Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

13. Ryker

Chapter Thirteen

RYKER

Oakley kneels on the leather seat behind me, knife at Addingtons throat, a dark smile on her face. This girl scares the fuck out of me. Doing what needs to be done comes easy to me, but to say I get off on cutting skin would be a lie. Oakley Savage is one of a kind because she craves the violence. It’s what makes her the best person to run her father’s affairs. The added muscle she’s collected along the way helps but it’s not needed. We were always told to keep the savage family on our good side and now that I’ve met the Queen herself, I know why.

Ally sits in the seat next to me picking at the skin around her nails without taking her eyes off the road ahead. Avoiding the man behind her I can see the struggle to keep her body as still as possible. A loud rev catches my attention to the side of my window, a blue bike speeds past me, cutting me off to fly down the winding road.

“Fucking dick.” I bark.

Oakley laughs, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror, blue eyes shining with excitement. Rolling mine, I look back to the road to see his bike long gone. Fucker doesn’t even know where I’m headed.

“Call West.” I order.

I’m not speaking to anyone in particular but Ally is the first to move. Oakley was too busy poking and prodding our guest in the back but he was true to his word. His lips sealed tight without a sound. That’s okay, I’ll make sure he screams for us, for her. Ally moves, pulling my gaze back to her, she places her phone to her ear. She jumps when West picks up, yelling can be heard from in the background, even from where I’m sitting.

“Hello?” she says, her tone low and broken.

Sighing I snatch the phone and press it to my ear, “West.”

Silence. The line goes quiet. All screaming and yelling stop at the sound of my voice.

“Call the foundation. I’m done fucking around with empty threats.”

One. Two. Three seconds before he speaks.

“And where exactly do you plan to have this little meeting, brother?” he pauses for a second, “Hmm? We already had to clean up one body and now you want to add another one?”

My fist clenches the leather under my touch until my knuckles whiten.

“Do what the fuck I said. I’m the head of the family and I call the shots. If you can’t do what you're told then I’ll call G. We all know he’ll do as he’s told.” I spit through my teeth.

Oakley shifts her body towards me, her eyes boring into mine through the mirror, ready for my next plan. Ally sinks lower in the seat, her skin ashen. My foot presses the gas harder shooting us faster down the road bringing me closer to my next turn. I didn’t know where I was headed until I got closer. Now it’s clear where we need to go. It’s then that I decide to call G either way.

“I’ll text you when I get there with the location. I’m keeping my word, Brother ” my tone lands on a snarl with the last word.

Letting my implications sit there for a moment before continuing.

“Dad would -”

“Dad is fucking dead, Ryker. Our brother-” he stops, sighing. “Rye, we’ve lost too much. We’ve broken too many. Maybe this is our penance.”

My head jerks back at his words.

“She bleeds, we bleed. You forget who we are so quickly, West?”

I don’t let him respond before hanging up. Yanking the wheel to the side I send us sliding to the left around a sharp corner.

“Shit!” Oakley grunts.

Ally has both hands gripped around the seat, her eyes wide and worried. Little rat.

“Take it fucking easy, Ryker. I have a goddamn knife to a man's throat back here.” she growls.

“Put it to use and shed a little damn blood instead of bitching.” I snap.

Kicking the back of my seat she leans forward putting the tip of the blade to my cheek.

“I’m not worried about cutting him, mother fucker. You almost made me slip up and cut myself. I don’t bleed.” she declares.

I snicker, “Does that mean you’re a ghost? Cause I knew there was something creepy about you, Blue .”

Using the name her boy toys call her, I flash a smile her way before turning back to the road. After a second I grunt from the presser of the knife returning only this time she presses hard enough to break skin.

“Watch your tongue. I’m here for Kenna, the Stone family holds no interest of mine.”

Slamming into the back seat she sends a fist into the side of Addingtons head. Popping her knuckles she winks at me in the mirror before going back to beating his ass. Blocking out the little freak I pull out my own cell to call G.

“Boss man.” he says as he answers.

“I need a few items. Grab a runner or two we have some weight to move.”

He doesn’t wait for an explanation. He only ask one question and that’s what the fuck I needed. Gio keeps me in line but he always does as he’s told.

“Where and when?” he questions.

Licking my lips I give him the location. “Now.”

With that I drop the phone in the center compartment and continue down the road. It only takes another ten minutes before we’re pulling up to a small field near the edge of a cliff. Del Mar has some beautiful sights. The night sky spans out with a blanket of stars where the city lights can’t reach them allowing the perfect glow of light. Putting the SUV in park I look back at Oakley with a nod waiting for her to drag her new toy out the door leaving me and Ally inside alone.

She tries to keep her stare at the open landscape out the window but we both know it’s too dark to see a fucking thing. I’m a patient man when it comes to shit like this so I lean against the seat letting my head fall to the headrest behind me. Closing my eyes I see beautiful grey iris’s staring back at me.

Killer .

“What do you need me to do?” Ally’s' voice breaks my focus.

Peering over at her I take in how exhausted and worn she is from head to toe this girl is spent. Tossed in a world full of snakes the rat had no chance of survival so what the hell was she thrown inside for? That’s the question that digs at my inner thoughts.

“Whatever I tell you to do.”

It’s the only answer I give her because right now I don’t have a plan. All I know is her father’s death is coming tonight whether at my hand or not. Letting out a deep exhale I open the door to step out without a second thought to Ally. She’ll follow. They always do. It’s why she knew I was going to require something of her tonight. It’s the same reason she knows I’m keeping her around when the last thing I want is the little cunt sniffing around while I’m looking for Kenna.

Because she was Coles. Unspoken or un-acted on means nothing to us. His statement meant law. Ally Addington is untouchable. For now.

Leaves crunch under my shoes the sound eerie this late at night in an empty field. Oakley has managed to drag his ass three yards ahead but stops when I shout her name.

“Oak! Where the fuck are you going?” I shout.

I can feel Ally step to my side but I don’t give her any more attention that she hasn’t earned.

Oakley looks back at me and then to the open field ahead. She’s barely spotted in the darkness save for her blue hair twisting in the wind. Turning back to face us she walks two yards while I meet her halfway through the last yard.

Shrugging her shoulders she giggles, “I thought I’d take him to the cliff and have a little fun.”

Stepping into her, my arm shoves Addingting against her chest, “I don’t care who you are or who you’re here for, I don’t need you getting knife happy.”

Pursing her lips she looks me up and down before flashing a smile. “I like you. Too bad you’re twisted up inside for her. I’d add you to the food chain.” she moves quickly, pushing Addington between us. She presses up on her toes and smacks her lips against mine.

Before I can pull away she’s dancing back with a manic laugh.

“Look at that.” she breathes.

My nostrils flare. My body vibrates with irritation and now I’m the one murder happy.

Licking her lips the woman just winks and gives me her back. Addington is being pulled behind her but his eyes are on Ally the whole time.

“She’s insane.” Ally whispers beside me. I can hear the fear in her voice.

Nodding my head I’m lost for words and still fuming so instead of saying anything I follow behind the blue haired devil. It’s not long after we reach a small area just inside the woods that I hear the distant sound of engines and muscle. Havoc’s back. When the sound reaches Oakley her entire body relaxes creating even more questions about the weird dynamics of her pack of wolves. Two steps forward and I’m standing behind Addington shoving my knee into the back of his leg dropping him to the damp soil.

“Don’t fucking move.” I order.

By the time I turn I see four shadowed bodies heading our way. I can spot G a mile away, the shovel in his hand giving him away, a few steps ahead of the rest. Behind him West and Havoc walk to his right and Haven follows on the left a few feet further back. Her hair piled high on her head as she gets closer. I can see the way her eyes bounce around the area. When West finally approaches I step into him.

“What the fuck is with the kindergartner?” my tone is laced with venom.

He pulls back before it clicks. “Watch your mouth, brother.”

One second. Two seconds. Three.

We both laugh, brushing off the tension in the air. Haven reaches us then with an annoyed look on her face.

“Are we done measuring dicks? Cause I have my money on a certain Stone.” she rolls her eyes and heads over to Oakley’s side.

West drags his eyes over her with a wicked grin that doesn’t seem to phase the little dare devil. If she thinks she’s playing an easy game she doesn’t know West Stone.

“Easy brother.” I chuckle, the sound so foreign it almost startles me.

The organ in my chest barely beating jumps a little with the sound.

Killer, what are you doing to me?

G drops the shovel at the feet of Addington, not giving him a second look before coming over to us to wait for what comes next.

“Where are they?” I ask.

West knows who I mean without mentioning them by name. The foundation comes when called no matter what time of night or day it is.

“I made the call. They’ll be here. Until then why don’t we get started? I’d hate to be here when the sun starts to come up.” West says.

“You have more important plans?”

The question comes from Haven, shocking not only me but the rest of us. Oakley snickers but manages to look away for breaking out into a full on laugh. West moves forward an inch while G and Havoc just stare at the two fucking kids. I don’t hear what West says. Instead I move to drag Addington to his feet, I bend to grab the shovel, and jam it into his chest. Grunting he doubles over to take the force without a fight.

“Dig.”

His eyes dilate in fear. Finally.

By the time the hole is halfway done three figures begin walking towards us from the corner of the field. Even in the shadows the twins mirror each other making my skin crawl. Addington pauses his movements.

“Keep digging.” I snap, forcing my foot into the back of his knee.

Eventually the hole is finished, the foundation reaches us, and my patience for this nonsense has gone.

“What did you call us here for, boy.” one of the twins speaks.

“What is the meaning of this meeting?” the other twin adds.

Fully facing them I let my careful mask drop. “Remember who you speak to, thing one and two. I have no patience for games or riddles. I call, you come. That’s exactly how this goes.” I pull my shoulders back.

West comes to stand at my side with G two steps behind us in a show of support.

“Were done following the rules of the Foundation. The Stone family are the rightful heirs to which we claim tonight.” West says.

“In light of traitors in our midst, we think it’s time to remind the Foundation exactly what loyalty demands of you.” I finish.

We are so in tune with our thoughts that we mimic the creepy twin sisters.

“Do you take us as fools?” Professor Jackson says.

G moves to the front. I wave him to the side, I am not concerned with the old man that has no filter.

“We don’t really give a shit if you are or not. We’ve let you decide for us for too long and now we’re putting an end to it.”

“You’re useless little spoiled brats who’s father never taught you the value of hard work. Doing what must be-”

Addingtons words are cut off with a fist to the mouth by Oakley herself. Flexing her fingers she looks up at us.

“He was getting on my nerves.” she states with a shrug.

The foundation members grow uneasy. G circling behind them forcing their footsteps forward giving them no free space to move. Havoc and Haven stand to the side, Havoc leaning on an oak tree, while Haven’s eyes are locked on her phone screen. Jerking my head, I signal Oakley to pull Addington towards me.

“Ally.” I call out.

Ally peeks at me through wet eyelashes from my left. Big doe eyes stare up at me with hesitant curiosity.

“You asked what I wanted from you.”

She nods.

“Show me the loyalty you swear by.”

West’s brows furrow but ultimately he does nothing to stop me. Addington starts to laugh but Oakley lands a few more hits to shut him up. Blood flows from his nose and the corner of his mouth but still he stares at his daughter. His own flesh and blood.

“You think she has the balls to kill me?” he laughs.

Another hit.

“Who said she’d be the one killing you?” I question.

Tilting my head I extend my hand palm up. Without looking over, Oakley places a cold steel blade in my hand. It’s not the same one she had earlier and I’m betting it’s because that’s her special knife but a blade is a blade and they all cut the same.

Ally gulps, “I’ll do it.”

She reaches for the knife but I snatch it out of reach. Crowding her space I tip her chin up with the tip of the steel end.

“Make one wrong move and I’ll fucking cut you from stem to stern.” I snarl.

Her head bobbles. Sweat building between her brows.

“We didn’t come here for a power play made by children.” Jackson grumbles.

Flicking a finger in G’s direction he takes my signal for what it is and slams his fist into the back of his head sending him to the ground.

“Stay on your knees.” G orders.

The twins watch with amusement. Freaky ass fuckers.

Holding the knife to Ally's palm I almost set it in her hand when Addington blurts out, “She knows why she’s here. She’ll carry out what needs to be done or she’s next.”

Tired of his voice I lunge forward grabbing him by the back of his neck.

“West.” I bark.

West doesn’t waste time waiting for directions; he knows what I want before I do. Placing both hands on each side of his head, West holds his still. With one hand I grip his bottom jaw, my fingers on the inside of his mouth, pulling his mouth open wide. With the other I hold the knife.

“G.” I call out needing another hand.

G rushes over and grabs the fucking thing I plan to cut out of him.

“I told you I’m sick of your goddamn voice.”

With one jagged slice his tongue is severed. Screams fill the night air scaring away any wildlife that was out here.

Blood pours from his mouth, his entire face red and purple from lack of air. His lungs empty of air from screaming.

“I told you you’d scream for me.” kicking him in the chest he flies backwards.

“Ally.” I shout. “I’m tired of the games. If you want to earn your place, plunge the knife into his throat.”

The twins watch with amazement. Jackson has his eyes on the ground avoiding my stare. Haven doesn’t look up from her phone while Havoc keeps close to his sister. Oakley bounces on her feet silently begging someone to step out of line. Grabbing the bloody knife Ally holds my stare for a few seconds. Walking over to her wailing father she presses her knee into his chest and kneels down. Her weight isn’t enough to hold him so she struggles under his movements. I don’t offer her help.

“Don’t.” I stop West with my hand on his chest.

I want to see her fight her dad for her survival. She’s the reason Kenna has gone through half the shit she has. She set my girl up. She fed her to the snakes while she sat back and watched with popcorn at the ready. No one walks away from that without scars. Make no mistake once Kenna is back at my side I plan to watch her rip Ally apart but for now the hidden scars from tonight will have to do.

The two Addingtons war with each other. Pain blinds him while hesitation stalls her.

“Now.” I snap.

No one moves.

One. Two. Three.

Suddenly Ally’s body slams forward landing on top of her father. She doesn’t move. Addingtons legs jerk.

Leaning forward, Ally looks down at her father, his lips moving but no sound reaches us. She drops her ear to his mouth. Slowly she adjusts so she’s standing over him. The black handle of the knife sticks out from the side of his neck leaving a lifeless Addington lying in the dirt with blood flowing from his throat. Ally turns to meet my gaze. Shock and adrenaline mix together causing her body to vibrate with tremors. Moving towards me she stops a foot away covered in blood and sweat with a body dead behind her.

“I know who has Kenna.” she says, before passing out.