Chapter 20

 

I had to be left alone for a while to compose myself. I know I’m losing it. They have Nessa though, how could I not?

“We’re ready. They want to meet outside, Eaton,” Devil says. Glancing up at him, I nod.

“I’m ready.”  He extends his hand, I grab it in mine. Pulling me up, we stand in an awkward silence for a minute longer.

“If they hurt her at all, Devil...” Shaking my head, I can’t finish. I don’t know how.

“We’ll kill them all anyway, Ghost. Don’t fuckin’ doubt that. For Nessa, your babies, Aria, and Melanie. We will kill them,” He says. Pulling me into a hug, I can’t thank God enough, that I have these guys on my side. Taking a deep breath, I steady myself before following him out into the lobby.

“You straight?” Dragon questions me. I know he needs my head right or I could become a fucking liability in all this.

“Damn right, I am. Vernon’s mine.” His smile grows. His face lights up. I’m ready for blood.

“Hell’s Country, and some of Sage’s boys are already outside. They know the drill. You get your man.” Nodding once, I check my guns. One in my waist band, one in the holster under my cut, and one on my ankle. My knife is plastered to my other side, like always. I close my eyes, readying myself to handle this shit. I climb in the back of the van with the other guys. Not all of us will be on our bikes. They won’t know all of us are coming either. The element of surprise is on our side. I know the game plan. Dragon and I will get dropped off a little ways from the meeting point. We’ll trade out places with two of the guys on bikes.  We roll in there like it’s only the two of us until we need the others. They’ll all be on standby within a reasonable distance.  Dragon talks into the walkie-talkie as I let it all play out in my head. Everything he’s saying, is everything I already know. It’s all played out for me. I have it mapped out in my mind, and now all I need, is to move the fuck in and execute it.

 ***

Slow deep breaths. Standing in the alley makes my skin crawl. I know they’re close by. I can feel it all through me.

“Always fuckin’ late. Why do motherfuckers set a time and then show up late?” I’m more aggravated than anything else. Dragon chuckles, until I hear it. His disgusting voice.

“I own the night. I can make my own rules.” His voice fills the calmness. Melanie’s dad walks into view, with a gun pointed at Nessa’s stomach. Vomit rolls around in my throat.

“Move that gun!” I roar, pointing at him, he chuckles, pressing it in harder. I can see the discomfort in her eyes. She’s strong though, she won’t let him see it.

My strong girl.

“This trade could be a lot easier if you hand over my grandson.” His words make me shiver. His grandson? Like fuck he is.

“Let her go, I make a call, he’s here.”  Vernon eyes search mine. He’s trying to see if I’m bluffing.

“Why give him up so easily? You went to all that trouble to get him,” He asks.  Swallowing hard, my muscles tense up.

“She’s mine. Melanie had no proof that boy was even mine. In fact, the test proves otherwise.” Miles’ grin spreads across his face.

“I knew she was a whore. This will be easier then.” Motioning to someone else, Melanie is tossed out into the alley in front of us.

“Mel.” Her name slides from my lips right before the blast echoes around us.

“Oh, God!” Dropping to my knees next to her, I hold her bloodied head in my lap.

“What kind of sick fuck are you! She was your daughter!” I roar with rage.  Miles shrugs, as though it’s no big deal to him. What kind of heartless fucker is he?

“Where is the boy?” Screaming louder, I look up at him. Covered in Melanie’s blood, I lay her head gently on the ground before standing.

“Let her go, I call.” Shaking his head, I want to gut him. I want to reach in and rip his heart out with my bare hands.

“Nice try. Get the boy, or I take your daughter,” He says in a tone that shows he isn’t playing. My eyes lock with Nessa’s. I can see the fear. I hate it. I hate this for her. I pull my cell out and call Devil.

“Bring Jordan, now,” I say.  Devil doesn’t say a word. Nessa’s eyes plead with me. She doesn’t want me to do this.

It amazes me that she would give up her own life to save my son. The woman is selfless. My heart surges with pride. Knowing that she would put him before herself, just seals what I feel for her.

Devil walks up with a bundle in his arms. I have to say, that motherfucker made it very believable, too. It actually looks like he’s carrying a baby around in that blanket.

“Let her go,” Devil says as he walks toward Miles.

I can see the way Miles is slightly letting up on his grip. I watch and wait.

Wait for him to loosen up just enough for us to make our move. When I see it, I yell, “Nessa, RUN!” Nessa moves quickly, squatting behind a dumpster. Miles turns, and fires in her direction. That was just another mistake on his part. I fire, shooting into his leg when his guys begin to move in. Imagine their surprise, when our boys are right there to take them down. Shots ring through the alley but my eyes are locked on Miles, as he drags himself toward the dumpster. I see his hand come out, his gun pointed toward her. My heart nearly stops beating in my chest.

“Wrong move, motherfucker,” I growl pulling the trigger, it goes straight through his hand. His grip on the gun releases as I walk around him. I kick the gun out of his reach before kicking him in the ribs.

“You took my girl.” Another kick.

“Put a gun to my daughter.” Another kick, and Miles coughs. I like this, I like watching this pig wriggle.

“Get up,” Growling at him, he laughs. He has the actual balls to laugh. Reaching down, I jerk him to his feet by his neck.

“You took so much from me you son of a bitch. Did you really think I’d give you my son?” I roar with all the strength I have. My face is inches away from his. It takes all I have in me to not rip into his chest like I planned. Sliding my gun into the back of my jeans, I pull my knife free.

“I’ve been lookin’ forward to this.” Ramming the knife into his stomach I watch him bend forward, clutching his stomach. Glancing at Nessa, I take a quick look around. Spotting the guys with grins on their faces, I know they took out the rest of his guys.

“Dragon! Come get her.”