Page 40 of Diesel

“I’m not snipped. Before we leave, I’m going to figure out where the voices are coming from and fucking fix it.”

“Sorry, I thought everyone was in their rooms.” Trixie turned to leave, but I stopped her.

“We’re heading to the basement. You should come along.”

“Diesel,” Gigi said.

“It’s okay, G. She’s harmless. Aren’t you, Trixie?”

“No more bullshit,” Trixie said. “I know you didn’t kill my sister. Cinder did.”

“Now what? You kill him?”

Trixie walked around the dining room and stopped at Roderick’s painting. “I thought that story was just a bunch of crap written by a drunk writer who couldn’t make a living off his art.” She turned to Diesel. “But here you are, living proof the Ushers were real.”

“What do you care?” I said. “You’ve done everything you can to tear this club apart.”

“What would you say if I told you I liked the club? That I wanted to be part of what you have? That’s what Kristine wanted. That’s why she kept fucking you assholes.”

“And that’s what you’ve been doing,” I said.

“Yes. I was doing it because I wanted to find her killer. I found him. But somewhere along the way, I started to enjoy life. I enjoy the freedom and not being held down.”

“You think this club would have you?” Gigi scoffed.

Trixie shook her head as if we were all morons. “I could hear through the walls, Gigi. I know what they were discussing.”

“So you are a federal agent,” Diesel said.

“I am. And I know all about your gun running, the pussy you deal in, and the new dick house. I’m sure you think those are legitimate businesses, but I’m sure the FBI and the ATF can find otherwise. The guns alone are enough to send every one of you to prison. I can call that off. I can make the whole case disappear.”

“That’s Beast’s call, not mine,” Diesel said. “I need to find a flashlight.” Diesel held my chin in his hand. “Can you stay here without trying to kill her again?”

“She can,” Trixie said. “I told you. No more bullshit.”

Diesel kissed me, glanced at Trixie, and left.

“He loves you,” Trixie said. “Must be nice.”

“That didn’t stop you from fucking him,” I said. “You’re a lying whore. I don’t trust you, no matter how far you stretch the truth.”

“I guess telling you I’m sorry is out of the question.” Trixie moved closer. “Seems like you forgot what you and I did.”

“Come on,” Diesel said. He handed Trixie and me a flashlight.

We followed Diesel behind the staircase, where he opened a door we hadn’t seen yet. A musty stench of death quickly rose up the stairs, and I doubted I could continue.

“Cover your mouth and nose with your shirt,” Trixie said. “It’s worked for me.”

Reluctantly, I did as Trixie suggested and then followed Diesel. I wasn’t thrilled with Trixie following behind as we descended dark, dank stairs.

“You really think the answer is down here?” I asked Diesel.

“It’s a fucking curse, G. I need it to stop. Uncle knew it was real.”

Diesel lit a series of candles in the basement as we walked along a single room. As the room illuminated, the catacombs along the wall came into view.

“What the hell?” I said.

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