a deep breath, he placed his hand on his knee and slowly pushed to his feet. “You know what men who beat women are called? They’re called cowards. They’re weak because they get off on hurting others. You’re worse than a coward; you’re a fucking pussy.”
Carlos stepped closer, his face turning red. “Do you know who I am? With a snap of my fingers, I took your woman, and now, I am going to take your club. That is a far cry from weak, my friend.”
In a voice thick with anger, Ax growled, “I’m not your friend, and I know exactly who you are. You’re the motherfucker I’m going to kill.”
Carlos laughed. “I think it’s the other way around.” He nodded at one of the goons.
Anger bled to fear at the realization that Carlos was going to kill him. “What’s wrong? You can’t fight your own battles? No, that’s right, your revenge is to terrorize innocent women and children.” Turning to the goon squad, he asked, “How do you like working for such a spineless pussy?”
“Shoot him!” Carlos ordered.
“No!” Ax shouted at the same time, a voice called out, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
A man stepped into view. His gun was trained on Carlos. “Hola, Carlos, long time no see.”
Two men stepped out behind him and two more after that. When a total of six men had them surrounded, the guy who’d spoken ordered, “Drop your weapons.”
“Puta,” one of the goons hissed, and spat on the floor.
“Now, Sergio, don’t be like that. How about you drop your weapon so we don’t have to shoot you.” Evidently, Sergio wasn’t too fond of that idea because instead of dropping his gun, he lifted it higher, pointing it at the man’s head. The man leaned forward, and with a deadly edge to his voice, said, “Do it.”
For a minute, Ax thought that Sergio might actually shoot him, but then he released the gun and it fell to the floor with a loud clatter. Goon Two needed no coercing. He practically threw his gun at them and then dropped to his knees on his own accord.
Once they both were cuffed, the guy turned his attention to Ax. “Ax, I presume?”
Ax nodded. “I take it you’re Luca.”
“He’s a traitor; that’s what he is,” Carlos hissed.
Luca’s gaze shifted to Carlos, his lips splitting into a predatory smile. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this. On your fucking knees with your arms behind your back.”
Ax saw the fear hit Carlos’s eyes. He knew he was going down, and there was nothing he could do about it. It wasn’t anywhere near as satisfying as killing the fucker, but he could live with knowing that the asshole would be spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Carlos slowly dropped to his knees. Luca cuffed him before jerking him back to his feet. “Want a shot?”
Ax thought he was kidding, but then Luca lifted his brows as if to say come and get him, and Ax realized he was being serious. Fuck yeah, he wanted a shot.
“You can’t do that! I have rights!” Carlos shouted.
“Sorry, you gave up your rights when you resisted arrest and we had to use force,” Luca said.
At Ax’s approach, Carlos shrieked, “I’m not resisting!”
“How many do I get?” he asked Luca.
Luca considered it before replying, “We need him alive, so how about two?”
“That works.” Ax pulled his arm back, and Carlos screamed. Using his legs and hips, he powered forward, slamming his fist into Carlos’s nose. The bone gave way beneath his knuckles with a satisfying crunch and blood splattered across the floor. “That’s for Emma and Aimee.” Rearing back again, he aimed for Carlos’s eye—right where Sage’s scar was. His fist made contact, and the skin made a squelching noise as it split wide open. “And that’s for Sage and Petal. Rot in hell, you sick fuck.”
Carlos’s knees gave out. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he made a gurgling noise before crashing to the floor.
“Shouldn’t have resisted arrest,” Luca murmured. “Round ‘em up, boys. It’s time to head out!” His eyes hit on Ax, his expression sobering. “Sage and Petal? Are they okay?”
Ax nodded. “They’re gonna be.”
“I tried to keep them safe.”
“I know.”
“Tell Sage I’m sorry.”
“Why don’t you tell her yourself? You know where she lives. You’re welcome here anytime.” Ax meant it. Luca was the reason Sage and Petal got out of that hellhole alive. He owed him one.
Smiling, Luca said, “I’d like that. I’ll be