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I always expected the ending to be engulfed in gunfire and bloodshed. I think that’s what we all expected. The obvious ending would be us fighting, me being near fatally wounded as I tried to protect my loved ones, only to triumph and kill the bad guys. It would be good versus evil.
But maybe this is the plot twist? Maybe there is no blood. Maybe there is only redemption.
For my entire life, I’ve sought answers. But some questions don’t have any. They just are.
“What will ya do, Puck? I’m givin’ you a choice, somethin’ you were never given before. What will you choose?”
Looking at the gun in my hand, I know what I should do—I should let him go because if I kill him, I’ll be an even bigger monster than he is. He is nothing, a pathetic shadow of who he strived to be.
That’s what I should do…
Sean sighs, relieved I’ve chosen to spare him. But that’s where he’s wrong. This started with my mum, and it’s time it ended with her. It’s time I let her go.
“Goodbye, Ma.”
Without remorse, I shoot Sean between the eyes, watching with no emotion as he drops to the ground with a hallowed thud. He’s dead; he’s dead for real this time. The gunshot echoes long after it rings out, filling the silence because it appears no one expected me to choose the way I did. But it’s a choice I’ll never regret.
Dropping to a squat, I dip three fingers in Sean’s pooling blood and strike them down the center of my forehead. I did what I promised. I killed the three men who killed my ma.
Turning to look at Alek, I smirk wickedly.
He merely yawns in response.
Coming to a stand, I point the gun at him.
“I assume our deal is off then?” he says smartly.
“You assume correctly.”
“Lucky I crossed my fingers when we made that deal then.”
I have no idea what this Russian lunatic is going on about. Honestly, I don’t care.
“I learned long ago that the first man to run into battle is usually the bravest. It takes a true leader to do that. I knew you had it in you, you just needed a little push. And I pushed you because I knew you didn’t want to give it away.
“When I heard what you did to Brody, I organized this shipment with Liam, hoping, no,knowingwe would meet. I knew Liam wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut, wishing to brag about how he could fill his father’s shoes.
“Plant the seeds and watch them grow,” Alek wisely says. “Austin paid an ‘accidental’ visit to Ron, which put the idea in his head to connect us.”
“And ye couldn’t have just organized a meetin’ with me? Why did you go to all this trouble?”
“You are noble, but the bloodlust, it runs through your veins. And that’s the sort of man I want on my side. You just needed to see that.”
“Hold up, yer tellin’ me you set me up?” I ask, needing a minute.
“This was a test of strength and will. This was my test to see how far you’d go to protect the ones you love. I wanted to see how you’d act in war, and I’m impressed. Not only are you brave but you’re also clever. And oh-so brutal. What you did to Liam…” Alek brings his thumb and forefinger together and kisses them before separating them again in a chef’s kiss.
From the first moment we met, Alek was testing me.
“What do you run, a school for villains?”
Alek’s laughter rumbles loudly. “I run a very successful business with men I can trust, and I trust you, Puck Kelly.”
“Well, I sure as shite don’t trust you,” I counter because we’re not cool. He threw me under the bus, putting Shay’s life at risk in hopes I would pass his wee test. “My son could have been killed.”
“I wouldn’t have allowed it. We saw Sean’s only ally, Grady, give your son the vest. We knew he’d be protected.”
“You knew Sean had surrendered, yet ya didn’t say a word?” Alek had the power to save Sean, but he chose not to.
