He shakes his head, “I-I swear it. Jaque de Lafiore was in the meeting representing them. Her partner, Claude Chizisky was the one who came in later and told me at the end of my audition that they wouldn’t be able to sign my contract until some of their direct competition went away. I immediately knew they meant Raven. She was making headlines everywhere for being the best up-and-coming ballerina. Anyone worth a damn in ballet was well aware she would eventually become the best.”
“So you made it happen. Took their problem away for money.”
“I-I offered to help the issue go away for the next show I was in, but I had no control over any others when she recovered. And, no, it wasn’t for the money. It was to live my dream of being a resident at a premier company I’d always dreamed of dancing for. It was so much more than money.”
“You willingly hurt my woman so you could dance for shitty people. You stole her dream away, her livelihood, to help fund yours.”
“It’s not that simple,” he attempts to argue, but I’m not hearing anything else he has to say and tune him out.
I thought breaking his toes, feet, and legs would be enough, but this goes so much deeper. He didn’t hurt her just because he’s another random shit bag out there. He willingly ended her career to advance his and never looked back; he never tried to help her once he got the spot he’d dreamed of. After speaking to him, it’s beyond obvious that he knew Raven’s dreams, her future, and didn’t bat an eye when he decided to steal it all away and leave her behind like she wasn’t a second thought. The impact of his deceit is deeper than I’d realized at first.
He needs to die.
They all do.
“Angel.” I remain staring at twinkle toes, the realization of everything hitting me with so much force I can’t move for a beat.
“Brother.”
“Prez said whatever I needed,” I state, but he already knows. “I want them dead.”
“I’ll handle it.” Is his response, and then he’s leaving me alone.
I get to my feet, sheathing my knife. There’s so much relief on the man before me’s face, it’s comical. I kick the back of his calf hard enough that his leg straightens, and he leaves it there, not knowing what’s coming next. With an exhale, I slam my foot down on top of it, right in the middle. I use so much weight and strength in the impact, his bone snaps in half.
He screams, his body thrashing in pain. He jolts his chair as much as possible, but he’s going nowhere. I wasn’t kidding when I told him I was just getting started. He was too stupid to realize that no matter what he told me, it would always end inhis death. His words only added to how gruesome and painful his end would be. He’s clearly never been in love before, and has never had the powerful feeling of devotion and protectiveness rushing through his veins for the person he cares most for, to the point he’d do anything for their happiness and wellbeing.
I continue. Snapping bone after bone, thigh, knee, ankle, foot, only to move to the other side, and repeat. He passes out, and then as soon as he wakes again, I break more bones.
Eventually, I stab him through his heart because he doesn’t deserve to have one in the afterlife, wherever that may be. He deserves to suffer without love for hurting the woman who owns my loyalty and obsession.
She’s everything to me, and he’ll never touch her again.
Chapter Seventeen
Raven
When Powerhouse asked me to go for a ride, the last place I was expecting him to bring us to is a private medical clinic. It was never on my radar, and I’m lost as to why we’re here. I’ve seen the brothers around the clubhouse get injuries; they usually just wrap whatever hurts in a paper towel or use a bag of ice on it, and that’s the end of it. I can’t help but worry that this is much more serious if my big guy is here and has brought me along with him.
I plop down in a random cushioned chair along the far wall in the waiting room while he checks in with an older lady at the front desk. I’m aimlessly scrolling through my phone when my mouth pops open at the breaking news story alert under our local station’s page on social media.
Established LDF Company Owner Found DEAD. Silent Partner DEAD. Contractual Resident DEAD.
In a gruesome Monday morning turn of events, three deceased bodies have been discovered. Albeit the bodies have been found separately, their pasts are linked, making us question if this is truly an individual event for each person involved or if they had deeper ties. Could this be the beginning of various Cartel attacks in our area, or is this event secluded?
Sources claim at least one victim was brutally tortured with multiple broken bones, but we do not have confirmation at this time. Local PD was not ready to comment at the scene of the bodies, but has promised a follow-up. We’ll report more when we have an update. In the meantime, if you or anyone you know has information on the deaths of Jaque de Lafiore (65, female, owner), Claude Chizisky (57, male, silent partner), or David Trention (24, male, resident dancer), please reach out to us immediately. Stay safe out there, Texas.
“Wow,” I whisper. The article gave me chills with all the stress and emotions I felt while reading it. Talk about out of left field, taking me by surprise. You read about people dying all the time, but when the names are familiar and you know who they are, it hits a lot differently.
Powerhouse’s big frame leans in, drawing my attention to him as he glances down at my phone, breezing over the article. I was so engrossed in the story, I didn’t realize he’d sat down beside me until I physically felt him. His warm arm presses against mine, instantly offering me his comfort that only his presence seems to bring me. He’s like my real-life comfort blanket, only he gets to go almost everywhere with me.
“They’re dead.” I eventually whisper, then turn to meet his gaze. With an exhale, I lean closer and try to explain, “Two of them owned the company I wanted to dance for eventually. I was about to apply before my accident. The third person is…Him”
His brows hike, silently asking me to elaborate.
“The one I told you about…Who threw me.”I switch to signing so the other people in here don’t know my business.
He asks,“The man who caused your injuries is dead?”
