Page 141 of Maddox

A sharp cry drew my attention. I spun around, heading to the left, pushing my way through tree limbs and jumping over debris. The rush of adrenaline and rage kept me going. I swung the flashlight in every direction, once again stopping to listen.

“No!”

Charmaine. Her cry was sharp. I took off running once again.

Another sound.

This time a cracking of wood.

I jerked to the right, slowing my speed and hunkering over.

The sound of an engine pushed me even harder.

Another sharp cry fueled the rush flowing through me. I lunged forward, pointing the weapon in front of me.

Pop! Pop!

Gunfire exploded all around me. I dropped down, dropping the beam briefly until I heard another noise. The moment I lifted the flashlight, I noticed a man dressed in dark clothing, a weapon in his hand. There was no hesitation. I fired off two rounds.

Footsteps sounded from two directions. I took off running again, gasping when I caught sight of her.

Her scream was sharp and I’d be damned if she didn’t manage to elbow the man holding her, spinning and kicking him in the stomach. As soon as the assailant was pitched backward, she took off running.

I bolted forward, firing off a single shot. There was a cracking sound and I dropped, rolling once before homing in on movement.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

The asshole dropped and I jerked to my feet. When I came upon a slight clearing, another assailant grabbed her, wrapping his arm around her neck and dragging her toward an awaiting vehicle.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Kage said as he appeared from the shadows.

“You’re surrounded,” Chuck said, his voice coming from another direction.

The man holding her had his head dropped.

“Nice to see you again, Misha,” I said as I walked closer, my arms extended, the weapon in both hands.

He finally lifted his head, the same smirk I remembered covering his face. “I thought I might run into you. I wish I could say I’m glad. Now I admit I didn’t expect to see you with Kage. Does that mean the two of you buried the hatchet?”

He’d been so smug about the situation. Maybe he’d known I’d already discovered the truth about the damage he’d caused, the treachery he’d performed.

I wanted nothing more than to put a bullet into his brain right here and now.

Too bad I’d promised otherwise.

It was best to bring the man in alive. He held certain keys the information on the jump drive didn’t have. I was well aware of my civic duties. I also wasn’t certain I gave a damn.

“A piece of shit,” Kage growled.

“Just a greedy bastard with an itchy trigger finger for explosives. Mercury Fulminate. Fascinating.”

“It pays the bills. You should see what happens when an addict snorts a line of cocaine. When the body heats up, well… Boom. From the inside out. I thought it was pretty ingenious. I won’t tell you how many other uses there are for what I created. Soon, I’ll be the wealthiest man in the world.”

“If you stay alive long enough to enjoy your money.” I laughed, studying his reactions. He was confident yet nervous. He knew he was in a bad position. “This isn’t going to end well, Misha. Not at all.”

“If you don’t want this lovely woman to die, I suggest you drop your weapons. I assure you that she won’t be hurt. But she will be useful.”

I took two long strides toward the man known as the Raptor, constantly shifting my eyes to Charmaine. She had her hands wrapped around his arm, digging her fingers into his shirt.

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