Page 32 of Whispers of Fire

Can I be strong enough to push her out?

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It’s six, the music is blasting hard in the main hall, and I decide to shut down my office for the day. Wrapped up club business, checked the basement, balanced the books, and even shared a beer with Viper and Steele to try to distract myself. But throughout it all, one thing kept naggin’ at me—a vivid image of a thick, blonde braid.

"Up for a ride, Vox?" Steele asks, itching to hit the mountain roads for a sunset cruise.

"Not today, brother. Got some things on my plate," I reply, grabbing a spoon from the bar before heading out.

Mounting my bike, I feel its power beneath me, the engine's rumble a comforting presence. Navigating the busy streets, the city noise fades into the background as I lose myself in the engine's rumble. Rose's presence lingers, stirring somethin' deep inside me.

You already know what you’re choosing, just get ready to face the consequences.

Luckily, I’m heading toward something that could help me let off some steam. A small, cold smirk creeps onto my face.

It’s always nice to know you’re about to make the world a better place after killing a piece of shit.

Time to pay a surprise visit to Mr Collins. Wasn’t hard to find his address on the internet, and knowing what he did to my angel, it’s only fair I return the favor. He’d hurt what’s… mine . Can’t let this happen.

Mine you said?

I touch my jacket inside my pocket, feeling the spoon under the leather. Won’t kill him too fast, that would be too easy. Nah, I’m gonna make this hurt a bit more than it should.

An eye for an eye.

Literally.

I maneuver through traffic easily until I reach a comfortable neighborhood, with white fences and tidy lawns, similar to my area. Parking in front of his house, I keep my helmet on, wondering how best I can scare the shit out of him. Hearing noise in his garden, I step on the perfectly mown law and walk to the side of the house.

This guy even has garden gnomes and cutesy crap all over. Fucking wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He’s there. I recognize him from the pictures I saw online. He’s cuttin’ wood with a saw, without a fuckin’ care in the world, not knowin’ what’s about to happen to him.

I like it. The element of surprise adds a bit of fun.

I’m not a patient man, so I step towards him, his eyes widening at my sight, his mouth about to cry for help before I shut him with a firm hand and put my Glock 27 on his temple.

He’s much more docile now.

“On your knees,” I order, forcing him on the ground.

Where he belongs.

A cold chuckle comes out of my mouth. This fucker has no idea what I’m about to do.

“You did somethin’ wrong, hurting someone who didn’t deserve it,” I say, pressing the barrel against his flesh, making his body shake at its contact. I can see the panic from the pulse under his jaw and how he keeps lookin’ left and right for a way out.

“You made the mistake of hurtin’ Rose, and fuck, that was a dumb move,” I say with a bitter laugh. I lift his face to lock my gaze with his, tilting my head slightly. “I know you believe in punishment… and so do I.” I take the spoon out of my pocket and show it to him, his eyes confused at the sight of the utensil.

That’s my favorite part.

“I’m gonna kill you for what you did to Rose, but first we’re gonna take your eye out. Won’t be right if you don’t hurt, ya feel me?” I say with a low threatening tone.

“Now I'm gonna remove my hand and you're gonna shut the fuck up if you don’t want me to bring you back to a friend who’s particularly good at torture, alright?”

Almost sorry for Carter cause I know he would have had a blast, but I need to kill him myself. This shit is… personal.

He nods eagerly, probably thinking I’m gonna spare him if he behaves.

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