It’s been radio silence for days. I can’t take it anymore. She said goodbye and I gave her that, but this is becoming ridiculous. I stalk into Sins to find a barman I don’t recognize. Savvie and Ellie, the girl we saved from the cage is sitting beside her.

“Where is she?” I ask as soon as I reach the two girls.

“She’s not here,” Carrick’s voice comes from behind me before either of the girls can respond. He stalks up to me and offers his hand, which I shake in greeting. “We have something to finish before you can even comprehend going to her.”

I know what he’s talking about. I still haven’t had the courage to go near the fucker that stole my girl. I knew that if I walked up to him, I’d have ripped him to shreds. Granted, he would deserve it, but I can’t sit in prison while Gia is out here alone.

“Let’s go,” Rick says, patting me on the shoulder. Without looking back, I follow him through the club and out into the parking lot.

“Just tell me if she’s okay.” My voice comes out filled with emotion I haven’t felt in a long while. That absence of the person you love ensures that your life is void of color. The once red roses that Gia reminded me of are black as night in my mind.

“She will be. Time is all she needs right now. And you my friend,” Carrick glances my way. “Need closure and vengeance for your girl.”

Nodding, I slip into the passenger seat of a black BMW X5 that I’ve never seen him drive. The windows are blacked out, hiding us from the outside world. The engine purrs to life, my heart hammers in my chest at what I’m about to do. Beside killing him, the only way I’ll find closure is to torture the fucker.

I’ll gladly do that if it means my girl will find peace. Knowing he’s gone will make sure her mind is at rest. No longer stressed about him once again finding her.

As we travel through the darkened streets, I don’t talk, I can’t find words to thank Rick for what he’s done. Nothing can ever compare to having friends who will have your back no matter what. He’s become closer to me than any family I’ve had.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. It’s derelict. The perfect place to kill someone and hide a body.

Once the car stops and the engine ceases, we sit in silence for a moment before Carrick pulls a black 9mm from his jacket.

“This is for you. I’m not saying you’ll use it, but…” His words taper off into nothing and I know what he’s saying. If I want to pull the trigger it’s loaded and ready. I’ve never taken a life, never wanted to. Now that I grip the metal, I have the urge to empty the whole round in that asshole’s chest. To see the blood drip from the bullet holes.

“Let’s go,” I utter gruffly. Pushing the door open, I exit the vehicle with the firearm firmly in my tense grip. The crunch of our steps on the loose granite are the only sounds in the dead of night. Darkness envelops us, the sliver of the new moon offers only a small amount of light. “Did you lock him up in this place?”

“My men did, yes,” Carrick answers. Mysterious. Not giving anything away about who he really is which makes me want to question him. To learn more about the man that seems to know people who have derelict warehouses on the outskirts of town where you can hold a hostage.

Once we step inside the barren space, I spot one chair with a slumped form in it. There aren’t any other visible signs of the men Carrick mentioned. As we near the unconscious man, two figures dressed in black and carrying machine guns step forward from the shadows.

“Mr. Anderson, the hostage has been sleeping. Shall we wake him up?” one asks, facing Carrick. One nod from Rick, and the shadowed figure grips William Fredericks’ hair, tugging it back.

“Wake up, asshole.” The deep gruff voice vibrates through the warehouse.

When I get a better look, I notice he’s roughed up, but not as bad as I thought. Or not as bad as I want to hurt him. His eyes open; blood crusted in the corner of his mouth cracks when he smirks.

“Is that little whore alive?” he spits, causing me to rear back and slam the butt of the gun into his mouth. Two teeth fly from his lips, falling to the ground.

“Don’t you speak about her like that you piece of filth.” My words are hissed in his face, and spittle flies from my venomous mouth.

“She was a whore, you know? Her body was nothing but a device to gain pleasure from.”

Rage warms my blood, it rushes through my veins like a poison, a drug. Lifting the gun, I trail the barrel over his bloodied face.

“You know, William… I have two bullets in here with your name on it. One for Gia and one for Ellie. All those times you hurt them, violated them, you will pay. I promise you that,” I vow, dropping my hand to his crotch and pointing it at his stomach.

“You can’t kill me, Elijah. You’re too soft. In love. That emotion weakens you.” His words have no effect on me. Nothing but hatred simmers in my gut for him.

“Oh, I’m not going to kill you,” I tell him with a smirk. My finger presses the trigger easily. The shot resounds, and a cry is wretched from his throat. Blood splatters over my chest, my arm, and my hand. I’m drenched in the crimson liquid of the enemy. “That’s for Ellie,” I tell him, seeing the agony in his expression. The thing about it is I know exactly where to shoot to wound, but not kill.

“Just…” He gurgles. “Arrest me,” he pleads. His voice drops to a whisper.

I’ve learned that words spat are meant to harm. When uttered, they’re meant to console. But when they’re whispered, that’s when they mean so much more. The emotion so profound it chokes you, and all you can manage is a whisper. Whether it’s passion, lust, agony, pain, or sorrow.

Lowering the gun further, right at the filthy cock that’s hurt two women that I know of, but what worries me is the one’s we weren’t there to save, I once again pull the trigger. Lifting my eyes to the men in shadows, I nod.

“Take him to the hospital and call the police.” Once he gets into the emergency room they’ll save him, and then he’ll rot in prison for the rest of his life. Carrick’s team works quickly, and I know they’ll get him there on time. I watch as the blood drains from him and I can’t help smiling. The sick satisfaction I feel only seems to make me happier. I wish I could’ve found him sooner, before he managed to steal Gia, or even Ellie. But now he’ll get what’s coming to him.

“You okay, man?” Rick asks from beside me, and I nod, handing him back his gun.

“I am. Time to move on. Wait for my girl to come back to me.”

It doesn’t take long for us to get back to the city. We do so in silence. Rick pulls into his parking spot at the club and I exit his car.

“Thank you for everything,” I tell him, unlocking my own vehicle.

“You’re welcome to come in for a drink you know,” he says, pointing to the entrance. But I shake my head.

“Time to go home.” I slip into the driver’s seat and start the car. It’s not long and I’m pulling into my garage. The house is empty, leaving another barren feeling in my chest. Pulling out my phone, I hit dial on her number. Gia.

“Hello,” she says tentatively. It’s the first time in days she’s answered a call from me and my heart thunders in my chest.

“I miss you.” It’s the truth. I do. My heart aches. My body yearns for her. And she can’t deny she feels the same.

“Please don’t call me again. I’ve already said goodbye.” She hangs up. The beep on the other end of the line is enough for me to want that gun of Carrick’s to take the pain in my chest away.

Sighing, I head into the living room. I pour myself a triple shot of amber liquid, the whiskey that I keep for special occasions. Tonight, I might have won the war, but I lost the princess. And I know somehow, I have to come to terms with it.