14: The Scorpion Tattoo

Chris sat frozen in the back bench of the church. He felt awful as the video played and chaos erupted around him. His wolf, Max, growled low in his chest. They didn't like to see Tasha sad and embarrassed, but it had to be done. She needed to know who Rupert truly was.

He watched a barefooted Tasha whose face was in pain and streaked in mascara storm out the doors with Debby trailing her like a hurricane.

Chris pulled out his phone and sent a message to Joseph: Wedding's off. Rupert exposed. Tasha safe for now.

He didn't wait for a response. He knew his Alpha would get it.

Chris bolted after the girls, catching up to them just outside the church steps. The sky was still pink, as if the heavens hadn't yet caught up with the hell that had just broken loose.

"Wait!" he called out, jogging toward them. "Tasha, let me take you home to your mother's place."

Tasha looked up at him, dazed and trembling. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

"I got you," he said softly. "Come on."

Debby nodded and helped Tasha into the back seat of Chris's car.

Edith emerged from the church just as he opened the door.

"I'll stay back. Somebody has to clean up this mess," Edith said grimly. "Just... look after my daughter."

Chris nodded once and got behind the wheel.

******

The ride to Edith's house was silent, except for the hum of the engine and Debby's sniffles. Tasha sat with her head leaned against the window, and her wedding dress crumpled beneath her.

When they reached the house, Tasha said nothing. She just got out, stepped inside like a ghost, and disappeared into the guest bathroom.

Chris stood awkwardly by the front door, watching Debby sit on the couch, staring blankly.

After a few minutes, the faint sound of ripping fabric echoed from down the hall.

Chris turned to Debby. "What is she doing?"

Debby gave a small, sad shrug. "Ripping the dress off. She said she couldn't breathe in it."

Chris winced.

The next sound was more violent. There was snipping and cutting.

Tasha reappeared barefoot, and the wedding gown hacked to pieces. The scissors were still in her hand. Her bra strap had snapped, one sleeve hung off her shoulder, and her eyes were bloodshot but dry.

"Chris," she said. "Can you take me to the apartment?"

He blinked. "Now?"

"Yes. I need to get my things."

"I'll come with you," Debby said quickly.

Tasha didn't object.

******

Chris parked a little way from the building. His instincts on alert. His wolf was on edge. Something was... off.

Inside the apartment, Tasha moved like she was sleepwalking, collecting clothes, documents, her laptop. Debby quietly packed toiletries, all while watching her cousin from the corner of her eye.

"Tasha," Debby began.

"I don't want to talk about it. Not now. Just go grab my stuff from the bathroom."

"Ok," Debby sighed as she left her in the living room.

Then came the knock. No, the bang.

The front door burst open.

"TA—SHA!"

Rupert stood in the doorway, his face twisted with rage. His tie was half-undone, and he was drenched in sweat. His eyes were red and crazed.

"What the hell was that back there? You embarrassed me in front of everybody! My father! My boys! You think I'm gonna let that slide?"

Tasha stood her ground. "I'm done."

"Done? What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. You should have understood when I left you at the altar."

"Let me explain, please."

"I can't do this no more. I'm leaving you, Rupert Peter Myrie," Tasha said, her heart thudding in her chest. He turned, locking his eyes with hers, but she didn't flinch.

Rupert snorted softly, his footsteps slow and deliberate as he approached, each breath husky, each movement heavy until he stood just an inch away.

"Tee, you must be really angry for you to be calling me by my full name."

"Stick to the point," she said, turning her face from his intimidating gaze. "I want to end things with you." Her voice trembled, but she forced the words out.

He closed the space between them. "You want to end things with me?" His voice dropped. "Who teaching you this 'strong woman' crap?" He wrapped his arms around her, gently rocking her, then pulling her harshly to his chest. "The only way I'll ever let you leave me... is in a body bag."

Tasha gulped.

"You think it's that easy?" he sneered. "You humiliated me! Made me look like a fucking joke."

He lunged and grabbed her arm.

Tasha cried out, yanking back, but his grip tightened like iron. "Let go of me!"

"Rupert, back up!" Debby shouted, running at him. She dropped the stuff she packed from the bathroom.

He shoved Tasha into the wall and turned just in time for Debby to jump on his back, fists flying.

"You batty hyprocrite!" she screamed, pounding on his shoulders.

He slammed backward into the wall, crushing her against it. Debby let out a sharp cry as she felt her head smash against the concrete. She slid to the floor, unconscious.

Tasha screamed.

Rupert turned, his eyes blazing with wickedness. "You ruined my life!"

Then the beating began.

A punch to the ribs. A slap across the face. A knee to the gut.

Tasha doubled over.

He kicked her.

Once. Twice.

Then he straddled her, hands closing around her throat.

"You should've stayed quiet," he hissed.

Outside, Chris's wolf ears picked up the crash. The scream.

'Something is wrong,' Max growled.

Chris burst through the front door like a battering ram.

What he saw stopped him cold.

Debby was slumped in a corner with blood dripping from her temple.

Tasha was on the ground, her face was already swollen and purple. She was struggling to breathe as Rupert choked her.

"GET OFF HER!"

Rupert barely turned before Chris tackled him with full force. They crashed into the coffee table, splintering it in half. Chris's fists came down hard on Rupert's face.

One. Two. Three strikes to his nose and lips.

Rupert swung wildly, but Chris ducked, growling. Max was close to the surface, his voice in Chris's head howling for blood.

Chris's fist collided with Rupert's jaw, then his gut, then his nose, breaking it with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed.

Rupert tried to crawl away, but Chris grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"You call yourself a man when you beat on women like this?"

Then he saw something strange on the back of Rupert's neck. Black ink. He ripped the shirt some more so he could get a better look. It was a tattoo of a scorpion with its tail curled and fangs bared.

Chris's blood ran cold.

The Scorpion Gang.

Max growled louder now, a deeper rage igniting.

"Debby," a soft voice croaked.

Chris turned. Tasha was crawling toward her cousin.

He rushed to her, kneeling beside her. Her lip was busted, cheek swelling, arms covered in bruises. She looked shattered. He panicked when he saw her eyes began to droop.

"Tasha, stay with me," Chris snapped.

Debby stirred. "Tash... is she okay?"

Chris nodded quickly. "She's alive. You both are."

Rupert groaned behind him, blood seeping from his mouth. He was half-conscious and seeing through blurry eyes.

Chris grabbed both women, helping them to their feet. Tasha could barely walk, and Debby was limping, but he got them to the car.

Once they were safe inside, Chris looked back at the apartment one last time.

Chris's eyes narrowed as he thought about the tattoo.

'We must tell Alpha Joseph,' Max muttered.

******

They drove in silence, Tasha cradled in Debby's arms, blood staining her ripped dress. The city passed by in a blur, the car smelling of iron and fear.

Chris glanced at the rearview mirror. Tasha was staring at the ceiling, lips parted, breathing shallow.

"You both have to stay awake," he murmured. "You're gonna be okay."

"I'm fine," Debby let out and she held Tasha tighter, whispering, "Mi have you, Tash. Just keep your eyes dem open."

But Chris's hands trembled on the wheel. Because the scorpion tattoo wasn't just a gang symbol.

It was a death sentence.