I took a deep breath and walked forward. The brothers, all dressed in leathers and cuts, watched me as I passed. But I kept my eyes straight forward. The sound of hands twisting on crowbars and the clanging of knives accompanied my journey. I arrived at the front. I tipped my head up and saw two chains hanging from the roof. Metal cuffs hung at their ends.
I moved directly under the chains, then turned to face the brothers. A sea of my former friends glared back at me. The humid storm brought sweat to their faces, their bare chests. Most were covered in residual blood, having not showered after the massacre at the commune.
I supposed there was no point.
I looked over the brothers I’d hurt with my actions: AK, Tank, Bull, Viking, Flame. I saw the new brothers I’d never got the chance to know: Hush, Cowboy, Tanner . . . And then there was Smiler. He was standing to the back of the brothers, a fucking tormented expression on his face. His long brown hair was tied back, and he held nothing in his hand. My stomach fell. He was the only one. Smiler was the only fucking one.
He had been a true friend to me. Even now, after everything. One I hadn’t ever deserved.
Unable to look into his pained eyes any longer, I moved my attention to Ky and Styx. The prez and VP were standing side by side at the front of the crowd. Styx was bare chested, not even wearing a cut. I could see why. A large swastika scar covered his chest—the one that my deception had caused. And in his hand was his German knife.
His favorite knife.
He glared at me, but I didn’t glare back. Instead I looked at Ky. The blond-haired brother stepped forward. Without being asked, I held up my arms. Ky moved to the lever on the wall and pulled it down, all without glancing away from me. I heard the chains moving down from above. Ky walked to me and shackled my wrists.
When he moved away, I looked straight forward and fixed my stare in place. The lever sounded again, and the chains began to pull on my arms. I gritted my teeth as the chains dragged my arms up until my shoulders screamed out in pain. My body lifted until my toes were an inch off the ground.
The chains locked; I was ready.
Styx came forward first. The only noises were the thunder and rain outside, and the sound of Flame pacing back and forth on the old floor.
Styx lifted his knife and placed the tip at my sternum. I closed my eyes. I closed my eyes and pictured Bella’s face. I needed the strength for what this night would bring.
Because this death would not be quick.
And I agreed that it shouldn’t be.
Then came the blistering pain of the blade being dragged down my flesh. I tried to breathe through the pain, my jaw aching with how tightly I was gritting my teeth.
The blade was released, and I opened my eyes, only to meet a crazed hazel stare. Styx panted in victory as he brought the blade to the side of my chest. This time I kept my eyes open while he completed the sign of the cross on my torso. My blood trickled down my chest, and my arms jerked in agony as my skin was ripped open. My shoulders screamed at the strain of holding my heavy body, but I fought back the shouts that were threatening to tear from my throat.
I would take it. I would fucking take it all.
Styx moved away, his chest shining with sweat.
Ky came next, dressed in only his pants and cut. His fists were wrapped in thick chains. The VP drew his arm back and sent blow after blow across my face, my ribs and stomach. My head snapped back at the attack, my body swung on the chains. But he was far from done.
I was a turncoat.
It was time to pay my penance to Hades with no coins on my eyes.
As Ky’s blows subsided, I saw the brothers all gathering to take their revenge. I closed my eyes again, and this time vowed never to open them.
Instead I pictured Bella’s face.
I pictured her eyes, her lips and her smile. I imagined her touch, her whispered words . . . her confession of love.
And even as the taste of my own blood filled my mouth, I smiled. Because at least I’d known what true love really was. I kept that feeling in my heart. I kept that warmth in my chest, until the pain from the brothers’ blows all but faded away.
Until the darkness I deserved began creeping in.
Chapter Seventeen
Bella
I jumped awake as a loud crack of thunder sounded directly above me. I blinked into the dark room, struggling to get my bearings.
The bedroom in the clubhouse.
Memories of earlier drifted into my mind, and I smiled. I love you, he had said. My Rider. My Rider . . .
Stretching out my hand, I searched for my husband. I frowned when I was met with cold sheets. I lifted my head and cast my gaze around the moonlit room.
Nothing.
I jerked upright. My heart, for some reason, was pounding in my chest. “Rider?” I said quietly. No response came. Jumping from the bed, I rushed to the bathroom . . . but it was all quiet.
I flicked on the light and bent down to search through his clothes. His pants were gone. His boots and shirt were still where I had left them.
I did not understand it, but a feeling of dread burgeoned in my chest.
I slipped on my long black dress and put on my sandals. I rushed through the door, searching the hallway. The clubhouse was silent. I passed through the bar; there was no one in sight.
“Where are you?” I whispered aloud.
Acting on instinct, I bolted out of the door and into the yard. The rain poured over my head, but I did not care. I had to find Rider. Something was not right, I could feel it.
I took off through the woods, toward Mae’s home, my sandals slipping on the wet ground. I ran and I ran, pushing my legs as fast as they would go. By the time her home came into view, I was struggling to breathe. But I had to get help. I just knew I needed help.
By the time I arrived, I was drenched. I slammed my hand on the door. “Mae!” I called out, screaming to be heard over the storm. “MAE!”
The door opened, and Mae stood before me in her red nightdress. “Bella?” she asked, looking at my soaked state.
“Is your fiancé here?” I asked.
Mae frowned. “No, he said he had business to attend to.”
My heart beat faster, and I backed away from the door. Lilah. I had to try Lilah’s. I jumped off the porch and ran up the hill to Lilah’s house.
“Bella! Wait!” I heard Mae call out after me, but I could not stop. Lilah’s door opened before I could even knock. She slipped out onto the porch and shut the door.
“Bella?” She glanced behind her. “Grace is sleeping. I could hear your frantic voice all the way from Mae’s house.”