Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
325. Rueben - The 'rat' II

It's been years since I last went hunting. My dad was an avid hunter. He used to take Tyson, Ansel, and me up in the mountains each year at the end of each school year. It was our tradition. We stopped going after Camila died. Maybe it's time to start it again. Though, this time will be different. We won't be looking for wild turkey, elk, deer, or other game but for a man who we thought was our friend. Alekos' cabin is the perfect place to start to bring Maddox since the woods here are very dense. I've never given chase to another Lord before, but today looks like a good day to start.

It's been a minute or two since Rin parked close to the cabin. We've been silent since then. The tension is so thick it can be cut with a knife or something like that. Don't they always say that in books? Maybe I should read more instead of watching sports and playing video games.

On the way here, Maddox had tried to speak several times, but Tyson's gun pointed at his head, making him keep his mouth closed. Tyson is rarely this worked up about whomever we have to kill, but this time is different. Maddox has been our doctor and friend for years. He and his blood-brothers spent many summers at the farm.

Once we get out, things will change for all of us. Depending on what he has to say, Maddox may die in a couple of hours.

Tyson's eyes are enraged, and his demon lurks behind them. If Cirro is not wrong about Maddox, and he rarely is wrong, then we let a traitor into our houses. As a doctor, Maddox visited many patients at home. He knows many things about most of the Lords. God knows what he told the Dukes. Was he the one who told the Senator where the farm was? We even asked him to take care of Olivia when she was sick. He could have hurt her or worse.

I might not like what Olivia made me do to prove my love to her or something like that, but I don't want to see her hurt ever again. After what she did for Ansel, Tyson, and me no one will lay a finger on her ever again. From what Ansel revealed to us, I understand why Olivia was Azael's target, but I still can't figure out why he went after us as well. Did he want to experiment on us as he did with Yan and many others?

Tyson suddenly punches the back of the driver's seat with his free hand. He is still pointing at Maddox's head "Fuck!" He inhales deeply before snarling, "Get the fuck out before I blow out your brains."

Cirro opens the door next to him and gets out. Maddox quickly follows. Part of the tension disappears. It is rare for Lords to be snitches for the Dukes, but when it happens, they are sent to the Catacombs. They never return. The demons there have a special treatment for anyone who betrays the vow made the day they become one of ours.

Tyson bites his fist, trying to contain his rage.

Rin and Yan get out of the car.

Tyson is one of the best at torturing people. He detaches from any feelings and turns into a cold-blooded monster. He is like Reyes in a way, only that Reyes doesn't have the same patience at torturing as Tyson does. "Do you want me to take over?" I ask Tyson.

After a deep inhaling and a slow release of the air, Tyson says, "I'm good."

I open the door and step onto the snow. It's colder up here than in the city. Tyson was right. I shouldn't have left without my coat. Maybe Alekos keeps some change of clothes in the cabin.

Tyson quickly pulls his shit together, puts his gun back in the holster, and goes to look at the sun rising from behind the line of trees.

Rin narrows his eyes. "We didn't come here to admire nature."

A creepy smile spreads on Tyson's face. "I'm choosing the spot where we will bury Maddox and his blood-brothers after we are done with them."

Maddox turns white as a ghost. "Cole and Henry don't know anything. I'll tell you everything you want to know, but leave them alone."

Desperate people always make mistakes, although in Maddox's case, it's not a secret that he is very protective of his blood-brothers. We will use that to our advantage.

Tyson pulls out his phone and dials a phone number. "It's Tyson. We need more people for the hunt. Bring Cole and Henry. Stefan and Reyes won't want to miss this. Maybe Maddox knows something about Carlos." From the looks of it, Tyson is talking to Alekos. Maddox takes a step towards Tyson, gets kicked in the back of his knees by Yan, and falls in the snow. He doesn't dare move again. "If you are not comfortable leaving your pregnant wife home alone, take her to the farm. I'm sure my bonded will enjoy some company." He looks at Maddox. "I don't promise anything. Hurry up if you want to catch the traitor alive." End of call. "Let's get inside," he tells us.

Rin and Yan each grab Maddox by the arms and drag him to the cabin. Yan opens the door, and all four of them enter.

"Let's show Maddox what happens to traitors," Tyson says.

I know how this will go. Tyson will make Maddox curse the day he was born, while me and the others watch.

"Bring in some firewood. It's freezing in here," Rin yells from inside.

I invested in a good heating system at the farm because I didn't want to bother with wood stoves and all the mess that comes with them. Jasper and Tyson were adamant that the fireplace from the living room would be the real deal, while I wanted an electric one. In the end, they installed one with the promise that they would be the ones to maintain it.

Tyson climbs the steps leading to the living room. "You heard him," he says over his shoulder.

It's been more than a week since Tyson keeps having an attitude when it comes to doing stuff that I ask him. He is not the only one. The others give me death stares when they think I'm not paying attention to them. "Since when are you ordering me around?"

Maybe he wasn't ordering me around, but I fucking hate when people tell me what to do like I'm a child. This is why I stepped up when Jasper said he didn't want to lead our group.

"Since you lost the right to be the leader of the group," Tyson snarls.

For a moment, I am hurt. For years, I've worked hard for my blood-brothers. Most of the money I gained went into the house and especially into the Lair. Yet this is how I am repaid: by being seen as unstable.

I fucked up badly with Olivia. I get it. The most frustrating thing is that I still have no recollection of the time spent in the facility. How do I make right by Olivia when I don't know what I was thinking at that moment?

I go to the little shed behind the cabin, where the firewood is. While I grab some logs, I realize that it's for the best if someone else takes over my duties. Then I won't have to worry about leading missions or any of the other shit I normally do. Maybe I will learn how to relax a bit. Find some hobbies and dedicate time to Olivia. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

When I go inside, I find Tyson sitting on the coffee table, staring at Maddox, who is across from him on the sofa. Cirro is over at the table, strolling through the phone. He prefers technology over human interaction. Yan is close to the front door, looking like he is about to bolt out of here at any second.

I take the firewood to the stove. Rin is already there, cleaning it of ashes.

"Now that we are all here, you may begin," Tyson says to Maddox.

I sit in the rocking chair next to the stove. "Aren't we waiting for the others to join our little party?"