Page 108 of Devil's Due

The SUV Stinger and Brake are in along with Fucker draws to a halt around the corner. We park behind.

“Fucker says there’s a rear entrance. That’s how they get the girls in and out. I’ve sent Shift around the back to see what the set ups like.” He nods to one of his members who’s disappearing amongst bushes, already crouched down. At my look of concern, he reassures me. “Shift knows what he’s doing. They won’t spot him.”

“We need to attack from both sides,” Chaz suggests. The two Wretched Soulz prezes didn’t need to come along, but both, together with their VPs, had decided they weren’t missing out on any of the action today.

“How do you want us to split up?” Drummer defers to the LA Soulz prez.

“You, Wraith, Beef, Thunder, Chaz and Bull take the back. The rest of us will come in from the front. Use what force you have to. You take your woman, Beef. I’ll deal with any other girls.”

“Deal?” Devil’s frowning.

Stinger gives him a measured look. “I can find work for them if that’s what they want. Don’t like unwilling women, so we’ll leave them alone.”

“I’ll arrange to get them home,” Devil challenges.

A moment of consideration, then, “Yeah. Okay.”

I’m not sure that’s what he’d have normally done if a consultant with connections to the feds wasn’t here, but it eases my conscience that I’m only intent on saving one woman.

“You’re with me,” Drummer tells Devil.

For an answer, Devil slides out a gun and checks it. He meets my appraisal with a lop-sided grin. “When in America…”

My weapon’s already primed and ready, and I’m pleased to see everyone is in a serious mood making their own preparations. Chaz, who’ll be leading our team, bends his head close to Stinger’s as they make the final arrangements. I’m bouncing on my feet in a hurry to get moving, but if this isn’t done right, people inside might die, including Stevie.

Stinger calls Drummer, RIP and myself to join him.

“Problem we’ve got is that Fucker can’t tell us how many Jokers are inside. They come and go, particularly to sample new merchandise.”

“Fuckin’—”

“Can it, Beef,” Drummer stops me. “Deal with what you find, not what’s in your fuckin’ imagination. Got it?”

I’ve got it. But it’s hard to stop myself thinking the worst.

Stinger’s looking impatient. I nod, showing I’ve got myself under control. Outwardly, at least.

“Warped Jokers are likely to kill the woman, so she can’t testify. Fucker’s coming to the door with us, he’ll get them to open up. Once he’s inside, we’ll be right behind him. I’ll give you the signal, Chaz, and you can bust in the back door. I’m hoping we can do this quietly.” He pauses. When Brake holds up his knife, he nods. “Our priority is to get to the women before bullets start flying.”

“Where are the women being held?” Wraith asks, his eyes going to the man who’s agreed to betray his brothers.

“In the back, according to Fucker.”

At that moment, Shift returns. “Windows are blacked out, can’t see anything. But the frames look fairly weak, and I’ve just picked the lock on the back door. Couldn’t hear anything going on inside.”

Stinger nods. “Okay. While we get their attention out front, your team, Chaz, enters at the rear. Find the women and protect them. Beef, you can help here. If your woman’s there, she’ll know you, and can help keep the others calm. Otherwise…” Otherwise they’ll just think there’re new men come to rape them. “Keep them covered and their heads down.”

Sounds simple as a plan, though I know there’s a thousand things that can go wrong. One thing in our favour is that we’ve got the manpower. Doesn’t mean much if bullets start flying. But once I find Stevie I’ll use my body as a human shield. Don’t mind taking a bullet for her, there must be something I was brought back from the dead for, and maybe this is it.

A few last final words, then it’s time. Shift accompanies us as he’s already found out the best way to get to the rear without being seen.

The bushes that serve to hide the residence from prying eyes also afford us cover. Keeping low and quiet, we make our way around the one-story building. Shift points to the door he’s already opened. Chaz holds up his hand. When his phone vibrates, he points to the door.

Chaz takes the lead, I slip in right behind him. The kitchen is empty. I’m just breathing out a sigh of relief when a toilet flushes in a half-bath off to one side. Chaz takes the left, I take the right. The door opens, a blade flashes, and as if we had choreographed it, I have the dead body in my arms and lowered to the floor without any sound.

Drummer and Devil have come in behind us. Chaz points to two doors, one either side of a small hallway. Drummer opens one, Chaz the other. One is empty, soiled bedding strewn all over.Have they been warned and moved the girls?Fuck, no. Impossible.How could they have known?

The other Chaz pushes against but it doesn’t budge. Looking there’s a bolt, top and bottom. As we slide them back carefully, there’s a shot from the front, followed by another.

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