Page 23 of Cole: Bloodlines
“Anything,” Gabe said.
“I have a night stick. However, I’m not sure what good that’ll do you. That’s an up-close weapon.”
“I’ll take it.”
Byrne smiled. “You’re a gutsy bastard, you know that?”
“Mostly just desperate,” Gabe whispered.
“If you say so.”Gutsywas being nice. The fucker was downright stupid if he believed he could take out the Mangler with a fuckingnight stick. But Byrne was in the mood for some entertainment.
“We don’t make a move until we know Abel and the kids are safe, though,” Gabe stressed. “If I fuck up, I don’t want them paying for it.”
“Of course,” Byrne said. “Can’t have them in the crossfire.”
Gabe grunted low and looked out the side window.
This would be good. Maybe the fucker would get in a few lucky whacks with the stick. Byrne wasn’t opposed to seeing his old man get smacked in the head a few times, the bastard. After what he put Byrne through—abandoning him in the woods with a nasty kid fucker so he could run off and start a new family—the fucker deserved a few slams to the head.
I love you guys.
Clint understood what that meant, and he wasnotfucking okay with it. They hadn’t freed Gabriel from Quint just to losehim to another goddamn psychopath. Still, the car slowed and pulled over to the curb as the vehicle transporting Gabriel sped off into the night. Clint made another call.
“I’ve been tagged, as expected,” he informed the callee. “Don’t lose them—and stay out of sight. Call me thesecondyou have a location, andwaitfor me. No fucking heroics.”
Lowering the cell phone, Clint gripped the steering wheel and watched the taillights of the target car disappear among the countless other vehicles clogging the city streets. The asshole transporting Gabe was part of this. His call to the local precinct was bogus. Detective Jordan inquired about the call and found nothing. Jordan then called the FBI, and they would arrive soon—but not soon enough. Clint had no intention of waiting around for them to show up and figure shit out.
The phone rang, and Clint jerked. He raised the cell.Axel.He exhaled slowly and answered the call.
“Hey.”
“What is going on?” Panic laced Axel’s voice. “You were supposed to call and let me know what was happening. Luke got another message from the twins. They said Maddy still hasn’t shown up. Abel and Savannah, either. What the hell is happening? Have you seen Angel? He’s gotta be losing his shit if Maddy is missing.”
What the fuck was he supposed to say? How much info was too much?
“We’re in the middle of something,” Clint said. “I don’t have time to explain. Just sit tight, okay? Andstaythere.Allof you. And don’t open the door to fuckinganyoneuntil we get back.”
Silence filtered through the phone, then, “Clint…” Axel’s voice was quiet, unsteady. “What is happening? Did someonetakeMaddy and the others?”
Clint closed his eyes, releasing another breath. “Yes.”
“Who?”
“I don’t have time to explain.”
“Are Cole and Gabe all right? Did you find them?”
“Yes, they’re… fine.”
“Why don’t you sound sure?Arethey okay?”
“Yes,” Clint murmured.
“Areyouokay? Because you don’t sound okay. What you’re doing… how dangerous is it?”
The depth of concern in Axel’s voice knocked some air out of Clint. If Axel knew all the details, he would lose his mind—he might even come into the city. Clint couldn’t have him anywhere near these psychopaths; he had enough to worry about.
“It’s nothing we can’t handle,” Clint said. “Just look after Luke and Hope, and I’ll be home soon.”
