Page 41 of Beast
Marcus kept his gun trained on Rip and said something. Rip didn’t like what was said.
Sirens blared in the distance, and I knew what had happened.
15
Beast
“Fornow,Rip,you’refree to go. Not because I’m being kind, but because I enjoy the hunt, motherfucker. Anytime now, that fire will hit your fuel depot, and your entire club will go up in flames.” I lowered my gun but was prepared to raise it and kill the rest of his club.
“There were women and children in the club, Beast.” Rip’s face was priceless. “You killed innocent people.”
“Tell your club to lower their weapons, and you can ride outta here and save what you can.” I waited for them to comply, and once they did, I grabbed Rip by the neck. He grabbed my wrist with his hands, and I lifted the son of a bitch off the ground. When the adrenaline is flowing, a man’s strength turns superhuman. As I squeezed tighter, he began flailing. When he started flailing, his club members, primarily officers, went for their guns.
Using two hands around Rip’s neck, I held him in the air while the Brothers put his men down. When I was sure they were all dead, I dropped Rip to the ground in the blood of men he failed to lead.
“Why?” Rip asked.
“You started this war, Rip. I’m finishing it before I lose any more good people. And fuck you for thinking for one minute that I would kill women and children.” I stood over the piece of shit. “That’s the difference between you and me, Rip. I care. Yeah, we’re both assholes, but I care. Now, get the fuck outta my sight before I put you down like the rabid dog you are.”
Rip struggled to his feet, eyed the dead men around him, and climbed on his bike. “This shit isn’t over, Beast. I’ve got a bullet, especially for you.”
We watched Rip speed away and pass the van with two Brothers’ Prospects inside. We helped the Prospects load the bodies, and they drove away.
“You can come out now,” I yelled. I waited for Skittles and the others to join us. “Can you please tell me what the fuck you were doing out here?”
Skittles knew she was in deep shit. She’d risked lives to find Wendy, who risked lives by leaving the clubhouse. No insubordination was acceptable, especially when we had a war going on with a rival club.
“I didn’t wanna take you away from what you were doing to help find Wendy,” Skittles said. She gave me her favorite puppy dog face. “I thought we were safe.”
“You weren’t safe, and you fucked up.” I pointed at the others. “All of you go back to the fucking clubhouse and wait for me to return. Don’t leave the club. Don’t even go outside. Get in the fucking basement with the others. Am I clear?”
Gigi raised her hand. “Charles is expecting me back in the morning.”
I shared a what the fuck look with Skittles. “Take your ass back to the clubhouse like I said. If you’d like, I can have Diesel call Charles.” Diesel smiled. “Stop smiling, asshole,” I said to Diesel. I held up my hands. “Why’re you all still standing here? Get the fuck back to the clubhouse!”
They started down the street, and I followed for a moment. “Skittles,” I said, “get over here.”
“I’m sorry, Beast.” She only called me Beast when she was in trouble.
I leaned forward and kissed her ear. “I’m going to bust that ass when I get it home.” I smacked her ass and sent her on her way.
“You were going to let me call her boyfriend?” Diesel asked.
“Fuck no,” I said. “But I want all of you to head back and ensure everything is secure.”
“You going to find Rip?” Cinder asked. “We should go with you.”
I shook my head. Confronting Rip again was something I needed to do on my own. “Most of his men are dead, and we put the fear of death into Prospects, members, and families. I think that’s enough to slow the club for now.”
“Another chapter will come in and replace them,” Big Kentucky said. “this will never be over.”
“We’ll try to make peace with whoever comes in. If they aren’t interested, we’ll also put them down.” I climbed on my bike. “There won’t be anything left of Rip when I finish with him. Not something my Brothers should see me do.” I climbed on my bike. “Make sure the clubhouse is good to go.” I pulled away and headed toward the Hell’s Messengers’ club, intent on ripping Rip apart.
I stopped down the street from Hell’s Messengers and watched flames lick the evening sky. The fuel depot had caught fire and blown up, setting the entire place on fire. The fire department stood at the entrance, dumbfounded. They had to let it burn.
Rip sat on his bike at the entrance, watching as well. He’d not played his cards properly. I wasn’t sure why he waited for me to leave Varner, but that was his biggest mistake. Maybe he wanted to impress his club. Maybe he was stupid. He turned and saw me watching. He started his bike and headed off in the opposite direction, understanding, no doubt, I would follow. I caught up on the edge of town. He pulled over, and so did I. We both climbed off our bikes, leaving the lights on.
“Should have kept riding, Rip.”
