The Scars That Define Us (The Devil's Dust #2)(28)

Ever since Dani told me she wanted her mother dead a few days ago, I figured I would do the honor in granting her that wish. Not only that, but I have no doubt in my mind Dani would kill her mother the next time she saw her. That is not something I want for Dani. She may have a dark streak, but I’m not sure she could handle the weight of killing her mother. Plus, she would make a mess of the situation, leaving DNA or witnesses.

I’m thankful Bobby saved me the pain of killing my mother. I still wish it was me who ended her life, but in a sense I don’t. Since she’s dead, I forget the nasty crawling whore she was and remember the times when she was actually a mother, before the drugs, booze, and neglect started. I shake my head of the memories and eye the hotel—it sure is a shitty place. I laugh. I bet Lady thought she was safe in a deserted hotel off the grid. Either that or she’s so dumb she thought she would get out of town alive with no retaliation from the club. I look into the scope for her room number—she has been staying in room nine. I know because I stalked her down the last two days, watched where she’s been and who she’s talked to. Mostly she’s been hanging outside the club and my apartment, circling Dani like a shark. I know in my gut she’s going to f*ck with Dani, use her to her advantage. I can’t allow that to happen, considering it’s a miracle the club didn’t take Dani out last time. If something goes wrong again, I’m not so convinced she’ll walk out of it alive.

I look away from the scope and sigh. Am I killing for Dani or the club? I’m not sure how either would take it. I’m with Locks that Bull has put family over the club, so killing Lady (who used to be his ol’ lady) may not go over too well with him. Likewise, telling Dani I killed her mother would piss her off because I didn’t let her do it. I adjust myself behind the rifle and look down the scope. She doesn’t understand that killing her mother would kill a piece of her. My body has been having withdrawals from the lack of control I have had lately, trembling for the urge to take charge and pull the trigger. I spot Lady, sitting on the bed brushing her hair; it looks like she’s getting ready to leave. My finger finds the trigger as I hear footsteps crunching the grass from behind me, making my blood rush to my ears. Someone has spotted me. I look over my shoulder and see by the moonlight someone is walking my way. I reach into my waistband and pull out my pistol. Looks like I’m taking out two people tonight. As soon as the person steps into the light where I can see them, I cock my weapon, aiming it right at them.

“The f*ck?” Bobby exclaims, lifting his hands in the air.

“God damn it, Bobby!” I whisper; the f*cker has my heart racing.

“You’ve been acting sneaky the last two days, so I followed you here,” he explains, squatting.

“I could have shot you,” I chastise in a low whisper.

“Who you taking out?” he asks, grabbing the binoculars from the rifle bag off the ground and ignoring my anger.

I wait for it, the ridicule he’s bound to bark at me when he spots Lady. Her room is the only one lit up and open for the world to see.

He sweeps the hotel over before coming to a stop.

He pulls the binoculars down and looks at me with accusing eyes. His jaw is pulled tight and his brow is furrowed inward.

“Bull order this?” he asks.

I look over the highway at the hotel. “No.”

I wait for him to try to talk me out of it. It won’t work, though. Lady needs to go for multiple reasons. The biggest is she’s cancerous to Dani’s wellbeing, and she’ll never let us be together while she’s alive.

“Dani?” he questions, wanting to know if I told Dani my plans to murder her mother.

“No, she doesn’t know,” I reply defiantly, lifting my chin, ready to battle this out with him.

Bobby sighs loudly and lies on his belly, getting comfortable.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice low so nobody hears me.

“Helping you keep watch, what’s it look like?” he says, eyeing the hotel room.

Bobby and I have done this together plenty of times, mostly for club hits though. He’s never came with me on a side job. I never needed a wingman but I wouldn’t turn him away if he wanted to join. He gets it, and he doesn’t judge.

“Too bad she’s not naked. I bet she’s got nice tits,” he jokes, staring contently into the binoculars.

I lie back down and position myself behind the rifle, taking steady breaths as my finger finds the trigger again.

I watch Lady stand and move toward the door.

“She’s headed to the door,” Bobby whispers.

“Got it,” I confirm.

She pulls the door open, trying to hold it with her foot, but its force keeps pushing her small frame back. I release my steady breath and press lightly on the trigger.

“Wait—”

I jump from Bobby’s voice as I pull the trigger. The rifle recoils back into my shoulder as I continue to stare down the scope. Lady is jolted backwards and falls to the ground. I notice her foot moving near the door. She’s still alive.

“Damn it, Bobby. You made me miss my shot!” I yell, standing up.

“I thought someone was walking in the parking lot, but it was a damn cat. Sorry, man,” Bobby apologizes, standing up.

I take apart my rifle as Bobby keeps watch. I put it back into the bag, zip it, and throw it over my shoulder before heading toward the car quickly.