Page 25 of Judge's Justice

The other two are older. Bigger. One has a gray beard and a scar that runs from his temple to his jaw. The other is bald with tattoos covering his scalp and neck.

They walk toward Judge. Flanking him. Spreading out so he can't watch all three at once. Judge's hand tightens on his gun, but he doesn't draw it. Just watches them approach with that same calm posture.

The Viper from last night speaks first. I can't hear what he's saying, but I can read his body language. He's gesturing to his broken arm, to his face, pointing at Judge with his good hand. Gloating.

The gray-bearded Viper says something. Pulls out his phone. Shows it to Judge.

Judge's expression doesn't change, but I see his jaw clench.

"Mama, what are they saying?" Grace signs.

"I don't know, baby. I can't hear them."

"They look mean. Really mean."

She's right. They do look mean. They look like men who've done terrible things and enjoyed it. Like men who are about to do more terrible things. The bald Viper steps closer to Judge, and says something that makes the other two laugh.

Then he swings.

"No!" I hear myself shout it, even though they can't hear me, even though it won't help.

Judge blocks the punch, but barely. The Viper is fast, faster than the one from last night. He follows up with another hit, this one catching Judge in the ribs. Judge stumbles back. The gray-bearded Viper moves in from the side, kicking Judge's legs out from under him.

Judge hits the pavement hard.

"Mama!" Grace is crying now, her hands shaking as she signs. "They're hurting him! Make them stop!"

I can't. I can't do anything. I'm frozen, watching in horror as all three Vipers close in on Judge. He tries to get up. The bald one kicks him in the stomach. Judge curls around the blow, gasping.

The Viper from last night, the one with the broken arm, pulls out his phone. Starts recording.

Oh God.

They're not here to kill him. They're here to humiliate him. To beat him and record it and send it back to their club as proof. The same thing Judge did to their man last night. Breaking him. Sending him back bloodied and beaten.

This is retaliation.

Judge manages to get to his knees. The gray-bearded Viper grabs him by his vest, hauls him up, and punches him in the face. I hear the crack even through the window.

Blood streams from Judge's nose.

He's trying to fight back. I can see him swinging, trying to get his footing, but it's three against one and they're coordinated. Practiced. They know how to take a man down and keep him down.

"We have to help him!" Grace is pulling on my arm, her face wet with tears. "Mama, we have to do something!"

"Grace, we can't—"

Grace is sobbing beside me, her hands moving frantically. "He's going to die. They're going to kill him and it's our fault. We brought the mean men here."

"No, baby. This isn't our fault. This is—"

The front door. Judge told me not to open it for anyone. But he's out there dying, and I'm in here doing nothing, and I can't, I can't just watch this happen.

"Stay here," I sign to Grace. "Don't move. I'll be right back."

"Mama, no!"

But I'm already moving. Already running to the front door. Already unlocking it even though every instinct is screaming at me to stay inside, stay safe, stay hidden.