Page 104 of Isaac

Everyone understands the weight of this decision, the irrevocable line we're about to cross. Contrary to what most people think about the Hellhounds, we don't kill people left and right. But killing this trash is inevitable. But it won't just be an act of vengeance. It'll be a declaration of war.

"He needs to pay for what he did to Jessica," Hector says. "And if that means we have to take on whatever comes next…then so be it. Civilians are off-limits. And thishijo de putabroke the rules."

"Agreed," another adds. The murmurs of assent ripple through the group like a wave, each man steeling himself for the consequences of our actions.

As I look around the warehouse, my eyes meet those of my loyal soldiers, the men who've stood by me through thick and thin. There's no fear in their gazes, only a fierce determination to see justice—or at least, our version of it—served. And I knowthat we're united, bound together by a common goal. However twisted that goal in the eyes of others can be.

"Fine," I say, the finality of my words unyielding. "Then it’s decided. He dies tonight."

The air crackles with dark energy as I watch Jeremy's hand grip the gun and point it at Tucci’s head.

He glances at me, needing approval. And—although I’m dreading it—we both know whatreallyneeds to be done. Two birds with one stone.

My own gaze shifts to Hawk for a second to where he’s standing on my right. His hands are locked together in front of him and his face is a mask of indifference. Images of him swallowing my cum like it’s some fucking vanilla ice-cream punch through my head, pushing everything else away for a fraction of a second, but I can’t let my weakness be the one thing to destroy my family.

And with that thought, I return my attention to Jeremy and jerk my chin in Hawk’s direction.

Jeremy understands.

"Hey, new guy," he says, voice strained. "You do it." And then he offers his gun to Hawk. "Finish him off."

"Yeah, baby!" Seven chimes in. "Gotta get baptized if you want to be a real Hellhound, my man."

Hawk hesitates for a heartbeat, his gaze flicking between the Glock in Jeremy’s hand, the man tied to the chair, and me before he accepts the gun.

I can see the storm of emotions raging behind his eyes as he palms it as if trying it out. But what truly catches my attention is the uncertainty that lies beneath his hard exterior.

Somehow I sense it.

If Jeremy’s suspicions are correct and Cody Smith is a badge, he won’t do it. But if he’s truly one of us, ready to walk the razor’sedge day after day, he’ll do what needs to be done. If not for us, then for Jessica.

Closing the gap between us, I bring my lips close to his ear, our bodies almost touching in a suggestive dance. "You saw what we saw, didn’t you? The cargo? You’d agree that someone entangled in such filth shouldn't draw another breath, right?" I let my words sink in before continuing. "Surely you don’t believe that setting him free would equate to doling out true justice?"

I pause again, letting the silence stretch around us amidst fear-tainted air. "Oh sure," I resume eventually, sarcasm and all. "Maybe he’ll face judgment years down the line while tucked inside the comforts of his titanium-clad legal bubble, even experience some fleeting jail time–a week or two at most." A soft hollow laugh worms its way out from me. "But can’t you see, Hawk?" An icy hardness crawls into my tone as I squeeze his shoulder ever so slightly, trying to hammer my point home. "He’ll find a lawyer dirty enough who’ll couple loopholes with slick legal maneuvers and inevitably work their magic to shine a shimmering aura of innocence around him." Images of children flash before my eyes as uncontrollable rage churns within me. "He'll return," I say quietly yet forcefully, "to trade teens like baseball cards all over again, to steal childhoods." The phantom taste of bitterness clings stubbornly to my tongue. "Something for you to mull over, Hawk… If seeing what he did to Jessica wasn’t enough of a wake-up call."

The room holds its breath as Hawk tightens his grip on the gun, slowly raising it to point at Tucci’s head.

"Do it, asshole," Jeremy growls, his voice thick with anger. "End this bastard's life."

"You’ll regret this… You’ll regret this, you dimwits," Tucci whines, choking on the blood pooling in his mouth.

"Save it," Hawk interrupts, his voice cold and unforgiving. "You had your chance."

The world around me suddenly fades away until all that remains is this moment, balanced on the edge of a knife. This moment of truth.

Is Hawk truly one of us?

CHAPTER 28

HAWK

The cold steel of the gun pressed into my palm burns my skin where the two come into contact as I stare down at Tucci.

The Hellhounds linger in the shadows, their eyes fixated on me, waiting for my next move, and I can feel those gazes on my back. Isaac's request echoes in my mind, urging me to pull the trigger feels like a betrayal. The worst kind.

I thought I’d go through this without this type of initiation but apparently, I’m no exception.

That makes me laugh internally—the absurdity of it all, the absurdity of my own expectations.

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