We all look to Joker. "You're the president now," Ford points out. "You need to make the call."
"If your guy can kill Breaker without hurting Kym and the kids, take the shot."
Nodding, Ginger says, "My girl will get him and end this shit before the cops show up and go hostage negotiation on the situation."
As Ginger walks away, Joker grins at Ford and me. "I always forget about the girl power stuff she's selling."
Ford shares Joker's grin. I think I do too, but they both frown at me. My brother grabs me by the jacket and leads me into an empty classroom. Once the door shuts, he loses his steely mask.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"You look like you're about to freak out."
Stepping back, I let myself feel the crap just below the surface.
"I should have made sure Zombie was dead. What if he gets out of the tunnel and goes after Bebe and Tallulah?"
Ford gives me a tired smile. "His legs and arms are broken. I wouldn't be surprised if he was bleeding inside, and his back is fucked. He ain't going nowhere. If he somehow survived, no way can he go after anyone. He'd be taken to the hospital and laid up in a body cast."
"He could rat us out."
"Yeah, he could. We'd say he was lying then point out how he was the shooter at the mall. While the cops sorted it out, we'd finish off Zombie." Pausing, Ford pats my cheek hard. "Zombie isn't going to tell anyone anything. He's dead or will be. How long can he survive hundreds of rats eating at him? Naw, he's probably long past dead."
Even nodding, I feel fucking old. Ford reads me too well.
"Hold on a little longer. Then we'll get back to our women and Tallulah. We'll take your little girl home tomorrow. Soon it'll be Christmas, and life will settle down. For tonight though, you need to be a killer. Not a brother, a husband, or a dad. Just be a cold fucker who doesn't give a shit so we can get through this."
"Killing Trigger ain't gonna be that hard."
"No, but I won't believe this shit is done until he's a corpse. I also want proof of death on his guys.'
Nodding, I take a deep breath and forget Bebe's smile. I push aside thoughts of Tallulah waiting for me. No memories of home. Forgotten are my worries over those I love. I'm cold again.
"Let's finish what the old man started," I say.
Ford gives me a nod then opens the door. In the hallway, Joker stands with Madden now. The pretty boy is watching Ginger even though she's ignoring him.
"Breaker is a done deal. Sharpie is heading to the hospital to back up Bull."
"What about Jenn?" I ask, not allowing myself to think about Bebe at the same hospital.
Joker runs a hand through his red hair. "She's out of surgery, but it's touch and go. The bullet missed her heart but tore an artery. I didn't really understand what Lucky was saying. He's pretty freaked out."
We stand silently for a few minutes. The quiet allows me to think of Bebe limping. She said the doctor checked her hip, but I worry. Before I can think of Tallulah's banged-up body, Ford pats me hard on the back.
I frown at him until realizing he wants me to stay in the present. I'll thank him later. For now, I just want to end this shit.
"Did we lose anyone?"
"Taco took a bullet to the thigh. He'll be bitching about that for a few years. Otherwise, we got the jump on them. Zombie fucked their plans when he went off the reservation today."
Joker glances at Madden. "You ready?"
The pretty boy nods before strolling into the room where his dad is held. Under normal circumstances, I might laugh at the sight of Trigger strapped to a kid-sized chair. Today hasn't left me in a laughing mood.
"Where's Ryder?" Trigger demands of his oldest son.
"Downstairs making your funeral arrangements."
Trigger laughs. "Do you really think Joker won't put a bullet in your head as soon as I'm dead?"
"Why not kill me now?" Madden asks, staring his dad in the eyes. "You're as good as dead. The guys loyal to you are dead. Joker won. If he wants to kill me, he can go ahead. I just hope he lets me live long enough to see you scream."
"I ain't gonna scream, boy. I didn't get where I'm at by being a bitch."
Crossing my arms, I wonder about the body count Trigger's left behind in his long, violent life. I'm guessing he's killed dozens and ordered the deaths of hundreds. Most were scum, yet more than a few were innocents like Madden's mom and Sabine.
Trigger's all smiles until Ginger enters the room. The hate between them fills the air.
"I told you I'd be back," she says, grinning and carrying an ax.
"The slut returns."
Ginger smiles wider. "I saw your face when Madden turned on you. You were so surprised. Made me laugh to see you so surprised. No one fucks over as many people as you have and doesn't end up in this situation."
"I won't scream," Trigger spits.
"Not like Sabine, huh? We'll see." Ginger hands a machete to Madden. "I promised you'd get the first shot. Let's do this thing and ditch him at the quarry. All the crap from this afternoon means I didn't get lunch or dinner."