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Chapter 23

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The cool night air pricked the back of my neck, making me shiver. I had to win, I had to get Johnny back and to safety. I tried my best to ignore the looks the gang was giving me, ones of pure worry. I didn't even think about the fact that tonight I could die, I was more focused on making sure Johnny doesn't. The only one who understood was Boston, so this is what he felt like with me. It must have been awful when I was taken. As we neared closer to the meeting spot, I tried to stay calm. I knew that anything could be there when we arrived, hell the whole thing could be an ambush. Hopefully, Tyra sticks to her usual code of honor, but with a blood-hungry leader like her, anything is possible.

I stopped just before we reached the clearing, turning around to face everyone. I looked into each of their faces, and the full force of this finally hit me. This was it, everything in my entire life has led to this moment.

"Whatever happens in the next hour, just know..."

It was like my voice just stopped working. There was so much I had to say to them, so much they didn't understand. If I were to die, sure they could hear about my past from Pony or Johnny. But that wouldn't explain how I feel about them now. I didn't know what to say, it felt like no word could have the entire feeling I had for them. Except one, one I had not spoken in a long time. One I had not spoken since the day I held my dying mother's hand for the last time.

"I love you guys."

At first, they just looked frozen in shock, but the first to break from it was Pony. He ran forward and hugged me, and this time I didn't pull away. Slowly one by one, they came and joined the hug. Finally, only Boston was left out, and I motioned him to join. He shook his head, and I understood. He said all he needed to say before. After a minute we pulled away and just stood there. Finally, I turned back towards the park and walked forward. I had a new sense of power, a new feeling of determination. I had something to fight for, I had people to fight for. And I sure as hell was not going to lose any more of the people I loved.

I saw the figure standing staring at me as I walked forward. Cars were lined across the other side, with people sitting on the hoods and watching. The gang held back as I continued to walk forward until I stood right in front of Tyra. We looked at each other for a while, calculating what the other would do.

"Hello Dallas," she said with a smile.

"Hello Tyra, it's a pleasure to meet you officially."

"The pleasures all mine. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Best not keep me waiting."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. We still have terms to discuss."

"Of course. If I win, I can stay in Tulsa as long as I want. I will enjoy running this town, it needs some new leadership."

"And if I win you give me back Johnny and your gang leave Tulsa for good."

"Of course."

"I also need to see Johnny, make sure you weren't lying."

"Have you no faith? Bring him forward!"

Another figure started walking forward holding on to Johnny. I looked down at Johnny right away and saw his face was pretty messed up. That enough made my blood boil. My eyes slowly went up to the man holding him, and at the sight of him, I heard my breath stop. I recognized his eyes, those eyes who never seemed to leave my memory. The eyes that cursed my nightmares. His face twisted into a smile and before I could say anything I felt a punch hit me hard.

I fell down to the ground, still stunned by the man and the punch before making myself focus. The fight had started, and I already was losing. As I came back to my senses I avoided the next punch and quickly got back on my feet. We both circled each other, neither making a move.

"Seems you're distracted, Winston. You really should try focus."

I knew then she knew exactly who the man was. She knew exactly what he did to me all those years ago. She picked him to be here for a reason, she picked him to get under my skin. I knew then I had to forget him, I had to forget those eyes.

She started to go for a punch, but I was ready. I quickly dodged and threw one back, hitting her in the face. She didn't fall down, but I saw her face falter. We both continued to throw punch and kicks, trying to knock each other down. Finally, I decided to go all-in and dived at her. We both collapsed on the ground and started to try and pin each other down. She managed to grab my leg and twisted it back, as I flinched at the pain. Distracted by my leg, she started to punch me in the face, trying to damage my vision. While she was busy punching, I noticed her leg was in a bad position and quickly kicked her hard. She collapsed and I then pinned her down to the ground. I grabbed ahold of her neck, making sure I had a strong grip.

At first, she fought back, her nails were digging into my arms and she was flailing all about. But as I continued to hold her she slowly started to slow down. As she started gasping for air, I seemed to get angrier. I thought about her brother and how much of a monster he was. I thought of how she kidnapped Johnny. I thought about how she left Johnny with him. I started to squeeze tighter, watching her face turn and hearing her trying to breathe, and I finally stopped and saw she was barely hanging on. She wasn't moving but was breathing heavily and staring at me.

"Say hello to your brother."

Her chest stopped moving, and I knew she was dead. I stood over her, my panting being the only sound. I slowly stood up, stumbling a little because of my leg. I saw him standing there looking shocked and scared as he held on to Johnny. I limped over right in front of him and looked directly into his eyes.

"Miss me?"

"How-"

"I'm not the weak pathetic little boy you used to know. If you know what's best for you, you'll let go of him, and get the fuck out of my town."

He dropped Johnny and quickly ran back towards the cars. I watched as he ran away, the man I used to be so afraid of now afraid of me. God it felt good. I looked down at Johnny, scanning for injuries and making sure he was alright.

"I'm fine Dal. They only really got my face."

"Are you sure?"

"Dallas it's you I should be worried about, you look like hell."

"I bet I've looked worse."

The gang and Boston ran towards us, making sure we were both alright. I waved them away quickly and made them focus more on Johnny. Everyone did so, except Boston. He helped me up and then started laughing.

"The Blades have been terrified about her for years and you spend one night with her and kill her? Fuck D."

"Yes, well done Dallas."

The voice cut through the air as it had always done. I felt my smile go away, as I looked up and into another pair of eyes I didn't want to see.

"Well done."