Page 45 of Revenant's Fire

Stepping into the barn, I’m assaulted by the pungent scent of piss and shit. I know Vera keeps farm animals, but this? This scent is wholly human. As are the whimpers and groans, the pleas and screams.

“Please, please I just, I just did what she told me!” Split sobs, his voice hoarse.

“Ah, shit, kid, I feel for ya, I really do.” Coyote says sympathetically. “But this is the fucking Saint’s Outlaws. You don’t fuck with us.” He steps aside while Hush presses a red hot brand over the Saint’s Outlaws tattoo the prospect has on his shoulder.

“Little Timmy Taylor,” Gallows begins, stepping forward, nose almost pressed against Split’s. “I gave you a chance because I liked your grandpappy.” He stares at the kid, calm. Cool. “Now because you fell for the words of a whore I gotta tell your grandpappy that you ain't coming home.”

“Please,” Split whispers and I know its time.

Except this time is different. Split is different. I’m different. Fucking Sunny has changed me in a way I never thought possible. I don’t pass judgement. That’s God's place. I just do my job.

“God forgives, even if the Saint’s don’t,” I murmur, stepping up to a kid that had the potential to be a good brother. If he wasn’t a traitor. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows thickly. “You chose your path. Every choice brought you here. I’m not here to judge you.” Instead of yanking his head back, I place my hand on his cheek. The kid made his choices. That don't mean he’s evil. And I don’t want him to meet his maker afraid. “I’m here to tell you your time has run out. Make your peace.” My knife glides over his throat and I hold eye contact until the last bit of life drains from him. That’s my penance.

Bubbles doesn't make a noise. Instead of pleading she stares defiantly at me before her gaze moves behind me. At Sunny, walking through the door, a Capri sun in her hand.

“You here to kill me, bitch?” Bubbles spits, her voice hoarse.

“Nah,” Sunny replies, perching her ass on a table, swinging her legs. “When I was in that Tesla, trying to run you down and the fancy car kept stopping me from committing vehicular manslaughter, I took that as a sign from God that maybe I’m not meant to kill you.” Sunny shrugs.

I watch her, catalogue her expressions. Try to find the disgust she should have written all over her face after stepping into a room with Split’s throat cut open, the bloody knife in my hand. Instead, she meets my gaze and smiles softly.

“You got any last words before Revenant sends you straight to hell?” Gallows growls.

“I don’t regret anything,” Bubbles spits, “I hope the Wolves and Amos Crowe fuck you up.” She rears back, then spits at Gallows. Her blood tinged spittle landing on the Saint’s patch on Gallows’ chest.

My Prez doesn't flinch. His mask doesn't slip. He stares Bubbles down until she starts to squirm under his gaze. Bubbles nostrils flare as I step up, Gallows stepping to the side, refusing to let her gaze drop.

“There is no forgiveness from me,” I murmur, palming the knife my grandaddy gave me, hoping it’ll settle me. This bitch kidnapped my woman. She wanted her dead, or worse. She doesn’t get shit from me. “Whatever waits for you outside of this room won't be mercy.”

Her cold blue eyes stare me down, unafraid. Unrepentant. Her skin is mottled, hair a matted mess, shit and grime all through it. Coyote and Hush’s handiwork leaving marks all over her body. I should want to grant her mercy. I don’t.

“You chose your path. Every choice brought you here. I’m not here to judge you.” My fingers tangle in her hair as I pull her head back. Usually they cry. They beg. Bubbles’ jaw is set. Her cut lip doesn't tremble and her eyes drift to the woman behind me. I don’t turn to look. I can’t. Instead I tighten my grip on granddaddy’s knife. Ignoring how my palm sweats just knowing that Sunny is here. And she shouldn't be. She should be tucked up safe in our room. “I’m here to tell you your time has run out. Make your peace.”

My blade rests on Bubbles’ pale throat, pressing hard enough to prick Bubbles, blood gathering at my knife point. Right there. Right where I need it to be. In one breath I could open her. Let her blood spill on the floor, leaking her sin. My hand shakes a little. I hesitate.

“Rev?” Gallows has seen me do this time and time again. Not once has he had to check in on me.

I pull a deep breath into my lungs, but my breath out stalls when small hands wrap around my waist. Sunny’s forehead rests between my shoulder blades. Her warmth leaches into me and my hand steadies. No one sees me like Sunny.

In one smooth move I draw the blade across Bubbles’ throat, her cool blue gaze replaced with panic for the short moments it takes for her blood to hit the floor. It’s done.

Sunny’s hand moves up my body, coming to a rest over my heart. “I love you, Elias.”

My blood stained hand covers hers. “I love you too, Sassy.”

Chapter Twenty Two

Sunny

Ihum to myself as I fiddle with my outfit. I know that Elias loves me in my little sundresses, and this milkmaid dress makes my boobs look like they defy gravity.

“Holy shit girl, you could take an eye out with those,” Mercy says, stepping up behind me and into view in the mirror I’m admiring the girls in.

“Elias is going to lose his mind,” I cackle.

“He sure is, girl.” Trinity grins as she sprays setting spray in my face.

All the clubhouse girls are helping me get ready for the big day. Vera offered to bake the cake, Trinity and Diamond did my hair and makeup. I need this shit to stick and everyone knows that strippers and whores know how to keep their makeup flawless. Even Bubbles to the very end. Not a mascara smear in sight. I should have probably asked her for the brand.