Page 72 of Locked Souls

“Where are you going?” Levi asks, kicking her back inside. “Trust me, you’ve tortured my family enough. You don’t want a piece of me, bitch,” he growls, and I can admit, I have a little more respect for him.

When both feet are completely blackened, Rooke stands back to bear witness as Kian takes over. He is enjoying loosening the belt just enough to give Nixen hope, before making it even tighter.

It’s like a game of chicken, but with oxygen, which he will ultimately lose. So everyone watches on as Nixen is slowly and violently strangled to death.

Good fucking riddance.

“Enjoy the ride to Hell,” I whisper, surprised to find my cheeks wet. It hurt to watch Rooke lose himself to his demons, but he appears lighter now as he hugs me close to him.

“Almost done, baby. Do you want to take care of the bitch?”

“We want to help,” Tempest says, stepping forward with Chastity. They are beaten and bruised, but I can see the strength shining in their eyes.

I understand their need for vengeance and closure, and I won’t be the one to deny someone that.

“Looks like it’s Ladies’ Night,” I say with a big smile, and Tempest snorts. She seems like the type to get her hands a little dirty. Chastity rolls her eyes but nods, then gives Levi a kiss as he checks that she’s really okay to do this.

“Yes, I need to. For me. For Ash. For Angel. For everyone that has a permanent scar from her filth, whether it's on the inside or outside. Her reign of terror is over, and I want her to know that she messed with the wrong family.”

Well, damn. Maybe Chastity isn’t as innocent as she looks.

Chapter 19

Getting that call from who I thought was Angel changed everything. I didn’t think. I didn’t even say goodbye to my kids. I just ran through the tunnels until Isabella’s lackey could pick me up outside of the broken gate.

My dad’s car really did a number on it, but I’m glad he made it to us so he could say goodbye. Gates can be mended, moments like that can’t be replaced.

After getting drugged during the journey, I wasn’t surprised to find myself chained and sore. Isabella had fun taking turns with her perverted partner… Well, he was her dead partner now. The way Patience took back her power and defeated her monster was enlightening.

I want that. I want to rid myself of my nightmares. I don’t want to fear my stepmother anymore…

I still feel like I’m in a dream, or that the drugs are playing mind tricks on me. I knew the guys were here, taking down the compound, but I didn’t think I would be found. Isabella has so many tricks up her sleeves.

Patience nods to Rooke, and he gives her a sweet kiss before leaving the room with Levi and Jacob.

I guess she wasn’t kidding when she said this was Ladies’ Night.

Apparently, all of these hidden cells are connected, so we drag Isabella into a new room, along with the cart full of torture tools. I’m usually not someone who wants to hurt others, but Isabella tried to destroy Jacob and Ash, and helped Draven—my very own rapist—take my Angel.

I still haven’t seen any sign of her, which means the bitch lied to me. But the little girl on the phone sounded so much like her. She was still a baby when she was stolen from me, but… I’m her mother, I should know her voice.

There’s a vindictive energy inside of me that craves revenge. I want my baby. She has been gone for too long. I want her to know her siblings, to have a loving family.

I help Tempest and Patience string Isabella up, so her arms are over her head, and her legs are tied down. Isabella can’t kick, can’t move, all she can do is scream, and suddenly, I find I want her to.

I want her to beg for mercy, like I did all those nights she kept me locked away. When I pleaded just to have five minutes out of my room. When I was sick and asked for just a brief moment of comfort.

She never cared, so why should I?

There’s a sledgehammer on the rolling cart, and I find it’s lighter than I expect it to be.

My eyes are on Isabella as people talk around me, but I’m not listening to them. I raise the weapon and slam the hammer into her side. The crunch of her bones makes me slightly nauseous, yet it’s oddly therapeutic.

“Holy fuck,” Kian grunts in surprise, and Levi shrugs.

I guess the guys couldn't stay away afterall. Then again, they deserve justice too, and I'd never be so greedy to take that from them.

“I guess we aren’t moving fast enough for you, huh, Little Sinner?” Levi asks, looking amused. There’s nothing I can do that would change the look of love that shines from his eyes. “By all means, Chas, let’s get this over with so we can go home. Whale away on her.”