Crash and Burn (Back Down Devil MC #2)(43)

Landon took a step and everyone yelled his name.

“Whoa, whoa,” Blaine said stepping from the crowd. He walked up to Landon with his hands out, trying to keep him calm.

“Come on,” the chief yelled. “Everyone needs to stand down so I can do my job.”

“Give him a minute,” Miller yelled.

“What the f*ck is this?” Bry’s guy yelled.

“Shut up,” the chief said as he pointed his gun at him.

Bry stared at Avery. It was damn impossible to not feel wobbly. This was the man that had hurt her so much. The man who would continue to do so unless something happened right now.

And arresting Bry would do nothing.

“Listen, bro,” Blaine said to Landon. “Just calm down. Talk to me.”

“She stole my f*cking motorcycle,” Bry yelled. “You hear that, Officer?”

“It’s Chief, *,” the chief said.

“Sorry,” Bry said. “That woman, Avery, she stole my motorcycle. Arrest her.”

“Shut the f*ck up,” Landon said. He tried to push forward, but Blaine stopped him.

“Come on, talk to me,” Blaine said.

Landon looked back at Avery. His eyes were beyond fire. They were full of rage.

“He hurt her,” Landon said. “Like I said. He hit her, raped her, kept her afraid. She took off from him and crashed here. Literally crashed. She had nothing to do with what happened to Erik, but I can’t send her away, bro. I just… I f*cking love her, man.”

Avery’s mouth fell open.

Landon loved her.

“Christ,” Blaine said. “That’s a shit ton of weight to carry.”

“Last warning,” the chief called. “I want everyone to stand down. I’ll call this in…”

“Hold on,” Miller yelled.

“Brother, this ain’t the time or place,” Blaine said.

“He raped her,” Landon said. “Imagine that. If he walks, he’ll come back. He’s a f*cking idiot. Just look at him. He took a shot at Erik, too. He has no idea what he’s up against…”

Blaine pulled out his own gun. Avery’s body tensed. She didn’t want to imagine Bry having the chance to walk away from this.

Blaine leaned into Landon and whispered something to him. He then kissed Landon’s cheek and put the gun in Landon’s hand. Blaine backed up and put his arms out.

“No!” the chief yelled.

“Landon!” Miller cried out.

“Fuck,” Bry said.

Landon hurried up to him and smashed the gun off his face. Bry fell back with blood pouring from his face. Landon stood over him, smashing him with the gun again and again. From the corner of her eye, Avery saw the chief running toward them. Blaine turned and stopped him.

“Remember what we did for you,” Blaine said. “Okay, Chief?”

“Not like this…,” the chief said.

Landon’s hands were covered in blood. Bry was on the ground, almost lifeless. His fingers twitched and even the sight of that made Avery shake.

Landon pointed the gun and everyone yelled for him to stop. To stand down. Don’t f*cking do it. What the f*ck are you doing? Landon! Landon!

Avery’s lips moved. She could yell for him, but she didn’t. And to her, that was just about the same as pulling the trigger.

The gun went off and Bry’s body jumped. The gun went off again, and again, and again…

Landon tucked the weapon away and turned.

“Fuck,” the chief yelled. “Get the f*ck over here, Landon. Now.”

“Jerry,” Landon said.

“Fuck you,” Chief said. “Look what you f*cking did. Right in front of me.”

Avery was shocked that Landon hadn’t been arrested.

“You sort this shit out with your MC,” Chief Jerry said. “But I have to take that other piece of shit in, okay? And I might have to call the dead one in. How’s that going to play out? Asshole.”

Chief Jerry walked from Landon. Landon looked at Avery. His eyes were the same. Dark and beautiful. His lip was still curled. Avery knew Landon was the only one who really understood her pain. The only one she could ever trust and relate to. Yet he had just murdered a man, and in front of the chief of police.

Chief Jerry said something to Miller and then arrested Bry’s man.

“What the f*ck is this?” he screamed.

“You’re under arrest, *,” Chief Jerry said. “For firing a weapon.”

“That guy killed Bry…”

“He’ll be dealt with next,” Chief Jerry said.

Avery’s head spun as she watched Bry’s man get loaded into the back of the police cruiser, and then it sped away. Miller then approached Landon and before Avery could process a thought, Miller swung and punched Landon in the face. Landon stumbled back but didn’t fall.

The tension was instant.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Miller bellowed. “Execution style? Right in front of Chief Jerry?”

“I’m sorry,” Landon said. “I had to. For Avery…”

Avery hurried to Landon’s side and stepped in before Miller could hit Landon again.

“Please,” Avery whispered. “I asked him to…”