| |
Daytona, Florida
Grim
“This is it, kid, I wish things could be different.”
“Me too,” she says softly. “I won’t say goodbye. I won’t believe this is the last time we will ever cross paths.” She shakes her head trying to avoid the tears threatening to spill.
I smile watching Colt and Sara as they splash in the shallow end of the pool. I should be on the road by now, but I needed a few more minutes to enjoy their company. They are under the impression I’m just some dude their dad knows. It smarts, but it’s for the best.
“Look me, look me!” Sara whines splashing on the steps.
“I see you, baby girl,” Baby coos with a proud smile. I refuse to call her Karly. It sounds to foreign on my tongue.
Everything about saying goodbye today seems so wrong. I wish I could just say fuck it all and stay. Live here and watch them grow up even if it’s from a distance.
I can’t do that though.
I won’t desert my club.
It’s who I am.
It’s the life I chose.
Nash and Romeo are over at the bar locked in a heated discussion. I shouldn’t involve myself, but they are attracting attention.
I start to go to them, and Baby takes my hand. “Let me. They need to move on. We all do.”
I nod.
I’ll be on standby if she needs me.
It’s still hard to accept that she’s a grown ass woman who can handle her own, a woman who can fight her own battles.
In my eyes she’s still that spoiled little brat with red pigtails and pink shoes, begging for me to take her to the Dairy Bar for a milkshake and hotdog.
“No running by the pool,” I yell at Colt, Cole whatever in the fuck they are calling him now. The redheaded shit sticks his tongue out at me and does a cannonball splashing water all over my jeans. Can’t believe how much he’s grown; he’ll be a teenager in a few years. I just chuckle and enjoy it, soaking it in with the Florida sun.
He doesn’t even look twice at me, I’m not anyone special in his eyes. I used to be when he was a baby, even wiped his ass a time or two.
These kids won’t ever know me.
We’ll never spend a holiday together...Foxie would kill to be here right now. I know I shouldn’t do it, but I pull my phone out and snap a picture of Sara and Cole and text it to her.
My phone rings.
“Speak,” I grunt knowing it’s her.
“I hate you right now.”
“I love you too, so nice of you to check in on me.” I love giving her shit, makes me hard.
“Can I talk to them?”
“Fuck no you can’t, you gone crazy?”
Silence.
“Woman, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad,” she snaps in my ear so damn loud I think the damn fish in the ocean can hear her.
“I gotta go.” I end the call and power off my phone before she can say anything more.
Karly
I step next to my husband and wrap my hand in his as he grits in Romeo’s face, “Told ye once, won’t fuckin’ tell ye again. Stay the fuck away from my family. I don’t want my kids to ever remember your face. As far as they know you don’t exist.” There goes his Kentucky twang again.
“Nash,” I say, squeezing his hand. He draws back giving Romeo space. “You don’t like each other and never will. After today, you’ll never see him again. But you need to make peace with what has come to pass. He gave you life, twice.” Romeo winces at my words, and my husband tries to take his hand back. “Just hear me out. Both of you need closure. It’s time to let go. This may be the only chance you have. You don’t have to say you love each other or even like one another, but you’re father and son. You can’t deny it, either of you. We’ve all made mistakes. We have to let all of that go.”
I wait and they are both being standoffish hardass pricks. I try again to reason with them.
“Romeo, you’ll never visit on the weekends or attend birthday parties. My dad won’t either. I know despite what you and Nash both say, someday, it’s gonna hurt that you won’t have the chance. This is the last time you will say goodbye.”
I kiss my husband on the cheek and give Romeo the last smile he will ever receive from me. I don’t wait for him to smile back. I won’t give him the satisfaction. Once upon a time, I would have loved just to see him smile, but now I don’t care what he wants. I only care about doing right by my husband and making sure he has no regrets.
I walk away leaving the two of them to try.
I hug my father one final time. See ya around old man is all I can muster the courage to say when he says, “I love you, Baby.”
I gather the kids kicking and screaming, begging to swim longer.
“’If you come easily, I’ll order you some ice cream later.”
That shuts them up.
Tread gives me a chin lift as I pass by him. “Take care of my old man,” I tell him stepping into the elevator.
“I’ll do my best.” He flashes his dimples. Swoon. He’s still got it. I hope him and Liberty are happy together.
“Don’t let Nash kill Romeo today.”
He laughs at that and the elevator door closes.
“Who’s Romeo?” Cole asks me when we are getting off on our floor.
“Some guy your dad works with,” I lie.
Cole accepts my explanation and gets into the shower without argument while Sara and I order room service.
I order a salad and fries for myself although I doubt I’ll eat it. Nash didn’t tell me what today will involve, but I know it isn’t anything good.
The harder we try to move forward, the past sucks us back in that much harder.
I think we may have to move again.
As much as I love the life we have right now, I just don’t know if it would be wise to stay. Too many people know where we are—who we are.
This life is no longer safe.
As much as I hate to leave the place my father knows to find me, I know I’ll be packing up soon.
He found his way to me yesterday; he’ll find me again if he ever needs to.
Romeo
Seeing Baby with her husband I realize Baby is dead. The woman before me today, Karly, isn’t the girl I loved. That girl doesn’t exist anymore. It’s time to let that go. I listen to her as she tells Nash and me to let go of the past. To make peace with whatever hate lies between us.
I don’t want to, and the look on his face tells me he doesn’t want too either. But for her I will. I owe her that much and so much more.
“Look, son...” I pause waiting for him to correct me but he doesn’t. “We need to let sleeping dogs lay. Baby and Striker, they’re dead. I realize that today. Karly isn’t Baby. She never will be. She loves ye, she loves ye more than I could’ve ever wanted for ye. I know I was never a father to ye and I never will be. You have every right to hate me. I’m not asking you not to. I’m just asking for you to shake my hand and part ways on decent terms. So that when the reaper comes for us both someday, we don’t leave anything unsaid and have regrets.”
“Isn’t that a fucking Hallmark sentiment. Aye no regrets ye say. The only regret I will ever have is not putting a bullet between your eyes. But I’ll shake your hand. I’ll do it only for her. I won’t ever give ye the satisfaction of accepting your sorry ass attempt to be a father for once.”
Grim’s hand comes down hard clamping his shoulder. “That’s enough, son. I only brought your old man along for the ride so you both could get your head’s out of ye asses. Seems I’m gonna have to pull’em out for the two of ye, huh. Nash this sorry piece of shit is your blood. He gave ye life and he can take it, but he won’t. I’ve known ye your whole life, boy. I know you ain’t no damn coward so stop pussy footing and be a man. He fucked your wife and ye can’t forget it. Until you let it go it will stand between the two of ye until the day you die. Let it go. Make your peace or one day you will lose what ye got. Maybe not to him, but to your hate for him.”
Nash shrugs out of Grim’s hold knowing he speaks the truth. His hand extends and he says, “It’s buried. Now we ride.”
I take his offered hand and grip it hard. I’d be a liar if I said it doesn’t bring me comfort even if it’s all for show. I have a feeling that one day I’ll be looking at the barrel of his gun. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, or hell even five years from now. But some day...my son will make me pay.
Tread
When I get to the bar by the pool, Romeo, Nash, and Grim are in the middle of an intense conversation. I hang back and give them a few minutes to sort through their shit. I’m not about to put a foot in that race.
I just left Lulu to get ready for today. Today John is gonna pay his due. I can’t wait to do unto him as he done unto Libby and Kyler.
“You ready? Is Lulu in place?” Grim asks as I walk up on them.
“All set. John messaged her about twenty minutes ago, saying he can’t wait to meet up.”
Nash doesn’t look all too happy, but he gives me a fist bump, and tells me he’ll see me before I go.
We won’t see each other again after the contest, but it sounds better than goodbye.
Grim brings him in close and whispers something in his ear too low for me to hear.
Romeo stands and I could swear there is a tear in his eye.
“I’m proud of the man ye are today. I know I haven’t had any part of it, but I do love ye.” He pulls him into a half hug, and Nash actually hugs him back. When they release each other both of them seem a bit lighter.
I take it as a good sign that things are gonna go my way today.
We all go our separate ways needing not to be seen at the reveal together.
Grim is going to be waiting at the warehouse owned by an old contact, Marty Martinez. His club, Crow’s Rebels run guns, and they run our moonshine when we ship this far south. A few of his men are waiting on standby if we need extra hands. I’ll be at the reveal near Lulu watching her back while Romeo takes care of the other contestants. I don’t even want to know how he intends to ensure John wins.
Once I see that shit stick start up the motorcycle, I’ll be following close behind him. My face will be the last thing he ever sees.
When I get to the venue for the reveal the contest has already started. Lulu is playing her part well and cheering that cocksucker on, making him feel big and proud.
Enjoy it while you can motherfucker.
There’s two men in front of him in the lineup.
I see Romeo hanging near the pit where the contest is held. Bastard looks funny with a bandanna on his head. I don’t think I have ever, in my life, even seen him in a hat or helmet for the matter. I can’t believe he let Grim dye his beard orange. His new look is all part of the illusion though.
I bide my time watching and waiting while enjoying a cold beer, thinking on all the ways I’m going to destroy this man.
I’m going to break him, slowly.
He doesn’t know what pain is.
He doesn’t know what is coming for him.
I move through the crowd, circling my prey as he laughs and pinches Lulu on the ass.
He isn’t worthy of her tired pussy.
I thought about letting him have a feel of her before I end him but nope, not happening.
I bump his shoulder when his hand travels a little too far up her leg.
“Scuse me,” I growl sizing him up. I can see why Libby was attracted to him at first. He looks all American and safe. Normal. His hair is perfect, not a hair out of place. He won’t be so damn perfect for much longer.
“Watch it, man,” he says sounding every bit the dead man he is.
When he was chatting with Truth, he mentioned his wife leaving him. Said he was depressed. Touching. He asks Lulu for a kiss for good luck, and she pecks his cheek with a fake smile.
I walk toward the judges table where Nash sits. Romeo is standing behind him. It hits me how similar the two of them are in appearance and attitude. I can't believe I never saw it before today. Explains why Baby wanted them both.
I hedge closer to them to hear how Romeo is going to pull this shit off.
“John’s my brother, he’s terminal. Pancreatic cancer. He doesn’t have long. If ya’ll could let him win—I’d pay double the cost of the bike,” Romeo offers. “Stroke a dying man's ego.” He turns on his charm and lays it on thick. “I even hired him a trophy wife for his arm.” His eyes roam over to Lulu as she makes a show of cheering for her man.
I observe the two men to left of Nash whispering with smiles on their faces. Money and a good sob story always do the trick. People only see and hear what they want to. Money is a great motivator.
With that shit handled, I get ready to take this motherfucker to ground.
Nash
I collapse on the bed next to my wife knowing my part in today’s plan is done. The kids are sitting on the balcony eating ice cream laughing and watching fireworks.
Karly is rubbing my shoulders trying to erase the stress of the past two days.
“Nash, is it over?” She questions quietly.
“Just waiting for a text from your old man.” I sigh as some of the tension leaves with her touch.
“You know what has to happen once you do...” She looks to the kids. “We have to leave Florida.”
“Yeah, it’s time to go. I’ll make the call tomorrow.”
I pull her into my lap, glad that I don’t have to convince her we need to go. I was afraid she’d think that maybe it was a good idea to return to Drag Creek, that she’d not want to give Grim up a second time.
“Did you make peace with him?” She looks at me with nothing but concern for me in her eyes, and I love her just a little bit more for it.
She was right, I needed to let go of all that anger. I needed to forgive Romeo even if he doesn’t deserve it.
“Yeah, I did. You were right.” I smirk seeing the satisfied smile creeping across her face at hearing those words.
“Smile,” she teases taking a picture of me with her phone. “I have to document this moment. You actually admitted that I was right,” she mocks with amusement.
“Smartass.” I kiss her proud grinning lips.
Her arms go around my neck as she straddles me and kisses me back.
My hands cradle her fine ass as her breasts rub against my chest.
“You love this smartass,” she teases.
“Dudes, can you at least wait until you think we’re asleep.” Cole shakes his head and bites into his cone.
Sara follows him back in the room dripping chocolate onto the floor from her cone. She’s wearing more than she’s ate of her treat.
Karly climbs off me and leaves me with a hard on to clean our baby girl up.
“Time for a shower, chickadee,” she says with a light laugh.
“I not done!” Sara stomps her feet in protest as her mother picks her up. Her crocodile tears start to fall, and I can’t stand to see her pout.
“Let her finish, Mommy.” That earns me the you’re not getting laid stare from my wife, but the chocolate stained smile I get in return from my daughter is worth it.
She climbs up on the bed next to me. I scoot us back to the headboard and flip the TV on to Disney.
“Traitor,” Cole sneers seeing a princess movie is on.
Sara sticks her tongue out at him and giggles as I tickle her armpits.
Twenty minutes later, my sticky chocolate princess is snoring.
I move her to the middle of the bed and Karly wipes her face with a washcloth. Sara doesn’t even budge. She’s out.
Cole goes to the bathroom to clean up, giving me and my woman a minute to ourselves to talk about moving.
“Do you think we will ever be free from Striker and Baby—Drag Creek, the Black Rebel Riders’?” She questions.
“I don’t know, babe. I don’t know, but wherever we go we’ll be together.” I pull her in for a hug and my fingers tangle in her hair. “I hope you know I forgive you for everything in the past. I’m really ready to let go.”
“We hurt each other, you burned me deep, but the hurt makes life achingly beautiful. Nash you aren’t an ordinary man or easy to love all the time, but you’re mine, and there is nothing for us to forgive anymore.”
Romeo
I cringe as Tread wraps the pull chain around this prick’s throat. I killed my wife in a similar way. I choked the life out of her. The memory of her damn dead eyes is waiting for me on the other side. I’m doomed to burn in hell with the woman for all eternity.
Won’t she be so damn pleased when I someday join her.
I’ll never forget the shock on her face or the way she clawed at my arms.
Some nights I wake up and feel her nails scratching me only to find it’s my own nails making my arms bleed.
The woman has poisoned my bloodstream, giving new meaning to the vow in sickness and health.
I’ll never escape her.
I’ll never live down what I did to her.
My children have paid the ultimate price for my sins, even though what I did was for them.
LL would have only hurt them, more than I ever could.
Dawn and Jamie are all I have that’s truly mine.
Dawn, my beautiful daughter is every bit her mother’s daughter. Now I know what pain Grim has been carrying around all these years. Mine isn’t quite the same. However, I see him and the way he hid behind searching for Sarah in a new light.
No wonder he couldn’t bear to see Baby often.
It hasn’t been easy staring into the face of a dead woman, in the form of your child. Dawn is so damn wild just like Laura. I know I need to put my foot down and get her the help she needs before it's too late.
I thought maybe she was curious at first and experimenting with a little weed here and there. Maybe even taking a pill or two, but the call I had from Sunshine this evening paints a different picture.
She said she found a dope baggie in her dirty clothes. One of the small ones I used to find LL in possession of when she was being too careless to hide her addiction.
I can’t do shit about it from here. It’ll have to wait until I get home. I told Sunshine to let her be. I’ll deal with it. She has enough of her own shit to shovel with Patrick moving in.
I’m not sure us taking him in is for the best. Once I get Dawn under control I’ll be making arrangements to get him in his own place.
Maybe Grim will have a job for him.
The boy’s gonna need something to focus his mind on.
My attention is brought back to the here and now by the gurgling of John’s throat as he gasps for air. Tread keeps bringing him to the edge of passing out and only letting off enough to let him catch his breath.
This goes on for several minutes. Tread is screaming in his face and asking if he feels like a big man now.
One of Crow’s Rebels takes control of the chain and Grim straps John to a table.
Lulu is standing off in a corner, she needs to witness this shit in case she had any thoughts of squealing. The same could easily happen to her. People disappear every day.
My mind drifts to my son and his wife.
No one promised life would be easy.
I can rest easy though, knowing they have a real chance to make it. A real shot to give their kids everything I wasn’t able to provide for my own.
I watch Tread as he surveys the tools on hand. His hand glides over the blade of a chainsaw. He shakes his head and moves on. Thank the fuck. Shit is messy. Next, he tries out a nailed slugger for size. He swings it a few times and pricks his finger on the tip of one of the nails. Not satisfied he looks over the rest of the items laying on the table. Finally, his gaze settles on a sledgehammer. Fuck, that’s going to be brutal.
He takes a few practice swings getting a gage on the force he wants to put behind his blows, taking out a chunk of the wall.
With a cocky smile he returns to his captive. John is trying to twist his head but it only squeezes the chain tighter around his throat. Unable to speak or move for that matter, I can see defeat in his eyes.
I can’t seem to look away.
Death is calling and Tread is collecting the reaper’s due.
Maybe it’s mercy on my part allowing him to focus on me. No one should die alone, but many people do.
When the first blow cracks his elbow and shatters his bones I’m certain he’s going to pass out from the pain.
Tread isn’t having it.
“Romeo,” he calls me over and I oblige knowing what he wants from me.
I pull the syringe from the pocket of my jeans and stab it where I guess the man’s heart should be if he had one, pumping adrenaline into his body.
Crow’s boy, Blake, releases the chain as John's head lurches up right in time for Tread to take out a knee.
John screams in agony, but his cries are muffled now by Truth taunting him.
“You like that, motherfucker? Heard you shoved my son, my flesh and blood down a flight of stairs. Heard you put your hands on my woman. Guess that made you feel like a real man huh.”
If you’ve never seen a man become unraveled and consumed by rage, you wouldn’t understand the electricity in the air. You wouldn’t understand the way the hair on the back of my neck is standing on end as I watch the death of this man.
“Just get it over with, whatever you want to do to me. Kill me or leave me. But end it.” The man is pleading for the pain to end, but it’s not going to be over any time soon.
“Unstrap him,” Tread orders and Grim does without a word. He may be Prez, but this is Tread’s show right now. He’s calling the shots.
His femur is pushing through the skin, and I may lose my lunch. I never said I had a strong stomach. Maybe I am losing my touch or I’ve witnessed too much bad shit. I think back on Smokey and wonder what the end was like for her. Did she cry out for me as they shredded her skin from her back and split her wide open? Did she curse my name in vain as she took her final breaths?
This is the shit that goes through my mind.
I can’t forget the past. I can’t help but wonder if I had just taken my life that night when I had the gun in my mouth if everyone would have been better off. I was ready to pull the trigger, but I couldn’t because of my kids, and I’m no damn pussy or coward.
Tread and Grim drag John up a flight of stairs. The man can’t bear any weight on the right side of his body with his bones shattered and protruding.
His head lolls to the left, he’s going to go lights out again, but he doesn’t get the chance. Tread shoves him down the stairs just as the man done Kyler, his son. The crunching of his bones hitting the metal and cement ain’t doing a damn thing for my stomach.
Tread orders me to give the man another injection.
He’s looking pretty fucked up and pale. The blood he’s losing isn’t helping our cause.
I squat down next to his crumpled form and stab the needle into his good arm.
A few smacks to his face gets his eyes open.
Tread joins me crushing his boot into the man’s neck as he struggles to breathe. He gets part of the word do out before choking on his own blood.
“Knew you were a coward,” Tread spits at him. “So I’ll give you a coward’s death.” He pulls his piece from the waistband of his pants and pops six bullets in his chest.
Crow’s Rebels will take care of the body and Lulu. She’ll need to stick around to give a statement to the local police.
I scrub my hands over my face needing my own shot of adrenaline to make the ride home on my new motorcycle.