I watch on as the guys shovel their food into their mouths and clear their plates in record time. Even Tommy is rushing through the meal. When they’re all done, each man stands up and begins to make their way toward the room they hold their meetings in. Killer leans down and kisses me on the head before leaving my sight. His body is held rigid as he moves. I know rage is flaring through him based on how tight he’s holding himself. They’re all walking the same way as each man disappears from sight.
We all move to the couches while the house bunnies come out to clean up the mess from dinner. They know they’re allowed to eat out here with us at a separate table. Most never do though. Instead, they make their plates and eat in the kitchen while they’re cleaning up. The only ones who eat with us are the Prospects. Then they help the house bunnies clean up.
Shy puts a movie on, but none of us are paying it any attention. We’re each lost in our own thoughts about what’s been happening. I’m blaming myself because none of this would be happening if it weren’t for Neil. He’s the one making our lives a living hell and putting so much stress on the guys.
Instead of hanging out with the women, I make my excuses and head to our room. I won’t take a shower because Killer’s not in here, but I want to be alone. With thoughts of Neil running through my mind, I try to figure out how much more we’re going to have to deal with before he makes a mistake or shows his evil face. That will be the day he’s dealt with once and for all. It’s a day I’m waiting on and won’t miss him one bit when he’s finally buried in a grave no one knows or will ever find him.
Lying down in bed, I pull the covers up to my chin and let my eyes slide shut. This is my way to avoid the situation and get some rest. Is it the healthiest way to handle what’s going on? Not even close. However, I’m not trying to add any more stress than what I already have going on. It’s not good for the babies. Sleep starts to slowly creep in as I keep my eyes shut and shut my mind down.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Killer
WHEN TOMMY GOT here yesterday, he brought us a present. See, he stopped by the house where Gwen was held against her will her entire life and found someone that’s worked for both Neil and her father. We spent hours down in the basement trying to gather as much intel from the asshole as we could.
This man, Lester, has been at the house where Gwen spent her early years to make more packages and write the notes she’s been getting. Neil knows we’ve found the Prospect out along with the other men we’ve captured and killed of his. The cocksucker even knows we’ve been staying at the clubhouse. Still he made our home explode. Our new home he won’t be able to get to.
Contractors have already been working on our new home here at the compound. That leaves Kim and Fox the only ones who don’t have a house here. At least of the guys that are single. Most of the single guys choose to stay at the clubhouse for various reasons. Especially the easy pussy always on tap. However, most of them have apartments away from the clubhouse. Sometimes it can get to be a bit much and they need some space.
Lester didn’t get let off easy like the last few men did. I took the lead and tortured the fuck out of him. First, his nipples were ripped off. His were pierced so I imagine it hurt a little bit more than normal. Then, I pulled all of his teeth before using my knife to slice up his body. I didn’t stop at one or two cuts in his face or torso. No, this man had cuts on his legs, torso, face, arms, hands, feet, and he may have ended up missing fingers, toes, and one other appendage men would hate to lose. Each man in the room cringed and grabbed their junk when I sliced off his own.
Lemon juice and salt were poured into the open wounds before I may have accidentally tripped and got acid all over him. That was my mistake. Stryker then got let loose on the fucker. He didn’t have a whole lot left to do to him, but my brother is an inventive man. We all watched on as Stryker lit a cigarette and added several burns to his body. When the screaming and crying got too much, and we knew there was no more information to gain, Lester’s tongue was cut out. Playboy stepped up after Stryker was done. He put the poor fucker out of his misery using alcohol and a blow torch. I hate the smell of burning flesh, we all do, but he deserved to suffer the way my woman has been suffering. Not only now, but when she was growing up.
Tommy let us know, Lester was one of the men who routinely doled out Gwen’s punishments. He took great delight in torturing her and making sure she felt every ounce of pain possible. Plus, he was the one who thought of recording not only the pain being inflicted on her, but the cameras in her room and bathroom as well. My woman was a young girl and teen when he watched those videos of her. Lester was a sick man and we put him down like the rat he is.
Still, we have no clue where the fuck Neil is. Tommy has given Fox every single location he’s ever known for not only Neil, but Gwen’s father as well. Fox has searched each and every property, cameras in the area the towns have put up, and searched the deep, dark web. Neil’s a damn ghost and there’s only one way we’re going to draw him out. It’s not going to happen because I’m not using Gwen as bait. That will happen over my dead body. Not a single one of us would ever use our women as bait. Not just the ol’ ladies, but anyone associated with the club.
Until we find him, Tommy is going to be working closely with all of us. After we got out of church last night I sat down with the guys and had a beer. It’s the first time I’ve joined them since this all started with Gwen. Usually I want to get to her side immediately. While I did last night, it was important to have a drink with the guys and relax a little before heading up to our room. I wasn’t tired anyway and didn’t want to keep my girl awake if the TV was too loud or anything for her.
Tommy let me know he’s been worried about Kim and Gwen. He’s wanted to be closer to them but wasn’t sure what they wanted. Or how we’d feel about him being here because of everything that’s happened. Yes, he worked for her father and helped Neil out on multiple occasions. However, he was also the one who helped Gwen any time he could and made sure she was eating and drinking because her father also liked to starve everyone in his home. Tommy was the man they all turned to for help and looked up to. He’s not a good man, but he’s not the worst one either.
“Tommy, if you want to move to Benton Falls, I don’t see that bein’ a problem at all. In fact, I know Gwen and Kim would love it. They miss you,” I told him, meaning every word.
“I don’t know what I’d do if I moved here. Maybe somewhere close where I can get here quickly, but not be up everyone’s ass,” he countered.
“What if Slim let you become a Prospect for us? We can always use good men. Men who know what loyalty is and aren’t afraid to give an ass whoopin’ when they need to,” I question him, knowing his past is just that; the past.
“I think I’d like that,” Tommy said as we finished our beer.
On my way up to the room, I stopped to talk to Slim about Tommy. He seems to like the idea of him joining the club. I’ll be his sponsor, which I don’t have a problem with. Gwen and Kim will be ecstatic too. So, as of today, Tommy will become a Prospect for the Phantom Bastards.
Today is all about Gwen. I’ve planned an entire day for her to be pampered that she knows nothing about. Rich and Tommy are out with her and Kim as they get manicures and pedicures done. Then they’ll go and get their hair done. Instead of coming back here, they’re going to head back to Kim’s where I have a dress waiting for my ol’ lady. She’s wearing her rag since they’re out in town. Gwen is proud as hell to wear it. To her, it showcases our love to the world in more than just us saying the words to one another or me putting a ring on her finger. It tells the world I’m her man and she’s proud to show that off to anyone who sees her out.