Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
I know he's right.
I've been here before.
I open my mouth to speak, but the door swings open, and Hound steps in.
This is it.
Life or death.
A choice is about to be made.
25 – Serenity
Idon't know why, but I step closer to Walker, as if that could protect him from what’s about to happen. Hound is clueless about his son’s plan; it’s obvious from his face. His eyes shift from Gerard to Walker, who is holding a gun, and the realization starts to dawn on him.
But not entirely.
"What did you do?" Hound barks. "Why is he dead?"
Walker squeezes my hand briefly, then lets go and steps forward, raising the gun and pointing it at Hound. His father, who thought he had everything under control, stares in shock. His eyes widen, confusion crosses his face before the familiar mask of malice returns.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Hound growls, but it's clear he’s nervous. He came unarmed, never expecting to need a weapon.
"I'm doing what's right," Walker says calmly. "I can't let you hurt her or tear her family apart."
Hound's eyes blaze with anger, pushing me back a step. Things are about to get ugly, and I don't want to be caught in the middle.
"You kill me, and you'll regret it," Hound threatens coldly.
Walker chuckles. "We both know you have no allies left, father. Your club is finished. You're trying to take hers to recreate what you once had, but it’s not going to happen. I won’t let it."
"You'll end up in prison. No one will protect you. Prison is brutal. I can help you. Put the gun down, and I'll make it all disappear. You can be free."
Walker snorts. "Seeing you off balance is satisfying. You have no way out, but I do. I'd rather spend my life in prison than spend it being your son."
Hound growls, "You don't have the guts to kill me. You need me."
"I don’t need you. I never did. I should have done this a long time ago, but I was lost then. I'm a man now, and I see clearly for the first time."
"Save your pathetic stories. You're as weak as your mother."
Walker growls, a sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Don’t you ever mention her again."
Hound steps closer, eyes flashing. "She was weak and useless like you. Ending her life was a favor."
Walker’s finger tightens on the trigger. "I wanted her. I needed her. Ending your life will be a favor to the world."
"You won’t—"
Walker doesn’t let him finish. He pulls the trigger. I scream, covering my eyes as the loud shot echoes in the room. I'm scared to look. What if he missed? What if it’s not over? I just want it to end. The silence is deafening and feels like it goes on forever, with me too afraid to look, too afraid to face the reality.
"It's over, Serenity," Walker murmurs, gently pulling my hands away from my eyes. "It's over."
I look up at him, tears streaming down my cheeks.
This man just sacrificed everything to save me. "I... I..."
"I know," he whispers, pulling me into his arms, "and you're welcome."
My knees go weak, and I sob.
He saved my life.
He saved us all.
One person just changed our entire world.
I'll be forever grateful to him for that.
POLICE STORM INTO THE room, guns drawn, bodies armored in full S.W.A.T gear. I stay close to Walker, my body half-hidden behind his, heart pounding with fear as they assess the chaos, then turn their eyes on us. Walker, still holding the gun, gradually lowers it to the ground, raising his hands in surrender.
"The suspects are down," an officer radios in. "Two survivors here. We've got eyes on them."
The officer advances, weapon at the ready, daring us to make a wrong move. "Step apart," he commands.
We obey.
"What's your name?" he demands, eyes narrowing at me.
"Serenity," I reply, pointing to Hound's lifeless body. "I've been his captive since he kidnapped me to get what he wanted." I point to Gerard. "That's Gerard. We have evidence he murdered a girl on a college campus."
"Who ended their lives?" the officer asks.
Walker steps up. "I did," he admits.
"Because they were hurting me," I interject. "They were plotting to destroy another club, using me as a pawn. They were about to kill me when Walker intervened. He saved my life."
Walker glances at me, eyes softening. "It's okay, Serenity," he murmurs. "I'm okay."
"Step forward," the officer orders. "Hands up."
Walker complies, stepping forward with raised hands. The officer spins him around, cuffs him, and leads him out. I ache to scream, to beg them to stop, but there's nothing I can do. I can’t make this any worse for Walker than it already is. It is best if I say nothing, even though watching him leave breaks my heart in two.
Another officer approaches, offering a reassuring smile. "Glad you're safe. Jackson would be furious if you weren't."