Page 6 of The Afterthought

I've been running with the gang, doing odd jobs here and there for extra cash since I was sixteen. Our family has a pretty steep role in this town, one that Ava thought I had no connection to. Any time she asked, I reminded her that we were planning to run off together. We were going to get away from the life everyone else in this town falls into. We were going to start fresh outside of Dune Valley.

I lied to her, but she would have never completely accepted me for who I actually am and enjoy being. It wasn't always easy keeping the gang life a secret from Ava when we were younger. She spent a ton of time at my house, but I made sure she was always kept out of it.

Sweet, perfect, fucking Avalynn Blake, dating the little brother of the head of the Crimson Rose. That was never something she deserved to be tied to. When things started getting more serious between the two of us, I knew I had to make a decision. It was either her or the gang.

I was too young to step away from the crew. How could I turn my back on my gang, my family? I've become the perfect secret weapon for the Crimson Rose due to my affinity for fire and burning shit to the ground. People fear us because of me, and it keeps them in check. I couldn’t leave them.

I had to shut her out. I chose to push her away so that she could have a chance at a normal life outside of Dune Valley. She was supposed to forget about this town and everyone in it, yet she is right back here with the rest of us.

Anger floods through me. She shouldn't be back here. I gave her a chance, and she threw it away. Avalynn Blake will regret the day she decided to step back into my town because that's exactly what Dune Valley is, mine. My brother may be the boss, but his empire would crumble without me.

I hate that she has me here thinking about all this stupid shit. I need to figure out why the fuck she's here and find a way to make her leave. I won't let her get under my skin, and I have absolutely no intention of seeing her. She’s already fucking with my head, and I can’t stand it.

I clear my thoughts and grab my keys to head out. It's been a while since I've been afforded the opportunity to kill someone. We don't really like to draw that kind of attention to the crew if we don't have to, but there are a few special instances where someone fucks up and crosses a line that the only way to deal with them is by death. Luckily, today is one of those days. I need the outlet.

I wonder if this guy I'm about to end will beg like the last one did before I lit him up and watched him burn to a crisp. I hope he does. That always makes it so much more fun.

The 45-minute drive to the city has me on edge. I haven't had enough caffeine to deal with this day, so I find my way to a drive-thru coffee shop and order a black coffee. When I take the first sip, I'm immediately disgusted by the bitter taste.

I lean back in the seat of my car and run a hand through my hair as her brown eyes fill my thoughts yet again. The memory of the first time Ava made me try her favorite latte flashes in my mind. I hated it and immediately spit it out, making her laugh. She grew up drinking coffee, but I never started drinking it until I met her.

I shake my head. What the fuck is wrong with me? Fuck Ava and all these stupid memories of her. She could have stayed, but she chose to leave. If I told anyone about the thoughts I've been having since hearing she was back in town, they would call me a little bitch. I won't have people thinking differently of me because of a piece of ass I had years ago. I convince myself the reason I'm even having these thoughts at all is because it's been a solid month since I've fucked someone. I'll have to reconcile that.

I pull up to the front of the tall building that was noted on the slip of paper Knox handed me and step out of the car. This asshole is expecting a car service, so I make my way to the back door and patiently wait with my hands placed in front of me, one hand wrapped around my wrist. I made sure to wear a long-sleeve black shirt to hide the tattoos that run down the length of my arms. The hat tilted low on my head covers the main view of my face from any cameras pointing in our direction.

As soon as the man I'm supposed to make disappear leaves the building, I immediately recognize him from the picture Knox showed me. Mr. Myers doesn't pay any attention to me as I open the back door for him. He slides right into the seat, and a grin crosses my face when I close the door, securing him in the car. Poor bastard doesn't even realize he's on a ride to his death.

I make my way around to the front and start the drive. Men like him won't even realize we aren't going the right way. A quick glance in the rear-view mirror confirms my suspicions. He's too consumed with his phone to pay attention to his surroundings. Business is his life, and doing business with the wrong people will be his death.

I don’t know the specifics of what he did to garner this sort of resolve from the Crimson Rose. I don't handle much of the business side. I prefer to stay on the side where I get to torture the people that fuck with us. I'm betting this guy's crime has something to do with the money laundering, or hell, maybe he borrowed money he wasn't able to repay. When it comes down to it, I really don't care. He will be dead soon, anyway.

A short 10-minute car ride takes us far enough outside of the city that I feel comfortable enough not to get caught with what I'm about to do. I reach my hand over to the passenger seat to slide it into my bag, pulling out the black balaclava mask and slipping it over my head. The mask really isn't necessary, but it adds to the theatrics.

I grab the bag with the rest of the things I need, tossing it over my shoulder before opening the driver's door and making my way to the back passenger seat. I smile at how easy this is really going to be and open the door for Mr. Myers. He still has no idea we're not sitting outside his lavish home. The dumb fucker would need to take his eyes off his phone and acknowledge the world around him for that.

He steps out of the car and finally glances up, sliding his phone into his pocket. Big mistake. Confusion washes over his face as he looks around at the vacant field in front of us. His body turns to face me, and his eyes widen in realization. He begins to back away from me frantically with one hand raised, like that's going to keep me from getting to him.

I step forward, keeping up with him pace for pace until he trips over his feet and falls backward onto the ground. I tilt my head to the side and just stare down at him for a moment. More theatrics. I twist the bag around my body, reaching my hand in to grab the bottle of fire-starting fluid before twisting off the cap and dousing it all over him. He chooses now to try to scramble back to his feet. Of course, he’s unsuccessful.

"What the fuck is going on?" He questions as the fluid splashes all over him. What a stupid question. "I have money. Is that what you want?" He manages to get on his hands and knees, and I kick him in the side, forcing him back to the ground.

"I definitely don't want your money," I tell him with a laugh.

"What do you want then? I can get you anything. Please. You don't have to do this."

Aaaah, there it is. I love it when they beg. I squirt the liquid in his face, and he coughs. "Right now, the only thing I want is to watch you burn to death. Knox said to let you know he's disappointed your business deal didn't work out."

I reach into my pocket and pull out the lighter, holding it where he can see it in my hand. I'm in the mood to play with my prey today. I flick it on and off a few times, watching as the flame appears and disappears.

"Knox? You have the wrong person. Please don't do this," he begs, and I toss the empty lighter fluid bottle at him.

I continue flicking the lighter on and off, kicking him back to the ground every time he tries to stand. "Gary Myers? The Crimson Rose doesn't ever get the wrong person. I can assure you of that." I squat in front of him, bringing the lighter to the ground next to him and igniting the fluid on the ground.

"You're crazy!! I paid him back! He's lying! He must have lost the money." He screams as the ground around him burns. Ah, there it is. I knew it had to do with money. The flames find their way to his clothing rather quickly. The flammable liquid he is drenched in sped up the process a bit.

Mr. Myers is frantic now, rolling around and trying to bat the fire away. All he's managing to do is stroke it to burn faster. The flames consume his body as he screams and cries out for help.

"You should know better than to call Knox a liar. This is my favorite part, you know." I smile behind the mask as it burns through his clothing and begins to scorch his skin.

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