Page 50 of Vengeful Lies

The longer he waited the higher the chance that someone was going to see him.

Sooner or later one or both of the remaining men would come to check on him and their colleagues. If nothing else, he was sure they had been informed of John’s orders that ifthey hadn't heard from him in an hour, they were to kill their prisoner.

That hour had to be close to being up, and if they found him lurking around, they would likely open fire. They’d be both following their boss’ orders and eliminating him as a threat.

Still, there wasn't any other option.

He was going to have to risk crossing the open space and pray for the best.

Focusing his energy, he did his best to convince himself this was no different than any other op he’d ever been on but was failing miserably.

As he edged open the door he debated his three options. He could either go slow, stick to the walls, or get down low and crawl on his stomach to the door, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Or he could just go for it and run. The first option might be the safer but it was also slower, and he wanted to get the hell out of there.

Deciding he had to play it safe no matter how badly he wanted to get out, get to a phone, and call his brothers, Cade slipped through the door and immediately down to his stomach.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Dragging his injured leg behind him, he slithered along like a snake toward the door, the weapons clutched in one hand.

“Hey!”

Damn.

Halfway to the door he’d gotten caught.

Knowing that he had a limited amount of time if he wanted to get the odds back in his favor, he rolled onto his knees, his thigh burning with the sudden movement, and the weapon in his hands aimed in the direction the voice had come from.

It was one of the remaining two guards, and the man was pointing a weapon directly at his head.

But he was doing the same.

Which left them at an impasse.

For now, it was one against one, but those odds could change in a heartbeat if the guy summoned his partner.

Taking perhaps the biggest risk of his life, Cade acted because he knew if he didn't, it was already over for him.

This at least gave him a chance.

Ignoring the weapon aimed at his head, he lunged toward the man. Tackling him around the legs, he took him down and they both hit the ground.

Cade swung his weapon, connected with the man’s head, and was rewarded with a grunt of pain. The man was down but not out, and he kicked out, one of his feet connecting with the wound on Cade’s leg and he bit back a howl of pain.

For a second the world spun around him.

Realizing he’d scored a direct hit the man brought back his foot and slammed it out harder this time.

White dots danced in front of his eyes, and Cade swayed and then toppled sideways as the pain in his leg soared until it consumed him in a fiery ball of red-hot agony.

Kicking him one last time, the man broke free of Cade’s weakening hold and shoved back to his feet, reclaiming his weapon and staring down at him with a triumphant smile.

He’d won and Cade had lost.

Only the loss wasn't just his life, it was also everything the people he loved would suffer as well. His daughter would lose her only remaining parent, Gabriella would lose what could have been between them if he hadn't been such a coward and just admitted he had feelings for her, and his brothers would lose another family member.

Too much loss, too much death, too much suffering and grief.

If he could change it, he would.

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