Page 87 of Corrupted Lies

From what he could hear, it was only one man, and he tensed in preparation.

As soon as the door swung open, Jake spun into action.

Catching the man by surprise, before he could do anything about it, Jake had an arm locked around his neck and was pinning him against his body. Although the man fought, Jake had a steady hold and pulled tighter, cutting off air to the man’s lungs and blood flow to his brain, until he finally stopped fighting. When he was dead, Jake dropped his body to join his colleagues.

Without hesitating, he grabbed Alannah’s hand, tugging her along with him as they stepped out into the hall. Thankfully, she came without protest, and he angled her behind him, while still maintaining his hold on her hand.

The boat wasn't huge, three decks plus the top one, and not more than a handful of rooms on each level.

They found one man in the engine room, but he was so busy with the magazine full of naked girls that he was reading—likely to get himself ready for his turn with Alannah—that he didn't even know they were behind him until Jake was on him.

Five dead, six to go.

With the bottom deck cleared, they moved up one. This level was the bedroom suites, and all of them were empty.

Not good for them, because that meant the others were likely congregated on either of the remaining two decks.

If he could get them to the top deck unspotted, he’d have Alannah jump off the boat and wait for him in the water. While they could find her that way, she’d at least be harder to spot which should hopefully buy them both enough time for him to kill the remaining men without having to worry about her.

Reaching the next deck, he heard voices, and as they crept closer he could see four men drinking and lounging around atable. That meant there was still smoke man and one other somewhere else.

Killing these four men without the gun was unlikely, which meant he needed Alannah out of the way.

“I want you to get up on the top deck and as soon as you hear me start shooting, jump into the water,” he whispered, holding his lips above her ear.

“I don’t want to leave you,” she whispered back, her fingers tightening around his.

“Don’t want to leave you either, sunshine, but this is the best way. Go. They’re drunk, I can take them out before they get to their weapons, then there are only two to go. Please, sunshine, go, be safe.”

Indecision was still warring in her eyes, but she stood on tiptoe to feather her lips across his. “Be safe,” she said softly and then she was gone, limping up the final flight of stairs.

Giving her time to get up, he readied himself. As soon as he started shooting, he would alert the two other men. While these ones laughing and drinking wouldn't have time to get to their weapons before he started killing them, smoke man and the other one left of his team would.

His position would be blown, so he’d have to move quickly. With one last deep breath, he threw open the door to the living room where they were hanging out, and as they all turned he started firing.

Four shots, four dead bodies.

Trusting his abilities, he didn't stop to double-check that they were dead, just ran for the stairs Alannah had just gone up, praying she’d jumped like he told her to.

Just as he reached the top, someone fired on him.

Dodging to the side, ignoring a burning sting across his shoulder, he returned fire and heard a thud that he hoped was the sound of a body hitting the deck.

Firing into it a couple more times to ensure it was dead, Jake jumped over it and scanned the top deck in search of the final man.

When he spotted him, his heart dropped.

Smoke man emerged from the darkness, with Alannah pressed against his chest, the smell of gasoline heavy in the air, and a lighter in his hand.

October 21st

3:21 A.M.

Cool air hit her skin as she reached the top deck.

Leaving Jake behind felt like leaving part of herself behind.

It felt wrong.

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