Page 62 of Fanatic

“Huh?”

“You might have a cartel after you, and you’re all ‘I’m going to get my kid and book interviews?’”

“Jimenez, I’m terrified. I wanna scream and rail at this shit, but it won’t help. Something hit me during that meeting. Tragically, I’m the only parent Danny has. If I die, who looks after him? Grey’s dead, and there’d be a custody battle between Grey’s parents and mine. Do I hide away from the world? I did that for a year while grieving Grey. Nothing changed. So, gonna leave here, get my son, kiss him, and be thankful I got another day with him,” I explained.

I picked up my briefcase and began walking out.

“Fanatic,” Jimenez called.

“Huh?” I asked, stopping and turning back.

“Make Fanatic his guardian. He adores Danny and would kill for him. That’s what I’d do, Willow,” Jimenez replied.

“Yeah. You ain’t wrong on how much he loves Danny,” I said, smiling.

“Then you know what you’ve got to do,” Jimenez stated.

I nodded and was about to walk out when the door blew open from the stairwell, and Agent Sam Quirk burst in.

“State police have a track on four Venomous Fangs who escaped last year. Fuckers are hiding in Hill City,” Quirk announced.

Jimenez and I swapped glances. “I’m coming.”

“Guessed that,” Jimenez replied, and we rushed out after Quirk.

???

Donny Sutherland, aka Runt, Mattie South, aka Cutter, Hank Wild, aka Slash, and Stew Boone, aka Pit Bull, were of the original chapter. They were wanted for multiple crimes, and we knew they’d escaped because shutting some of the Fangs up was hard to do. Those who’d been invaded and coerced into becoming part of the Venomous Fangs cheerfully gave up names and identified people.

A convoy of black SUVs sped towards Hill City as we all checked our weapons, radios, and donned vests.

“Take this,” Jimenez said, handing me another clip. I nodded and stashed it away. Nobody asked if I was okay or wondered if I should be there. That was good; they weren’t thinking I was weak. When we arrived at the house in Hill City, law enforcement was already on scene. SAC Richards spoke to the police and the agent in charge while the rest of us spread out. A few minutes later, he approached me.

“ASAC Ware, I don’t think you should be here,” Richards said.

“Respectfully, I disagree.”

“ASAC Ware. I’m aware these men were part of the gang that killed Mr. Grey. You shouldn’t be here,” he repeated. Oh boy. What an ass, referring to Grey as a mister. Totally disrespectful.

“Can you overrule me?”

Richards looked uncomfortable. “Actually, yes. Because you’re not officially back from maternity leave yet.”

“Then remove me,” I challenged, folding my arms.

“Ma’am, don’t make this awkward. Please, just wait in the car.”

“Sure,” I drawled. “I’ll be sidelined. But I’ll remember this, Richards.” I began walking away when the front door of the house burst open.

A wild appearing Venomous Fang dragged a screaming woman out.

“Back off, or I’ll kill her!” he yelled as he pulled her across the lawn.

I had the angle, lifted my arm, and took aim. “FBI, drop the weapon,” I called, and then fired. The bullet hit the side of his head, and brain matter exploded. The hostage screamed and raced towards the police line.

“What the fuck was that?” Richards demanded.

“What? I identified myself and informed him to drop the weapon. Asshole didn’t, and I had the shot.”

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