9. Wrath #2
“Drive out to the old warehouse. When you get there, pull in and park, and the boys and I will be there waiting for you.”
“Headed that way.”
If we were going to have a standoff, I would need more than just the shotgun and a few shells, so I started searching the SUV for any spare weapons.
I was pleased to find that there was a handgun and an extra clip in the glovebox, and another under the driver’s seat.
Feeling a little better equipped to handle what lay ahead, I got back in the driver’s seat and sped towards Port Angeles.
It was only twenty or so miles away, but the deep curves and random stops made speeding more difficult.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to slow down.
Every corner turned, every missed stop sign, could be my gateway to salvation or the path to my demise.
So, I did the only thing I could. I kept my foot on the accelerator and raced through the shadows.
After what seemed like hours, I finally pulled up to the warehouse.
It had been ages since I’d been out there. The club once used it to store equipment for the construction company and spare parts for the bikes, but that was years ago. Now, the old, dilapidated building stood as a relic of forgotten times.
I did as Cotton ordered and pulled the SUV through the back entrance, then grabbed the shotgun and remaining shells from the passenger seat.
Once I got out of the truck, I walked over and pulled the door closed behind me.
It was strange to be there alone. The air hung heavy with the scent of mildew and neglect, and the only source of light came from the moon that shone through the busted windows.
The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant sound of waves crashing against the nearby shore.
I found a secluded spot concealed behind a stack of worn-out wooden crates and decided to hide out there.
I checked the shotgun, ensuring it was fully loaded, then settled in to wait.
I had no idea where Cotton and the brothers were.
For all I knew, they were already there waiting with me, but it was too risky to call or text.
Not that it mattered.
I was going to end him with or without my brothers’ help, and if my gut was right, it was going to happen sooner than later.
He was coming.
I could feel it in my bones.
The minutes seemed to tick by like hours, but I remained vigilant, my senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement. Every creak, every rustle, set my nerves on edge, amplifying the tension that coiled within me. Shadows seemed to morph from one shape to the next, playing tricks on my mind.
I could feel the demons within stirring.
I didn’t try and fight them.
Instead, I invited them to wreak havoc. It was something Stitch was teaching me to do, and for the first time, I finally understood what I needed to do.
I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths, and it wasn’t long before the memories came rushing in.
I didn’t fight the anger and the hurt that came with them.
Instead, I let them envelop me, and it wasn’t long before my anxiety subsided and was replaced with a sense of eagerness.
I tightened my hold on the shotgun and waited with anticipation.
I could almost taste the bitter tang of revenge in the air.
The asshole had it coming—not just for killing Bruton’s men, but for all the innocents he’d murdered at that gas station.
He was reckless and cold hearted, and he would soon pay for all of his transgressions.
I was relishing in the thought when I heard it—a faint echo of footsteps reverberating through the warehouse.
My senses sharpened, and my heart started pounding louder than ever before.
I gripped my weapon tightly, ready to confront the darkness that lurked in the corners.
With each approaching step, the tension mounted.
I could hear him, but I couldn’t see him.
He was well hidden in the shadows. I scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of movement, but there was none.
It was like the guy was a fucking ghost.
I broke the silence by calling out to him, “There’s no sense hiding. I know you’re...”
Gunfire erupted, cutting me off before I could finish my thought. Bullets whipped through the air, tearing into crates and walls, leaving behind trails of splintered wood and shredded cardboard. But none were in my direction. He still had no clue where I was.
I used the flash of the gunfire as my guide as I returned fire, hoping that I might actually hit him. I didn’t, and the motherfucker retreated into the shadows once again. He moved silently, his steps masked by the sounds of the ocean or random barges passing by.
He shot again, and I immediately returned fire.
We went back and forth for what seemed like hours.
I had to give it to him. The guy was good.
He’d fire, then disappear before I had the chance to make a decent shot.
I was growing frustrated and low on ammo when I spotted Maverick coming in through the back entrance.
Two Bit and Savage followed after, and seconds later, I caught a glimpse of Torch and Rooster at one of the side windows.
They were there.
I should’ve been relieved, but I wasn’t.
I figured if I’d seen them, then the psycho hitman had seen them, too.
I wasn’t going to take any chances on one of them getting hurt, so I stepped out of hiding and charged towards the location of his last round of gunfire.
For every shot I fired, he shot back, round after round.
The brothers joined in, and the warehouse erupted in an explosion of gunfire, the sharp cracks and thunderous blasts echoing off the walls.
Smoke from discharged weapons further obscured my visibility, adding to the disorienting atmosphere.
But I continued to shoot. I was about to run out of ammo when a bullet finally found its mark.
He crumpled to the ground, and I thought that was the end of it.
It wasn’t.
The asshole kept shooting. I was out of ammunition, so Savage stepped up to the plate.
He could’ve just shot him in the head and ended it right then and there.
But that would’ve been too easy. He kicked his AK-47 out of reach, then shot him in the thigh.
The stranger didn’t scream out in agony.
He simply lay there glaring at Savage as Savage asked, “You got a name?”
“Yeah, I got one.”
“What is it?”
“Hector.”
“Okay, Hector.” I could tell by his expression Savage didn’t believe him, but he pressed forward and asked, “Who hired you?”
He didn’t answer.
I wasn’t surprised.
A man like him wasn’t going to talk without a good deal of coercing, so I wasn’t surprised when Cotton said, “Enough of this bullshit. Load him up in the truck and take him back to the clubhouse. We’ll get him to talk there.”
“You got it, Prez.”
Hector wasn’t a small man, so it took both Savage and Torch to get him to his feet. I figured he would’ve resisted, but he didn’t. He simply let them carry him out of the warehouse and into Two Bit’s SUV. Once they had him loaded, Cotton turned to me and asked, “You okay?”
“Better now.”
He motioned his head towards Bruton’s truck as he asked, “You ready to get the hell outta here?”
“More than ready.”
“Good deal.” He started out to the parking lot as he ordered, “Let’s roll.”
We all loaded up in our various vehicles and made our way back to the clubhouse. Torch and Savage took Hector to the playroom, and I was on my way to join them when Cotton stopped me and said, “You’ve had a long one. Call it a night and get some rest.”
“I’m good,” I argued. “Besides, I wanna be there when Stitch talks to him.”
“It’ll be you who does the talking.”
“Seriously?’
“Stitch will be there with you, but he says you’re ready. So, rest up.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder. “He’ll be ready for you first thing tomorrow.”
With that, he turned and headed down the hall to his office. I had mixed feelings about facing this lunatic on my own. Stitch might’ve thought I was ready, but I wasn’t so sure. Thankfully, I had some time to prepare.
When I got to my room, I didn’t bother turning on the lights. I was tired and eager to get some shuteye. I removed my cut and boots, then headed into the bathroom. I turned on the shower before removing the rest of my clothes. I took a hot shower, then dried off and put on a fresh pair of boxers.
I was about to call it a night when I spotted someone in my bed.
I turned on the bedside lamp and was surprised to find Mia curled up on my pillow. I had no idea how she had ended up there or why. No one slept in my bed. No one except me. Ever. I considered waking her and forcing her to leave, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I couldn’t make myself do it.
I just wanted to stand there and soak her in, let her peacefulness quiet the storm that was raging inside me.
And that’s exactly what I did.
I crawled in next to her, then eased the covers over her.
As I lay there, I studied the delicate curves of her beautiful face.
She was absolutely stunning. I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, savoring the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips.
I marveled at how she slept like she didn’t have a care in the world.
I envied her for that.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d really slept.
My nights were usually filled with bad dreams, but with her lying there next to me, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. I closed my eyes feeling hopeful that I might actually get the rest I so desperately needed.