Chapter 25
FOOL
Rage, unlike anything I’ve ever felt, courses through my veins, just as it has since the moment April told me who was behind her attack. I should have known it was him, yet I didn’t allow myself to think about it until after she confirmed it.
With her now back where she belongs with us at the clubhouse, I intend to make a visit to dear ol’ Samuel. He’s not about to get away with any of this shit.
Thankfully, the doctor discharged her this morning with strict instructions to continue resting at home.
I wasn’t sure about taking her back to the clubhouse at first, but it’s the safest place for her while I handle business with my brothers.
Lola and Kayla saw to it that my bed and sheets were replaced and the room was cleaned top to bottom.
Something I’m grateful for. Cannon also made sure that all the clubwhores knew they were to stay out of the clubhouse for the time being.
They were only allowed in the kitchen, through the door leading straight to the outside.
Last night, after April fell asleep again as the meds kicked in, I went out to the waiting room to share what the doc said and the little bit my wife was able to tell me.
Cannon had gotten a grim look on his face and said we’d deal with the clubwhores as soon as we got back.
He wanted the answers only they could give.
How had Samuel been able to get to them?
I didn’t care, honestly. All that matters is that Venus pays for the bullshit she created. She and the others are just as responsible for April’s attack.
Leaving April in our room was the last thing I wanted to do, but she had her friends with her.
Mercy arrived a little while ago, and the three of them huddled together in bed, watching Transformer movies.
Lola keeps checking on my woman, making sure she has hot tea with honey to soothe her throat. So, I know she’s in excellent hands.
I can focus on what needs to be done.
Stepping into the main room of the clubhouse, I find Cannon and the others already gathered, including Torpedo.
Cannon’s gaze meets mine as I stop next to Hazard. “You good?”
“I will be when this is done and over with,” I grunt.
“Right.” He nods and looks to Rimfire. “You were telling us you have their location?”
“Yeah,” Rimfire grumbles. “Stupid idiots. They definitely need to smarten up. They’ve gone back to their frat house for whatever reason. Mortar and Thrash are there, watching the place.”
“Good,” Hornet says, nodding, jaw ticking.
“I want them all dead for this,” I announce, glancing around at the group of men who are my brothers.
“And they will be,” Hazard remarks, slapping a hand on my shoulder and giving a squeeze. “We’ll make them all pay.”
“Samuel’s mine.” He’s the one I want most. For what he did to April, I want him to feel my wrath and know the pain he’s put her through, not just physical but also the emotional torment.
Cannon nods. “Let’s get this shit sorted.”
They give me a rundown of the plan they’ve put in place to deal with the men and how it’s gonna go down.
I think the plan over as they talk and add my input.
My SEAL training is an excellent source of insight into what needs to happen, with no one the wiser to the deaths of the men we’re taking out.
“First things first, we’re dealing with the bitches for their role in this,” Hornet announces as we wrap up.
I nod in total agreement about dealing with them first. That means I don’t have to worry about them getting to my woman again if they even tried while we’re gone.
“Torpedo, you go with Wilder and Siege. Bring them in here.”
Torpedo nods without a word, then follows the other two out the back.
“Once we deal with all this shit, we’ll patch him in. He’s proven himself,” Cannon remarks about the prospect.
“Agreed,” Hornet grunts. “I doubt anyone who sits at the table will disagree.”
I might not have a seat at the table, but I’d definitely vote for Torpedo. The man has had April’s back and never asked questions. Even went to sit in her classes with her.
Moments pass before they’re back, dragging a bitching Venus along as the others walk in silence.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Venus snaps, yanking her arm free from Torpedo’s hold. “You can’t just lock us up like slaves.”
Cannon ignores her and addresses them as a group. “Right now, you all need to think for yourselves. We know who was in on the bullshit stunt to send my cousin, Fool’s ol’ lady, running.”
“Well, if she had more balls, she wouldn’t have been so easy to send off,” Venus scoffs, scowling at Cannon.
“I suggest you keep your fuckin’ mouth shut until we ask you something directly,” Cannon barks, pointing a finger at her before looking at the others. “Who wants to discuss their involvement and how they were approached?”
DeeDee steps forward, wringing her hands.
“We weren’t. Well, we were, but it was Venus who approached us with the whole deal.
She said it wasn’t right that a woman got to come in and take what’s ours.
” Tears prick her eyes, and her lip wobbles.
“I am sorry for the part I played in it. She said that having sex in Fool’s room would be a great way to get back at him for the way he treated us. ”
Treated them?
I haven’t done a damn thing to them.
“What do you mean, ‘how he treated y’all’?” Hornet demands.
Sasha, another clubwhore, steps forward.
“What she means is that he stopped asking any of us. Venus created the impression that we had to obey her directives, as if she held authority, and that failure to comply would mean we would be thrown out of the club. Some of us honestly have nowhere else to go.”
Others nod, even the two who had high-fived each other on the camera feed.
“No one other than a member of this club can make that decision. Even then, I have the final say,” Cannon declares sternly.
The way he holds himself in this moment is why he holds his rank.
There’s nothing about him that doesn’t scream authority.
“Venus, you’re out,” he says, turning his attention to her.
“You’re lucky to be leaving with your life and not in a body bag.
A few things first to remind you. You signed an NDA.
You are not to speak about this club to anyone.
If you do, we will find out. If you come near this property or any club establishments, we’ll see that you end up in a body bag. Am I understood?”
“You can’t just kick me to the curb,” Venus sneers, her eyes narrowing.
Cannon ignores her and looks to the others. “I’m not one for second chances, but I’m giving you all one. Fuck up once. You’re gone. Do I make myself clear?”
Several of the clubwhores call out ‘Yes,’ while others simply nod.
“Good.” Cannon nods. “Hornet, want to add anything?”
“Get this bitch out of here,” Hornet orders.
“With pleasure,” Hazard growls, stepping forward and grabbing Venus by the arm.
I ignore her screeches as Hazard drags her out the back door. Her curses fade with each step, and I feel grim satisfaction knowing she’s gone. One less threat to worry about.
Cannon turns to the remaining clubwhores. “You’re all dismissed. Stay out of trouble.”
They scatter like roaches when the light comes on, leaving only the brothers and me in the main room.
“Now that’s taken care of,” Cannon says, pulling out his phone. “Let’s deal with the real problem.”
I grin and flex my fingers, more than ready to head to the frat house and get this shit done. It’s time to get some retribution.
The ride to the frat house wasn’t as thrilling as it would have been if I’d been on my bike instead of in a blacked-out cargo van we typically use for body transfers from the hospital morgue to the mortuary and funeral home.
Wrench is at the wheel with Cannon in the seat next to him, while the rest of us sit in the back on the steel floor. The stench of death and industrial cleaner lingers around us. It’s fitting for what we’re about to do, but I’d prefer to have been on my bike, savoring the fresh air as it calmed me.
“Ear comms in. We’re two blocks away,” Cannon orders.
I put mine in and instantly hear Mortar report. “All but the targets are gone for the time being. Front entrance is clear. All four are in the back.”
“Copy that,” Cannon replies over the comms. “We’re coming in from the east. Keep eyes on all exits.”
I check my weapon one final time, feeling the familiar weight of the gun in my hand.
The cold metal against my palm grounds me, focusing my thoughts on what needs to be done.
No mercy. No hesitation. I’d have preferred my AR, but this one will do just as well.
The custom-grade silencer built into it will keep attention from being drawn.
“Remember,” Cannon says, turning to face us in the back, “we need this clean. No witnesses, no evidence.”
I nod, jaw tight. My SEAL training kicks in, compartmentalizing emotions and focusing on the mission. This isn’t personal—it’s justice for April.
Wrench pulls the van into an alley behind a row of dumpsters and cuts the engine. The sudden silence feels heavy with anticipation.
“Move out,” Cannon orders.
We exit the van in practiced formation, weapons drawn. I take point, moving toward the back entrance where Mortar indicated our targets are.
The back door opens with a soft click under my careful manipulation. I slip inside, gun raised, scanning the dim hallway. The frat house smells of stale beer and sweat, a pungent reminder of the entitled lives these boys have been living.
I can hear voices drifting in from deeper inside the house. Laughter. The clink of bottles. They’re celebrating, probably thinking they’ve gotten away with everything.
Rage burns through my chest like wildfire.