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She finished closing up the area while I raced into the other bedroom to grab the gun. When I held it in my hands, I thought about the time my father had taught me how to shoot. He made certain I was comfortable with holding one in my hand, making the weapon ‘my friend’ as he liked to say. I grabbed the magazine from where I’d hidden it under some clothes in the dresser, slapping it in place.
Then it was time to wait.
And pray.
* * *
Savage
I’d been told more than once that rage would do nothing but destroy what was left of the man inside. I’d laughed then as I did now because the anger fueled every action, pushing me harder. While the ride allowed me time to process what needed to be done. What I wouldn’t do was to place Harlow and Lily in the middle. I knew Cage would come through, Frank remaining by our side during the fight, but I had to be careful. Frank and Carrie had a life they deserved to live, enjoying retirement.
Nothing was going to get in the way.
As I neared the road, I slowed, holding up my arm. Cage moved beside me, opening the flap on his helmet. “What’s up?”
“The end of the road. There’s a long driveway and the people who are caring for my girls have land on both sides.”
“Then we approach it from every side we can. Let me direct the men then you and I will head in first.”
“Good deal.” As he rolled toward the group, relaying the plan, I checked my Glock for the third time, making certain it was ready to fire. This was a war, not a negotiation. I wanted in and out quickly before there was any chance the police would arrive.
After Cage moved into position, I gave the go signal. Then I floored it, heading through the neighborhood, only slowing when we were a few hundred yards away from the driveway. The moment we approached, doors opened on three vehicles, men piling out, weapons in their hands.
“Action!” Cage yelled.
Within seconds, the quiet peace of the quaint neighborhood was disrupted as shots were fired. I counted ten of Azzurri’s soldiers, all taken out in less than a minute. As Cage and I blew past the carnage, the sound of more gunfire rained down as additional soldiers appeared from the shadows.
I fired off a round, catching at least two of the motherfuckers, roaring up the driveway without hesitation.
The enemies were everywhere, the intensity of the gunfight unlike anything I’d seen, except in the middle a warzone in Afghanistan. My ranger training kicked in and within seconds, I ditched the bike, immediately racing toward the house.
Pop! Pop!
I dropped and rolled, getting off several shots in rapid succession, but the men kept coming. How many soldiers did Michael send? The adrenaline rush powered me forward, the brutality of the situation easily ignored. I continued firing.
Pop!
The single shot tore through my arm, and I was pitched forward, slamming onto the ground. Hissing, I rolled, taking aim, but my split second of hesitation was likely to become my death warrant.
Pop! Pop!
As the soldier crumpled to the ground next to me, the floodlights highlighted Cage’s grinning face. Thank God he’d taken a kill shot.
“Come on. We still got work to do.” He helped me onto my feet, not wasting a single minute checking on my condition.
There were Kings everywhere, never hesitating to attack the enemy. The bloodlust in my system increased, the agony in my arm dulled by the sense of duty. This was a war I intended on winning.
I made it to the porch seconds later, kicking open the door and immediately shooting the man wrestling with Frank. As the perpetrator fell, I rushed toward him. “You okay?”
Frank half smiled. “Yeah, but Carrie and Harlow.”
“Where are they?”
“Two men. The kitchen. I tried. And… he’s here.”
He? Was he talking about Michael?
“Stay down, my friend. Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to them.” I motioned to Cage and two of his men. They followed my lead, staying close to the wall as we crept closer. When I two inches from the doorway, I took a deep breath. What the hell? Frank had been right. There was no mistaking Michael’s voice. He’d taken the time to do his own dirty work. Maybe it was my lucky fucking day.
