Chapter Ten
Bones (24)
I’ve looked everywhere for her, for years, I searched high and low doing everything in my power to try and find her. It’s days like this when the air is warm, and the sun is bright that I miss her the most; that I’m reminded of all I’ve lost. The regrets eat away at me. I was too much of a fuckin’ coward to tell her how I felt the one and only night I spent with her, and I’ll never get the chance.
“Bones!” Someone yells and I’m shakin’ from my drunkin’ thoughts. It’s my normal state at this point.
“What?” I snap back, not in the mood for any one’s bullshit today.
“What the fuck’s up your dick?” Tank huffs as he eyes my beer, not giving a single fuck that it’s only 8:30 in the morning.
“Nothin’.” I grunt, not bothering to go into detail as I take a few big gulps. It’s been like this since she left. Gone is the nice guy who gave a shit what people thought of him, gone is my mother’s heart. Nope, now I’m the ruthless asshole that my dad always hoped I’d be and I couldn’t give any less fucks. Honestly, I think even the sweet-butts are gettin’ tired of me and my cruel ways. Oh well, I’m gettin’ tired of their used-up pussies too.
“Whatever, dude. I just wanted to tell you we need to hit up the store. I guess Elana is wantin’ to make some shit or something.” He shrugs.
“Fine,” I growl, already reaching for the keys in my pocket.
“Nope, gotta take the cage.” He lifts his free hand dangling the car keys between his two fingers.
“Whatever, just hurry the fuck up.” I take off without waiting for him, heading for the front door, making sure to kill my beer before tossin’ it into the trash on the way out.
“Jesus fuck, your’a dick.” He mumbles as he hustles after me. I slide into the passenger’s side since I’d already blow over the limit, and I ain’t risking havin’ the police up our ass.
“Can we go to the store a few towns over? I’ve been craving the donuts from that one joint.” He side-eyes me like he’s prayin’ I won’t bite his head off. I really don’t want to go all that way but honestly, I don’t feel like bein’ back at the clubhouse right now anyway.
“Fine.” I grumble before turning up the radio, so he doesn’t try to talk to me.
Thirty minutes later, he’s pulling into the parking lot of the strip mall that has the donut place. He shuts the car off and hops out, headin’ inside without even asking if I want anything. I huff out a breath and lean my head back against the seat, enjoying the good buzz I got goin’.
I hear Tank mumble somethin’ about tearing up some donuts as he gets back in the car, his mouth already stuffed with one, looks like one an’a half donuts. I shake my head at him before I open my door and get out. He can find me when he’s done eatin’ his donuts.
I glance around the parking lot, always vigilant that no one’s followin’ us. After what happened with Beth, I can’t help but look for her, even on the off chance that she might be there. I know it’s not realistic and I know the odds are slim to none, but I can’t help hoping. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary, I walk across the street and into the large grocery store, makin’ sure to grab a cart as I enter the store. Elana always wants a bunch’a shit.
I walk around for a moment, throwin’ some more beer into the cart as well as eggs and bacon for breakfast, since I have no clue what it was that Elana wanted to make.
A few minutes later Tank joins me his beard covered in powdered sugar and raspberry jelly on his lips. “Jesus, dude.” I shake my head at him.
“What?” He looks at me like he’s confused. I don’t even bother responding.
“So, what was it that Elana needed us to get?” I ask already fed up with him and this trip.
He dusts off his hands and reaches into his pocket before pulling out a tiny slip of paper that I can see has writing on the other side. He hands it to me. I look over the ingredients and can see she plans on making lasagna, so I head toward the pasta aisle. I grab the noodles off the shelf and as I’m turning to walk toward the next aisle a voice catches my attention.
My body freezes up and I yank the cart to a stop, almost crashing into Tanks large frame. There’s no fuckin’ way. I listen for a moment, hoping to hear it again, but all I can hear is the chatter of the other people in the store. Needin’ to know if what I heard wasn’t just a figment of my imagination, I hurry down the next aisle toward where I heard the voice last, abandoning the cart and Tank, hoping to hear it again.
My heart slams into my ribs so hard I swear I almost throw up as my eyes meet her mossy green ones. Her face is different. Her cheeks less rounded, skin deathly pale, and her hair is longer but it’s her. There’s no doubt in my mind. I’d recognize those lost, hopeless eyes anywhere.
“What the fuck, man,” Tank says, as he comes to an abrupt halt behind me. “You passed the pasta sauce.” He grunts, his thumb pointing back over his shoulder to where we just were. His voice grates on my every nerve and if he wasn’t my brother I swear I’d slit his throat right here and now.
Her eyes widen in shock as she takes me in like she’s seen a ghost, before they quickly flick behind her to the man who’s yet to notice the change in her demeanor. She quickly faces forward, continuing on like nothin’ happened and my heart breaks a little. Does she not remember me? Is she with that dude now? Did she run away? All these questions swirl in my mind and I have no clue what to say or do. I’ve been lookin’ for this girl years and she’s finally here, standing right in front of me.
So, like the fuckin’ psycho that I seem to have become in her absence, I trail behind them at a distance not wanting to tip him off to my presence.
To his credit Tank seems to catch on quickly that something is up, and remains quiet at my side, even dragging the cart along and tossing random items into it. She remains by his side the entire time, almost as if she’s a dog on an invisible leash. Something isn’t right here, I can feel it. Her head is bowed, and she looks almost…subservient. Similar to how she was when we first found her in the crate in the woods. And it’s then it clicks. It’s Dane. The man who took her on the way back from King and Elana’s wedding.
I reach into the waistband at my back, ready to pull the trigger and end this mother fucker, grocery store be damned.
“Get him.” I growl to Tank as I flick my head over to Dane while he rings up their items before he places his hand on her lower back, seeming casual as he guides her out of the store. Tank nods silently, following them out of the store. The moment they exit Tank yanks Dane around the corner and away from everyone’s view. A moment later, I reach for her, drawing her back into my chest and I feel her shoulders shaking as she sobs.
“I got you, princess.” I whisper in her ear as I hold her against me, needing to feel her, to know that she’s okay, that she’s alive and real. I close my eyes, breathing her in. Her sobs get harder at the nickname and I turn her around to face me before pulling her farther into my chest. I cradle her just like I did that night she broke down in front of me. “I’m here, baby. I’m right here.” I hold her until I feel her body give way, going slack with what I hope is relief. “Stay right here. I’ll be right back.” I command and as much as I don’t want to leave her, I know I need to handle Dane myself. I won’t let Tank have the satisfaction of ending his useless life.
She whimpers but nods at my command. It breaks my heart to know she’s been trapped with this man the whole time. Having to relive everything she had thought she’d escaped. My girl is so fucking strong.
I round the corner and come face to face with the guy who tormented my girl, who not only started all this, but took her from me again. The man who took an innocent child and used her body and tricked her into thinking that it was all okay, normal.
My fist swings out, and before I know it his jaw is hanging loose from his face and my knuckles are coated in his blood. I don’t know how many times I hit him but it must’a been quite a few. “Take him with us. What I’m going to do to him can’t be done in public.” I growl, my anger barely hangin’ on by a thread. Tank just nods, not even bothering to ask questions.
I head back around the front for the store, finding Beth standing right where I left her. Her head down and her body continues to shake. “Come on, princess, let’s get you home.” I murmur, not wanting to frighten her. I lift her into my arms, not giving a single fuck about all the people giving us weird looks and carry her toward the SUV. I open the door and place her in the back, before crawling in beside her, not willing to let her go. Tank tosses a now unconscious Dane into the trunk before getting behind the wheel. I think it’s safe to say we will never be going back to this particular grocery store.
I hold her in my arms, her legs strung across my lap as her head rests against my shoulder. “He won’t hurt you ever again. I promise.” My voice is harsh, but I can’t manage to say them any softer. She nods her head her eyes still closed.
He takes off quickly making sure to take many turns and stop short a handful of times to bang Dane around in the back. I take sick pride in knowing he will soon be facing his end, and I can only hope it’s a similar way to how he tortured her all these years.
Tank musta shot off a text to the rest of the guys before we got back to the clubhouse because by the time we’re pullin’ up, Gage is standing out front a cigarette danglin’ from his lips and a scowl on his face hard enough to crack a statue.
I quickly get out, not wanting the fucker to have time to try and escape. Tank guides Beth toward the clubhouse but the moment her eyes meet Gage’s her knees buckle, and she almost hits the gravel, Tanks arms the only thing keepin’ her up. The relief in her palpable as she finally comes home.
Gage leans forward planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. His eyes soften only for a moment when he takes her in before he turns back to me and his rage flares. Following me toward the trunk of the SUV. He yanks it open and drags Dane out by his ankle making sure to give it a good twist before his face connects with the rocky dirt. I’m not sure where he got ‘em from but Tank managed to put some cuffs on him. When I raise a brow at him, he just tossed me wink. Fuckin’ perv.
Dane makes weird grunty noises, unable to speak properly with a broken jaw. “Take him to the back.” Gage grunts out and someone, I’m not sure who, takes him while my eyes are locked on Beth’s where she watches from the window. Elana hovering over her shoulder.
I meet her inside, needing to take care of my girl before I destroy that piece of shit. “You okay, princess?” I lower my voice, pulling her toward the couch before crouching down in front of her. The urge to take her in my arms again is strong but I don’t want to trigger her. I know when she first came to us, she wouldn’t let anyone touch her. Her eyes meet mine and the blankness I see in them reminds me so much of the past. I close my eyes, unable to hold hers as I see all the pain she’s been carrying. The weight crushes me like a two-ton semi.
“I’m so sorry, baby.” I stroke her cheek, her tears quickly pooling in my hand and as she leans against it. “I tried to find you. I looked every day for two years. I never gave up. I would look for you forever if that’s what it took.” I tell her honestly as I press my forehead against hers. Trying to fight back my own tears. “And I’m sorry about that night, too.” I tell her after a long pause. Knowing I need to get this out before I lose my nerve. “I freaked out and I was a goddamn pussy. I’m so sorry, baby.” Her sobs get louder as she crumbles, her body physically unable to contain all her pain. “Beth.” I tilt her chin, making sure she meets my eyes. My need to tell her everything forcing my lips to move. She will never have to bow to anyone again. “I love you.”
I’ve been torturing him for days, enjoying every fuckin’ second of it. Only taken breaks to eat and piss.
“How did it feel?” I ask, knowing that he can’t answer me. His eyes roll back in his head as he tries to fight against the chains that are supporting his weight to the branch of the willow tree. “How did it feel to take her innocence? To fuck a goddamn child!” I roar, unable and unwilling to hold back my rage. Using the crowbar that I found in the back of the cage I swing it like a baseball bat, aiming for only ribs that remain unbroken. He squeals in pain, and I eat the sounds up like they’re moans from my girl.
I only pause when I hear the clicking of heels on the back patio. I turn in time to see Elana strutting toward me. “Here, I thought you could use this.” She smirks at me before turning her eyes to the piece of shit in front of me. I take the bag from her and peak inside, not wanting to ruin the surprise for our guest of honor. A laugh rips from my throat as I eye what’s in the bag.
“Damn fuckin’ right I can.” I smile and nod toward her as she gives Dane the finger before heading back inside, leaving me to do my work. I watch as drool drips from his mouth, unable to close it to swallow.
“You’re in for a real treat.” I smile, more than ready to give him a little taste of his own medicine, but I want to draw out the suspense. I watch as his eyes stay locked on the bag, knowing the anticipation is killing him, I leave it right where he can see it. So far, all I’ve used is the crowbar, a bat, my knife, and my fists, preferring to be more hands on, but for this, I’ll make an exception. After taking a few more swings at his legs and chest I finally go back to the bag, making sure my back is to him so he can’t see what it is right away. I pull out the gloves first, making sure to pull them on slowly, like a doctor before an operation. A sadistic smile on my face taunting him. His whimpering grunts continue on as he dangles there.
By the time I turn around and his eyes finally connect with the absolutely ginormous silver cock that Elana brought, he’s bucking violently against the chains. More wounded animal noises gurgle from his throat.
He eyes the huge dick that I can’t even fit my hands around and I say, “I imagine this is what even your tiny cock must have felt like to a child.” I will have no mercy and show no remorse. And for the first time since our torture session started, I see genuine fear. Good. I also notice there conveniently isn’t any lube in the bag, which I wouldn’t have used anyway. I doubt he afforded her even that, so why should I.
I make my way around him slowly, not wanting him to know when it’s coming. I yank his pants down past his waist as he continues to wiggle like a bait on a hook. Having had enough of it, I draw my gun and put it to his head, “Stop fucking moving.” My jaw is clenched so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack. He stills but it’s almost as if he thinks better of it because a moment later, he’s movin’ again. Fine, he wants it this way, that’s okay too. I step away, heading back into the clubhouse for a moment. Let him think I’ve changed my mind or that I’m takin’ a break.
“Is it done?” Beth’s small voice says as she sees me enter the main room.
I give her a soft smile. “Not yet, baby. He’s going to pay for every goddamn second he kept you away from me.” I lean over and pull her into my arms, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss is gentle, but I can’t help deepening it, sliding my tongue along her soft, full lips. God, she tastes so good. I pull away reluctantly, knowing I have a job to do.
I grab the extra chain that we use sometimes when we need to hook up our bikes and take it out back with me. He’s still thrashing around by the time I get back and I use the extra chain to tie up his legs, givin’ him much less room to move. A few of the other guys come out to either watch or join in on the torture, letting everyone have a turn at him like a pi?ata at a kids” birthday party.
“See, what you seem to not understand is that you fucked with one of us,” I say casually as I pace back and forth in front of him. “No one fucks with the Ruthless Heathens. Do you understand me?” I roar in his face, my spit comin’ out to land on his cheeks. My anger vibrates through me like a physical being, wanting to take over and end this right now, but I won’t allow it. Not yet.
“Grab his legs.” I say as I glance back at a few of my brothers who still remain. Without a word they do as I ask before I round his body again. His wounded cries eating up the space between us. I pick the big, silver dick up from the ground, making sure to get a good grip on it. He clenches his ass cheeks as a last-ditch effort to protect himself. I chuckle. Spreading his legs wide, I make sure to line the cock up with his hole before I pull back and slam it inside him with all my might. The howl that’s ripped from him is something I will never forget. In fact, I will play it to myself at night like a lullaby meant to help put a baby to sleep. And I will sleep, peacefully knowing that this piece of shit mother fucker is ripped to shreds and buried on our property.
Blood quickly coats his thighs from being torn open. I don’t give him the opportunity to adjust as I yank the dildo out before drilling it back inside him, fucking him so roughly blood is now pooling on the grass below him. His body goes limp, and I know he has passed out from the pain. Not wanting him to miss out, I stop and wait.
This goes on for a few more hours before the sound of the door slamming in front of me causes me to lift my head. My eyes raising to meet Beth’s who’s standing on the back porch, her eyes locked on Dane’s where he’s still hanging from the tree.
“Princess, go back inside. I’ll come to you when I’m done.” I yell to her, not wanting her to witness this side of me or see the gory scene in front of me. But instead of listening she steps forward, walking until she is standing directly in front of Dane. “Baby?” I question, unsure what’s going through her mind right now. She blinks slowly, her expression remains blank as if she didn’t even realize anyone else is here. Danes body is mangled, and I know she can see all the damage I’ve done to him.
For a moment I worry that she’ll fear me. That she’ll think I’m just like the master’s she’s had before.
It isn’t until she lifts her hand reveling the knife she’s been holding that it clicks. A heartbeat later, her arm swings out in a wide arc, slicing him from shoulder to hip. It’s not deep, just enough to draw blood.
I remain still, allowing her to take what she needs, to deliver the pain she needs to release on him. She cuts him over and over, little cuts, not enough to kill him but enough to cause damage.
“I want to kill him.” She finally says, panting to catch her breath. The knife dropping to her side as she takes a step back.
“Anything you want, baby.”
She nods once before plunging the knife deep into his chest. Her arms shake from the excursion but for the first time since my eyes locked onto her sage green ones, she looks…happy. Her arms drop slowly to her side, the knife still buried in his heart before she turns without a word. Gage smiles at her as she passes. “I’m so proud of you, Bethie.” He tells her as his hand gently squeezes her shoulder. Gage had always been like the dad she couldn’t remember, and I know that that means a lot to her. She smiles softly before continuing back inside.
Once she’s gone, I tell a few of the guys to grab their bikes. They do so without question. Gage has given me temporary control over this, knowing how much Beth means to not just me but all of us. She’s family.
I lower him from the tree, his limp body so broken it bends awkwardly in some areas, the bones no longer there to hold him firm. We tie each of his limbs to a separate bike. A few of the guy”s chuckle once they catch on to my idea.
“Jesus fuck, man. I didn’t think you had it in yah.” Tank whistles and Gage smiles. Even Dad is standing next to him, like a proud father.
“I did. I know the look of a man who would do anything for his girl.” Gage chuckles, no doubt thinkin’ of how crazy King can get.
A few of the guys even look a little queasy as I rev my engine a few times. “Make sure you go slow, don’t want to be flingin’ body parts all over the place.” I roar out over the rumble of the engines. Enjoying the sight while his body is literally ripped apart.
When it’s all done, we bury him on various parts of our twenty-acer lot. And just as I promised, I make my way back to my girl, making sure to shower all the blood and guts off first.
I smile when I see her curled up on my bed, her body wrapped in one of my shirts. Fuck, this is how it should’ve been all along. This brave, feisty, strong, incredible woman was always meant to be mine, I just had to grow the balls to deserve her.
And I’ll spend every moment of the rest of my life, tryin’ to do just that.