Adrenaline Rush (Death Chasers MC 4)

He spins in a circle before skipping toward me, that dark smile still tilting his sadistic lips as his salt-and-pepper beard curls in front of his mouth, obstructing the full view.

He’s bald now.

He’s also fitter with more muscle, as though he’s been waiting for the day to take on the son twenty-five years younger than himself.

“If you wanted to show out, you should have at least made it a fair fight. Only cowards fight the ones who can’t fight back,” I grind out, as my brother spits out more blood.

A few bouts of laughter rumble throughout the room.

“It’s that ideology that would leave the human race extinct. We’re vile creations expected to live amiably under corrupt governments, who do all the same twisted shit we do. They just wear preppy suits and the practiced smiles politicians use to put people at ease about turning over their souls,” Herrin assures me, studying his brass knuckles. “These were actually a gift from the senator I met with last week. “He was asking me to get this territory back under control before the feds step in. Let’s face it, Halo is the cherry pot for the many dirty politicians in our great state as well. Towns close to the border never get much mention on mainstream media for a reason. The country is kept unaware of how dirty it gets in these parts.”

Same old speech. Different variation.

“Meanwhile, you spew self-righteous bullshit like you have some divine right,” Pop goes on, flexing his hand inside the brass knuckles as he stares down at them. “I don’t pretend I’m something I’m not, darlin’. Your brother used to be just as wise. Eve corrupted Adam. Now she’s corrupted my own son and half of my own club.”

He’s insane.

He slams his fist into Drex’s face again, and my brother makes a strangled cry as he flops to his back, choking on his own blood.

My heart hurts too much to feel any new pain. It’s suffocating me as it is every time I glance over to the puddle of blood on the floor.

“If you’re going to kill me,” I say quietly, eyes coming up to meet Pop’s as I regain his attention, “at least spare me the bullshit and get it over with.”

“What would be the fun in that?” he drawls. “I’m just getting started, and I’m going to savor every damn moment of this.”

Dash is a stupid fool if he thinks he’s going to end up with Eve and live happily ever after in this club. Especially when it’s so clear that Pop blames her for my brother’s fall.

Smiling bitterly, I bite out, “You always were theatrical. Drex certainly has you beat on efficiency.”

Pop’s lips struggle to restrain his psychotic smile. “Efficient death is nothing more than mercy. Surely you know by now I’m not a man of mercy, Kara. Your turn is coming. Sit tight.”

He shifts his gaze to Sledge. “You’re next, brother.”

Sledge keeps his lethal glare trained on Pop. “Ready when you are,” Sledge grinds out.

Pop wipes Drex’s blood off on his shirt.

With a cruel tilt to his lips, Pop adds, “This club will see what happens when I’m embarrassed by my own crew. And after today, I’ll never have to worry about it again.”

“Waxing my vagina strikes more fear into my heart than all this,” I state with zero emotion, trying to provoke him into hurrying this all along.

I just want it over. At last. I want to be done with it all.

My eyes drift back to the puddle of blood, glancing toward the bar where they dragged his body.

The music is playing over the speakers, but I can’t even hear the entire tune.

Some of the crew are tied up along the wall, holding their silence like they were told to do. Rush is the only one he’s killed.

Why Rush? Why did it have to be him?

As I’m tied up, my arms and legs feel like lead, unable to scrap together even an ounce of fight.

Over.

I want it over.

I want to be done with it all.

Drex takes another hit. He doesn’t get up from the floor, panting hard as he shuts his eyes.

“Ah, come now, Sledge. Surely you don’t still believe joining my son was the best course of action,” Herrin says in that mocking tone. “Even you once said that he wouldn’t be ready to lead if he didn’t get some brains rattling around.”

“Turns out, heart works just as well,” Sledge states like the lame, romantic the stupid fuck is.

Laughter erupts all around, with Herrin’s laughter booming the loudest.

“Fuck’s sake, Sledge. I forgot what a pathetic softie you really are under that misleading exterior,” Herrin crows, doubling over as he laughs harder.

I only catch glimpses of the devil himself, since the crowd keeps tightening in, loving the show.

The bloodthirsty savages always love his show.