Page 58 of Rebel

“How’d it go?”I asked, dismounting my bike with muscles that had started to stiffen.The post-adrenaline crash was coming, but I pushed it back.

“Clean,” Havoc replied, lighting a cigarette.The flame briefly illuminated the fresh cut above his eye.“Fifteen Moretti soldiers down, plus one of their captains.Found their shipping manifests.They’ve been moving product through three states.”

I nodded.“We got their ledger and some drives.And Marco.”

Havoc’s eyebrows shot up.“Salvatore’s nephew?Fuck, that’s a statement.”

“That was the point.”I scanned the gathering.The Russians clustered near their transport, speaking in low tones.Our guys mingled nearby, weapons still visible, bodies still humming with battle energy.

I spotted Alexei conferring with another Bratva soldier, their expressions intense.Their conversation ended abruptly when Alexei caught me watching.He said something to his companion, then approached me with measured steps.

“Your club fights well,” he said, his accent thicker now that the adrenaline was wearing off.“Disciplined.Not what I expected.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or flattered.“We’re not just weekend warriors playing dress-up.”

His lips twitched -- almost a smile.“No.You are soldiers.Different uniform, same heart.”

Before I could respond, engines rumbled in the distance.We all tensed, hands moving to weapons until we recognized the distinctive sound of Harley-Davidsons approaching.Team Three rolled in moments later, their formation tight despite the darkness.

Jackal dismounted first, blood streaking one side of his face.His gaze found mine across the barn.“Warehouse?”

“Burning,” I confirmed.“Yours?”

“Same.Six Morettis down, plus we found three civilians.”Something dark crossed his face.“Workers.Girls.Young.”

My stomach tightened.Human trafficking.We’d suspected the Morettis were branching out.If there was one thing we didn’t tolerate in our town, it was the sale of women and children.

“The girls?”I asked, already dreading the answer.

“Alive.We got them out before we torched the place.Rooster and Irish took them to a safe house.”Jackal’s fingers drummed against his thigh -- a nervous habit he only showed when truly disturbed.“They’ll need medical attention.Psychological help.One of them can’t be more than sixteen.”

“Jesus,” Havoc muttered, grinding out his cigarette beneath his boot.

I’d seen a lot of ugly shit in my years with the club, but trafficking always hit different.Made the violence we’d just unleashed feel not just necessary but righteous.

Alexei’s face hardened as he listened.He said something in Russian to his men, the words sharp and cold.Their expressions shifted, a collective darkening that made my skin prickle.The Bratva might be ruthless criminals by most standards, but even they had lines.Children were one of them.Well, at least that was true for Anatoly’s men.I couldn’t speak for all of the Bratva.

“This changes priorities,” Alexei said.“Dmitri will want to know.”

I nodded.“Charming too.”

As if summoned by his name, my comm unit crackled to life.“Team Four en route.”

Looked like the plan had been a success.

Chapter Fourteen

Rebel

I kicked the door shut behind me and stood in the dark for a moment, listening to my own breathing.The metallic scent of blood -- some of it mine, most of it not -- filled my nostrils as I flipped on the light.The raid had gone exactly as planned, except for one important thing -- Java was still missing.

The lock clicked into place with a satisfyingthunk.I knew it didn’t mean shit in a dangerous situation.If someone wanted into the damn house, they’d find a way in.A deadbolt wouldn’t stop them.

My boots left dirty tracks on the wooden floor.I didn’t care.Floors could be cleaned.

I shrugged out of my cut.Thankfully, I’d kept my distance and hadn’t ended up bloody.I tossed the cut over the back of a chair.

“Fuck,” I muttered, running my hands through my hair.If they didn’t have Java at any of the locations we’d hit, where the fuck was he?What if they’d already killed him?I pushed that thought away.No use thinking about that right now.

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