Page 106 of The Devil's Reward
“An act that brought the law’s attention,” Dmitri says coldly as he walks towards the table of instruments. I close my eyes, because I know I won’t be able to watch whatever happens. I won’t be able to stand it. I’m not that strong. “And led your so-called brothers right back to you. And you also led them right to one of our areas. Two of your brothers, a Shadow, and a Viper showed up and saw what we stored in that old barn. All because you didn’t give me the proper information. If they had called the cops, well, I would have had to do something terrible, and you would already be in little pieces for your brothers to find you. A fact that I will be remedying tonight.”
Daggers’s screams echo around the room as Dmitri does something to him. I curl myself inward as much as I can, squeezing my eyes tightly shut and silently praying for it to be over soon. To just let it be over. And then I pray again for Shadow to get here. Or at least for Dmitri to make my death quick. I’d rather death than the hells that I know he could subject me to.
“No, please!” Dagger begs as he screams and cries, his body jerking and making the chains rattle.
Dmitri’s laugh is cold, cutting. “Isidor, isn’t it nice to hear them beg?” he says to the silent man. I let my eyes open a little and see that the man in question is only a few feet away from me, watching the scene dispassionately. Probably because he does this kind of thing all the damn time. “Maybe I’ll leave him to you now, and have a look at our other guest.”
My eyes fly open and I see Dmitri watching me, gauging my reaction. I try not to show my fear, but from the triumphant look in his eyes, I don’t do a good enough job. I bite back the pleading I want to do, because he won’t hear me anyway with this gag in my mouth, and I have a feeling that will only feed the fire.
“Dagger, who does this delectable little creature belong to?” Dmitri asks him, still staring at me.
“Shadow,” Dagger whispers, already sound defeated.
Dmitri chuckles. “Well, well, well, isn’t this a nice surprise. The man who was snooping around my operation. Unfortunately for you, my dear, you are going to be the one to pay the price. You see, your man’s club has been nothing short of a pain in my ass. Always sticking their noses in where they don’t belong. I’m going to destroy them and take over this town for myself. And to do it, all I needed was one of their own to turn against them. It pays to do your homework, don’t you agree?” I don’t answer. “I know they’re going to come for you, and I’ll take out as many as I can when they do. What do you think, my dear, are you ready to watch your man die? You’ll be powerless to stop it. And when he’s dead, then I’ll decide what to do with you.”
I struggle against the bindings, instinct urging me to get away. To try to run and warn Shadow. But the bindings are too tight and fresh tears fill my eyes. Pain from the ropes and agony from defeat all roll into one.
Suddenly, there’s a noise in the hallway and Dmitri freezes, turning towards it with narrowed eyes. He looks at the driver. “Go see what’s going on,” he orders.
The driver nods and heads for the hallway. Moments later he comes back and shakes his head. “Nothing there, boss,” he says quietly. “Was just a rat knocking over something.”
Dmitri narrows his eyes at him. “It will be your head if you’re wrong,” he warns. The driver nods and stays by the door. “Now, where were we?” Dmitri says with a fake pleasantness as he looks back at Dagger’s bruised and bloody body.
A movement out of the corner of my eye has me turning my head, but I don’t see anything. I squint at the darkness, but nothing is there, and the disappointment is crushing. I want Shadow. I want to get out of here. I want to go home to Macy. And now I have to face the idea that it might not happen.
Dagger screams and my eyes go towards the sound instinctively, and I have to look away quickly as Dmitri has grabbed a large knife and sliced deep into Dagger’s belly, but not enough to kill him. Blood pours from the long gash and I feel queasy. “You are going to die,” Dmitri tells Dagger calmly. “You’ve served your purpose for me, and now I’m going to build the biggest empire this country has ever seen. All because you were fucking greedy.”
“I don’t think so,” a voice in the dark says. A voice that I’ve been waiting for, and this time I cry with relief. Shadow’s here. And now I know why they call him Shadow. You don’t see him coming. But he’s here for me. Just like he promised.
Dmitri doesn’t have time to react before Shadow is on him, hands twisting around his neck. There’s a sickening crack, and then Dmitri drops lifeless to the floor, eyes staring unseeing at me as two more men come rushing into the room.
FIFTY-FOUR
SHADOW
Quinn is the most important woman in my life, and I will make her see that.
I don’t even look at Dagger as I step over Dmitri’s body and head for Quinn. Hulk has Isidor subdued, while Crypt is checking the room over with practiced ease. The rest of the club is outside dealing with Dmitri’s men who were stashed around the area, waiting for us.
“I have you, gorgeous,” I say as I pull the gag out of her mouth and grab my knife to slice open the ropes holding her. “I have you.” She sobs as she throws herself at me. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close as I finally,finally, feel some relief. She’s safe, and other than some bruises and the swelling on her face, she’s okay. She’s alive.
“Macy,” she gasps out through her sobs.
“She’s safe,” I promise her. “She came and told us what happened, and she’s in a safe room at the clubhouse. No one can get to her. Rose is with her, and she’ll kill anyone who might try and get through that door.”
She nods and then buries her face in my chest as I scoop her up into my arms. I hold her so tight that I’m probably crushing her, but she’s not complaining so I don’t ease up. My heart is pounding so damn hard that I’m shocked that it’s not coming out of my chest. “I love you, gorgeous,” I whisper. “God, I was so fucking scared I wouldn’t reach you in time.”
I don’t mean to say it out loud, not this soon, but it’s like it’s necessary. Like if I don’t, I may not get another chance. She doesn’t respond, still sobbing, so I doubt she’s heard me, but that’s fine. I’ll tell her again later, and then as many times as it takes until she believes me.
“Let’s get out of here, brother,” Hulk says tightly. “Crypt, grab that sack of shit hanging there and bring him with us.”
“Done,” Crypt says calmly, and he gets to work. I turn with Quinn in my arms, step over Dmitri again, and head out the door. I hear Isidor fighting with Hulk, but Hulk is a big man himself, and he subdues him easily with a few well-placed punches. Chains rattle as Crypt lowers Dagger, and then his boots scuff the floor as he follows us out.
When we reach the upper floor and make our way to the door, I see that the fight outside seems to be over. Dmitri’s men are rounded up and on their knees, hands bound. Bullet is in front of them, and slightly behind him are Syn, Loki, and Ebony. Behind her is a very pissed looking Stone. I have no doubt he’s going to be letting her know it too when we’re back at the clubhouse. The dogs are watching the men on the ground like they’re ready to tear into them, and I know they will with only one word from their mistress.
We walk outside, and Bullet’s eyes connect with mine. He sees Quinn in my arms and I can see the relief in his eyes before they move back towards where Crypt has Dagger, and they go hard again. “Let’s ride out,” Bullet yells loudly.
“What are we doing with these fuckers?” Sniper asks him, kicking one of the men in the stomach and making him groan.
