Page 138 of Depravity

I don’t give a fuck what the consequences are.

For the first time in my life I feel invincible, untouchable.

Antonio is muttering something into the piece in my ear, but he could be speaking French for all I cared.

We had a location.

As we pulled up, I could see the outline of the house illuminated by the starry sky. It was almost picturesque. Like a fairytale castle. Did Brynn feel hope when she was brought here? Did she think this place would be her respite at first?

Perhaps I’ll punish her, when we’re safely away from here. But then, maybe, she’s suffered enough at another’s hands tolearn where her loyalties should lie. I guess her reaction now will decide that outcome.

I jump out of the car as armed men file out around me.

It’s a tactical assault. A raid. My lips curl as I realise the numbers we have. Lucas doesn’t stand a chance against us. But as quick as that form fills my head, I brush it off. I was confident before, so damned confident, and look where it got me. Where it got Brynn. I thought my house, my home would be secure enough to keep her safe. I’m not going to be so stupid to allow my arrogance to fuck us over again.

There’s a gentle slope up to the house. I bet on a nice day, it’s almost scenic.

“Conrad,” Antonio mutters, beckoning me over like I’m his lapdog.

“What?” I snarl. Like I want to stand around gossiping all day when Brynn is right there, right up that hill.

“There’s a good chance a man called Xavier Heeps is in that house. If he is, then he’s mine, do you understand?”

“I don’t give a fuck about anyone but Brynn.” I state. But that’s not exactly true. I want him, I want her father, I want Lucas Asher.

And I want the man that touched her, the men, I want them all dead. I want them all erased from existence.

I clench my fists, trying to calm myself. Patience. Fucking patience. I will have them, I will have them all. God is on my side. God favours me. He won’t let them go unpunished. He won’t let them beat me, not in this.

We move on in silence, only the sound of ruffling fabric can be heard.

Antonio is near enough that I can reach out and grab him, but I don’t look in his direction. I keep my eyes firmly on the target ahead.

As we round the corner, there’s a group of them ahead, like they’re hiding out. Waiting.

Did someone alert them to our presence? Did they know we were coming?

Too fucking bad that they’re not ready because it takes barely a minute before we’ve blasted each and every one of them. I count twenty as I step over their bodies and continue on.

Twenty isn’t a bad number. Maybe they’ve split their force up, decided to hedge their bets. Either way, they won’t beat us.

Somewhere in that house, my wife is trapped. Is she in pain? Is she tied up, trussed up? Are they even now abusing her?

I let out a growl before I can think not to, and I hear the warning noise Antonio makes in response. As if one sound from me is enough to alert a house this big anyway.

As we climb the low stone wall I look for signs of life, but it’s deserted. The house is in darkness. It’s as if it’s been abandoned and for one horrific moment, I fear that is the case. That they’ve been tipped off, that they’ve moved her, taken her somewhere further from my reach.

“Brynn,” I murmur.

Again, Antonio curses, like I give a fuck what his opinion is.

We let the men break in first. They’re quiet, more skilled at gaining entry than I would be because I’m all for smashing the doors in and shooting our way.

After a few moments we get the signal to move. Antonio heads right down the left hand side, as if he knows exactly where Lucas is hiding. And while I can’t wait to get my hands on the bastard, my focus is my wife. Once I have her safe, then I can think about revenge.

There’s a great winding staircase. I make my way up just as silently, with my gun drawn. On the first floor something moves and I’m quick to pull the trigger. Thankfully the silencer keepsthe sound down but there’s nothing to disguise the cry the man makes as he falls flat on his face.

Beneath me, I can hear the rising clamour of the battle. Shouts, gun fire, the sound of objects smashing tell me that the time for stealth is over.

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