Mary Lou's posture became suddenly submissive, and my gaze shifted to Pamela, her face revealed a terrified expression.
"Well, well, well," The man sneered, eyeing me up and down with suspicion. "Name's Logan," he grunted, his words with a rough cowboy drawl. His gaze lingered on me, sizing me up with a mixture of suspicion and aggression. "You best mind your manners 'round here, stranger," he warned, the edge in his voice daring me to challenge him. Trying to provoke me into losing my composure.
I tilted my head slightly, a hint of amusement in my eyes as i responded, "Logan, huh? Well, Logan, seems like you've mistaken me for someone who's easily rattled by tough talk. I remained ice-cold, a smirk playing on my lips.
Logan's eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. "You got some nerve, boy," he growled, his voice tinged with menace. "But let me tell ya, 'round these parts, we don't take kindly to strangers with smart mouths."
"Just passing through, friend," I replied calmly, my voice unwavering despite the tension in the air. "No need to get riled up friend"
"Just passin' through, huh?" Logan drawled, a sneer curling his lips as he keeps eyeing me up and down. "Seems like you've chosen the wrong spot for your little journey, stranger." Logan's grin widened, his goons chuckling menacingly behind him.
"Seems like you got a lot to say for someone hidin' behind his goons," I retorted, a smirk playing on my lips.
"Well, ain't you a bold one," he said, taking a step closer. "he remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But let me tell ya, folks tend to go missin' when they stir up trouble."
"Oh, is that so?" I responded, playing along with a smirk at the corner of my lips.
Logan's grin widened, a glint of greed in his eyes. "Son, everything in this town' belongs to me," he boasted, nodding towards the glass of whisky in my hand. Then, he cast a covetous glance over my shoulder at the parked car. "Couldn't help but notice that fancy automobile o' yours," he drawled, his tone sly. "How 'bout ya hand over them keys, and we'll call it even?"
I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep my cool. Logan's attempt to extort me was blatant, but I refused to let him intimidate me into submission. With a calm demeanor, I met his gaze head-on. "I think you're mistaken, friend," I said, my voice steady. "That car belongs to me, and I don't intend to part with it anytime soon."
Logan's face turned grim, his patience wearing thin. "Yer treadin' on thin ice, stranger," he cautioned, his voice carrying a hint of menace. "But if ya ain't plannin' to hand over them keys without a fuss, reckon we'll jus' have to take 'em from ya, one way or 'nother."
His words were like a dull background noise as I made a bored gesture, barely paying attention. According to him, since they risked their lives every day, he needed to maintain strict control. I couldn't help but roll my eyes, the arrogance in Logan's voice grating on my nerves. "Yeah, yeah, we've heard enough of your sob story" I interjected, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm not buying it. It seems to me; you just like to throw your weight around."
Mary Lou stepped forward, positioning herself between Logan and me cautiously, a silent barrier of protection, "Logan, please, "Mary Lou urged, her voice laced with caution. " Ace about to leave, there's no need for things to escalate. As Mary Lou tried to calm things down, Logan's patience snapped. With a sudden and swift motion, he raised his hand and delivered a stinging slap across her cheek, the sound echoing sharply in the room.
"Don't you dare butt in, whore" he growled, his eyes blazing with anger. "This ain't your place."
As Mary Lou recoiled from Logan's brutal assault, her hand instinctively reached for her stinging cheek. The room crackled with tension as Logan's tirade continued.
Pamela's voice wavered with fear as she confronted Logan, her hands trembling uncontrollably. "Stop it, Logan, please!" she begged, her voice filled with desperation.
But Logan's grip on power was unyielding. With a menacing glare, he advanced towards Mary Lou, his rage boiling over. ""Y'all forget where you stand, woman," Logan sneered, his eyes blazing with anger as he closed in on Mary Lou. "You're just a worthless bitch and for my pleasure," he spat, his voice thick with disdain.
As Logan loomed over her, a chilling revelation escaped his lips, "You think you're so high and mighty, Mary Lou," he sneered, his voice laced with malice. "But let's not forget what happened to your husband, Cooper."
The memory of Cooper's death hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the cruelty that Logan was capable of. Mary Lou's breath caught in her throat as the truth of Logan's actions came crashing down on her, shattering the illusion of safety she had clung to for so long. Logan's words cut through the air like a chilling wind, filled with contempt and malice.
Mary Lou's heart sank as he uttered his vile taunts, her fear palpable in the tense silence that followed. he uttered "fucking you is like fucking a death corpse, no wonder he hangs himself" Logan jeered, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. "But I bet your daughter Pamela's got some life in her," he continued, his gaze predatory as he licked his lips suggestively.
Mary Lou's heart sank as Logan's words cut through the air like a knife, his vile insults striking deep. "How dare you!" Pamela shot back, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "You're a disgusting excuse for a man, Logan!" Her composure shattered; tears welled in Pamela's eyes as she struggled to contain her emotions. She couldn't bear to hear another word of Logan's twisted taunts.
"Logan, please, don't bring her into this," Mary Lou pleaded, her voice trembling with fear. She cast a worried glance at Pamela, but Logan's vile laughter filled the room.
Then a sudden shift occurred. My blood boiled with a mix of fury and disgust, my eyes narrowing into a menacing glare as I locked onto Logan's smug expression.
"What did you just say, Logan?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous, each word laced with a simmering rage that threatened to boil over.
Logan's smirk widened as he turned toward me, his arrogance radiating off him like a toxic aura. "ya heard me," he taunted, his tone dripping with disdain. Every fiber of my being screamed with anger, my muscles tensing as I fought to keep my composure.
But as Logan motioned, a horde of his goons rushed in, surrounding me with overwhelming numbers.
"Well, ain't this a sight to behold," Logan remarked, his smirk widening as his gang closed in around me. "Seems like you've got yourself into quite the predicament, Ace. Don't worry, though. We'll make it quick."
"Ace, get out of here!" Pamela's voice rose in panic, her hands trembling as she reached out to him. "They'll kill you if you stay!"
"I ain't leaving you angels alone with these vile dogs," I declared, with a firm voice.
But Ace, look at them," Pamela urged, gesturing towards the sea of hostile faces closing in around us. "You can't win this no matter how strong you are"
"Hey now, my expression cool and collected. "I've danced with demons before, literally matter of fact, they dance on my command and sweetheart, you worry too much," I said with a chuckle, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "These boys? They're like coyotes howling' at the moon. Just noise in the night."
Pamela's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You're a brave fool, Ace," she whispered, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. "I just wish we'd met under better circumstances."
As the tension thickened and the room pulsed with anticipation, Logan's mocking laughter cut through the air once again. His eyes gleamed with a cruel light as he addressed Pamela and me.
Logan's sneer twisted his face into a mockery of amusement. "Well, well, well, Ain't this just precious?" Let me tell ya something, Ace. Once I'm done with ya, I'm gonna take that sweet little thing, and you're gonna watch me defile that pussy, just like I did with Cooper and Mary. Oh boy, i just can't wait"
His words landed like a sucker punch, leaving a bitter taste in the air. My fists clenched involuntarily, rage simmering beneath the surface as I locked eyes with him.
"You know what's funny, Logan," I seethed, my voice barely a whisper, each word dripping with venom. "I was going to let this slide. But after what you just said, I'm really mad. Like, really, really mad."
"All you had to do was mind your own business, and we would've restocked peacefully and maybe stay a day or two and we would have left no bloodshed," I continued, my tone growing colder with each word. "But no, you just had to make it damn hard.
Now let me tell you or rather show you why there's a saying that you mess with the wrong guy, because it is way too late for you guys to have any regrets now. Am i right?
Logan's grin widened, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Y'all hear that, boys?" he drawled, his cowboy accent thick with scorn. "Ace here thinks he's got a chance against us."
The room erupted with laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls as Logan's goons mocked me. Their taunts filled the air, each one stabbing at my resolve.
"You're surrounded, Ace," Logan continued, his tone dripping with arrogance. "What can one guy do against two hundred? You must have lost your damn mind."
The laughter grew louder, a chorus of disdain directed at me. But amid the jeers and mockery, I stood my ground, my determination unwavering.
Hiro's eyes widened in alarm; his usually calm demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency. "Oh boy, you guys are in for it now," he muttered, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "I've never seen Big Brother Ace this furious. Good luck to you all."
A devilish smile crept across my face as I whispered under my breath, "Demon time."
Suddenly the light starts to flicker violently and emerging from the shadows, my undead army materialized, their presence looming ominously behind me. With the system shop upgrades, they were swifter and more fearsome than ever. Leading them was Reaper, my pocket ace and the commander of this macabre battalion. His menacing grin sent a chill down Logan's spine, his horror palpable in widened eyes.
"Too late for apologies now," I retorted, my voice low and ominous, my eyes gleaming with determination.
A shiver ran down Logan's spine, his voice barely audible as he whispered, "By the grace of God, what in heaven's name...?"
"God can't help you now, Logan," I declared, my voice devoid of mercy. "You're on your own in this reckoning."
But before he could utter another word, the onslaught began. My undead soldiers moved with eerie precision, descending upon Logan's goons like vengeful specters.
With Reaper leading the charge, my undead soldiers struck with chilling precision, their movements synchronized as they tore through Logan's goons like a swarm of locusts. The sight of Reaper's merciless onslaught sent a dread down the spines of all who beheld it. Screams pierced the air, echoing through the room as the battle unfolded. The chaos was unleashed, spreading fear throughout the town.
As the dust settled and the last of Logan's men crumbled before me, I turned to face him, a glint of triumph illuminating my gaze. Logan's eyes widened in fear as he realized the dire situation he was in. "Please, Ace, I-I didn't mean it! Spare me, please! I'll do anything, just don't hurt me!" he pleaded, his voice quivering with desperation.
I looked down at Logan, his expression cold and unyielding. "Anything, huh? Well, let's see if you're worth saving.
In a flash, Reaper appeared behind him, his ominous presence casting a shadow over Logan as he realized this is the end of road for him.
Mary and Pamela approached, their expressions a mix of relief and gratitude.
"Much obliged, Ace," Mary murmured softly, her eyes shimmering with tears. "You done saved us all."
Pamela's gaze locked onto mine, gratitude shining in her eyes. "You sure came through for us, Ace," she drawled, her voice tinged with sincerity.
I nodded, feeling a surge of relief that everyone was safe. "I couldn't just stand by and do nothing," I replied, my words honest and heartfelt.
There was a moment of silence between us, the weight of the recent events hanging heavy in the air. Then, Pamela edged closer, her aura enveloping me with its warmth. "I reckon I don't rightly know how to express my thanks," she confessed, her words barely audible. "But I want you to know, I'm mighty grateful. We all are."
"You don't have to thank me," I assured her, my voice steady but my heart pounding in my chest. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I tried to keep my composure. "I'm just glad everyone's okay."
Pamela's eyes twinkled with mischief as she leaned in closer, a teasing smile quirking her lips. "Well, isn't it true that every hero deserves a reward?" she drawled, her voice tinged with playful suggestion
Her words sent a jolt of electricity through me, catching me off guard. Heat rose to my cheeks as I chuckled nervously, my mind racing. Before I could gather my thoughts, Pamela's proximity drew me in, her presence is so magnetic and intoxicating.
In a bold move, I reached out, my hand instinctively finding her waist and pulling her gently toward me. The touch sent a thrill coursing through me, a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty. Pamela's breath caught in her throat, a soft gasp escaping her lips as our bodies drew closer.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as our eyes locked, the air thick with tension and unspoken desire. In that fleeting instant, I felt a surge of daring coursing through me, emboldening me to act on impulses I never knew I had.
As our gazes held, our lips collided in a fervent embrace, a meeting of raw desire and pent-up longing. It was an explosion of passion, a fusion of heat and intensity that left us both breathless and consumed by the fervor of the moment. We lost ourselves in each other, the world fading into the background as our connection deepened with each lingering kiss. In that intimate exchange, every touch, every caress spoke volumes, conveying emotions too powerful for words alone.
As we finally pulled away, a sense of euphoria washed over us, leaving us both exhilarated and content.
Then Hiro and Emi dashed over, puckering up their lips and exaggerating kisses, looking utterly ridiculous.
Mary's chuckle, her eyes glowing with affection as she looked at the children. "Y'all sure know how to tickle our funny bones," she drawled, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. Laughter rang out, a harmonious blend of joy and companionship that filled the room with warmth and light. In that moment, I savored the bond we shared, knowing it would sustain us through the challenges yet to come.