Chapter 38
CHAPTER
THIRTY-EIGHT
Brew
Ridgely has a lot of men, more than we expected, but they fall like sacks of potatoes because the power outage helped us get in unnoticed.
Maybe if Ridgely had hired men who weren’t fucking meatheads, he might be in a better position than he finds himself in now.
We lucked out because Sawyer told us he had a new gate installed, and everyone was gathered around only yesterday, trying to figure out the instructions. Fucking dildos.
Haze, Logan and Bane are with me, along with Tag, Harlem, Hustler and Priest.
Nevada and Hawk took charge of the men on the gate, should Ridgely call down, and Cash, Riot, Pipes, and Ryder head in from the back with Bane’s men. Stella and Bandit standby on the south side should any cars approach while we’re inside.
To be honest, you’d think he’d have better security.
As soon as the power was out, that gate slid straight open, and the boys were able to climb the wall at the back.
I half expected him to have a couple of savage dogs out there, but he solely relies on cameras: cameras that now don’t operate, and when the power is restored, it’ll show a recording of the yard that Sawyer already switched out.
Finding him in this maze of a house, though, that could be a challenge.
The layout of the building shows his suite in the top east wing of the mansion, so that’s where we head.
Just knowing he’s in this very building.
The very building where he’s going to die today fills me with gratitude.
It’s been a long, hard road, but justice will be served.
Justice will win out because if there is no penance for the crimes these assholes commit, then what is the actual point?
“You good?” Haze asks, always knowing when my mind wanders.
“Be better when we have Ridgely in our clutches,” I reply.
“It’s your time. It’s finally come full circle. This is all gonna end today, brother.”
I nod. “When one life ends, another will begin.”
Hopefully, a life inside Erica, because the more I’ve been thinking about it, the more I want it.
A baby of my own, our own. I might not know how to tell her exactly how I’m feeling or what I want at times, but I can show her.
Then again, I told her I’d marry her if it meant getting into her bed.
And when I get back, I plan on putting my plan into place: asking Erica and Olive to move in with me to the cabin.
Bronco stayed back to look after the girls, along with the prospects, and I suggested they take a trip out there to see what Erica thinks.
Granted, I would’ve been happier if I’d been the one taking her there for the first time, but tomorrow’s the weekend, and I don’t want her to be cooped up inside for two days.
Steven’s trial was today, but I haven’t had time to catch up on what’s been going on with him, or how long it goes for, so there’s that.
But one thing is for sure in all of this, there’s light.
There’s hope. And that’s what I need to hold on to right now.
Erica
I look around the ‘cabin’ in absolute awe.
It’s not really a cabin, I think Brew was being a little conservative in his description; it’s more like a ranch but without all the animals.
Albeit yes, it is made out of wood. The first floor is huge, with native cypress flooring and red cedar wood.
The kitchen overlooks huge pastures and beyond, and when we step outside, I can see where Brew has been working on the patio. He did all this himself?
Even though Olive and I haven’t lived in the compound for years, we both still enjoy making things by hand and creating, plus, Olive likes to sew, she’s been making her own clothes for years, and now wants to take over the scrunchie industry.
I’ve always encouraged her to hone in on a skill, especially one using your hands.
There is something gratifying about transformation, even taking a scrap of material and making it into something.
There is also a bedroom on this floor that’s being used as an office.
The place is a little dusty, and you can tell it hasn’t been lived in because he has no ‘stuff’, just the basics, but we could make it a home.
Upstairs, there are three more bedrooms and a huge enclosed balcony. There is also a bedroom on this floor that’s being used as an office.
“This is so cool!” Olive says, clapping her hands. “Why doesn’t Brew live out here all the time?”
“Well,” I say. “I think he likes being close to work.”
“But now that you and him are an item, you want the white picket fence.” I turn to look at her, and she surprises me by taking me by the hands. “Mom? It’s time.”
“But—”
“No buts. You’ve done so much for me after, well, after everything. It’s time you did something for yourself. And now we know that… he isn’t getting out anytime soon, you don’t have to worry.” Her face softens.
“I never wanted you to worry about anything to do with him.”
“I know, but someday, he might get out, so better to be prepared, right?”
“You’re much older than your years,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “And I’m so proud of the young woman you’ve become.”
“Stop it, Ma, you’re gonna make me cry.”
After a few moments, I laugh, wiping my tears. “I got lucky with you.”
“No, I got lucky to have a mom like you, and I like Brew. He’s softened a little.”
I smile at that. He’s good with her, and she adores him. I think somewhere along the way, she managed to melt some of the ice around his heart — like only a child can.
She holds me by the shoulders, putting on a serious face. “So you’re going to go for it, right?”
“Going for it as in?”
“As in moving in together.”
“I don’t know, Olive, we have our place—”
“Tag and Luna’s place, Ma, this has a garden, a bigger kitchen, it’s quiet and peaceful.”
“So you wouldn’t mind moving out here?”
“Not if it makes you happy.”
This is who my daughter is.
“I don’t want to make you unhappy,” I say, my voice small.
“Mom, you could never do that. I think you should say yes when he asks.”
I chuckle softly. “You do, huh?”
She nods. “Yep.”
“Maybe we can talk about that phone if you’re going to be out in the sticks.”
Her eyes light up. “Seriously?”
“If you promise not to talk to strangers online, then yes.”
“Mom!” She rolls her eyes. “I wouldn’t do that.”
I pull her into another hug. I have all I want right here, minus Brew of course, but he’ll be back soon. I’m worried, but I know he has to do what he has to do, and for that I’m grateful beyond anything else.
“I guess we should start packing then, right?”
“I think that’s the best idea you’ve had yet.”