Page 72 of Justice

In its place is a hollow sort of satisfaction, a grim acknowledgment that justice has been served.

Evans's remaining eye, swollen nearly shut, flickers open. His gaze meets mine, and in that moment, I see the light of understanding dawn. He knows his end has come.

With a sense of finality, I nod to Reid and Butcher. They step forward, grasping Evans's mangled form and hauling him up from the blood-soaked table. His limbs dangle uselessly, the shattered joints and severed extremities flopping grotesquely with each movement. A wet, gurgling moan seeps from hisruined mouth as they drag him across the room, leaving a slick trail of blood behind him.

The brazen bull looms before us. The firelight dances across its surface, casting flickering shadows that seem to writhe and twist with a malevolent life of their own. Reid and Butcher hoist Evans up, positioning him at the opening in the bull's side.

I step forward, my hand resting on the warm metal flank of the bull. I can feel the heat emanating from within, the hungry flames licking at the bronze bull.

I lean in close to Evans's face, his labored, wheezing breaths hot and rank against my skin.

"This is where it ends, fucker. She is mine, and I hope it haunts you in hell knowing she will never be yours.”

I nod to Reid and Butcher. With a final, unceremonious heave, they shove Evans into the opening of the bull. His broken body crumples, folding in on itself as he's swallowed into the dark interior.

With a vicious yank, I pull the lever. The door of the bull slams shut with a resounding clang.

Almost immediately, the screams begin—high and thin at first, then rising in volume and intensity as the searing heat engulfs him.

We all stand around waiting until the screams end, the agonized wails begging for us to spare him.

Then it turns silent.

I turn to face my brothers, my father, my friends—the men who have stood by me through this nightmare. Gratitude swells in my chest, a lump forming in my throat as I try to find the words to express the depth of my appreciation.

"Thank you," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "Thank you for being here, for helping me end this. I couldn't have done it without you."

Derek steps forward, clasping my shoulder in a firm grip. His eyes shine with a fierce pride and love. "You never have to thank us, son. This is what family does. We protect our own, no matter what."

“It’s over, we got justice for Elle, and she can live her life without fear of that stupid fucker,” my dad tells all of us, and we turn our back to the bull burning this fucker alive.

Chapter 15

Christopher

The driveback to home is a blur, my mind still reeling from the events of the past few hours. The satisfaction of finally delivering justice, of making Evans pay for his crimes, mingles with a bone-deep exhaustion that seems to seep into my soul.

Pulling into the driveway, I take a moment to simply breathe, my hands gripping the steering wheel as I try to center myself. To come to terms with all of the shit that has happened over the months.

I make my way inside, the house quiet and still. I find Elle in our bedroom, curled up on the bed with Miracle sleeping peacefully in the bassinet beside her. She looks up as I enter, her eyes searching my face, a silent question in their depths.

I sit on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine. "It's done," I say softly, my thumb rubbing gentle circles on her skin. "He'll never hurt anyone ever again."

Elle nods, a shuddering breath escaping her lips. Tears well in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks in glistening tracks. I gather her into my arms, holding her close as she cries—tears of relief, of grief, of healing.

"Thank you," she whispers, her face buried in the crook of my neck. “Our daughter will never have to fear this monster.”

It’s like the weight of the world has come off her shoulders, I can see the relief in her eyes. “I’d rather die than see that fear and worry in your eyes ever again.” I kiss her cheek softly.

She’s exhausted. She yawns and I lay her down on the bed, bringing the blanket up to her shoulders.

I brush a strand of hair from her face, marveling at the strength and resilience of this incredible woman. She is so beautiful.

I go into the shower and scrub my body in a hurry, wanting to get back to my girls.

My mom and Elle’s mom are downstairs lying on the couch, and I know they’ll be heading home when Derek and my dad come to get them.

I make my way over to Miracle's bassinet. Our daughter slumbers peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. I reach out, gently stroking her soft cheek with the tip of my finger. In this moment, I'm overwhelmed by the fierce, protective love that surges through me.

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