Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Bama

The room is hot, filled with the scent of sweat and leather.

The boys are laughing, slapping each other's backs, pool cues clacking against balls.

My eyes drift to Jordyn, who's sitting at the bar, her fingers tracing the rim of a beer bottle, lost in thought.

Odd. I've never seen her drink a beer since I've been here.

"Hey, Bama!" Dracus' voice cuts through the noise like a blade.

I look up, meeting his intense gaze.

He gives me a nod, jerking his head toward the corner of the room.

I guess we need to have a chat.

I push off the wall I've been leaning on, weaving through the crowd.

My muscles tense, heart pounding as I wonder what's coming next.

Dracus isn't the kind of guy who calls you over for small talk.

His dark eyes are serious, almost too calm, which makes me uneasy.

"What's up?" I ask when I reach him, stuffing my hands in my pockets to hide the slight tremor.

"Got some news," he says, voice low. "And I think you're gonna like it."

"Yeah?" I try to keep my tone casual, but my curiosity piques.

"Blake Ojai," He lets the name hang in the air, watching my reaction closely. "We found him."

A rush of adrenaline floods my veins.

Blake Ojai—the bastard who put his hands on Jordyn.

My fists clench involuntarily. "Okay, so, what are we doin' about it?"

Dracus smirks, that predatory glint in his eyes. "We're going after him tonight."

"Who's we?" My voice is steady, but inside, I'm itching at the chance to get to this slimy fucker.

"Me, you, Tex, and Bolt," he says, listing off the names like a death sentence. "No one touches our family without paying for it."

"Good," I spit out, barely containing the rage building inside me. It's like a fire, burning hotter with every second. "Do we know where he is?"

Dracus chuckles, a dark, humorless sound. "Yeah, we know exactly where he is—at work. New office building in Billings. He works late hours, means he's alone, which is perfect for us."

"Great," I comment, my mind already racing ahead to tonight. To what we'll do. What I'll do. My rage isn't just a fire—it's an inferno. And Blake Ojai is about to get burned.

"Be ready," Dracus says, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "We leave in two hours."

"Oh, I'll be ready." I reply, locking eyes with him. This isn't just about loyalty or revenge. It's about making sure no one ever thinks they can mess with us again.

As I turn back to the room, I catch another glimpse of Jordyn.

"Jordyn." I call her name as I stride across the room, my boots echoing on the wooden floor.

Those caramel-highlighted strands of her hair catch the light.

It was weird between us a couple days ago—hell, it's always weird when you find out your boyfriend killed his own father.

But Jordyn, she gets it. Maybe in a way no one else ever could.

"Yeah?" Her voice is soft but steady.

She's been through a lot, but she's tough. Damn tough.

"I just wanted to see if you're good," I say, trying to keep my tone casual. "I'll be heading out in a couple of hours."

"Yeah, I'm okay," she replies with a small smile. "How about you?"

"You know me. I'm always fine," I mutter, though it's far from the truth.

My mind's already on Blake Ojai and what we're gonna do to him.

But for now, I need to focus. Take care of what's right in front of me.

"Be safe," she says, touching my arm lightly.

It's a simple gesture, but it means everything.

"Always am," I promise, giving her a nod.

For the next two hours I keep myself busy with some things Zane asked me to get done before I leave for the night.

Once the two hours pass, Dracus is standing at the double doors waiting for me, with Bolt, and Tex by his side.

We pile into the van, the scent of leather and old greasy food thick in the air.

Dracus takes the driver's seat, his fingers drumming on the wheel with a rhythm that matches my own heartbeat.

Tex slides in next to him, Bolt and I take the back.

The van roars to life, and we're off, heading toward Billings like hounds on a scent.

"Everyone knows what they're doing?" Dracus asks over his shoulder.

"Yeah," we all grunt in unison.

This isn't just any other run for the club—this is personal.

The city lights blur past as we drive, the hum of the engine a low growl beneath our conversations.

We don't talk much—don't need to.

The plan's simple—wait for Blake and make him pay.

"Remember, he works late," Dracus says, eyes locked on the road ahead. "He'll be alone and that's when we'll strike."

"Good," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

My knuckles are white, gripping the seat in front of me.

Every bump in the road feels like a jolt of adrenaline straight to my veins. I'm ready.

We pull up to the industrial park and kill the headlights. The building's new, shiny even, but tonight it looks cold, lifeless—a perfect stage for what's about to go down.

We park the van in the shadows, hidden from any stray eyes that might wander this way.

"All right, masks on," Dracus commands, pulling his over his face.

I do the same, the fabric tight against my skin. It's suffocating, but necessary.

"Tex, you got eyes on the lobby?" Bolt asks, already scanning the area through binoculars.

"Yeah," Tex replies. "He's still in there, working late like clockwork."

"Perfect," Dracus grins, his voice a dark promise. "Bama, you ready?"

"More than ever," I say, and I mean it. Every second we wait feels like a lifetime.

My fists ache for the release they'll get when I finally lay them into Blake.

Time crawls by, each tick of the clock louder than the last.

We're coiled springs, ready to snap.

The parking lot is empty, silent except for the distant hum of machinery from the nearby warehouses.

"I see movement," Tex whispers, nodding toward the building. "That's him."

I see Blake through the glass doors, moving like he's got all the time in the world. Arrogance. Ignorance.

He has no idea what's waiting for him just outside those doors.

"Showtime," Dracus growls, and we move as one, silent and deadly.

The anticipation is a tangible thing, wrapping around us like a shroud.

Blake steps out, oblivious.

His fate sealed the moment he laid a finger on Jordyn.

The rage inside me is volcanic, ready to erupt.

Tonight, we reclaim what's ours.

Tonight, Blake Ojai learns the cost of crossing us, and for hurting someone we care about.

My heart pounds like a war drum.

Dracus signals with a quick nod, and we're off. No hesitation.

"Go!" Tex barks, and we surge forward.

Blake looks up, eyes wide with shock but too late to react. He's ours.

"Grab him!" Dracus commands.

I take the lead, my fist smashing into Blake's jaw.

He staggers back, disoriented.

Bolt's right there, landing a punch to his gut.

Tex grabs him by the arms while I drive my knee into his solar plexus.

The air rushes out of him in a wheeze.

"Lights out," Dracus sneers, delivering a final blow to Blake's temple.

He crumples like a rag doll, unconscious before he hits the ground.

"Get him in the van," Bolt grunts, lifting one of Blake's limp arms.

Tex and I grab the other side.

He's dead weight, heavier than he looks, but adrenaline makes him light.

"Move it," Dracus urges. "Let's get out of here."

We haul Blake to the van, shoving him inside with zero care.

He sprawls awkwardly on the cold metal floor, still out cold.

"Drive," Dracus orders, sliding the door shut behind us.

Tex jumps into the driver's seat, and the engine roars to life.

We pull out of the parking lot, leaving no trace behind.

"How long till we get there?" I ask, glancing at the rearview mirror.

Blake's unmoving form is a grim reminder of what's coming next.

"Not long," Tex replies, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

"Good," I mutter, clenching my fists.

The rage in me simmers, waiting for its next release.

We ride in tense silence, the hum of the tires against asphalt the only sound.

"Almost there," Tex announces, turning onto a dirt path that leads to the back of the property.

The lake looms ahead, dark and foreboding.

"Wake him up when we stop," Dracus says, his voice low and menacing. "He needs to know why this is happening."

"Believe me," I say, staring down at Blake. "He'll know."

We stop at the lake, gravel crunching under the van's tires.

The moonlight casts a silver glow over the dark water, making it look like liquid metal.

"Perfect timing," Dracus mutters, stepping out. "Blackjack, Ashley, and the kids should be miles away by now. They went away for the weekend. No witnesses."

"Good," I grunt, sliding open the van door. Blake's still out cold, sprawled on the floor like discarded trash.

"Get him out," Tex growls, cracking his knuckles. "We got work to do."

I grab Blake by the ankles, dragging him out of the van.

His body hits the ground with a thud, but he doesn't stir.

My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline mixing with the cold rage simmering inside me.

"Hold him still," Dracus orders, tossing me a length of heavy chain and a cinderblock. "Let''s make sure he isn't gonna go anywhere."

"On it," I reply, kneeling beside Blake.

The rough dirt digs into my knees as I loop the chain around his waist, securing it tightly.

The metal links clink together, a grim symphony in the quiet night.

"Make it tight," Bolt advises, watching me with steely eyes. "Can't have him slipping free."

"Don't worry," I say through gritted teeth. "He isn't gonna get away from us."

The cinderblock is heavy, but I lift it with ease, threading the chain through its center.

I yank hard, testing the security.

Satisfied, I let it drop back to the ground with a dull thud.

"Wake him up," Dracus says, kicking Blake's side. "Time for him to face the music."

Blake groans, eyelids fluttering open.

Confusion fills his eyes as he takes in his surroundings.

Then panic sets in. He starts thrashing around, making the chains rattle.

"Easy there," Tex chuckles darkly. "Ain't no use fighting."

"Wh-what the hell?" Blake sputters, trying to sit up.

The weight of the cinderblock pulls him back down, anchoring him to the ground.

"Welcome to the end of the line, Blake," I say, crouching beside him. "Did you really think you'd get away with it?"

"Let me go!" he screams, yanking at the chains. "You can't do this!"

"Watch us," Dracus sneers, his eyes cold and unyielding.

"You're gonna pay for what you did," I hiss, fury bubbling to the surface. "No one fucks with anyone in the club and gets away with it, especially hurtin' one of our girls."

Blake's eyes widen as the realization sinks in.

He's trapped, and there's no escape. And for the first time, I see real fear in those eyes.

It's a sight that fuels my resolve, making me grip the chains even tighter.

"Please," he begs, voice trembling. "I'll do anything."

"Too late for that," I growl. "This is your reckoning."

"Reckoning?" Blake begins laughing, and it grows louder and louder. "You don't scare me. You think you're better than me?"

"Better?" My face is inches from his. "We ain't better than you, but we're loyal."

"Big talk from a guy who murdered his own father," Blake snarls, lips curling into a sneer. "How's that for loyalty?"

A chill runs down my spine, but I don't show it. My jaw tightens. "What did you say?"

"That's right," Blake says, his grin widening. "I know all about it. How you put a bullet in your old man's head. You think you're safe because you're hiding out here? People talk, Bama. They always talk."

"Doesn't matter," I say, voice steady. "You're not walking away from this."

"Think again," Blake retorts, eyes gleaming with malice. "I can make this disappear. Just let me go, and I'll keep your little secret safe. Otherwise . . ."

"Otherwise what?" Dracus steps in, looming over us both. "You gonna blackmail him? Good luck with that."

"Yeah," Tex chuckles, shaking his head. "We're past bargaining, Blake."

"You're bluffing," Blake insists, panic creeping back into his voice. "You can't kill me. The cops?—"

"Won't find shit," I cut him off, standing tall. "And even if they do, they'll never connect it to us. We're smarter than you think. I'm so tired of dealing with your dumb ass."

We drag Blake toward the lake, each step heavier than the last.

He thrashes, but it's futile.

"Goodbye, Blake," I whisper, releasing the chain.

The cinderblock hits the water with a splash, dragging him down.

His screams are swallowed by the dark, murky depths.

"Rest in hell," Tex mutters, turning away.