Page 78 of Wheelie's Challenge
“Stop it! We’re not here for whatever bullshit the two of you have between you. You fuckin’ stole from the club. That’s the goddamn issue.” Banger jerked his head at Breaker. “Uncuff this fucker and lay him on the table.”
Breaker rolled the stainless steel table to the center of the room then took off the handcuffs.
For the next two hours, Smokey, Rock, Hawk, Banger, Wheelie, Jax, Puck, Blade, Axe, and Throttle exacted punishment on the man who had betrayed them and who they’d once called a brother. Emotionless expressions froze on their faces as they watched Tigger cough up blood, sending a thin crimson spray onto the concrete floor.
Face white, eyelids swollen nearly shut, skin blistering, Tigger’s cries came from deep within his chest and twisted into raspy moans as they spilled from his cracked lips. The stench of burnt flesh filled the room as Rock set the blowtorch down on one of the tables.
“That’s the last of them,” Rock said, wiping the sweat running down his face with the back of his arm.
“The tat on his cock was just stupid,” Wheelie said. “Are we finished here?” He lifted the bloodied sledge hammer. Banger nodded, and Wheelie put it on the table next to the blowtorch. “Get me some cleaning stuff for this.” Wheelie said to Breaker.
“Me, Dixie, and Easy will take care of it, bro. It doesn’t seem like the fucker’s gonna last too much longer,” Breaker replied.
“We better keep an eye on Cruiser and Skeet,” Wheelie said, leaning back on the heels of his boots. “They’re not gonna take this too well.”
“They’re Insurgents and they know the damn score,” Banger said.
“Are we sure they weren’t involved in this?” Axe asked.
“Hubcap said it was just Tigger.” Hawk bent over Tigger’s broken and burned body.
“I can’t fucking believe Skeet didn’t know the asshole was doing this shit,” Throttle said.
“He’s gone.” Hawk walked away from the table. “If we find out Skeet knew and didn’t say shit, he’ll join his buddy.” He turned to Breaker. “Are you sure you don’t need help? I can give you a hand.”
“Me too,” Wheelie said.
Breaker shook his head. “We got this. My buddy at the funeral home will turn Tigger to ashes then I’ll give the fucker to the ocean.” Breaker pointed at Wheelie. “That reminds me… my buddy told me that you can go over and pick up the urn for your woman.”
“Thanks, bro.”
Breaker jerked his head. “You can go in through the back and head to the basement. We got showers and sinks to wash up. I’ll have a couple of the prospects bring down your stuff so you can change.”
“Sounds good.” Banger scrubbed his face. “Looks like we’re done here.” He walked toward the steel doors and Breaker strode over and opened them.
The sunlight streamed in, highlighting the pools of blood under the table where Tigger’s body lay. Squinting, Wheelie bumped fists with Breaker then followed his brothers out.
***
Two days later
Denver, Colorado
The white rentalcar wound around the narrow road’s curves passing row upon row of marble and granite tombstones all rising from the manicured grass. Spiked, black fences and towering evergreens surrounded the cemetery.
Wheelie parked the car and switched off the ignition. He turned his head and saw Kendra’s pink headstone. Concrete edging bordered the flower bed filled with yellow, red, and purple pansies. His mother had planted the memorial garden a year after Kendra’s funeral.
Sofia handed him the bouquet of pale pink roses then leaned over and kissed him softly. “I’ll give you some privacy and wait here. When you’re finished, I’d like to come over and say a prayer.”
Wheelie tilted his head then slid out of the car. The smell of fresh dirt filled the dry air and he looked past the tombstones and saw several new graves. In the distance, a black hearse slowly wended its way down the road followed by a procession of black limousines. He looked away and the sound of trucks rambling along the busy street that circled the cemetery invaded the peacefulness of the place. A warm breeze whispered through the leaves of the oak trees.
Wheelie placed the flowers in the metal vases on each side of the headstone. He stared for a long time at Kendra’s name then he knelt down on one knee.
“Knowing Elmore was alive ate at me. I couldn’t fuckin’ stand it,” he said in a low voice. He touched the stone: it was smooth and cool. “You know how I am. I’ve carried so much bitterness and hate inside me for what he did to you, and now I can finally let it go. I can let you rest in peace.” Wheelie picked up some stray leaves that littered the flower bed. “I’m gonna be a dad. Isn’t that something? Fuck, I wish you were here to watch my kid grow. You’d have made a kickass aunt.” He stood up and smoothed back his windblown hair. “I’ll miss you forever… that’s never gonna go away.” After many minutes, he turned around and motioned to Sofia to come over; it was time Kendra met his woman.
On the way back to Pinewood Springs, they listened to country music on the radio and Sofia rested her head on his shoulder. Every so often, she’d dot his chin, neck, and jaw with her sweet kisses.
“You okay?” she whispered.
