“You don’t get it that easy,” Blaine said. “I’m going to go slow. Fingers to the first knuckle. Then your toes. Then I’m going to remove kneecaps, just to do it.”
Blaine stood up. He looked down at Vin. In his mind, everything he knew started to play out. Working the streets, stuck between right and wrong. Meeting Vin and always knowing how dangerous the man was. Guilt then punched Blaine in the gut. He had a chance to push Meghan away but never did. He had gotten drunk and picked a fight with her. He did everything to convince her to leave. He even gave her a bag of money and told her to go. Take Janey and find a small town to start over in. Meghan accused Blaine of fucking someone else. She even threw Jessa’s name into the fight. Which was kind of strange and eerie, considering how everything played out.
When they talked again, Blaine opened up to Meghan. He explained his job was dangerous and that he wanted nothing but the best for Meghan and Janey. Especially Janey. Her father had been some street punk that got Meghan pregnant and took off. The guy ended up murdered before Janey was even born.
That day, Meghan told Blaine the best way to save herself and Janey was to be with Blaine. It was a touching moment. Then Meghan gave Blaine two rings. Engagement rings. That’s what Meghan had done with the bag of cash. She bought herself a diamond ring. And one for Janey. So Blaine asked Janey for permission to marry Meghan. On the outside, it looked wickedly romantic and so sweet. Blaine on one knee, offering Janey her own ring to wear, as a promise that Blaine would always take care of her.
On the inside, Blaine hated it. But Meghan made it clear that if he wasn’t all in, then he would never get to take care of Janey. Meghan promised Blaine full adoption, Janey changing her last name, everything.
And Vin took it all away.
Blaine felt a tear slip out of his eye and he wiped it away. He stared at the tear on his finger and then made a fist and punched Vin in the face. He then started to punch him, over and over, wondering how many hits it would take to kill a man.
Let’s find out…
Blaine landed ten blows before Nate came into the room.
“What did I tell you?” Blaine snapped.
“It’s not about this,” Nate said. “Just wanted to let you know that we got the car. The prospects took it to the warehouse. It’s full of guns. Deep trunk, brother. And cash under the seat. Half a million.”
“Good,” Blaine said.
“It’s all worked out, Blaine. Like we said. The MC took out all of Eight Under. Using their own guns. It’s a mess out there. But it’s not in Frelen.”
Blaine nodded. “Even better.”
“Just wanted you to know. We did it, brother. So take your time here. There’s no rush.”
Nate shut the door.
Blaine looked at Vin. His eyes were swollen, face bloody.
“See that?” he asked Vin. “You lose now. And my club…”
Blaine closed his mouth. He turned his back on Vin.
The cartel would come looking. They’d know about Eight Under getting wiped out. Vin missing. Maybe they’d blame Vin, right? Vin took the guns and money. But the cartel would search. They’d come to the MC over and over, waiting to find a crack and then rip it open. The MC would never be in bed with the cartel. But they would want to know what happened to their guns and their cash.
Blaine gritted his teeth.
Think bigger, brother. Think bigger.
Slicing up Vin would be good for Blaine. It would be good for Jessa, too.
Blaine pushed from the table and walked to the door. He opened it and saw Jessa standing a few feet away.
“What’s wrong, brother?” Nate asked.
Blaine stared at Jessa. “Go get Vin off the table. I have a plan.”
Blaine rushed to Jessa and scooped her up.
Jessa started to weep.
Blaine felt another tear fall from his eye.
It was over now. It had to be over now. The past was done. It was gone. It couldn’t return. The proof? Because in between Jessa and Blaine was the future. Their future. Their baby.
***
Blaine leaned against the trunk as two black SUV’s approached. They turned sideways and the backdoor of one opened. A man climbed out with two towering men behind him. They were equipped with machine guns and looked totally okay with killing anyone for any reason at all.
“Arms out,” the man yelled.
“Do it,” Miller said.
Miller, Gaige, Shay, and Blaine listened.
They were then patted down, their guns taken and put on the ground.
The man then stood there, looking at each one. “We’ve never conducted business before.”
“Never had a need,” Blaine said. “Until bodies started piling up in our town.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with us?”
“You’re missing some guns and money, aren’t you?” Gaige asked.
The two men lifted their guns.
“Hey,” Miller said. “We’re trying to help here.”
“What’s your name?” Blaine asked.
“Pick one,” the man said.
“I’m going to call you Ed then.”
“Fair enough,” Ed said.