CHAPTER 18 #4
I turn back to the bed. Pressing my fingers to Milo’s neck, I search for a pulse. It’s weak, he’s not dead yet. Good. I want him to suffer.
Digging into my pocket, I pull out a lighter, flick the tumbler and set the flame to the edge of the sheet. I watch as it catches fire. Cotton burns fast. Flames licking furiously along the bedding. Just what he deserves.
To die in a fiery blaze would be a fitting end. A taste of what was waiting for him in hell—the only place a man like him deserves to end up.
I wait until the entire bed is engulfed in flames before I leave. I disable all the fire alarms before going into each upstairs room and putting my lighter to the bedding. Once the fires are burning, I head downstairs.
In the room with the dead guards, I disable the alarm there too, along with the ones in the kitchen and hallway. Then, I turn all the knobs on the range and oven to open allowing the gas to seep into the room.
Digging beneath the kitchen sink, I find a bottle of lighter fluid. That’ll do.
I grab two rags. Stuffing one into a glass, I soak it with lighter fluid. Flicking the lighter on, I set the flame to the rag. Once it’s lit, I hurl the glass hard enough at the stovetop to shatter it. Flames roar to life the second they meet the gas. Job done.
Ignoring the fire already burning upstairs, I stalk into the living area, tipping the remaining lighter fluid over the couch and carpet until the bottle runs dry. Pulling the second rag from my pocket, I light it and toss it onto the couch.
I wait until the flames take hold. Only then do I leave, pulling my balaclava back down my face.
The house is far enough from the others that no one’s noticed the fire yet. Hopefully, by the time the fire department arrives, the blaze will be so hot there’s nothing they can do, but let it burn.
Rowena starts our ride as I step out of the shadows. I change course and head for the passenger side. My ass barely hits the seat before Rowena pulls away, only switching the headlights on once we’re a mile down the road.
Neither of us says anything. There’s no need. The mission was a success.
I glance over my shoulder into the back seat, where crystal-blue eyes meet mine. I smile. “You’re safe now, sweetheart,” I say softly.
She doesn’t reply, just curls up on the seat, tugging the oversized T-shirt over her knees, and closes her eyes.
Rowena glances at me.
“What do you want to do, boss?”
I don’t think twice before answering. “She’s coming home with me. Honor and Angel are her family. We'll make sure she’s okay. She’ll be safe and loved by us.”
Satisfied, Rowena nods. We make it to the airport as dawn approaches. Surprisingly, our small guest lets me pick her up and carry her onboard the plane.
Maverick is waiting to meet us at the top of the stairs. His eyebrows rise when he sees our unexpected passenger, but he doesn’t question me. He simply steps aside.
“Everything go okay tonight?” I ask.
“Smooth as silk. Everyone is home with no major injuries. A broken arm and a bullet graze.”
“Thanks for the update, Pres,” I reply walking onto the plane. Tru and Janis are sleeping curled up under blankets. I find an empty seat, sinking into it as exhaustion pulls at me. Running a hand over the little girl’s hair, I ask, “You want to sit in the seat next to me?”
She shakes her head. “You.”
“Okay, sweet girl.” I settle her higher against my chest.
Rowena passes, carrying a bottle of water and a blanket. She hands me the blanket, and I tuck it around the little girl before taking the water and offering it to her. She takes a few desperate, gulps.
“Slowly, sweet girl, or you’ll make yourself sick. You can have more in a minute, okay? Do you understand?”
She nods and snuggles back into my chest. “What’s your name sweet girl?” I ask as I cap the bottle.
She frowns, looking confused. I tap my chest, “Spook.” I tap her chest, “And you are?”
Understanding flashes in her eyes. “Girl,” she replies. Rowena hisses and clicks her tongue. From the corner of my eye, I watch as she flexes her hands. I know how she feels. I’d kill him all over again if I could. Fucking dickhead didn’t even name her.
“Okay, sweet girl,” I soothe, rubbing my hand over her back.
We’d give her a name. A strong one. Exhausted, I close my eyes. I can’t wait to get home and back to Honor.
Maverick disappears into the cockpit while Rowena takes the seat beside me. Before long, we’re in the air and heading home.
I’ll contact everyone once I’ve had some sleep. Send my thanks to all the clubs that helped us tonight.
Honor is waiting at the hangar with Axle when I arrive. Her eyes widen, then soften when she sees the little one in my arms, but that doesn’t stop her wrapping an arm around my waist, leaning into me, and lifting her lips to mine for a short, sweet kiss.
Honor turns to the little one in my arms and smiles. “Hello, sweet girl. Welcome home.”
Fuck, I love my Ol’ lady. No questions asked. No hesitation. Just welcome home.
Home.
The club had always been my home, but with Honor there. Now it was so much more.