Reborn in Blue Read online

  "Old Man? Wake up! Wake up! Daddy! Please wake up!" I press my ear to his warm sticky chest, but I can't hear anything. He's gone. I finally have a relationship with him, and someone ripped him from me. They will die today. Sitting up and looking around, I finally notice what's going on around me. At least ten goons have come out from hiding. Shooting towards our side of the auditorium. Holder is in front of me keeping them at bay. The other guys are ducked behind the seats, using them as cover, and then popping up to return fire.

  "Ayida? Is he … is he gone?" Holder asks over his shoulder. He can't turn around to see my grief.

  "He's gone. Where's Chuck and Jimmy? Did you see who did it?" I ask while using my arm to rub some of Old Man's blood off my face. I more than likely just smeared it and look like a monster. That's fine though. I want Jimmy and Chuck to piss their pants when they see this monster coming for them.

  "Jimmy was holding the gun. Chuck was screaming at him. My best guess is Jimmy was trying to take you out on his own." Holder replies to me. Doesn't matter. They both will die. If Chuck wouldn't have ever wanted to kidnap me this would never have happened. He is guilty by association.

  "Cover me!" I yell at Holder and take off crouched as low as I can get.

  It’s time for me to hunt my prey.

  I can hear his angry, "What the Fuck?" behind me before shots ring out and I'm deaf again. I make a straight path to the trunks the guys had brought in. Finding tactical rifles, handguns, knives and hand grenades.

  Bloody brilliant. Things are about to get fun.

  I load up with everything I can carry and make my way back to Holder. "Remember our conversation in the car? You are mine to command. Well, help me find Chuck and Jimmy. Don't shoot to kill. I want them to die slowly and painfully. Understand?"

  Like a switch was flipped, his eyes turn cold and calculating. "Yes ma’am." He leads the way with me right behind him. Picking off the 2 stray goons in our vicinity, we make our way up to the stage curtain and through a set of doors leading to the very back. I remember where this goes. We find the hallway that leads to the gym. Slowly creeping up to the doors I can hear Chuck's panicked voice.

  "Why did you do that? We got what we wanted. Now the rest of the Family will send their entire syndicate after us! I'm screwed. I don't get my hands dirty. I'm the Boss. Why didn't you listen?" He cries to Jimmy.

  As quietly as possible, Holder pushes the door open and we slide inside. Staying close to the wall we go unnoticed to the arguing idiots.

  "Listen you pussy. They would have come after us no matter what. You can't kidnap the daughter of Frank Underhill and just walk away. Someone had to die. I prefer the fighting chance of taking them out first. Now, help me get this to the car!" Jimmy screams back at Chuck, making him jump to action moving one of the trunks towards the exit doors of the gym.

  I can't stay quiet anymore. They have guns slung over their shoulder so now is the time to act. "Chuck, Chuck, Chuck…. Are you really going to take orders from this low-level gun runner? I thought you were ‘the Boss’? I guess not anymore. Ya know- you didn't hit me, you didn’t try to rape me, and you didn't make me an orphan, so I'll show you some mercy." I say sweetly with my tactical rifle trained on his back. "Y'all turn around slowly with your hands in the air. I want to remind y'all that two guns are pointed in Y’all’s direction right now.”

  They both turn towards me not making any quick moves. At least they ain't that stupid. "Jimmy on the other hand… I'm going to rip his balls off and make him eat them, right before I pluck out his eyes for Donut- as Jimmy and I previously discussed." I say shrugging my shoulders. Before I can say anything else, Holder’s rifle jumps next to me and Chuck falls to the ground right after.

  "I thought you were going to show him mercy!" Jimmy's frantic voice screams at me.

  "Do you see him eating his balls, Jimmy? No! I say that's mercy." I reply while stalking closer to him. I swear I can smell the stench of fear coming off him in waves.

  "Look, I'll do anything. I can tell you all kinda stuff. There is talk coming from the border... A new gang is coming up from Miami and they want this spot. This is the perfect place between Miami and Texas. If they can take over here, they can control the South East and South West. They are coming for the heads. I can be a mole. I can help y'all. You don't know anyone else with this advantage."

  What he is saying is interesting, but nowhere close enough to keep me from tearing his face to shreds.

  "Really interesting Jimmy, but sadly the only thing I want from you are your screams." I say calmly before aiming my rifle at his knee and firing. The sound he makes is pure bliss to my ears.

  I wasn't always so happy to hurt someone. Evil men turned me into this bloodthirsty monster. They only have themselves to blame. Robert started it the first time he hit me, Chuck did it when he kidnapped me, and Jimmy here was the nail in the coffin. Hurt me- you're going to die. Hurt the people I love? You're going to suffer first.

  I feel Holder getting closer. "Hold, I know you enjoy this as much as I do, but I need this one. He is mine. You can have the next one." I say as I pat his cheek. I notice Old Man's blood is drying on my hands and it sets a bomb off in my chest. Stomping over to Jimmy's still screaming form, I shoot his other kneecap at point blank range.

  "You haven't seen anything yet." I spit at him as I draw the serrated knife from my hip. Kneeling over his squirming body, I start to carve his face and chest. His screams like the most beautiful song I've ever heard.

  I don't know how long I “play” with him before someone’s hands are pulling me up from Jimmy’s body. Arms wrapping me in a tight hug as I struggle to get free. The smell of cinnamon and leather brings me back to reality. Clint's sweet face framed by Cole and Fletcher's.

  "It's okay, Blue. It's over we got you." Clint's soothing voice, like a balm to my raw nerves. His chest is covered in blood and I start to panic, but he quickly calms me. "Blue, that's not my blood. That came from you." Looking down I see I'm drenched again. I never even got to clean up from killing Robert. I turn in his arms and find Holder checking Jimmy's pulse.

  "He's gone. Lasted longer than I thought." He declares getting up from his kneeling position. I walk closer to inspect my handiwork. Apparently, I go full feral when I black out. You can't even make out Jimmy's face. Even his eyelids are gone. I'm simply happy to know he suffered before he took his last breath.

  "Take me home. I'm filthy, tired, and really fucking hungry. I’m in the mood for pizza, a shower, a nap, and four cocks- not necessarily in that order… "

  THE END

  Epilogue

  His casket is beautiful. The flowers are gorgeous. The service was perfect. Today is the day I say my final goodbyes to my Old Man.

  "You okay, Blue? It's almost over." I know Cole is trying to make me feel better, but I don't want it to be over. When I leave here that means it's real. Right now, it could still be a bad dream. A nightmare. I just want to wake up now.

  "I'm fine, Cole. Just hug me, please." Giving me a small smile, he wraps his huge tattooed arms around my shoulders. It's not just him though. I feel Fletcher's arms around my waist. Clint and Holder's hands rubbing and soothing my legs.

  "We all love you and are here for you, Blue." Comes Fletcher's voice muffled by my hair. I know he is telling the truth, and my heart flips again. Since that horrible night, the guys have treated me like a princess. Cooking for me, bathing me, holding me... They even took turns cleaning Donut’s cage. Most of all they haven't ordered me to talk. They have just been supportive and let me grieve the way I needed. They have entwined themselves in my heart irrevocably. That’s real love.

  Before his casket is lowered into the grave, I lay my yellow rose on top feeling sentimental. "Bye Old Man. Tell momma I love her and miss her. Y'all have fun until I get there, because then it's going to get wild." I whisper as a lean down to kiss the warm wood.

  With tears streaming down my face, I walk hand in hand with Clint and Fletcher. My other guys fla
nking us. We are a unit- a family. Nothing can tear apart.

  Reaching Fletcher's new SUV, a thin older man wearing an expensive suit stops us.

  "Miss Underhill, you have been summoned. Please, come with me." What the hell? Why would I go anywhere with a stranger?

  "Umm, no thanks. Maybe another time," I reply noncommittally when Holder's hand wraps around my arm.

  "Ayida, this is Jeffrey. He works for the heads. You need to go with him. We're not allowed in their meeting, but you'll be okay. No one will harm you there." He explains while I look back and forth between my men. They all nod their agreement. I guess I'm going.

  They all kiss me gently and watch as Jeffrey slips his arm through mine to escort me to the long black town car waiting for us. He opens the rear door and I slide in. The leather is cool from the air conditioning, and it's a welcome relief from the humid Louisiana heat.

  Getting in the driver's seat he turns to me, "Buckle up Miss Underhill. Safety first," he says with a friendly grin.

  "Jeffrey, why am I being summoned? Can you at least tell me that much? It's been a long few day and I don't feel like playing games." I grumble. I'm also hungry so I'm not in the best mood.

  Jeffrey peers at me through the rearview mirror and I can still see his happy expression.

  "Well, I guess I can let you in on the little secret, Miss Underhill... I will be working for YOU very shortly."

  Next in Series: Colors of Corruption, Book 2

  -SNEAK PEEK-

  Chapter One: Ayida

  “Excuse me? Working for me?” My hindbrain has a hard time keeping up with his words. What does that even mean?

  "You look confused. Let me clarify. The Family is offering you Mr. Underhill’s seat at the table. You'll be one of the heads. An equal part in the power that is the Saupoudrer Family." My driver Jeffrey explains with an even bigger grin.

  I'm in complete shock. "Jeffrey, do they know I'm new to all the crime stuff? That I've only been learning from Old Man for a few months?" I question the sanity of this "Family". I mean the Sons of Fortune have years more experience than me. Any of them would be better candidates than me.

  "Yes, Miss Underhill. They know that. They also know you beat a man to death with a crowbar for trying to hurt you again, and you also avenged your father by carving his killer's skin and muscle from his bones. You’re not one to be taken lightly. If you don't want the position, it will just close. Mr. Underhill didn't have anyone else to take it. The other children have to wait until their fathers pass down the positions or they die." He says while turning on some old jazz music to play quietly. Effectively ending the conversation.

  My mind starts to wonder. I've replayed Old Man's final words over and over in my head. He thought Momma was murdered. He wanted me to prove it. If I turn down this position, I will still have money, but I won't have power. In this world you need both. I won't ever find out anything if I'm not in the Family. The guys could help, but I need to do this myself. That solidifies my answer.

  Pulling up to a huge old stone building, I notice that it resembles a gothic cathedral complete with lancet stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, and steepling at the roof. I take a deep steadying breath and a plan takes hold in my head. I'm not weak. I'm not helpless. I am a strong badass woman. Maybe I'm exactly what the Saupoudrer Family needs. Someone to shake things up.

  Jeffery holds open the big arched door for me to enter. The inside is aesthetically pleasing. It’s filled with elaborate tapestries, old paintings, and other medieval looking decor. It screams real “old money” people. Walking down the vaulted hallway I can hear voices at the end. Arguments if I had to guess. I imagine some of the heads probably don't want me here, but that's just too bad. I'm grabbing life by the balls, I’m here, and I'm about to get some shit done. I straighten my spine and get ready for battle.

  "You watching this, Old Man? I'm doing what you taught me. Cause a little hell and have a lot of fun." I say to the ceiling.

  Pushing through the double doors into what appears to be a surprisingly open and radiant boardroom, heads swing in my direction. I’m greeted with smiles and scowls. I spy my seat and walk with purpose to it. Sliding into the tall, leather, wingback chair I lace my fingers on top of the marble tabletop.

  "I hear y'all have something to ask me?"

  Soundtrack

  1.Art of Dying, “Tearing Down the Wall” (Prologue)

  2.Fleetwood Mac “Landslide” (Chapter 1)

  3.Fall Out Boy, “Irresistible” ft. Demi Lovato (Chapter2)

  4.Big Data, “Dangerous” ft. Joywave (Chapter 2)

  5.The Corrs, “Breathless” (Chapter 3)

  6.Frank Sinatra, “My Funny Valentine” (Chapter 4)

  7.I Prevail, “Breaking Down” (Chapter 4)

  8.Jace Everett, “Bad Things” (Chapter 5)

  9.Earth, Wind & Fire, “September” (Chapter 9)

  10. Michael Bublé, “Feeling Good (Chapter 14)

  11. Muse, Madness” (Chapter 16)

  12. Twenty-One Pilots, “My Blood” (Chapter 17)

  13. Hank Williams,” Jambalaya” (Chapter 21)

  14. George Jones, “The Race is On” (Chapter 21)

  15. Pixies, “Where is My Mind” (Chapter 25)

  16. Led Zeppelin, “Trampled Under Foot (Chapter 26)

  17. Anthrax, “The Devil You Know” (Chapter 29)

  18. Talking Heads, “Psycho Killer” (Chapter 30)

  19. Incubus, “Wish You Were Here” (Epilogue)

  20. Doja Cat, “Boss Bitch” (Book 2, Chapter 1)

  About the Author

  M.J. Knight is a self-confessed collector of tattoos, comic book figurines, and books. She lives with her husband and their five kids in Decatur, Alabama. She spends most days wrangling her kids, cooking, and binge watching “Grey’s Anatomy”- but not necessarily in that order.

  When she isn’t busy with her everyday chaos, you will find her typing away about characters that she loves and relates to the most in hopes that her fans can live vicariously through their adventures.

  If you want to know more about M.J.’s future books and projects- join her

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