It turns quiet before Judge says something that has my molars grinding toget
her and more anger slamming into me.
“Right before Jenny called me, I got an email about Richard. He’s been located.”
I hiss out a breath and lock down the violent need to smash my fist against something. Richard Panelly is one of the men on our list from our past. Any time one of them is mentioned, my temper skyrockets, just as my brothers’ do.
“You want in? Or do you want one of us to take care of it?”
Fuck yes, I want in. Apart from certain names, we all share taking out the people from our pasts. This is supposed to be my turn. Except…. I turn and look through the glass of the back door. I spot Eden sitting on one of the stools at the bar, her head in her hand as she talks on the phone.
The thought of leaving her when someone like Diego is close by sends a sharp pain to my sternum. I know my brothers will protect her, but it’s not the same as doing it myself. There’s something about her that draws me in, and I’ve yet to figure out what that something is. I just know if something happens to her, Hell will reign and there will be no stopping my wrath.
“Where,” I grunt my question and look over to Judge.
“Southern Cal.”
“Damn it to hell,” I grit out. Too fucking far for a day trip. No way am I taking a chance and leaving Eden for that long. As much as it pisses me off, I’m going to have to pass this one onto the others.
“One of you guys go. I’ll catch the next one.”
Judge’s brows lift in surprise. Yeah, join the club. I’m still trying to figure out what in the hell I’m doing too. None of us has ever given up our opportunity to slay someone from our past.
“Any update on Trey and my mother?”
It’s a useless question, because the answer’s always the same. We’ve had a few clues come in on the whereabouts of my brother and mother, but none of them ever pan out. If there’s one thing in life I want to do more than anything else, it’s find them and see their faces when they realize death has come for them.
That is a meeting I plan to relish in and take great enjoyment from. If we can ever fucking locate them.
Judge’s face is grim when he gives me the same answer as always. “No.”
The door opens behind us, and I don’t need to turn to know it’s Emo. He always brings ominous vibes with him, and I feel them now. Like slivers of ice sliding down my spine.
His silent form appears between Judge and I, and I glance over at him. His haunting eyes, so dark you can’t see the pupils, settle on the mangled mess of Eden’s dog. Something flickers in their depths. Fascination and enchantment. Blood has always been an enticement for Emo. Hunting the ones who hurt others and torturing them is his foreplay.
“What do you see?” I ask him. Emo’s the coroner of Malus. As such, he works mostly with human bodies, but I know he’ll be able to tell what did this to the dog.
Quietly, he squats and regards the dog.
“A knife. Sharp one, because there’s no jagged edges. Someone slit him from neck all the way to the groin.”
I nod, already knowing it wasn’t an animal attack, but needing to make sure. The layout of the entrails are too perfect. Besides, a person has more of a chance winning the lottery than Eden’s dog showing up here on his own and being attacked by an animal.
“I need to get this shit cleaned up. Once I’m done, I’m going to do some more digging and put the word out around town to let one of us know if they see anyone new in town. You two do the same.” I look to Judge. “When are you due back here?”
“Not until the weekend, but I’m changing my plans. I’ll be here until this is taken care of.”
“Good.” With this new development, I really don’t like the thought of Eden and Jenny being here alone. Judge is protective of each of his women, so I know he’ll keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
Judge goes back inside to check on the women and Emo leaves. I grab a shovel, some thick plastic, and some old chicken wire from the garage. After digging a four-feet deep hole, I gently place Sampson wrapped in the plastic inside. I replace the dirt until there’s only about a foot left then place the chicken wire in the hole before putting the rest of the dirt on top. We often get wild animals in these parts. The depth and chicken wire will hopefully prevent them from digging up the grave. Next, I clean the porch with baking soda and bleach before hosing the wood down.
When I walk inside, I find Judge on the couch with Jenny sitting in his lap, talking quietly. Eden is still at the bar, no longer on the phone, watching Judge and Jenny with a perplexed expression. Her head swings my way when I close the door. Her shoulders sag and her eyes droop with sadness, her hands twisting in her lap. I hate the look as soon as I notice it.
I stop in front of her, so close her knees touch my abs. I put both hands on her knees.
“I buried him in the back yard by the flower bed. Are you okay?”
She nods, but I know it’s bullshit. She just found her dog brutally murdered. She’s not okay.