Chapter Twenty-Six

Wolf

My head hurts like a bitch, but at least I'm alive and awake. Beside me on the ground lies Justice, but he's barely awake and I know he's lost too much blood. Concern for his health courses through my veins. We're back at their dirty-ass clubhouse. Behind us stands a beat-up tan van with its lights on full blast, pointing in the direction we're facing. Our shadows are elongated on the ground before us. The crunch of tires on gravel is clear and coming closer toward us. If Pope is dumb enough to bring my woman to this meet, I'll kill him with my own bare hands.

The black van we often use for transport pulls to a stop about fifty feet from us. Pope exits from the driver's side with a nod in my direction. Mad Dog exits from the passenger side but doesn't look at me. That seals it for me, they brought the women. My heart pounds so hard in my chest that I'm sure Viper can hear it from his spot beside me.

The only light in the area is supplied by the two vans now pointed toward one another. My heart sinks and my stomach rolls as Hadley and Kaiya step from the van. They slowly make their way around the van toward Pope before Hadley lifts her eyes to mine.

There's a look of determination in her eyes that I wasn't expecting. There's no fear or hesitation, only determination. Wishing I knew what was going through her mind at this moment, I say a small prayer to a god I long since stopped believing in to keep her safe.

Pope made the mistake of showing up without any backup. He trusted that the Mongrels would actually honor the agreement, but I know they haven't. In between the trees surrounding us are at least twenty men armed to the teeth. Having no idea on how to alert Pope and Mad Dog to the situation, I remain silent, biding my time.

"Send those bitches over," Viper yells to Pope.

"Not a chance, you fucker. We do it at the same time." Pope stares down Viper and Mutt.

"Fine." Viper nudges at my shoulder, propelling me forward.

Helping Justice to his feet, I support his weight as we move down the gravel driveway. Hadley hugs Pope before moving toward me. There's no jealousy as I witness their hug because my ass is too confused by the look on the face of my president. Kaiya moves over to Mad Dog and he cups her face before kissing her. A moment later, they break apart and he leans his forehead to hers, talking to her in a hushed tone. Behind me, I hear Viper growl.

"Get your hands off my sister, you fucker!"

Mad Dog simply smirks at him as he smacks Kaiya on her ass and sends her on her way. Kaiya and Hadley link hands and make their way toward Justice and me. Hadley turns to Kaiya, hugging her before Kaiya moves past me toward Viper. Justice pushes my hand from his waist.

"Talk to her," he says before hobbling his way forward.

Before I can speak or react, Hadley throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. My hand circles her waist to hold her to me. She has a gun in the waistband of her jeans. Feasting on her, I remove it slowly so as not to alert Viper or his men.

Hadley smiles at me as she pulls away. "I love you and you can show me the house tomorrow." She pulls away and moves past me, twining her hand with Kaiya's again as they continue to make their way toward Viper. As I watch them slowly walk away, something in the dark catches my eye. Just out of sight, beneath the dark cover of trees, Sparrow slits the throat of the man who was stationed there.

With eyes that I know are round with surprise, I look back toward Pope and he nods at me. He has a goofy grin spread on his face for a moment as tense as this. Taking the nod to mean that the men have all been taken care of, I flip the safety off the gun I took from Hadley and turn around. Pointing directly at Viper, I'm lucky enough to see the moment Sparrow creeps up and slits Mutt's throat before stepping back with a smile. Viper raises his hands in the air as he realizes he's alone. Hadley and Kaiya are about ten steps away from me and still holding hands. Slowly, I move toward them.

"Do something, Kaiya!" Viper tries to move toward her but likely thinks better when he sees Mad Dog move in beside her.

Kaiya shakes her head as she moves toward him. She has steel in her spine and we all watch her closely. Stopping in front of Viper, her brother, her only living relative, she squares her shoulders.

"No," she practically spits in his face before hitting him with a right hook any man would be proud of.

"This is for me. And every other woman you have ever abused. This is for Hadley and everything that you put her through. This is for letting your club beat me and rape me and take things from me that I will never get back."

Mad Dog wraps an arm around her shoulder as he leads her back toward us. Viper curses up a storm behind them but Kaiya is smiling even as tears track down her face. Reaching Hadley, they hug each other for a long moment before parting.

Kaiya tilts her head back to look me in the eye. "I don't give a fuck what you do with him, but I want this over."

Hadley smiles at me and nods. Kaiya waits for my response and I don't have words, so instead, I simply nod. Viper starts begging and trying to strike a bargain as soon as my long legs stride in his direction.

And there beneath the stars on a cloudless spring night, I use the gun my woman brought when she came to save my dumb ass to put a bullet between Viper's eyes. No one flinches. There are no regrets. There's just us.