Brutal Boxer by Naomi Porter

29

Boxer

“You don’t have to do this. Fuck, I don’t want you to.” No matter what I did, I couldn’t talk Aspen out of coming to the dungeon. I’d blindfolded her, so she didn’t see the location. Not because I didn’t trust her, but Storm had ordered me to.

“We talked about this, Z.”

Talk? She pretty much said, “I’m doing it and you won’t change my mind.” Stubborn little thing. I understood why she wanted to see Casso. I just fucking hated it.

“Fine.” I hopped out of my truck, slamming the door and went to her side to help her get out.

“You can be angry. I don’t mind.”

I growled, leading her into the hunting cabin. Once inside, I removed the blindfold. I took her beautiful face in my hands and pressed my lips to hers. “Yes, I’m angry.”

Lynx appeared out of a room in the back. He didn’t look pleased to see Aspen.

“I’m a lot stronger than you all think. I can handle seeing Casso. I’m not afraid to face him. Not when I have all of you to protect me.”

“I’d die for you, baby.” I kissed her again.

“We’d all give our life for you,” Lynx told her, a grim expression on his usually pleasant face.

Aspen smiled at him. “Thanks. That means a lot, but I don’t want any more deaths because of me. Except Casso’s.”

Fucking hell, this woman blew my mind. She wanted retribution. Wanted me to make it painful. My sweet Snow suffered for a year with that son of a bitch. Endured his forced advances and manipulation, never once giving up hope of living free of him. Today, her wish would be answered.

“All right. Let’s get this shit over with so you and I can get the fuck out of here.” I hugged my woman, heart rapping in my chest, worried she might be traumatized by what she’d witness.

Storm told me they beat on Casso, treating him like a punching bag after he and his men destroyed parts of the compound and a few businesses. After Casso was dead and Ciro paid us, a large sum of the money would be donated to the town after each member received their cut.

We all had charities we supported, I wanted to help to end human trafficking. After what my girl went through, luxury penthouse or not, there were too damn many in situations like hers: held against their will, used and abused, their freedom stolen by animals like Casso Campbell.

He claimed he loved Aspen. Maybe he did. I really didn’t give a fuck. We didn’t treat people like possessions. We didn’t handcuff them to a fucking bed, scar their body and destroy their spirit.

I went down the stairs in front of Aspen, her hand squeezing mine. The putrid air churned my stomach. The smell of impending death wasn’t pleasing to the nose.

Casso was strung up, chained against the wall, his hands shackled like he’d done to my Snow. His naked body was full of bruises and lashes from a whip—Ire’s favorite weapon when down here. He’d take out his fury the way his old man had done to him.

“Oh my gosh,” Aspen gasped.

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face her. “Are you sure?”

Her gaze focused behind me—on him. She nodded, pushing toward him.

Christ, she was going to go through with it. I’d held out hope she’d change her mind at the last minute.

Hollywood and Ire were on each side of Casso. They’d stay there until Aspen left and I got to ending the fucker’s life.

The scumbag stirred, as if sensing her. I placed my hand on her hip to assure her she was safe.

“P… P… Prec...ious?” Casso’s head bobbled as he tried to hold it up. One of his eyes was swollen shut. “B… B… aby?” he stuttered.

“Gone,” she said in a cold, lethal voice. “I miscarried on New Year’s Eve. Wasn’t meant to be.”

He whimpered like a child.

“I want you to see me before your pathetic life ends. Get a good look, Cass. This is me alive and well. I’m a survivor. Not even a wicked, vile man like you could destroy me.”

“I… I loved you,” Campbell hissed.

“You disgusting animal! Love?” She laughed, mockingly. “Save it. I hope you rot in hell, you deplorable waste of a human! See this man behind me.” She took my hand, wrapping it around her waist. Her body shook, not with fear, I suspected, but with rage. “He’s going to send you to the fires of hell.

“Whore,” Casso growled, eyeing Aspen. He spat at her, earning him a punch in the face from Ire.

Aspen stepped into me.

“I’m here,” I whispered.

“Remember when I talked about my first love? This is him. Not only was he my first, but he is my only love.” She anchored her arm around my neck and kissed me.

Casso went nuts, chains clinking against the concrete wall. He still had some fight in him. Good, it would make things more enjoyable for me.

She pulled back, caressing my cheek. “Thank you for giving me this.”

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

She faced the seething Campbell. “Meet Brutal Boxer, your worst enemy.” With those parting words, Aspen headed for the stairs. Head held high, back straight, she emitted confidence and strength—and closure.

I watched Lynx escort Aspen out of the dungeon, fucking proud of her. I admired her grit and determination. She was a survivor, and she was mine.

I took my switchblade out of my pocket. “Meet Ricky, my partner. This will be painful, you motherfucking piece of shit. It’ll be long.” I stepped toward him. “And you will beg for me to end your life. Don’t bother. I won’t hear you once my inner beast is released.”

I nodded to Ire and Hollywood to step back.

“It’s about to get messy, brothers.”