Page 48 of Thorsten Wisely Dicey MC

“Dammit, Silas was fucking useful, and now you still owe me a damn life for ending Nilo,” Artemio states. “Nilo was one of my best men and you killed him.”

“Then he shouldn’t have come to fucking kill me,” I snap, the finger on the trigger is itching to end this asshole.

How did this meeting go to shit in two seconds flat? I hope Archer is on his way, and he probably is ’cause he’s listening in on every single detail. Five minutes out is still too damn long when it comes to bullets, or knives flying through the air.

“Deliver the first girl within a week or my son will take one of yours.” Artemio’s words leave his throat and it’s the last thing he does in this fucked-up world.

Squeezing the trigger, I hit the fucker right between the eyes. The two men are stunned for a breath or two before they start to shoot. Diving for cover, we all return fire. I grunt when a bullet hits me and still manage to pull the trigger three more times.

Silence is deafening until an explosion hits the warehouse. Fire spreads fast and the only two exits are suddenly blocked by a sea of fire. Fuck. How the hell did they plan this? Did they have men outside? Others they pissed off followed them and try to kill them? Why? How?

I mean, why the fuck would one of Artemio’s own guys set fire to a warehouse with their boss and men still inside? Unless they were watching and knew their guys were dead.

I shift and hiss at the pain in my side. Placing a hand on the injured spot, I glance down when I pull my hand back. Blood everywhere. Fuck. My hand is grabbed and pulled on by Falcon who is helping me to my feet. When the hell did I sit down?

Macsen is on my other side and says, “Falcon, we need to try and get out on the other side where the fire hasn’t spread yet.”

I try to keep my eyes open and notice Falcon is steering us to the sea of flames. My knees buckle and I feel too weak to comment when they just keep going.

“Falcon,” Macsen growls and pulls on my body as he comes to an abrupt stop. “The one or ones who started the fire could be there waiting for us to come out, man. Making us sitting ducks for them to easily kill.”

Falcon shakes his head, growls and pulls on my body as he bends and throws me over his shoulder. I hear Macsen curse while the blood rushes to my head. Flames engulf us one moment and I see Macsen walking straight through the flames as well.

The sound of sirens, people shouting, and coming for us grab my attention while Falcon gently puts me down. A guy is in my face, shining a light in my fucking eye and another one is poking at my side.

“Fuck off,” I growl and try to move.

“Lay still and let them help,” Archer states from right above me. “I made a promise to my cousin and you’re complicating matters, asshole.”

I feel too lightheaded for a reply and knowing this fucker is pissed at me gives me the knowledge we’re safe for now. Good, because I don’t think I can handle another shootout, fire, or explosion anytime soon.

At least we managed to take out the head of the cartel, even if his son is still out there. The reminder of what just went down hits me with the memory of Atteo with a bullet in his head makes me squeeze my eyes shut. His loss hits me hard.

We all know the risks when you’re in this life. Yet, being confronted by havoc and death is being reminded of mortality. A split second can end a future, even if you have the best intentions.

“Let’s get him to the hospital,” someone states.

Archer murmurs something in his phone and then reaches for me to place the thing next to my ear.

Livi’s voice is soft when she says, “The brothers and I are on the way to the hospital. We’ll see you there, okay?”

I grunt in reply.

“Ten?” Her breath hitches.

The next words are soft and yet they ring loud inside my head.

With the last bit of strength my body can muster, I bounce the words back to her. “Love you too, babe.”

EPILOGUE

One year later

– LIVI –

Completely refreshed I step out of our room here in the clubhouse. I’ve been out all day, picking up groceries and getting things ready for tonight. We’re having a little get-together tonight. It’s not exactly a party, more of a moment to honor our friend.

It’s been exactly a year since Atteo was killed. It’s a shame the time I spent with him was abruptly cut short, and it’s clear he’s deeply missed by all the brothers. My chest tightens when I notice Thorsten standing at the end of the hallway.

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