“Wrath,” she mouthed his name, or maybe she’d said it. He couldn’t hear anything anymore aside from the rush of blood in his ears. And then just like that the darkness rose up and pulled Wrath into its icy embrace.
****
Ruin was on the ground unconscious, and Tank quickly moved toward him. Tank was bleeding from his nose and a nasty fucking cut above his eye, but he was alive, and he needed to make sure the girls and his Brothers were okay. He let out a breath of relief when he checked Ruin’s pulse and found it there, but slightly weak. Tuck and Malice moved up behind him, Tuck bleeding from his leg, but pushing off any concern.
“Come on, this shit needs finishing.”
The other Patches followed behind him as he made his way toward first Bunny’s room to see if Wrath had taken Lila there. When that came up empty he rushed toward Lila’s room, the door hanging from the hinges, and blood covering the floor.
Spike was sitting on the edge of the bed holding Faye with Lila right behind him. His sister was crying as she glanced from Faye, to Wrath who was on the floor face down, blood coming from several wounds on his body and covering the floor. Tank looked over at Bunny, his breath seizing when he saw the love of his life on the floor as well, unconscious, bloody, and bruised. Blood surrounded her, but it was hard to see if it was hers. Spike had a handgun in his free hand, his arm wrapped around Lila, a grin on his fucking face.
The sound of guns being cocked behind him told Tank the Patches were ready to throw down, but Faye and Lila were by this prick, and he didn’t want them hurt. He looked at Bunny again, his rage rising that the asshole had hurt her. He could see she was still breathing, and he sent a thank-you up to whoever was listening and looking out for her. But his sister and niece needed help, too.
The smell of blood and violence filed every part of Tank. He clenched his hands at his sides, trying to focus, to stay calm when all he wanted to do was get this fuck, wrap his hands around Spike’s neck, and twist.
“I thought of just killing Lila and bringing this little beauty back to Thorne. I could raise her up real good, make her know how to be a good little bitch.”
Tank took a step closer, but Spike tsked and lifted the gun toward Lila’s head.
“Careful.”
Tank froze.
“Call the fucking guard dogs off, or the girl gets it.”
Tank bared his teeth, but lifted his hand to have the other Patches step back.
“You want what is rightfully mine, but it’s not going to happen. I won’t let you take what belongs to me.” Spike grinned.
“Let us take him out,” Malice said.
“Watch it, motherfucker, or I’ll not only kill Lila here, but the other three bodies in this room, too.” Spike looked Tank right in the eyes. “Tell the assholes to leave us alone.”
This guy was one fucked-up psychopath. That much was clear just by looking at the bastard. Tank waved the MC back.
“Shut the fucking door,” Spike said, pulling Lila in closer to him. His sister started crying hard, but when Spike shushed her she stilled, her eyes wide.
Spike was still grinning, but didn’t say anything even now that the door was shut.
“I don’t know what in the hell you think to accomplish, but you’re not taking Lila or Faye.” Tank took a step closer. “You fucked with the wrong people.”
“You have the balls to keep her here like she’s yours? This baby, this bitch … they are both my property.” Spike looked over at Bunny and grinned wider. “Hell, I might even take the cunt over there and break her in real good, having her a cowering, bloody mess at my feet when I’m done with her.”
It took everything in Tank not to go after the fucker right then and there, but he held Faye, had the gun still pointed right at Lila, and he couldn’t risk them getting hurt.
“That’s my sister, my niece, my fucking woman I’m in love with. When some asshole hurts them, threatens them, I’m the one you answer to, motherfucker.” Tank didn’t move after he spoke. He kept glancing at Lila, Faye, Bunny, and Wrath. He wanted the women to be safe, to be out of harm’s way, but he had to be smart.
“That’s where you’re wrong, asshole. Lila and this little brat are mine, and I get to say what happens to them.” Spike growled out, and before Tank could react Spike put Faye on the bed, pushed Lila away, and charged toward him. But Tank was ready for him. He briefly saw Lila pick up Faye and go over to where Bunny was, but he had to end this, and do it now.
They clashed together, grappled for several moments, but Tank had the upper hand. He lifted his gun, aimed it between their bodies, and fired. Spike punched Tank in the face, and he stumbled back. Tank turned his head to the side and spit out a mouthful of blood. He saw Spike holding his gut, saw the blood coming from the wound, and grinned.