Bags packed, I head downstairs and out to my truck, throwing my gear in the bed. I look toward the townhouses, wanting to seek out Lark before we leave, but I’m itching to get on the road. Zac already has a little over an hour head start on us. The need to get my hands on him so Lark doesn’t have to keep looking over her shoulder has me turning on my heel and sliding behind the wheel.
“Position?” I ask Python as I start my truck.
“They turned off the interstate an hour north of us around Sloane and headed west. They’re still moving.”
Cursing, I pull out after the gate opens and head through town toward the interstate.
Taking advantage of the late-night hour, and Python’s radar detector, we pull up behind Nathan’s truck forty minutes later. Thankfully, about ten minutes after we’d left the clubhouse, Nathan’s tracker stopped moving which let us close the gap quickly.
Putting the truck in park, I check my gun, making sure the silencer is secure before looking closer at our surroundings. Nathan’s tracker led us to a two-story farmhouse, and as an added plus, there’s no neighbors in sight. We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere with just corn fields and cows surrounding us.
I look over at Python’s computer and note that Nathan’s tracker is on the east side of the house.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
We get out of the truck and wait for Axe and Patch to get out of the van behind us. My fingers twitch at the thought of having Zac trussed up and thrown on the floor of the converted van, but first, we need to find the fucker.
I give the signal and we quietly trek up the road toward Nathan. At least out here, there is barely any snow on the ground. We don’t have to worry as much about leaving tracks.
After a few minutes, I hear a bird call up ahead of us and head toward the sound. Nathan’s squatting behind a hedge bush and with his position, he has a clear shot at the living room windows. Damn near every light is on downstairs, which makes watching Zac’s movements that much easier.
“Have you seen anyone else here?” I ask him and he shakes his head.
“No. House was completely dark when he got here. Not sure if he owns this place or not, but he had a key to get in.”
We observe Zac for a few more minutes, but other than getting up to get a beer out of the fridge, his ass has been planted in front of the TV.
“Is there a backdoor?”
“Yes, but I tried the handle when he was in the bathroom, it’s locked. Unless someone knows how to pick the lock, we’re stuck with going in the front door. Last I checked, which was about ten minutes before you guys got here, the front door is still unlocked. He hasn’t touched it since.”
I turn toward Gunner, knowing he’s one of the few Ryder taught to pick locks as a backup. “See if you can pick the lock. Axe, Patch, go with him. Once the lock is picked, I’ll give the signal and we’ll move.”
Gunner gives me a chin lift and they quietly slip around the back of the house.
“We’ll move closer once they have the lock picked,” I whisper and Punisher and Loki both dip their chins silently. With guns ready, we watch Zac for any sign he suspects we’re here, but he’s too focused on the show he’s watching.
“Lock is picked and we’re in position,”Gunner says a few minutes later and I give the signal to creep closer to the house. Loki grips the doorknob with one hand and has his gun ready in the other, waiting for my signal.
“We’re in position.”
Loki looks at me and at my nod, he silently turns the handle.
“Ready in three, two, one, now!”I hiss and Loki throws the door open.
Punisher and I storm through with Loki right at our heels, guns pointed at Zac while Axe, Gunner, and Patch enter through the kitchen.
Zac jumps out of his armchair, turning toward us as we come to an abrupt halt.
“What thefuck,” I hiss, fuming at the asshole in front of me who has the fucking nerve to smirk at me.
Chapter 75
Devil
Evenwithspeeding,ittakes us almost a fucking half hour to reach the place Sara’s renting. Thank fuck Odin is driving because I probably would have gotten us in a wreck and then Sara would be left in those assholes’ hands.
I don’t know much about Sara’s family, only that her grandmother mainly raised her. Her mom would flit in and out, but for most of the time, she was gone. She did mention having a younger brother, but that he only lived with them until he was six and she was eight when his dad took custody of him. Those few years with her brother were utter hell from what she hinted at. She never fully outright told me what all happened, but after hearing how Justin treated Sara tonight, I have a pretty good idea. As for Sara’s dad, he also was rarely in the picture. Though, from what she’s mentioned, they basically have a non-spoken agreement to see each other as little as possible and if they are at events together, they rarely talk and catch up, if ever.