Page 55 of Duke

“I swear on my old lady's tits… it’s not, and the Cortez girls are inside.”

“Alright. Let’s do this.”

My head is tucked low as I sprint out from under the brush, pushing branches aside with one hand while keeping my Glock poised and ready to fire with the other. Smith and Will flank me as we rush to the back of the log cabin and wait.

I nod my head at Smith and in the next second he lifts his leg. His boot crashes against the back door, knocking it wide open.

Silence follows.

No one shoots, the place seems empty.

“Will?” I warn with a hiss, “What the fuck is going on here?”

He shoots me a quick look and darts past me inside.

The thud of his heavy boots on the cabin floor the only sound besides hooting owls.

“They’re here.”

My shoulders sag in relief as I round the corner and enter. My eyes adjust to the dim light and as I walk over broken beer bottles and syringes to the next room, I change my mind.

I’m gonna kill every last one of them.

Two girls are gagged and bound with their shirts, and bra’s cut open. Fat tears roll down their cheeks as they take us in; wondering if we’re savages too.

“Shhh, it’s all right sugar. This is a rescue mission darlin’. I’m gonna cut you loose and get the two of you outta here. Okay?”

They slowly nod their heads with eyes still full of mistrust.

“Make this quick. The guards must have gone out for more booze and cigs.”

I take the first girl by the hand and cup her face gently, “Do you need water? It’s a hike down to the dirt road where my truck is.”

“Yes, please,” she answers in a broken whisper.

Smith cuts the other girl loose while I lead this one over to a sink. “Drink,” I tell her as I hold the hair off her face as she greedily slurps from the faucet.

“What’s your name?”

“Carmen. Thank you. They were planning on selling us to the cartel as sex slaves.”

“But they wanted to get their fill first and break us in before then. Thank God, you came in time.” The other girl informs us.

“What’s your name, sugar?”

“Yasmin.”

“We need to go. Now.” Smith warns taking her by the hand and leading her out into the night.

I grab Carmen, following behind while Will follows with his gun drawn.

“Shit,” I curse as the flash of headlights sweep across the lawn followed by the sound of tires crushing gravel in the drive.

“Run! Faster!” Will yells out as quick pops of gunfire ring out.

But the women are weak from being held captive, and they stumble through the brush, slowing us down. I’m left with no choice but to turn around, take aim, andfire.

“I thought you said… your men weren’t gonna stand with Zach.”

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