Blade walks to the wall of toys and grabs some steel knucks, slipping them on. “Oh, that honor is all mine. You like to beat little kids? After we are done, you are going to be begging for death.” With that, he lets his fist fly and hits him right in the ribs. Hearing them crack is music to my ears. He screams from behind the rag in his mouth as tears run down his face. His pleas for mercy do nothing but fuel my anger. Did he stop when Bailey was begging him not to hurt her? No, he didn’t, so his pleading isn’t going to do fuck-all here. If anything, it just pisses us off more. Bailey deserved better than what they did to her. She is innocent in all this. From here on out, she will know what being a child means. To grow up in a loving home, to not feel hunger any longer. She can grow up to be whatever she wants, and we will all support her in every way. She is Bailey, and she is a fighter who will thrive in this life.
After Blade is done, each man steps forward and delivers their own justice. Sometimes the law doesn’t get it right, so we get our own for those that can’t. If you touch an innocent, we are going to come after you full force; the consequences be damned. By the time the last brother steps back, Leo is black and blue, with both eyes swollen shut and his head hanging low towards his chest.
Hawk walks to the water bucket and throws cold water on Leo to wake his ass up. “Time to wake up, motherfucker. The fun isn’t over yet.”
“Please, just kill me,” Leo mumbles out of his fucked-up mouth. Most of his teeth are missing.
I walk to the wall of toys and grab a whip. I flick it behind him and watch him wince, knowing what's coming for him. That is when he thrashes against his chains, which is only hurting him more. He might have used a belt on Bailey, but I’m going to use something that I know he will feel before his time is up.
I walk in front of him with a smile on my face. I pull out my knife and cut his shirt off, throwing it on the floor. “Aww, what’s the matter, Leo? Scared? Isn’t that what Bailey felt when you came at her with the belt, marking her back until she scarred? When she was begging you to stop, when all she wanted was some food or someone to care for her. Did you stop then? Cry some more, because it only fuels me further. I thrive on that shit.” I walk behind him. Right now, the happy-go-lucky Joker has left this room, and in its place is someone I don’t bring out often. Right now I’m the judge, jury and the executioner, and Leo is about to meet his maker, and I hope when I’m done he burns in hell for his sins.
I step back and flick my wrist and watch as the first welt surfaces. After that, I don’t stop. I watch detached as his back opens up, bleeding with each time the whip hits him, and with each hit Leo’s struggles slow down until he’s completely passed out from the pain. Anytime he passes out, the guys throw water on him to wake him up. He wakes up crying and screaming for me to stop. But Theres no stopping me. I want him to feel everything I’m doing to him. By the time I’m done, his back looks like minced meat. I drop the whip as my breathing is labored, knowing I got my justice. It’s time to end this fucker once and for all. I pick up a bucket of water and throw it on him, waking him up. He has a vacant look in his eyes, and I know he's close to death from all the blood loss. I pull down his gag.
“Any last words?” I pull out my gun and place it against his forehead.
“Fuck you and fuck that little brat.”
He doesn’t get to say anything else as I pull the trigger, watching his head slump down. Bailey’s nightmare is officially over; he's dead.
Blade walks over to me, clapping me on the back. “Go home to your girls; we will clean this up, brother.”
I turn around and see all my brothers there, nodding their heads in respect. Each one of us would go to hell and back for each other, and we have. We may not be blood, but they are my family. I turn my head one last time to Leo before walking out the door and heading to my room here to shower and change my clothes. I walk into my room and strip off my clothes, throw them in the basket to be burned, which the guys will take care of, and step into the shower and turn it on as hot as I can stand. Watching the blood swirl down the drain as I wash up, knowing no one can hurt Bailey anymore makes this all worthwhile. I scrub as quickly as I can and get out, wanting to be home with my girls. I step out and dry off and throw on a change of clothes and walk out of my room heading for my bike. Leaving the clubhouse, I straddle my bike and make the short drive to my house and unlock my door with my phone and head inside. It’s now 2 am and I’m exhausted. I step inside and lock back up. I peek my head inside Bailey’s room to see she’s still sound asleep with each dog beside her and head for my bedroom to see Madison still asleep, making me smile.
As quietly as I can, I slip into bed and pull her close, breathing in her sweet scent, which has my body relaxing. She stirs in my arms and rolls over.
She opens her eyes, smiling at me, and now I feel like shit for waking her up. “Go back to sleep, angel. I’m sorry I woke you.”
She snuggles her head into my chest. “You didn’t wake me. I was already up, waiting for you. I couldn't sleep without you. Is it done?” She yawns and throws her arms over my chest. This woman issomething else. I truly don’t know what I ever did to deserve her, but I’ll be damned if I let her go.
I kiss the top of her head. “It is. He can’t hurt Bailey ever again.”
“Good. I love you, Joker.”
“I love you too, Madison.” I whisper to her even though she has fallen asleep. I close my eyes and let sleep take me, knowing I have everything I’ve ever wanted in my life under one roof.
Fifteen
Madison
I roll over; the sun hitting me in the face, and I smile, knowing Bailey’s horror is over and she is free to live her life. I turn my face and see that Joker is still asleep, looking peaceful. I glance at the clock and see that we have slept in. It's almost 11. I quietly get out of bed so as not to wake him, grab a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, and head to the bathroom and go about my morning routine. Once finished, I grab my phone and head downstairs, wanting to start breakfast. As soon as I turn the corner, I can see Bailey in the kitchen feedingthe dogs, which makes me smile. As soon as she hears someone, her head pops up.
“Good morning, honey. When did you get up?” I walk over and make myself a coffee.
“I got up an hour ago. I took the dogs out in the backyard and fed them.” She takes a seat at the island while I pour her some juice.
I make my coffee and take a sip. “Thank you, Bailey. So, did Thor and Loki sleep in their beds?”
She giggles and shakes her head. “Nope, I showed them the beds, but as soon as I got into mine they jumped up. But it’s okay. I like having them in my bed. They make me feel safe.”
I laugh with her. “That sounds like them.” Just then, Joker comes around the corner looking hot in his jeans and shirt that’s stretched across his chest, making my mouth water. He looks at me and winks as if he knows what I’m thinking.
“Good morning, ladies.” Before he takes a seat, there is a knock on the door. I don’t think we were expecting anyone. He walks to the door, and I can hear voices. Joker comes back loaded with bags, and as soon as the smell hits me, I know it's from the diner, and I can see Grandma Silvia and Grandpa Owen behind him, making me smile.
I walk from behind the counter and walk right into Grandma Silvia’s hug. She reminds me so much of my grandma, whom I miss dearly. I give Grandpa Owen a hug and turn towards Bailey, holding out my hand.
“Come here, Bailey, I want to introduce you to Grandma Silvia and Grandpa Owen.” As soon as she hears their names, I can see fear in her eyes. She walks to me and grabs my hand.
Bailey lifts her head and gives a small smile, her hand trembling in mine. She shuffles her feet a bit. “I’m sorry for taking the stuff from your store. I can work to make up for taking it.”
