Page 75 of Knockout Queen

I give him a look.

“Listen, I’d rather you stay in the car, but since you won’t do that, just do this for me, okay? Stay behind us. It’ll be just as easy as it was when we went to get J. They have no idea we’re coming.”

I give him a nod. My hackles rise at not being included in the main arsenal, but the way Magnum’s planned it makes logical sense. “I’m still going to need that gun I asked you for before,” I say to Mag. It seems like forever ago, but I told him I needed a gun once the cops had mine.

“I’ll get you a gun. I promise.”

With that, we all push our car doors open and get out of the vehicle. We stay in the shadows as we work our way around to the back side of the mill. Gearing up for coming face-to-face with Gregory worries me. Both Magnum and Johnny have been shot recently, and although they seem to be recovering well, I still can’t help but be concerned that if things get really bad, they may not be able to fight back. I have the urge to call this off, but at the same time, it’s now or never. If we can just get through this step, then the next, then the next, everything will be fine.

I push all those thoughts aside and move forward. We keep to the structure itself in case they have cameras, but unless he’s been here for a while, I doubt he’s had time to put that much tech in. Gregory seemed to be fine biding his time to take over the Crew. It wasn’t until K killed Dunnegan that he decided to make his move. It might just be me, but I don’t think they’re organized. They had to call in the Dragons for help with The Ring.

We make it all the way to the back of the building, Brawler and I taking up the rear, when a guy comes around the corner. Magnum immediately raises his gun and shoots him. The poor guy never even saw what was coming.

As soon as he hits the ground, all hell breaks loose.

Our cover is blown. Brawler grabs my hand and pulls me close. Magnum and Johnny forge ahead with Oscar hot on their heels.

More gunshots ring out. Brawler and I come around the corner and are immediately blindsided by a running body. The force of his tackle sends me to the floor, and I skid across the cracked concrete. My skin tears, and my beautiful new outfit rips. The guy immediately covers me with his body weight. He rears back and punches me in the side of the face. Pain whips through me, which only pisses me off. I roar, then kick out and struggle against his hands until his weight lifts from me in an instant.

I blink. Brawler’s dragged the dude off me. He punches him several times with his big, meaty fists until the fucker loses consciousness. He gives him a small push, and he slumps to the floor.

The rest of the guys are already inside, so we cautiously make our way through a barn door to find Johnny aiming a gun at Gregory…

…and Gregory holding up Oscar’s doped up mom as a shield.

31

All of my thoughts skid to a grinding halt. Oscar freezes just behind Johnny and Magnum, who have Gregory cornered with Oscar’s mom. She’s not even aware of what’s happening. Her eyes are slits, and her head drops from one side to the other. She can’t even hold herself upright let alone realize she’s being held hostage right now. Not that I needed the reminder, but I will never ever fucking do drugs. Just fucking no.

Magnum’s gaze darts around the room. As usual, he’s searching out the next threat. Brawler takes off—probably to make sure Gregory is the only one left—while I walk toward Oscar. He stiffens as I near him. “It’s me,” I whisper, afraid to talk louder for fear of upsetting the delicate balance everyone is in.

Gregory tugs on Oscar’s mom, holding her closer. He forces the barrel of the gun into the side of her forehead while keeping his own body shielded, so Johnny can’t fucking just shoot him like he did to the guy earlier.

“I was wondering when I’d be seeing you, Rocket,” Gregory calls out with a sniveling sneer. “It took you long enough.”

Johnny gives him one of his threatening smiles. “I wouldn’t have had to find you if you weren’t hiding like a fucking pussy.”

“Who’s hiding?” he bites back. “It was me who got you at The Ring. You figured that out, right? My guys had you.”

Johnny laughs, and it’s dark and dangerous. I sneak a glance over to him, hoping he doesn’t fall into old patterns. “You didn’t get me. Your guys did. You’ve been hanging out here, I guess. Or the race track. Letting your guys—or should I sayourguys—do all the work.”

“Yet, I still managed to get you.”

Johnny shrugs like he doesn’t care to comment. He’s standing up straight, trying not to show he’s still bothered by the fact that he got shot a few days ago. “I guess whoever has the last word wins.”

“I’ll kill her,” Gregory roars.

Oscar’s mom blinks, shooting Gregory a look over her shoulder as if he’s ruined her midday nap. She sure looks worse for wear.

“Go ahead,” Johnny says. “Like I give a shit about some whore.”

Oscar makes no reaction whatsoever, and I pray Johnny knows it’s Oscar’s mom he’s holding. Magnum does. I can see his eyes desperately trying to put a plan together that saves her and kills the asshole holding her.

Brawler reappears from the back room, striding across the rotting boards at our feet calmly. It’s just Gregory left now. He must know he’s fucked. It’s five against one. Though, I admit, the hostage throws things in his favor. He’ll be desperate now though, and desperation is never good.

“Aww, just like your father. No appreciation for human life. Just those of the Crew. You know that’s why I was able to get so many of your guys to hear me out, right? The Crew used to be something good. Something people would fight for, but K hasn’t given a shit about his grunts for a long time.”

“And you’ve talked them into believing you do?” Johnny asks with a smirk.

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