Page 44 of Pike’s Redemption

Ronnie began typing furiously on her laptop, glued to the screen. I watched her, my heart tightening with concern. She was too focused, too intent on whatever she was digging into, and I knew it wasn’t just about Victor anymore. She was going to find out everything she could about Eli.

Pike moved closer, his hand brushing against mine as he asked me questioningly. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, but my eyes were still on Ronnie. “Just worried about her.”

“Me too. We’ll need to keep an eye on her,” Pike said quietly.

“I know, but Eli,” I murmured, my thoughts churning. “He’s different.”

“I don’t disagree,” he said sadly. Pike’s hand tightened around mine, his touch grounding me. “We’ll keep an eye on her. And on him.”

Ronnie didn’t notice our exchange, too absorbed in whatever she uncovered on her laptop. I sighed, feeling a mix of pride and apprehension. My sister was brilliant, but sometimes I wished she wasn’t so damn fearless.

CHAPTER

TWENTY

PIKE

I’d left Natasha and Ronnie at the house tucked in with leftover lasagna and a chick flick with Enzo and Luca to watch over them, just in case. Luca was already sporting a black eye from Dimitri for taking Ronnie out of the house, and I was pretty sure that Enzo had a stab wound, but they were lucky that was all that was wrong with them.

“You sure those clowns can watch the girls without fucking up?” I asked.

“Yeah, they got it. You want me to come?” Dimitri asked, his voice steady as he slung a leg over his bike. One hand rested on the throttle, the other adjusting his helmet, ready to take off. We’d already gone over this a good hour ago, but that was Dimitri for you—always ready to step up if needed.

Maddox had already taken off earlier to check on Helena. With her being pregnant, he was like an itchy fuck if he didn’t have eyes on her. He’d be at the Open Road by the time I got there, no doubt about it.

“Nah, man,” I shook my head. “Go home to Hollis and Olive. I’m good. Maddox will be there, and Cross will meet me. Honestly, I got this.”

Dimitri studied me for a moment, then gave a sharp chin lift, the kind that said everything without needing to say much. He opened the throttle, the engine growling to life beneath him. One of the things I appreciated about Dimitri was his no-nonsense attitude. There was no wasting time with him—no talking in circles or making promises he wouldn’t keep. Dimitri was all action, the kind of guy who didn’t just say he had your back; he proved it.

The night had already been long, but I had work to do. But I knew I could count on Maddox and Cross to have my back. And if there was one thing I’d learned over the years, it was that a good crew was worth more than anything else.

With a final glance down the road where Dimitri had disappeared, I swung a leg over my bike, the engine rumbling beneath me like a living beast. I wasn’t headed home tonight, but I was headed to finish a loose end that I should have tied off long ago.

?

Kent was strung up in the basement room at the Road, blood already dripping lazily down the drain. I wondered if I should have mentioned to Eli that I’d had Kent secured and brought here but dismissed it. This was something that I should have handled years ago, but I’d been selfish in dragging it out. There was probably some deep-seated psychological mumbo jumbo on why I hadn’t killed him before this — one I wasn’t ready to hear.

“About time. I have shit to do,” Maddox grumbled. I didn’t blame him; it’d been a long day, and I’d kept him busy. I’d be surprised if I didn’t hear about it from his girlfriend. That was a thousand percent false; my inner voice said,… Helena would never say anything about Maddox helping me. Helena was young, but she was smart and kind. I liked her.

“Not my fault you’re old and up past your bedtime,” I joked as I closed the door, slanting a look at Kent.

“Cross is upstairs. Do we need him for this?”

“Nah,” I shrugged. This was a one-way ticket for Kent. Cross didn’t need to be here for this.

“Wakey-wakey.” I tossed a bucket of water into Kent’s face. He startled, shaking his jowls like one of those hound dogs as he came back to consciousness. Kent blinked as he realized where he was, strained against the cuffs, but then gave up, understanding there was no coming back from this.

“So you’re finally doing it then?” His eyes looked to the floor, to the drain.

“My interest has waned since I discovered Eli is still alive. You lied.” I would have almost felt sorry for anyone else with how defeated he looked.

“You would, too. Those aren’t people to fuck with.” Maddox cocked his head at him with interest.

“Victor?” he asked, pushing off the wall but careful not to come too close. Kent looked from me to Maddox and back to me.

“So you know about Victor. He’s definitely one of the freaks.” I gave a dark chuckle.

---