Page 57 of The Crowing of Hell

We were waiting for Thalia’s miracle worker, and Levi had tagged along with Celt. Celt had shaken his head when he saw me and muttered, ‘Welcome to the family,’ before taking a seat.

The boys were conspicuously absent. They were under the watchful eye of Jesse, Chey and Celt’s seventeen-year-old son.

I think everyone realised I needed some time toaccept what had happened.

Thalia’s beauty therapist arrived with a variety of wigs, and I ended up picking several. I chose a black one with pink and purple streaks, a bob very much like my original and a bright red-haired, curly one. They were made really well, and I knew they wouldn’t irritate my skin. I was taken through how to care for them and was told she could return and set them in different styles until my hair grew back.

Rooster once again had paid, and I seriously was grateful. But I couldn’t help but wonder what disaster would happen next and hope that I got at least a twenty-four-hour break.

That wasn’t to be when Brax walked in carrying some hair clippers, who knows where they came from, and his little head shaved bald. Brax sighed dramatically.

“I couldn’t leave my Kenny to be a baldie alone,” he said, and everyone stared at one another before we all began laughing. Christ, I loved that kid.

Rooster

Rooster eyed the man tied to a meat hook in the wet room. Hellfire brought criminals here for punishment and made sure they paid for their actions. Nobody left here alive, but Clive Parson didn’t know that. Rooster hauled back and let his right fist fly. It landed on Clive’s jaw and sent him spinningbackwards.

“You tried to kill my old lady,” Rooster hissed.

“I don’t know your woman!” Clive babbled. The stench of piss filled the room, and Rooster laughed.

“Call yourself a man? You can only beat on women,” Rooster jeered.

“Dude, I’ve no clue what you’re talking about!” Clive squealed.

“No? How about you breaking your wife’s arm twice? Breaking her fingers, her elbow, her ankle. Need I carry on?” Chance said from where he stood.

“She’s lying! Lola wants my money, she’s lying,” Clive blubbered. Rooster hit him again.

“The hospital is lying as well?” Tiny asked, standing up and putting on some knuckle dusters. “I’ve seen her records with all the bruises marked on charts. You made a mistake coming after Rooster’s woman.”

“Told you, I don’t know his fucking woman!” Clive screamed.

“The lawyer. Kendara. You ran her off the road. Then tried to run Kendara over, and finally, like the putz you are, you contacted an ally of ours to kill her. Recognise these men?” Chance said and motioned to Onyx and Venom. Clive paled.

“Now, for every bruise and broken bone, you gave your wife and Kendara, you’re going to get the same. If you’re still breathing, then I might slit your throat or just bury you alive. But before we start, why mess with Kendara’s things inside her house?” Rooster asked.

“I’ve never been inside that bitch’s home,” Cliveyelled.

“Wrong answer,” Tiny said and slammed him hard. Everyone heard Clive’s rib crack, and he screamed in pain.

“Parson’s, tell me how you hacked Kendara’s feed and broke in,” Rooster demanded.

“I didn’t,” Clive yelled. “Honest, I didn’t. You have to listen!”

“We don’t have to do shit,” Chance said darkly and gave Banshee and Tiny the nod to begin working Clive over.

???

Two hours later, Rooster held Clive’s head up and stared into his swollen face. Clive was barely breathing and was a battered mess of flesh and bone.

“I’ll see you in Hell,” Rooster said and slid a knife into Clive’s throat.

Clive died choking on his own blood.

“Kendara has another stalker,” Rooster said to his brothers.

“The wild ride isn’t over yet,” Tiny agreed.