Page 40 of Blade's Return
My phone goes dead, and I let it fall down onto the floor mat. It only takes a few more minutes—at least that’s what it feels like. Honestly, I have no idea. Time feels like it’s not moving at all. I’m having trouble seeing because of my tears. I almost miss the turn off, so I slam on the brakes. My car fishtails, throwing gravel everywhere. I lose control of the wheel, and I crash into the front of the garage. My neck snaps hard and the pain radiates up into my head and down into my back. The airbag implodes and delivers another hit. I’m feeling woozy, but I manage to open the door and fall out.
“Bear!” I cry out.
I’m so dizzy that I can barely move. I try to hold my head up, instead I scream when someone grabs my hair and starts pulling me by it. I cry out and whoever it is stops and then they’re leaning over to look down at me.
“Shut up! You stupid bitch. Our party is just beginning,” Douglas laughs and then, before I can say anything else, his fist comes down and the world goes black.
22 BEAR
I look around the room and I’m feeling older than the fucking hills. We’re at the clubhouse in the room where we have church. Blade’s pacing by the head of the table, tapping his knuckles against the pine surface as Hangman flips through the plans for the spa. Viper’s leaning back, arms crossed, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. Ranger’s beside me, quiet, tapping his lighter on the table.
I try to focus on the discussion—layout, zoning, contractors—but my mind’s already wandering. Too many ghosts in my head lately. Too many words I’ve written down for the ones I loved—but locked away.
Then my phone buzzes. I glance down carefully.
Ranger: We need to move. Eyeball and Demon are alone—unprotected.
My stomach goes cold. I lift my gaze just enough to catch Ranger’s. He doesn’t even flinch—just gives the slightest nod.
I clear my throat. “Ayita just texted,” I lie, forcing my voice steady. “Said she needs me home. Something about the damn sink again.”
Blade looks up, frowning. “You serious? We’re not done?—”
“I’ll catch up,” I say quickly, already pushing my chair back. “Not going to be long, brother.”
Ranger straightens, stretching his back like he’s just remembered something. “Bear, before you go—mind if I take a look at those new pipes you were braggin’ about? I wanna see if they actually sound as mean as you claim.”
I give him a tight smile. “Perfect timing. I already regret buyin’ the damn things. You can buy these.”
Blade waves us off with a mutter, and we slip out the door.
The second it closes, Ranger chuckles low. “Quick thinkin’, brother.”
“Yeah,” I grunt. “Now tell me what the hell you know.”
He glances down the hall before answering. “Been screwin’ this waitress at a diner in Townsend. She’s been keepin’ eyes open for me. Saw Eyeball and Demon rolled in tonight. She said they’re still there. I’ve had her watching for them for a month. It’s finally paid off.”
My pulse kicks. “Then, let’s load up. I need to get back before Blade or Ayita figure any of this out.”
We head for a cage. It will be easier to slip in undetected. Ranger’s old truck is in that area often anyway. The night air bites sharp, cold enough to make me feel alive again. Ranger fires up the engine the moment the doors close, and we head out.
We ride in silence most of the way. The road’s a black ribbon cutting through the hills, moonlight flickering through the dark clouds. My thoughts drift to the letters I sealed and have hidden in my safe at home. Words I should’ve said out loud but couldn’t. Letters for Blade, Ayita and most of all … Olivia.
Honestly, hers damn near broke me. She’s the only woman I ever loved, and she’ll never know—not till I’m gone. At least I have the consolation of knowing that they will all eventually know the truth. I hate living these lies that I’m buried under.
We pull off across from the diner. The place is dark, a sign hanging crooked in the window shows the place is closed. Out front, two bikes sit gleaming under the streetlight—Eyeball and Demon.
Ranger kills the engine. “There they are.”
He starts to open his door, but I grab his arm. “Wait. Let’s see what they do.”
It doesn’t take long before the two assholes cross the road and head for a small garage at the edge of the lot. The metal door creaks open, and they disappear inside.
Ranger exhales hard. “That was close. They could’ve seen us. You wanna do this, or we head home?”
Something feels off—my gut twisting—but I shove it down. “We’re doing this,” I tell him. “We can handle those two bastards,” I mutter.
He nods, though there’s hesitation in his eyes I don’t like. We pull our guns, move slow and silent through the shadows. The gravel crunches under our boots, every sound too damn loud.
