Page 9 of The Night Ride
“I want to get on with it.We’ve waited.I want to know why—just fucking open the damn thing already,” Ben snarled, his emotions raw.
Conversation halted around the table.All heads turned in his direction.
Wyatt studied Ben, then glanced my way and at the rest of the table.We were the last of our squad still serving.All the others either died or retired or had been reassigned and were scattered across the globe.
Wyatt shook his head with a hearty sigh.“Still no patience.”
“Still controlling everything.Just open the fucker,” Ben demanded.Dude appeared ready to snatch the package off the table and rip into it with his bare hands.
With an agitated sigh, Wyatt moved his empty plate and put the box in front of him.Then removed his pocketknife from his back pocket and cut through the tape.From inside the box, he withdrew a thick stack of envelopes.On top was something he started reading quietly to himself.
“No.Do not read it quietly.”Ben growled.
Wyatt handed the stack over to Ben, understanding written all over his face.“You read it out loud then.”
Ben snatched the envelopes from his hands.Then glanced down, a mixture of emotions sped across his features.I thought he was going to break down and lose it.
Instead, he cleared his throat and read.
Hey motherfuckers,
We’ve had quite a ride.And I wish that I could stay, but after everything that happened, I just can’t.My story, my life, was always going to end in flames.I’ve seen too much.I’ve done too much.And I can’t stay.
I know it’s going to piss you fuckers off.But get over it.It’s my life and my death we’re talking about.
I can’t go on with the burden we carry.By the time you read this, I’ll be worm food.And I’m good with it.I’ve made my peace with it.
But I’m going to ask you all to do one final thing for me.It’s my last command.I’ve included five letters.The names and addresses are on the envelopes.Hand deliver them for me and make sure they each read them.
I don’t know that they will be happy to see you.Most likely they won’t want to take the letter nor read it.But make them.For me.I need them to know my failures where never about them and make amends from beyond the grave.
As for you fuckers, take care of each other.I consider you all my family.I know this is gonna piss you off and hurt you.And for that, I’m sorry.But we each have to go on our own way.
Serving with you was the best thing I ever did.Know that I will be waiting on the other side to greet you.
See you in hell, boys.Your friend always,
Evan Ryder
Hooyah, bitches!
Ben glanced at the group finally with tears in his eyes.“Let’s look at where he wanted us to go.Anyone who doesn’t want to go—”
“Like we’re backing out of this mission.We’ve all got the leave time.Just tell us where we’re fucking going,” Lucas stated and earned a round of agreement from James and me.No way I was backing out of this mission.If Evan wanted these envelopes hand delivered, then that’s what I could fucking do.
When the envelopes reached me, I flipped through them.
Moira Kelly.
Rory Ryder.
Beth Ryder.
Paige Ryder.
And Nora Ryder.
Jesus.I would see Beth again.Pleasure zinged through me and on its heels was shame.Evan was hardly cold in the ground, and I was excited about seeing Beth again.What was I going to do, break another vow to Evan?
