Page 65 of Ghost's Obsession

“Yeah, I heard that when I was monitoring the interrogation. That’s why I think this is the one Carnage’s using.”

He pulls up another more modern factory.

I’m practically vibrating with excitement. “This has to be it, right? There can’t be a third candy factory in Las Salinas.”

“Yes, this one is the hideout. I’m sure of it. Merc said that Carnage mentioned that it still had electricity. This one just closed down a couple of weeks ago, so it still has electricity. According to the new factory business proposal they filed with the city planning commission, they elected to store excess stock in the building. They even hired a night watchman to protect the ground and merchandise until the transition to the new factory can take place.”

“It all fits with what Merc reported. I’m fucking worried about that night watchman though. How much do you want to bet that Carnage dropped him?”

Zen pulls up a grainy satellite feed. “I hope they bribed him or scared him off, but there is always a chance that something darker happened to the poor fucker.”

I don’t realize my hands have curled into fists until I hear my knuckles crack. If they killed the night watchman, they might kill Heather when she’s no longer useful and when she rejects him. “We need to get to that fuckin’ factory as soon as humanly possible.

Zen glances up again. “It could be a trap. He’s not bothering to cover his trail very well.”

“Or he was never as smart as everyone gave him credit for being, or as smart as he perceived himself to be,” I tell him. “But from what I’ve heard of the fucker, I think it’s best we go in there assuming it’s a trap.”

Zen nods.

Standing there staring at the screen, I memorize the layout of the factory. It’s a big place, situated in a relatively quiet area. There is only one road in and out, with forest cover in the back. There are storage rooms, a production floor, and an upper mezzanine. It could easily become a kill box, if we’re not careful.

“I’m going back up to meet with Siege and Rigs,” I murmur.

Zen tells me, “They’re in Siege’s office.”

“We need to come up with foolproof plan that covers all eventualities.”

Zen doesn’t answer right away. He hits send on the message to Siege with all the necessary attachments, including the floor plan. Looking up at me, he says, “Agreed. It’s a good thing strategy is our strength.”

“The longer we leave Heather with a raging lunatic like Carnage, the higher the chance she’s gonna be hurt or killed by him. I mean, just look what he did to Tusk’s old lady.”

Zen jerks his chin at me, in a gesture of agreement. “Don’t worry, brother. I know how serious the situation is. So does Siege and the other club officers. They’ll find her. Get your ass to Siege’s office. Shoot me a text if you need anything else from me.”

I slap him on the shoulder. “You take a well-deserved break, before you keel over.”

A voice drifts from the doorway. “Don’t you worry about my old man. I’ve got it covered.”

Lexi strolls into his office, sets his lunch back down on the desk and elbows me aside, so she can slip onto his lap, face first. She tenderly cups his face with both hands and gives him a kiss. I take a step back and leave them to it.

Chapter 20

Heather

We drive for what feels like hours, but it’s probably only a half an hour or so. I can see through the front windshield that we’re entering an industrial area.

The van comes to a rolling stop, and when the doors fly open again, Grime is standing there grinning like a mad fool. “I fucking love this place.”

When Carnage grabs me by the arm and hauls me out, he doesn’t realize that I’ve grabbed a thick black marker from amongst the junk on his floorboard and shoved it up my sleeve. I plan to use it any way I can to draw attention to the fact that I’m here.

Once I’m out of the van, Carnage forces me down onto my knees. “Stay there while I grab some supplies. Don’t even think about trying to run. If you do, I’m gonna break both your legs.”

While Carnage and his men are occupied I suddenly have an idea of how I can use the marker. I write the word HELP in bold capital letters three inches high into the lower side panel because it’s all I can reach from my position on the ground. Under that, I write Ghost’s phone number, my initials, and three men, to alert him of what they’re walking into. I have no idea if anyone would ever see it, but it’s worth a try.

I quickly shove my marker back up my sleeve before Carnage hauls me to my feet. Looking around for the first time, I see we’re at the candy factory I remember. Our school took us hereon field trips every year. If I’m being honest, the place looks a little run down since I was here last. The paint is faded and a sign by the front office says that they are relocating.

I look around, and the reality of my situation finally dawns on me.

Carnage grabs the ropes on my wrists and leads me into the abandoned building. When he sees the tears glistening in my eyes, he frowns, “No need to be dramatic, princess. I’ve got just the place for you.”

---