Chapter 29
“Everybody take a fuckin’ seat. We got business to discuss,” Ox ordered.
Every man in the room, including Axel and his men, took a seat.
Prettyboy was in no mood for church but the sooner he got that shit done and over with the sooner he could go console his woman.
“Axel, tell us what happened.”
“I was riding back to the clubhouse after checkin’ out a lead and I got bombarded. Three riders, Andy at the head, they told me they had Esme. Andy told me he would kill her, so I went with them. I didn't know they had her and you,” He said as he tipped his head towards Prettyboy.
“And then what?”
Ox was obviously pissed at the situation, not at Axel, but his biting tone made Prettyboy angry.
He was the one that almost died.
He was the one who watched Andy from the fuckin’ Silver Bullets poke his woman with a cattle prod.
“Turns out your whore Tasha laid a trap for us. Went right to ‘em and told them who to go after if Andy really wanted my attention. Obviously, it worked.”
“You’re leavin’ something out,” Limit said.
Axel narrowed his eyes.
“You never told us why you’re so against workin’ with the Silver Bullets. Why is that?”
Axel ran his hands through his hair.
“Everyone in this room knew that Wilder had a problem with drugs. He snorted coke faster than he sold it, but it wasn't until Tango overheard him talkin’ on the phone to some ghost rider that we realized he’d double crossed us, or planned to. I confronted him the night of his ‘accident’. He was working with Andy behind our backs to try and take over my club,” Axel explained.
“So, he didn't die in an accident?,” Limit asked.
Prettyboy knew the tone he was using. He was interrogating Axel, and he wasn't being discreet about it.
“I tried my best to reason with him. I told him we could put it behind us, that we could work through it. I knew that if the rest of the club found out, I’d have to bring it to the table, and then we’d have to kill him. Those are the rules. He pulled his gun on me, and we fought. He hit his head,” Axel said.
“You made it look like he laid his bike down?,” Green asked.
Tango and Rebel were standing beside Axel, and Prettyboy could tell that they were beyond pissed. Why wouldn't they be? Their president had lied to them for months.
“I did.”
“And you never thought to tell Esme the fuckin’ truth?”
Fury was angry, and that wasn't a good thing.
There was one man in the room who knew every weak spot Axel had, and that man was currently staring at him as if he alone could drag him down to hell.
“I was trying to protect her.”
“You watched her go crazy for months, and we both know the truth could have helped her.”
“He was trying to keep her safe, man. If he’d told her the truth she’d have been doing then what she’s doing now- beating herself up for not seein’ the signs,” Prettyboy said.
“Her old man was a junkie traitor! She deserved the know the truth.”
Prettyboy actually appreciated the way Fury was standing up for his lady, but there was no need to argue.
“This isn't a matter for the table. This is between me and Esme, and if she wants to talk about it, she will. End of fuckin’ discussion ,” Prettyboy bit out.
Fury finally nodded.
“What happened after they got all of you together? Esme had a gun at one point,” Limit said.
Prettyboy’s heart pounded against the bruised walls of his chest as he remembered the utter terror in her eyes when she’d leveled that gun at him.
“He gave Esme an impossible choice. Him or me,” Prettyboy said.
Ox swore.
“Was there a reason for that?,” He asked.
“Yeah, he said it was fun for him,” Axel said.
“Fun…Andy’s dead, right? I can’t re-kill him?,” Green asked.
“Esme shot him. Three times,” Fury deadpanned.
Ox smiled, and so did a few other men in the room, but Prettyboy knew how fucked up she was over it.
“So, we’ve got a clubhouse full of badass old ladies,” Slayer said.
“This club’s practically gone to shit, and all over pussy,” Torch said disgustedly.
Every single man in the room looked at him, and none of their gazes were friendly.
“Excuse me?,” Prettyboy snapped.
“I’m just sayin’ the truth. Ever since Rayna Claire showed up, this place has gone topsy-fuckin’-turvy! Guys, come on. The women are gettin’ us in more trouble than they’re worth!,” Torch said.
He truly looked like he believed that too, which made Prettyboy even angrier.
“Ox, I want him outside,” Prettyboy said.
“As soon as church is over, you can handle your business. And boy? A word to the wise: don’t insult anyones old lady around here. We may have had our fair share of club drama these last few months, but I reckon you don’t want Fury and Prettyboy whooping your ass into shape. You’re supposed to patch in soon, do you really want to fuck that up for yourself?”
Torch had the decency to look ashamed about his comments, but that didn't change a damn thing.
Prettyboy was flat out pissed he’d have to delay his time with Esme even longer now, but Torch needed to understand that as a club prospect, he was no better than the tagalongs.
“How’d you guys find us?”
“After Tango and Rebel showed up, we realized you and Esme were missing. We had Rider track you guys, and after that we let Limit lead the search party.”
“You and Esme saved our lives, brother. Thank you,” Prettyboy said.
“Your woman isn't like Rayna when it comes to bloodshed, but she’s quick on her feet. Putting the gun to her own head gave me the time I needed to get my rifle ready,” Limit said.
“She was determined not to kill me,” He joked.
“Yeah, and thank the Lord for that!,” Slayer said with a wink.
“Alright, what about the remaining members of the Silver Bullets? What about Tasha?,” Rider asked.
“Someone we all know and love has Tasha tied up in the garage. She’s not our concern anymore, boys. And as far as the rest of that rat pack goes, they’re gone. Limit tracked the stragglers down on his way back to the clubhouse. The threat has been eliminated.”
“So, anyone here is welcome to stay the night. It’s late as fuck, I’ll order some breakfast for everybody in the morning,” Ox said.
Murmurs of appreciation spread through the room, but Prettyboy only had eyes for Torch.
“Is church done?”
“Take him outside,” Ox said.
“I want in on this. Don’t think I haven't had enough of your shit too,” Fury grated.
“Take it easy, he’s still young.”
“He’s a young punk! Needs to learn his place and even though I would love to let my woman show you a thing or two, she’s handling her own business.”
Torch swallowed audibly and Prettyboy almost felt bad for him- almost.
“Meeting adjourned, everybody’s free to go!”
Prettyboy and Fury rose together, their fists meeting briefly.
“Let’s handle ours,” Prettyboy said.
Now, Torch looked terrified.
Good.
Fucker should be.
◆◆◆
Esme was standing beside Rayna, her hands twisting into a knot against her belly.
“Don’t be nervous, baby. This tramp almost got you and your old man killed tonight. She deserves worse,” Rayna said.
Tasha was now tied a chair, much like Esme had been hours before.
“What about the men?”
“Men don’t kill women. That leaves this little bitch to me, and I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Rayna said.
Esme knew that Tasha deserved worse than anything her or Rayna could dish out. She knew that what Tasha had done landed her with a gun against her head and Prettyboy’s, and yet…she didn't know if she could contribute.
“Rayna, I don’t think I’m cut out for this.”
Rayna laughed as she lit a cigarette and readied her own gun.
Tasha’s blue eyes were wide with fear, her long blonde hair tucked back behind her ears.
“I didn't ask you to do a damn thing, Esme. I’m fine to handle this on my own. You can go inside and see your man if you need to,” Rayna said as she glanced up at her.
Esme shuffled on her feet and stiffened when Tasha laughed.
“You’re a pathetic excuse for an old lady, Esmeralda Quinn! Man, Prettyboy’s a piece of shit, but even he deserves better than your sorry ass,” She said with a snort.
Rayna looked up at Esme from beneath her long hair as if to say, Really? You don’t want in on this?
Esme wasn't the most ruthless woman. She wasn’t some hardened biker bitch like Rayna, and she couldn't kill an entire room full of men with no remorse, no matter how badly they hurt her…but maybe one tagalong wouldn't be so bad.
Rayna was one hundred percent right, Tasha had caused everything she’d gone through in the last twenty-four hours.
Where is the woman Axel trained?
Where is the Esme that kneed this bitch in her face and told her she would kill her?
That tiny little voice in the back of Esme’s head that had been nagging her all night slowly faded away as she headed towards the table that held all of the tools for the garage. Some were hanging, some were sitting in a pile, but Esme wanted one thing in particular.
“Hey, Rayna?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“What was that threat you’re always throwin’ around? You wanted to cut her viper tongue out, right?”
Rayna grinned when Esme turned to face her.
Esme held a familiar pair of hedge cutters in her hand.
“Mmm, I think you read my mind!”
“When I was tied to a chair back at Andy’s warehouse Tasha had the gall to smack me in the mouth and tell me she’d cut my tongue out. Didn’t you?”
Tasha was staring at the hedge cutters, her mouth agape.
“Better answer her, Tasha. She’s got a determined look about her,” Rayna said as she removed her leather jacket.
Esme could see the ‘Property of Fury,’ patch from where she stood and thought maybe she’d ask Prettyboy about getting one for herself.
“You positive you wanna do this, Esme? There’s no goin’ back.”
Esme thought about the two men she’d already murdered- just like Tasha, they’d deserved it.
Could she really be upset about ridding the world of one more disloyal whore?
Esme took Rayna’s cigarette out of her mouth and took a long drag.
“I told myself all night to be a little more like you, Rayna. I’m soft. I know it, you know it. My backbone doesn't make an appearance as often as I need it to, and I’m damn tired of being the club basket case. My head is as clear as it’s ever been,” She said as she handed the cigarette back to Rayna.
Rayna’s smile reached her eyes.
“Glad to hear it, baby.”
Tasha was squirming in her seat, the black dress falling down around her shoulders as she tried to shy away from Esme’s grip.
“Don’t worry, Tasha. The pain won’t last too long. You’ll be dead before you can bleed out.”
Rayna leaned back against Ox’s car parked behind her and rested her gun against her thigh.
As Esme yanked Tasha’s mouth open, she started screaming but the sound was quickly swallowed by the blood pooling in the back of her throat.
“Is this a fitting punishment?,” Rayna asked.
“I’d say. She almost brought down two clubs with this bullshit,” Esme said as she removed her bloody hands from Tasha’s mouth.
Esme wasn’t one for blood and gore, but the sight of Tasha with no tongue had her grimacing at the most.
She almost felt better knowing that she'd never be able to hurt her family ever again.
“Am I supposed to feel satisfaction at the sight of her struggling to breathe through the blood in the back of her throat?,” Esme asked.
Rayna did laugh then, she laughed so hard she had to bend over to keep it in check.
“If that ain’t the truest thing I’ve ever heard…yes. That’s normal. You’ve done a good job, Esme. If you wanna head inside and let me handle the rest-”
Esme held out her hand when Tasha started to scream and struggle against her bindings.
“Did Ox give you the go ahead to kill her?”
“Not exactly,” She admitted with a shrug.
Esme wiggled her fingers, her eyes trained on the only person left in the entire equation that was still alive.
“What were his instructions?,” Esme asked.
“To maybe rough her up a little.”
“Give me the gun, Rayna.”
Rayna hesitated, but Esme pierced her with a determined stare.
“Give it.”
“God, bloodshed makes you a bossy little thing,” She grumbled.
“I like to think it’s the stink of betrayal lingering in the air that’s making me a righteous bitch,” Esme said as she made sure the gun was cocked.
Tasha was shaking her head back and forth, her agony palpable, her fear almost tangible.
Esme recognized that fear blinking back at her. She could practically feel the unease nipping at her hairline as she tightened her grip on Rayna’s gun.
Do I want to do this?
No, she didn’t, but Tasha hadn't hesitated to hurt her.
To hurt Prettyboy.
Tasha had left the both of them in the hands of ruthless men who’d have killed them as soon as the fun was over, so why shouldn't Esme return the favor? Rayna was the badass biker bitch with no remorse, Esme knew that, but would it be so bad if she gave in to her primal urges just this once?
Does it count as justifiable or revenge?
Esme didn't know, and she knew that if she wasted any more time questioning herself she would become that pathetic creature Tasha accused her of being.
What was it Chris had always told her?
Kill or be killed.
“Kill or be killed,” She heard herself murmur.
Esme realized that she could be merciful. She could be the one thing that changed the outcome of Tasha’s entire life. She could be the one person who gave her a chance to better herself, to change, to repent for her sins…
But, Esme didn't have any mercy left.
“Ox is gonna be mad if you off her,” Rayna warned.
“Ox ain’t my president. Not yet. Axel is, and right now, he’d give me just about whatever I wanted. And I want this.”
Tears filled Esme’s eyes as she watched Tasha struggle against her bindings, and for that split second, the two women were kindred.
Esme hadn't wanted to become the person she was in that moment, but only with Tasha’s help did she get there. They wouldn't be in the position they were in if Tasha hadn't done what she’d done. Esme would be on a date with her old man and Tasha wouldn't be tied to a chair with a gun pointed at her head.
Yet, there they were: two people in a position they didn't want to be in.
Two women who’s lives were irrevocably changed.
Kindred.
Esme leveled the gun at Tasha’s head and didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
The bang! from the gun was loud and made Rayna jump, but she didn't have time to complain before the garage door peeled open and Fury came tumbling inside.
“Rayna! If you fuckin’ killed that whore, Ox is gonna…,” He trailed off, his eyes wide, when he saw Esme holding the gun.
It was still pointed at Tasha’s head.
“End me…,” He finished.
Esme and Rayna both looked up at Fury, who looked like he’d just seen a ghost.
“No worries, Fury. I killed her,” Esme chirped.
I’m officially an old lady…
Shit, I just killed a tagalong, what the fuck is happening to me?
Esmeralda Quinn didn't fancy herself a good girl, but now?
Now, there was no turning back.
Rayna was right.
“What the fuck is goin’ on in here?,” They heard.
Fury cleared his throat and motioned for her to drop the gun, but Esme didn't bother to hide it. She walked to Ox and handed him the bloody weapon.
“Tasha’s dead. No need to thank me.”
Ox’s amber eyes looked between her and Rayna before he swore.
“You women will be the death of me.”
“Us? Esme’s the one who went all she-devil on her!”
Fury was looking at Tasha, a frown on his face.
“Did you cut her tongue out?,” He asked.
Limit entered the garage, then.
Esme pointed towards the bloody hedge cutters sitting on the tool bench.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I used your tools. They’re a little bloody.”
Limit blinked.
“A little- fuckin’ hell, woman! Just an hour ago, you were a blubberin’ mess, and now you’re in here offin’ tagalongs?”
“First of all, she was a traitor, and if ya’ll are allowed to ‘off’ traitors at your table, we should be able to do the same.”
Limit’s eyes narrowed before he surprised the fuck out of her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Fury and Rayna’s reactions were both the same- their mouths fell open wide.
“Good for you, Esme. Good for you,” Limit said gruffly.
Esmeralda’s smile was brilliant when he took the tool from the palm of her hand.
“This is literally the weirdest thing I’ve seen all night, and I legit watched porn that’s illegal in, like, four states,” Slayer said.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“What?”
“Well, let’s just have the whole damn club in here,” Ox growled.
“Relax, boss! Esme just turned into a rogue badass!”
“Esme did what?”
The sound of Axel’s voice drew her attention, but she didn't bother to hide her bloody hands.
She’d have to take a second shower.
When he realized what she’d done, he held out a hand to her.
“Can we talk?”
“Are you going to lie to me while we ‘talk’?”
“No.”
She took his hand, letting him lead her out of the garage.
Ox and Fury were busy barking orders as she stepped out into the morning sunlight.
“Look, before Prettyboy gets out here and takes you off my hands, I need to talk to you. I hate that you found out about Chris the way you did, but I’m not sorry that I kept that secret from you. I was trying to protect you, Esmeralda. I never want to hurt you, and that was something that would have hurt you,” He said.
Esme didn't say anything for a long moment, so Axel stopped walking and cupped her shoulders.
“Esme, you know that I love you. I can’t stand the thought of leavin’ here while you’re mad at me.”
She sighed before she leaned up on tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Axel surprised her by squeezing her against him.
“I know you’re sorry. I also know that you’re right, Axel. I just hate that I didn't know the truth.”
He buried his face in her neck.
“I don’t know what I’m gonna do without seeing your beautiful face everyday,” He said softly.
She pulled back and pressed a gentle kiss to his chin.
“You’ll be okay. And one day, you’ll find yourself a woman who changes everything for you,” She said sweetly.
“You’re not mad at me, then?”
“I’m mad at the situation but I forgive you.”
He sighed with relief and nodded.
“I’m so proud of you for ownin’ that little twat in there,” Axel said as he pointed towards the garage.
“What kind of man condones murder?”
“You and I both know I’m more monster than man, baby.”
Esme looked at her bloody hands.
“I think I’m in the same boat.”
Axel shook his head and looked at something over her shoulder.
“No. You avenged your club and your old man.”
She frowned.
“You’re still my president, Axel-”
He chuckled softly.
“We both know that’s not true, Esme. You belong here with your old man. You’re under Ox’s care now. He’s a good man, he’ll be a good president to you.”
For some reason that brought tears to her eyes.
“I’ll miss you.”
He hugged her close to him.
“I’ll miss you, too. It’s not goodbye. We’re still close allies, you can visit any time you want. You know you’re always welcome at my clubhouse. Thank you for forgiving me, baby. I couldn't leave here until I heard it from your mouth. But, your old man is waiting for you and he looks like he’s about two seconds from coming over here and ripping you out of my arms, and I’m too tired to fight.”
Esme smiled up at Axel and nodded.
“I’ll see you soon?”
Axel’s smile was a little sad, a lot tender, and just the smallest bit envious.
“I’ll see you soon.”