Page 86 of Waging War
This is a nightmare. Repeatedly, I beg myself to wake up, but here I stay, looking into Barron’s eyes as life fades out of them.
Bruce calls Mike to his side like the dog he is and waves his gun between me and Jackie. “I’ve got big plans, boys. And I’ll not be letting either of you ruin them for me.”
Jackie frantically rips off the sleeve of his shirt and attempts to wrap it around the wound in Barron’s neck. The dark red blood soaks through in seconds as I grab the chief’s hand.
“I’m so sorry, Barron. So fucking sorry.”
“Let this be a lesson of what happens when you betray me,” Bruce warns. The deputy trails after Bruce toward the door, and without sparing a single glance, Bruce says, “Oh, and don’t worry. I’ll send Samantha your warm regards.”
We watch them exit the room, and I fall back on my ass with blood dripping from my hand.
“Fuck!” Jackie shouts once they’ve left.
There’s nothing left to say as Barron takes one last shuddering breath, reminding me that this man’s family just lost their father and husband.
And Mackville just lost the last bit of hope it had at destroying Diablo.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Hazel
I’m forced awake by frantic tapping against the window of Ben’s truck.
Shit.I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep. Unlocking the door for Ben and Jackie, I slide to the middle of the seat as they rush inside, breathless and wild eyed.
“What’s going on?” I grab Ben’s arm, only now seeing the red smears covering both of his hands. His face is haunted, with deep circles gathering under his eyes.
He jams the key into the ignition before answering. “Chief Barron is dead.”
“Dead?” I cover my mouth, trying to contain a sob.
Ben’s voice has turned hollow. “Bruce shot him in the neck.”
“Would you like to explain what the hell just happened back there?” Jackie remarks coldly.
“Don’t put the blame on me, Jackie,” he says. But by the way he’s gone ghostly white, I have a feeling Ben is blaming himself as well.
From the passenger seat, Jackie smacks the dashboard, startling me. “Were you or were you not involved with Sasha making the arrests?”
Ben says nothing.
“Do you understand that Barron would still be alive if it weren’t foryou?” His anger ratchets up my anxiety. “I told you to wait for my order.”
If the chief of police is dead, then we’re finished. Clutching my shirt, I try to steady my breaths. Any chance we had at getting on the other side of Diablo’s takeover has now vanished.
“Fuck your orders.” Ben’s eyes remain fixed on the road. “Sasha and I made a plan to make an arrest of two men on a direct order from Barron. It was a perfect opportunity, and we took it. He knew the consequences and gave us the go-ahead anyway.”
Jackie scoffs as I cram my hands between my crossed legs, letting the two of them stew for a few heartbeats.
“And what of…” He stalls as if he’s unsure what to say. “What of my daughter?”
Daughter?My head swivels between them.
“What about her?” There’s an oddly defensive bite in Ben’s tone.
“Do you think he’ll kill her too?”
“I want to lie to you, but I honestly don’t know. She once told me that Bruce was the only father figure she’s known. There’s no love there, but I would think it’s worth something to him.” His gaze slides over my head. “How much? I’m not sure. After watching what just happened with the chief, I’d say Bruce doesn’t even know anymore, but it’s clear he’s going to use her as means to control you.”
