Page 220 of Reaper
Pulling out my gun, I attach the silencer and climb back down the hill. I do a pass around the building, scoping out as much of the layout as I can—where the windows are, where the exits are and how many are there, where the exterior lights are. Everything. Spotting a nearby hill, I climb it to try and get a better vantage point which is where Devil, Nathan and a few others find me five minutes later.
“What’d you see so far?” Devil asks me as he squats down next to me.
“Just Crystal taking in about six fucking bags of takeout food. Haven’t seen anyone else. There are two entrances—this one and another on the back side by the docks,” I relay to them as I gesture to the main door before telling them everything I’ve spotted so far.
“Here, Reaper. Smoke asked me to bring the coms devices,” Nathan says as he passes me a small bag.
I hand them out before putting mine on and handing the rest back to Nathan. Then I dig my keys out of my pocket and toss them to him as well.
“Here, Nathan, just in case I need you to bring my truck around later. You stay here on watch. When you see the others arrive, signal them and pass out coms to them, then have them take up spots around the exterior in case we need backup. Devil, Patch, Axe, Beast, you four head through the front door and then span out. Cannon, Atlas, and Gunner, you’re with me. We’ll go in through the back. Everyone ready?”
They all give me a chin lift and we split up. Gun at the ready, I lead my guys around the back of the warehouse and peak through the broken window of the rear entrance. I frown as unease swirls throughout me. There’s no one in sight. Do they seriously not have someone stationed at each exit point? If so, then that will make things easier on us.
Gunner tests the handle and gives me a nod, letting me know it’s unlocked. Switching places with him, he opens the door and we all slip inside. I wait a few seconds, letting my eyes adjust. Gunner signals that he’ll stay by the door and the rest of us carefully pick our way through the loading area of the warehouse, careful not to step on broken glass and other shit that’s scattered across the floor.
Reaching the overhead doors leading into the rest of the warehouse, I scan ahead and notice light coming from a door up that looks like it’s slightly ajar. Doing a double check of the area again, my frown deepens when I still don’t see anyone else on guard. Is this a trap?
Needing to push forward just in case Lark is here, I signal to the others and we silently cross the room. As we get closer, I can hear people talking quietly. My frown morphs into a scowl when I recognize Crystal’s voice, but as for the others, I don’t recognize them. We listen for a few moments and from the tones, I thinkthere are three men and Crystal inside. Holding up three fingers and then one to the others, they all nod. Slipping closer, I peak through the crack in the door and relief flows through me that their backs are towards the door. But then I notice they’re all watching monitors while they eat.
Easing the door open wider, I slip inside. One of them must see me out of the corner of their eye, because he shoots to his feet and lunges at me. Pulling my arm back, I slam the butt of my gun against his temple, knocking him out, but I don’t have time to make sure he stays down because the other three lunge for us as well. Crystal spins and her eyes widen when she recognizes us. She turns on her heal and darts for her phone which was on the table in front of her.
“I don’t think so,” I growl as I grab her hair and pull her back towards me. Grabbing her hands, I yank them behind her back and place my gun to her temple while the others secure the other three men. Looking them over, none of them seem familiar. Are they more of Richard’s men? Or someone else’s?
Once they’re restrained, Cannon and Atlas take her and restrain her. Setting my gun down on the table, I scan the monitors. Of course, the cameras on Lark are on the largest screen, but before focusing on her screen, I look at the others, trying to get an idea of how many men are still in the warehouse.
“Are these five seriously the only other people here besides Zac, Richard, and Kelly?” I mutter and hear someone scoff behind me.
Looking over my shoulder, I notice Cannon and Atlas have gagged everyone and Cannon’s shaking his head.
“My bet is that Cox is running out of men to do his dirty work. Remember what Dane said? He only knew of four others that still did this kind of work for him and I’m betting these are those four. As for Zac? I don’t think he thought we’d put up much of afight. He’s completely focused on our Queen, but maybe we can use that to our advantage.”
Frowning, I turn back to the monitors. Lark is tied to a bed in the middle of the room and there are three boards filled with pictures on damn near every square inch of them. But what has my heart beating faster is the way Zac is hovering over her, with a syringe in his hand. Behind him, Richard and Kelly are looking on with smug satisfaction. Richard’s holding a pile of papers in his right hand and I’d bet anything that’s the forms Lark needs to sign to hand everything over to him. On a table next to them, is an open briefcase and there’s even more syringes inside it.
“Found their control station. Looks like Lark’s being held in the center of the warehouse. From what I can see, there are only two exits, and the only windows are those that are in the doors. Zac, Richard, and Kelly are in there with Lark.”
“Heading that way,”Devil replies.“What’s our game plan? You know we really only have one by the sound of it.”
I chew on my lip as I contemplate if there’s any other way, but Devil’s right.“The only option is to storm in. Shoot to take down, not kill. Those bastards are going to pay for putting their hands on my Old Lady.”
Looking at the screen, I mentally map where I need to go to find Lark and then I push off the desk and grab my gun. I pat my pockets, double checking the extra magazines are still there and turn, surprised to see Gunner at the door.
“Smithy took over the rear exit. I’ll stay here and guard these assholes.”
I give him a chin lift in thanks. Cannon and Atlas follow me through the warehouse, guns drawn.
Hang on just a little bit longer, Darlin. We’re coming.
Chapter 83
Lark
Afewhoursearlier
I stew in anger as Zac leads me back to the room I woke up in, only now, my wrists are shackled together and he’s leading me like a fucking dog. And of course, the asshole doesn’t slow down or account for the fact that I don’t have shoes on.
“Gah!” I cry out as I slice my foot on some glass. “No shoes here, asshole! Slow the fuck down,” I growl as I wince and limp while trying to keep pace with him.
Of course, the fucking jerk doesn’t even respond to me. For someone who’s supposedly obsessed with me, he sure doesn’t care about my well-being.
