I scratch at my beard and glance at Ford. He isn't happy either. Ginger Snaps is an unknown. Like we didn't already have enough fucking moving parts to stress.
"Give me the address."
Madden ignores me and focuses on Joker. "Dad is nervous about the Taz shit. He knows someone is making moves. He also claims he doesn't know who. Of course, he's lying. He's knows he didn't kill Ginger. She's one of only a few fuckers willing to mess with him over the years."
"Are you sure he isn't suspicious of you?" Bull asks, having found his voice.
Madden smiles in a way that makes me wonder if he's evil. I see a bit of his cousin Zombie in that smile.
"He's too arrogant to believe anyone doesn't bow to him. I don't really blame him. He's spent most of his life calling the shots and having his ass kissed. The idea of me or anyone else turning on him likely never crosses his mind."
"So what happens next?" Joker asks.
"Ginger Snaps is making moves on the West Side. I'll work on getting a face-to-face meeting with you. I think I've sold her on you being a different kind of leader, instead of a shit talker like my dad. Once she's a go, we can see about making our move. Even if Dad isn't suspicious, he's let Zombie loose. Dad wouldn't mind more chaos."
Madden struts to me and shoves a piece of paper into my hands. "Gifts from a sociopath are fun."
When I glare at him, he stares back unaffected. He claims Ginger Snaps is a sociopath, but he looks like one to me right then. Despite my dislike for Trigger's oldest boy, I'm really only curious about what's in the storage unit.
As soon as he leaves, I'm roaring down the road with Ford and the guys behind me. I don't know what a chick pimp would leave for me, but she stole my chance at revenge against Taz. Her gift better be fucking amazing.
The code for the facility's front gate is on the paper Madden gave me. We park outside then make our move past row after row of units. The last door on the end is the one we want. I put my ear to the door but hear nothing since we're close to the highway.
"Could be a trap," Taco says, glancing around the dark night.
Joker shakes his head. "Killing us at the school would've been easier."
"Let's do this," I grunt, working the combination lock with the numbers from the note.
Ford and Lucky point their guns at the unit while I shove up the door. Not knowing what to expect, a moment passes before I realize what I'm seeing.
On the wall in blood are words. Ford likely suspects I can't understand them all, so he reads out loud, "I am the monster who beat a woman and terrified a child. I deserve to be punished. Please kill me, Pax."
On the ground, a man struggles against his restraints. Part of his Mohawk is hacked off, and one eye is swollen shut, but he sees me and knows who I am.
"I think this might be the best gift anyone's ever given me," I say to Ford, who grins.
"Have at it, Homerun."
Before I swing my bat, I take a picture of the fucker on the ground. I don't care if it's dumb to have my victim's mug on my phone. I need to show Bebe and let her know this man is dead.
I shove the phone in my back pocket then smile at Ford.
"You're like a kid sometimes," he says, grinning at me.
"It's Christmas morning, turd."
The first blow takes out his kneecap, and I relish the sound of crunching bones. When he screams, I tap the bat on the wall next to the words.
"You did this," I tell him. "You brought us to this moment. I want you to remember that woman and her kid. Think about them when you want the pain to end."
The guy's eyes focus hard on mine, and I know he feels no shame. A man like him is past caring about others. He'd likely kill his own mom for a few smokes and a beer. I'm a firm believer in evil. I see it in the mirror sometimes. Some men can live with the evil inside them and never let it destroy someone like Bebe and Lula. This fucker gave into his evil long ago, and I'll do the same thing this very moment with my bat.
15
Bebe
Too Long Waiting
Hearing Pax enter the house, I sneak out of bed. Lula never stirs as I leave the room. Pax isn't in the kitchen or living room, so I walk downstairs looking for him. A part of me again worries he's brought home a woman.
The shower is running, so I decide to wait at the stairs for him to finish. In my hand is a baby monitor to allow me to hear if Lula wakes. Upstairs, Folgers stares at me through the railing. I watch him until the bathroom door opens.
Wet hair slicked back, Pax wears only a towel around his waist. His tats are bright against his tanned skin. I don't even pretend I'm not impressed by the sight of him.
"I thought you were asleep," he says, looking irritated.
"I was waiting for you."
Pax's frown eases a little. "What's that?"
"A baby monitor, so I can hear Lula."
"Are you planning to hang around long?"
"Why are you P I S S E D at me?"
Pax blinks hard then frowns. "I'm not. Why would I be?"
"You seem grumpy. If you're not mad at me, why are you P I S S E D?"