Page 22 of Ravaged
“What’s taking so goddamn long?” Derek said. “You know the security guards over there at the Dahlia District fuck with the servers? There’s one that’s going on trial because he drugged and raped them all. Who knows what this asshole did.” Derek kicked the man in the side. “A deadbeat like this? He uses women. Thinks he’s better than them.”
I wasn’t sure I believed it.
“Most of those guards beat on the servers,” Derek continued. “You can kill him. Clear your conscience. Forget about all of that shit in New Mexico.”
If I had stopped Ken sooner, would I have been able to save Abby? Would she be alive today? If I eliminated men like the bouncer in front of me sooner, could I have helped her?
The security guard stirred. I needed to do this to prove myself. To prove I could be an Adler. The bouncer’s safety in exchange for mine, for leadership.
“Come on. Do it now!” Derek said
Before the bouncer could lift himself up onto his palms, I pulled the trigger. The recoil shuddered through me and his body slumped into stillness once again. Everyone was silent. Gerard hit my back in pride, and a subtle smile gleamed on Derek’s lips, as if he was proud of himself for getting me to kill. I grit my teeth.
But it was done now. I stowed the gun in my holster.
“Hey, I thought you killed someone back in the desert?” Wil asked, unfazed by the dead man lying in front of us. I ignored him and headed towards the door, going around the slump of a human. Axe moved towards the bouncer and pulled him off of the ground, and in a deliberate single movement, heaved him over his shoulder.
“Murdering one person doesn’t make you a killer,” Derek said under his breath.
“Fuck off,” I said.
“You did it, though. Good job, man,” the sarcasm evident in his voice. “It’s usually Axe’s job.” I ignored Derek completely, not wanting to acknowledge the smug look on his face.
“Ethan,” Gerard said. I turned back towards him. “Go take care of the prisoner. She’s yours, isn’t she?” A layer of curiosity was spread across his face. He leaned back against the chair, waiting for my answer.
“Don’t let the bitch piss on my floor,” Derek said.
I clenched my fist at the derogatory name. If anyone called her words like that, it would be me.
But there wasn’t any point in bringing that up now. Starting problems with Derek in front of the group wasn’t worth the fight. Not yet. Not in front of Gerard. I had to be the leader, the one who wasn’t willing to lower myself to petty threats.
“You meanourfloor,” I corrected.
“As the assumed leader to take over when Gerard retires, it ismyfloor.”
“Christ, son. It’s not like I’ve keeled over yet.”
“Better watch yourself,” I said to Gerard. “With a hungry dog like him,” I nodded towards Derek, “you never know what he’ll try.”
“Accuse me of hurting my own blood one more time, and it’ll be your fucking grave,” Derek came towards me.
“Iamyour blood,” I said, turning to face him, staring him in the eyes. We stayed like that for a moment, both of us locked in, waiting for the other to settle.
“Damn,” Wil whistled. “You two need to settle down. Fucking pushy, man.”
Derek turned towards Wil. “Shut up,” he said.
I opened the door, but before I closed it, I heard Wil pipe up again. “It isourfloor, man. We’re all part of the family. Right, Dad? And what about the puppy pad?”
I slammed the door shut, heading to the basement. I would take care of Teagen. The prisoner. The bitch.Mybitch. I may not have enjoyed my first kill as an Adler, but I would relish taking care of her. I had to. Even if she was only my cargo. A payment. Collateral. Even if she was nothing.
