Chapter 19
Saint
For hours, I’ve been sitting inside this dungeon with Jeremy, Holt, and Craig. Caleb’s body has been dumped in a swamp somewhere, and being alone with the remaining three men who tormented my Lake incites a level of rage I’ve never experienced before.
I haven’t laid a hand on any of them yet. They’re chained to a brick wall, with bags over their heads, and tape across their mouths. They’re aware someone is here, but not who. I suspect Craig might know, only because he watched me kill his friend.
That’s my wish for them as well. To bathe in their blood, record their screams like it’s my own personal theme. Listen to how their bones crack as my hands snap each one.
So why aren’t I?
Because no amount of torture I can inflict on them will ever be enough before snuffing out their lives.
Which leads to contemplating allowing them to live.
The problem is, they still need to suffer.
There needs to be consequences because the law is unable to act.
Not that I’d allow anyone else to dole out punishment.
“Have you thought about her at all?” My voice sounds so much louder after the lengthy period of silence. All three men startle, rattling their chains. “Or have there been others? Before or after Lake?”
Truthfully, over the years, I’ve tried hard not to think about that too much. Because if there were girls before Lake, that means they could have been stopped. Somebody could have prevented her violation.
The mumbling behind the tape and hoods grows increasingly annoying. “In case you were unaware, my name is Saint Rivers, and Lake Sutton has been my forever since before you ever set eyes on her.” They all froze at my name, so now I know they’re aware of who I am. Good. They should be afraid.
“I’ve plotted your deaths for years. I’m a little sad that Caleb died so quickly because what I have planned for you three will be a lot of fun for me.” Lying to them while formulating a plan will keep them hyperaware and stressed until I make my move.
“I have to leave for a while, but don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it.” Standing up, my chair scrapes loudly across the cement floor, eliciting a whimper from one or two of them. Leaning down close to Jeremy, my parting words make him squirm even more. “See you soon.”
With Lake out with Aria, Hadley, Scotty, and a couple of the other wives for the day, and grandparents watching children, I’m not surprised to find King, Carver, Luther, Nolan, Holden, Bishop, and Easton here when I exit the dungeon.
“Anyone still breathing?” Nolan smirks, knowing how badly I’ve wanted to get my hands on them for all these years.
“All of them.” Scowling as I pass the men on my way to the kitchen, the clock tells me it’s nearly dinner time, so I grab a cold beer and chug it down before turning around to find everyone watching me.
“Why?” Holden asks, obviously confused about my choice.
Sighing, I explain my desire. “I want them to suffer. And not just for a short time, knowing death is coming. I want them tormented the same way Lake has been. They don’t deserve just to die, they deserve to be reminded of her every day for the rest of their lives and know she’s the reason they’ll never be the same again. ”
“Death is too nice,” Luther murmurs with a nod, agreeing with me.
“You have a plan then?” my father asks.
Shrugging, I meet Luther’s cold gaze, because if anyone could persuade me otherwise, it would be him. “They need a day or two to percolate and wonder. Then, I’d like to castrate them and send them home.”
Bishop and Easton share a look, enjoying my idea, while King whistles out his amusement. “Impressive, kid. They’ll remain here until you’re ready for them. Now, I have a grandson looking to kick my ass at some game.”
Holden snorts, “He’s got your number, and you know it.”
King scowls, but the two walk away bickering at each other over who’s better at video games. I think Sawyer’s going to kick some ass.
“Lake coming to the fight?” Bishop asks what I have yet to answer.
Glancing at Nolan and Luther, neither object.
“I mentioned it to her earlier, and she seemed interested.” I was also balls deep inside of her pussy when I mentioned it after breakfast. Sex still makes her nervous, and her comfort spot is on top, so when she slid into my lap at the table completely naked, I wasn’t about to turn her down.
“We need to leave soon,” Easton says, checking his watch.
The fight is later in the evening, the drive to Destin is about an hour, but I need some time to warm up and get into the headspace needed to knock some sense into an asshole or two who think they can take me out.
“Let’s get going then,” I respond.
“Saint, a word,” Luther asks as everyone leaves.
“See you at home, son. I’ve got a few granddaughters who haven’t gotten nearly enough attention from me.” Dad leaves with a smile on his face. Aside from my mom and Scotty, not many people can draw that kind of happiness from him, but my three nieces do it for both of us.
“What’s up?” I ask Luther when he remains silent.
He blows out a breath, appearing aged. “You know I’d do anything for my Lake, Ariel, Bea, hell, any of the women in the family.
I’d kill for them; I’d die for them.” Agreeing, I allow him space to continue at his pace.
“I’m not getting any younger, and much as I’d like to join you in executing your plan for those young men, because Lord knows they deserve it, I’m stepping aside.
You and Nolan get the pleasure of deciding their fates, you understand? ”
Searching his eyes, I do grasp his meaning. One of us needs to keep our hands clean in case they’re moronic enough to go to the cops afterwards. “I think that’s best.” He holds my stare for a beat before nodding and leaving me alone.
Reevaluating my decision to keep them alive, I’m distracted while leaving King’s kitchen and stop in my tracks when I spot Lake in the foyer with Aria. She glows in a way she hasn’t in a long fucking time. It’s what convinces me my choice is correct.
“Saint!” Her excitement lights me up when she spots me.
She gives Aria a quick hug, then runs to me, jumping into my arms so I catch her, not hesitating to take what she wants.
With my hands on her ass, she kisses me like it’s the first and last time.
Sweeping her tongue into my mouth until I take over and devour her the way she likes.
I press her to a wall and groan as she wiggles against my aching dick, knowing I can’t have her right now.
Drawing back when my lungs protest, I say, “You’re coming to Destin tonight.” She nods, a sleepy, lusty look sparkling in her eyes.
“You’re fighting, right?” she asks. I nod and brush a knuckle along her jaw, transfixed by the flush in her face. “Who else is coming?”
“Bish, East, and Nol.”
Her expression relaxes in relief as she slowly glides down my body to her feet.
“Is what I’m wearing okay?”
My eyes cast down. She’s wearing a long black sweater, dark blue leggings, and a pair of leather ankle boots.
“Yeah, you’re perfect.” And she is. Her confidence continues to grow, an inch at a time, and fuck, it’s addicting.
* * *
Bets get placed around the screaming arena as we wait in our designated area.
Bishop tapes my hands while Nolan and Easton stick close to Lake.
Her wide eyes roam the warehouse, constantly flicking back to the metal cage where two fighters go at it like they want to kill each other. They probably do.
“You in the right space for this?” Bishop asks, drawing my attention from my woman.
Grunting out a “yeah,” he still appears skeptical. “I’m fine.” It doesn’t matter how many times I reiterate that, I don’t think he’ll believe me until I win the fight.
“This guy is big, man. He’s dirty and will do his best to fuck with your head.” Meaning, he’ll mention Lake in some way or another. That’ll only piss me off.
As the current fight ends, Bishop taps my hands, so I know he’s finished. Lake comes over, looking worried as she stares at me. “Don’t get hurt, please.”
Pulling her closer, I press my lips to her head, then let her go. I won’t make a promise I’m not sure I can keep. Sure, I’m a beast in the ring, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get hurt.
The cage doesn’t make me violent; it simply removes the layers that are in place, hiding who I truly am.
The announcer, a stout man in his forties, calls my name, and the crowd roars as I enter the cage after my opponent. Until he makes his bones, he gets no recognition, but from the look in his gaze as our eyes lock and the door shuts, he believes tonight will give him that.
It won’t. It never does.
The rattling of the cage settles into my bones as the crowd closes in. Faces jam into the chain links, hungry for violence and shining with the high. They enjoy this in a way they can’t reveal in their personal lives. We’re not human here, we’re all animals.
My opponent, Roger, does that thing men do when they try to mask the fear they don’t realize they’re feeling yet. Smiling a little too wide, bouncing on his feet, and trying to make noise so the silence doesn’t drown him.
My calm unnerves the new fighter, and with the way his temple pounds, I can see it angers him that I’m so casual about his look and size.
As we bump hands before the bell rings, he leans in, voice low and intimate, and says, “She’s watching you, Saint.” I don’t bother looking back; I recognize the baiting tactic. I also know Lake is protected. “Maybe I’ll take her home tonight.”
The fury makes an appearance as my nostrils flare and eyes narrow on him. Any humanity left living inside of me disappears. This wasn’t supposed to be a fight to the death, but if he utters one more word about my woman, that’s what it’ll turn into.