Page 109 of Seduction
He already communicated his approval, and I know he trusts me, but with just a few words, he’s let me know he trusts me to take care of his sister. That he believes I can protect her. That I’d go to war for her.
And I would.
Iwill.
I adjust the bulletproof vest under my shirt as we get close to our destination. Tek, Venom, and Razor are already there, scoping out the area. It’s an old airstrip, no one around for miles. The guys are hiding out in some rusting, broken-down aircrafts, remnants from the place’s glory days. Buying those night vision goggles and thermal scopes were two of the best investments we’ve made.
After the phone call, Tek looked into The Pharmacist’s so-called son—Henry Briggs, Jr. He was released from State six months ago, after doing five years for possession with intent to distribute. It wouldn’t have been hard to find out who killed his father, if he knew where to look. He intends to serve up his revenge on Gage. He targeted the Hunters, but it seems he only wants the Reaper. He could have easily killed Chopper, and even Ellen. Who knows; he still could. I press on the accelerator, desperate to get Ellen out of there.
“Boss, got a Jeep approaching,” Tek’s voice comes through my earpiece. “Four hostiles.”
“Got it, Tek,” Gage replies. “Stay out of sight.”
“10-4.”
“You ready to do this?”
I glance in the rearview mirror, then give a firm nod. “Time to fuck shit up, brother.”
“Fuck yeah.”
I drive onto what used to be the tarmac, keeping a safe distance from the parked Jeep waiting for us, and switch the lights from high beam to low. Gage hops out before I even stop moving, arms raised.
“The man said alone, Hunter!” one of the men shouts, raising a gun.
Gage extends his hands before him, in a motion for the men to hear him out.
“He said me for my sister. That’s my VP. He’s just here to take her home. That’s all. You can check the van if you want. It’s empty.”
The men look to each other, contemplating what to do, before one of them speaks. “Well, she’s not here, motherfucker. They get her after we bring you back with us. Tell him to fuck off. And don’t try anything funny.”
They all raise their guns, training them on the van. Gage motions for me to leave. I check the mirror, my grip tightening on the wheel once again.It’s go time.
Before I can move off, the same man steps forward, waving his AR-15 around. “I changed my mind. Let’s see what’s in the back.”
They start walking toward the van, but I have a feeling they’re not interested in seeing anything. The moment the first one fires, I switch the lights back to high beam, temporarily blinding them, then floor the gas pedal. Rounds crack the windshield, bouncing off the bulletproofed surface. Using the reflective strips on the back of his cut as a guide, I swing in front of Gage, blocking him from the gunfire and allowing him to hop in. With one more turn, I have the back of the van facing Briggs’s men. We crouch down, watching as two slots in the back doors slide open. From their positions on their stomachs, Motor and Crow stick their rifles through the openings, returning fire. The other men try to use their Jeep for cover, but from their hideouts, Venom and Razor easily pick them off.
“I need one alive!” Gage shouts.
“I got you, Prez,” Razor replies.
When the weapons go silent, Gage and I crawl out of the van. Crow and Motor follow, eyes carefully scanning the area. We approach the Jeep, finding three dead men, the other groaning in pain. I fish a flashlight from my pocket, moving the beam over his body. He has gunshot wounds in both legs and a shoulder. I kick his gun away, kneeling over him and training the light on his face.
“I’m not telling you where he is, so just kill me now.”
“Impressive. You know what’s also impressive? We already know where he is, asshole. The girl… is she alive?”
“Fuck you.” He groans again.
“I hate when they try to play tough.” Gage sighs behind me.
Pulling out my Glock, I stick the barrel into the hole in the man’s shoulder. He cries out, writhing in agony. I press harder.
“Fuck!”
“Yes or no?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
I watch him grit his teeth, taking pleasure in his pain. I never understood why Gage and the others enjoy torture, but I think I see the allure now. Extracting pain from someone who has hurt people you care about… it’s cathartic.
