful and lingering.
You’ll regret crossing me. Freaking bitch! ”
“If you stop ranting, we could talk,” Phoenix retorted, and I hissed at the sheer audacity. I kicked her hard and smiled grimly when she cried out in pain.
“Drake will tear you to pieces. Do you believe you’re going to walk away? The hell you are. Question, asshole, are you faster than a speeding bullet? Bet you ain’t,” Phoenix gasped.
Angry, I moved to kick her again, and Phoenix scuttled backwards. I felt Michaelson then—he was close.
“Lights out, bitch,” I snarled and punched her psychically. Phoenix collapsed on her back, and I grabbed a chair and sat down just behind her. Let’s see how fast Michaelson really was.
Michaelson entered calmly. A tall man, greying but still handsome. I hated him. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him.
“Gonna give me your name?” Michaelson asked, standing relaxed in the doorway.
“You don’t recognise me?” I demanded.
Drake
Who the hell was he? The kid couldn’t be older than twenty. This wasn’t what I’d expected; I’d been prepared for a grown man.
“No.”
He pulled his hair in an angry yank. “Why would you? You don’t care whose life you destroyed.”
“That’s bullshit. I fuckin’ care,” I retorted as the words stung.
“Taylor Kennedy, ring a bell?”
“RCPD,” I said instantly. “Kennedy died in hospital from three bullet wounds. She was a decorated officer and was engaged. Her fiancé also passed away in the war.”
The kid paused and stared hatefully. “Who am I?”
“You have to be the brother. Taylor had one seven years younger. You would have been eighteen,” I said and felt sorrow hit me.
This wasn’t a Venomous Fang family member looking for revenge. That’s what I’d believed. No, this was the grief-stricken sibling of a heroic cop who’d died in the line of duty. How the hell did I fight?
“Taylor left me just before my eighteenth!” he screamed.
“Your name is Russ,” I remembered the rest. Kennedy had been bringing him up herself after their parents passed away in an accident. The file on them claimed Russ and Kennedy had been very close.
“Yes! You murdered my sister!” Russ yelled. I didn’t dare look down at his feet, where Phoe lay. Phoe’s chest rose and fell, and she was alive. That was all that mattered. Stitch and Belladonna could heal anything else.
“No, Fury killed Taylor. Venomous Fangs murdered her. Not me. Like Taylor, I was defending the city,” I retorted.
“Liar!” Russ screamed. “Fucking liar. Taylor told me. They were coming for you because of your gang. Taylor was scared that she might die, and she did!”
“I’m sorry, I honestly am, Russ. But even if I had given over Rage MC to Fury, he still would have killed Taylor.
Fury had no intention of stopping. He planned to take over this city and make RC his own playground.
You and Taylor were close; she was a good cop, right?
Clean. She’d never have taken a bribe or been forced into being dirty,” I said.
“No! Taylor wouldn’t have. Fury came here because of your stupid gang. Well, I’m going to tear it down, rip it apart,” Russ promised.
“That won’t bring Taylor back,” I murmured.
My hand was on my gun, but I couldn’t pull on him. His agony was because of Fury’s greed and ambition. Russ was another victim of Fury.
“Punishment time, asshole!” Russ swore and struck.
I fell screaming to my knees as Russ ripped my walls down and tore into my mind.