CHAPTER 13
Dean Ambrose sat in his truck in the parking lot of the Hoover Dam. He checked his watch. One minute till midnight. He glanced at his watch until both hands landed on 12. Wednesday morning. He puffed out a breath of air and crossed himself before grabbing the bag with the belt out of the passengers seat and exited his truck. Papa Good had informed him on the way there that everyone was in the boiler room and to meet them there.
As Dean made his way through the parking lot, he recited the 23rd Psalm. He reached the door and put his hand on the handle. Inhaling and exhaling, he turned his eyes towards Heaven.
"Thy will be done, Lord. Thy will be done."
He stepped through the door.
-It didn't take him long to find the boiler room. He balled his hand into a fist and banged on the door.
"Open up now!"
He heard movement inside and seconds later, Papa Good stood in the doorway.
"Well. 'Open up now'. Demanding, aren't we?"
"Aren't you gonna let me in?"
"Weapons? Police on the way?"
"No and no."
"Got the belt?"
Dean held up the bag in his right hand.
"Very good. Come on in."
Dean stepped through the doorway and walked into the boiler room. He turned a corner and was met with his wife, Mark and his family restrained to pipes. Dean quickly dropped bag with the belt to the floor and grabbed Papa Good by the collar of his shirt and slammed him back first into one of the pipes.
"WHOA! WHOA WHOA WHOA!"
"Are you ridiculous? Was this really necessary?"
Papa Good shoved Dean away from him. "You dare put your hands on me?"
"What was the purpose of this?"
Papa Good shrugged. "Couldn't take any chances."
"You tied up a pregnant woman and a child!?"
"So what? Now give me the bag with the belt."
Dean picked up the bag and handed it to Papa Good.
"You don't deserve it, you psycho."
"Psycho," Papa Good chuckled. "That the best you can come up with?"
"The ideal choice of words I have for you are not meant for a little girl's ears."
Dean walked over to his wife and carefully removed the tape from her mouth.
"Ambrose."
"I'm so sorry, Renee."
"I know."
Dean leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. He moved over to Kaia.
"Hold still, honey," he requested as he removed the tape from her mouth. "You okay?"
"I'm scared."
"I know."
Dean turned to removed the tape from Michelle. "Michelle, I have no words to say about what's happened."
"I'm not mad at you, Dean."
Dean stood in front of Mark, removing the tape from his mouth.
"I'm sorry. For everything."
"I know you are."
Dean locked eyes with Papa Good. "We had a deal. Bring the belt and they go free."
"I'm a man of my word. However...I've changed my mind."
"WE HAD A DEAL!"
"Sorry, Jonny-boy. No deal."
"How about a new deal?"
Papa Good cocked his head to the left. "Hmm. I'm listening."
"Keep the belt, let them go...and take me."
"WHAT!" Renee hollered.
"Dean, no!" Mark said.
"You heard me. I'm the reason you were placed behind bars. Not them. Me. Take me. Release them."
Papa Good thought about it for a moment. He reached into his bag and pulled out a knife and walked over to where Mark stood.
"No," Michelle whispered. "No, don't hurt him, please!"
Papa Good held the blade in front of Mark's eyes, then brought it down, cutting through the rope. The rope fell to the floor.
"Looks like it's your lucky day."
Papa Good walked over and released Kaia and Renee. Kaia ran to her father and mother as Renee approached Dean.
"Dean. I can't let you do this."
"It's okay, Renee. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Take care of our child."
Renee kissed and hugged her husband for the last time.
"Okay. The four of you. Get out of here. My son stays here with me. Beat it."
"I love you, Renee."
"I love you too, Jonathan."
Dean led Renee over to Mark, Michelle and Kaia. "Get them out of here. My truck is waiting in the parking lot with the doors unlocked."
Mark stepped closer to Dean and whispered. "He's going to kill you."
"I know."
"You're a brave man and a good man. You're a better man than he is."
"You turned me that way...Dad."
Papa Good sneered at the 'Dad' comment.
Mark pulled his son close into his arms. He didn't care how old he was, he was always going to call this man his son. Mark pulled away, then guided Michelle, Kaia and Renee to the entrance of the boiler room. Mark looked back at Dean, whom gave him a nod, then closed the door softly behind him.