Page 68 of The Enforcer

Making my way back to Kirk, I stop a few feet in front of him. “I told my boyfriend it would be an eye for an eye. But that’s not true. You’re going to have it much worse than he did.”

With that, I hold the branch over his arm, allowing it to sizzle against his skin. Kirk screams, trying to break free of the ropes, but that’s not going to happen. I made sure they were tight enough so he couldn’t escape from feeling what Shane did.

While he screams, I drag the branch up and down his arm, watching how the skin shrinks and bubbles. Kirk screams so loud, his voice gives out, but he still tries, mouth cranked open wide and eyes bugged out.

When I think he’s had enough, I move the branch and toss it back on the fire. “Untie him.” The prospects rush over and cut the ropes free. Kirk drops to the ground, crying out when his burned arm catches his fall. “Bet you regret doing what the fuck you did, don’t you?”

Grabbing his hair, I drag him near the hole, listening to his strangled cries. Everyone assembled looks on, allowing me to do as I please.

Dropping him next to the pile of dirt, I pick up the shovel and bring it down on Kirk’s burned arm. I hit it over and over, until the cracking of his bones drift to my ears. Even still, I don’t let up. He tries to get away from me, even crawling a few feet away, but Jace kicks him under the chin, sending him flying back towards me.

“You trying to leave the party, bitch?” I ask rhetorically. I bring the shovel down on his chest, hitting him with the flat of the spade.

“Please,” he mutters, trying to move his good arm to his chest to block my blows. “Just kill me.”

“Soon, bitch,” Prez mutters from behind me. “Let my man work for a little bit longer, then you’ll get your wish.”

Tossing the shovel away, I kick Kirk in the stomach, making him roll away. “That’s for setting our club on fire.” I bring my boot down on his side, Kirk wheezing and crying, trying to scramble away, but with nowhere to go. “That’s for trying to kill me, you stupid motherfucker.” One more kick has him rolling into the hole that was dug for him. At the bottom of the hole, Kirk curls into a ball, covering himself as best he can. “And that’s for my boyfriend.”

Looking down at him, I say, “I thought your friends were going to come get me. I thought it wasn’t over.” I laugh mirthlessly, grabbing the can of gasoline and dumping it on him. “It’ll be over now, bitch. Say hello to the devil for me.” Grabbing a branch from the fire, I toss it in, the whoosh of the flames almost slapping me in the face. Kirk’s screams start immediately, pitching high as he burns to death.

Throwing my hand up, I step back but keep my eyes on the flames. Prez and Jace step beside me, watching as well. The flames grow as it licks up the side of the hole, trying to find more to destroy. Where we are, though, ensures that nothing else will be set alight but what I fed it.

In a low voice, Prez says, “Captain Matthews has to go.”

“Yep. You want that one to yourself?” I glance over at him, the memory of the flames dancing in front of my eyes.

With a smirk that I rarely see, Prez says, “Nah, sharing is caring, brother. We can all get a piece.”

A laugh burst from my throat. “You’re such a giver.”

We all stand and watch the flames dancing in the hole until they burn out, crackling on the last bit of Kirk it can touch.

Once the fire dies out, I point to the prospects and incline my head to the shovels. “Bury that bitch and let’s get the fuck out of here.” I slap hands with Joker, thanking him for allowing me to use his land and we make our way out of the woods.

I hop in Jace’s van, eager to get back to Shane to let him know I got justice for him. Albeit without a finger to show for it.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Shane

Ten days after I was admitted and five days after Zeke got back from taking care of Kirk, I’m discharged from the hospital. As soon as he heard that I would be allowed to go home, Zeke started peppering the doctor with questions on how to take care of me once we’re home. Even though the doctor informed him that I would get postoperative instructions, Zeke wasn’t satisfied until she answered all of his questions at least twice. It would be annoying if it weren’t so sweet.

Once the doctor has answered his questions to Zeke’s satisfaction, he turns to me, giving me a long kiss. “I’ll go home and get the car and be back in fifteen minutes.”

The doctor says, “We have to change his dressings once more before he leaves, which will take about thirty minutes. You’re welcome to stay a little longer.” She takes her leave, telling me a nurse will be in shortly.

Zeke sits on the bed beside me, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. “You know I’ll take care of you, right?”

Grabbing his hand to press it against my cheek, I nod, looking deeply into his eyes. “You always do.”

It’s true. After I passed out in the middle of Inferno—a name Zeke asked if I wanted to change, but I turned down since it more than fits now—after breathing in so much smoke, Zeke found a way to get to me, dragging me out before it was too late. He took care of Kirk for what he did, ensuring he didn’t have the ability to do it again. Even before then, before we started dating, he took care of me. He’d bring me dinner when I told him I was working late at the office. He would give me rides when he knew I was too tired to drive home—if I didn’t stay the night at my office. He would call to check on me, making sure I took breaks and didn’t burn myself out.

Since we’ve known each other, Zeke has been taking care of me. I have no reason to believe he won’t continue now.

“You have a lot of faith in me, Counselor,” he mutters with a boyish grin.

“Because you’ve never given me a reason to doubt you.” Zeke gives me a quick kiss on the lips, then kisses my forehead. The nurse steps in the room and smiles at me as he gets items set up on a rolling cart.

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