Armed with fists, brass knuckles, batons, and heavy rings, the entire group swooped in on Rancid. Years of injustice, fury, turmoil, and unnecessary death spurred on their brutality. There was no mercy.
Rancid kept shouting fuck you as the beating continued until his grunts of pain and cries of agony could no longer be contained. Jameson called for it to end when Rancid was spewing blood and struggling to breathe. He was strapped down to a chair in the center of the room as a motorcycle’s engine could be heard outside.
Final justice.
Gamble. The girl who was taken, held as a slave, and raped for years by Rancid. His vile acts of violence against her were so numerous, it was impossible to list them all. She walked up to him, stopping only a few feet away as she stared down at her tormentor.
Rancid laughed sarcastically, his eyes almost completely swollen shut. “You called her to finish me off? She’s a worthless whore. She ain’t got the balls for it.”
Gamble strode forward, a blade in her hand. She tugged his head back as he dared to smile up at her. “Karma found you, you sick son of a bitch.” With a swipe of her hand, she slid the blade across his throat in one deadly sweep. It clattered to the ground afterward, dripping his blood.
The only sound in the heavy silence that followed was Rancid choking on his own blood. Jameson and I faced him together, watching as he struggled for air. Willow’s face came to mind, her beautiful smile, her innocence and zest for life. As his eyes locked on both of us, true fear shone in his gaze. We were the last people he’d see before the devil dragged his soul down to Hell. My Reaper fought to burst free, but I held him contained. That wasn’t the justice that was needed this day.
Jameson and I turned to one another and nodded. At last, maybe we would find peace.
Rancid’s body was picked up and taken outside. He was going to be cremated, his ashes mixed in with pig shit until nothing of that motherfucker remained. A fitting end.
The next morning, a hungover Papa slid into the rental car with me and Grim. I watched as the clubhouse in NOLA disappeared from the rearview mirror and sank back against the seat. Although I was happy to return and find closure, it was no longer my home. Jameson and I would always be close but my place was in Tonopah, next to Grim’s side.
Chapter 27 – Nylah
“How long do you think they’re going to be away?”
Patriot was pacing the length of his room, frowning. “I don’t know. Shit is a little more complicated than I can say, Nylah.”
I understood that, even if I didn’t like it. “I’m just concerned. He hasn’t texted since last night.”
“Rael and Grim are busy.”
That was obvious. “I’m not trying to give you shit, Patriot. Honest. I’m just concerned. Is Rael okay?”
He fixed me with a penetrating look that spoke volumes. “Rael can handle himself.”
Shit. Something big was going down. I could feel it.
He must have felt bad for the anxious expression on my face in response. “Listen, he has you now. Rael will come back. There’s nothing to worry about.”
He didn’t sound as convincing as he probably meant to be.
Naomi had been observing us silently until now. “You’re agitated, Patriot.”
He turned her way, rolling his shoulders back. “I’m fine, sunshine. Just dealing with some shit.” He suddenly stopped and made his way toward the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Patriot was gone before either of us could answer.
“Something is bothering him,” she whispered quietly. “He wasn’t like that yesterday.”
“Whatever is happening with Grim and Rael is affecting him too. We’ll just have to be patient. The guys will be here soon. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope you’re right.” Naomi tilted her head, smiling softly. “You really like Rael, don’t you?”
“I do,” I confirmed. “He’s not my usual type, but I’m probably not his either.” I shrugged. “We click. He makes me feel special.”
“Good. You deserve that, Nylah.”
I gave her a quick hug. “So do you,” I emphasized. “Patriot cares for you. He’s quite protective.”
“Wh