Page 49

Holy shit it’s hot.

I feel like I’m melting from the Arizona sun. I swear my boots are becoming one with the concrete.

We arrived last night and even that was fucking hot.

“Here.” Declan tosses me a water bottle. My organs immediately sigh in relief as I gulp down the ice-cold liquid.

Liam chuckles when I finish the entire bottle and wipe my face. “You good?”

“I think Satan’s ball sack would be more comfortable than this place.”

They burst into laughter.

“This isn’t even as hot as it can get. It’s a good thing we’re not here in the middle of the summer,” Declan comments after he’s finished laughing at my pain.

Most of the guys who came with us walk around shirtless. I stripped down into a sports bra at the earliest possible chance, but it’s still too hot.

“Maybe we should leave Eddie in the middle of the desert and let the elements take him.”

Definitely, not going to happen but it’s an amusing thought.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” I ask, changing the subject.

I follow them inside the MC club Declan’s friend and club president, Tobie, runs. The blast of cold air almost brings me to my knees.

So good.

I never would have survived living before air conditioning was invented.

We walk to the back where the club holds private meetings and close the door. Tobie is sitting at the head of the table. Liam, Declan, and I take our seats.

“We appreciate your help with this,” Declan says.

Tobie nods. “I’ve worked with your family in the States, and in Ireland, for years. I’m happy to lend a hand whenever possible.”

I listen as they work out a plan of attack. I don’t care much about the fine details. I just want to get my hands on Eddie.

Paige has been texting me updates - or lack of - about Rhys’ condition. His brain still has activity so there hasn’t been any talk about life support or plug-pulling.

Though, even if there was, I would lose my shit. All my marbles would be scattered on the floor.

Rhys isn’t going to die.

“We’ll try and keep our movements as quiet as possible.”

“Don’t worry if you can’t. The PD is in our pocket and they won’t get involved.”

It takes another hour before the plan is fully laid out and everyone knows their part. Tonight, Eddie will be overseeing a few shipments that are to be distributed throughout the country.

We are going to strike while he’s distracted.

I’m itching to get this ball rolling.

“When can we go?”

Everyone turns to face me.

“Once everything is ready, we’ll head out,” Declan replies. Liam and Tobie nod.

I push my chair back and rise to my feet. “Then what the Hell are we doing?”

* * *

My entire body trembles with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The only thing standing between me and vengeance is a metal door.

He’s so close.

So damn close.

Mentally taking inventory of my weapons, I wait impatiently for Declan to say when it’s time to go in.

After a moment, the men stealthily move into position, and my heart begins to race.

“Ready,” the sniper, who is positioned across the street, says through the comms.

“A ligean ar bogadh ,” Declan grunts.

This is it.

With our weapons raised, we creep toward the building as a unit.

My heart booms in my chest like a bass drum. Declan, Liam, and I are positioned in different areas, and it’s a challenge not to worry about them.

They know what they’re doing, but Paige and Emily need them to come home after all this.

Unlike the time we ambushed the Bratva, I feel I’m prepared for anything.

I’ve feared the flames long enough; it’s time I watch them burn.

“Smoke them out,” Liam orders.

A smoke bomb is shot through the window, followed by shouts from inside. A cloud billows out when the door bursts open; men stumble out in coughing fits.

“Lámhach!” Fire!

I press on the trigger, sending bullets flying. My adrenaline ascends to new heights with each recoil of the gun.

“Let the bodies hit the floor. Let the bodies hit the floor,” I sing.

“Really Sarah?” Declan shouts.

“Yes! Tell me it’s not the perfect song for this situation.”

The sound of the other men laughing comes through and I smile.

I haven’t seen Eddie, but watching his men fall brings me an amazing amount of unhinged satisfaction.

I make my way through the carnage of bodies and step inside the warehouse. The smoke is slowly dissipating but it’s still hard to see clearly.

“ Puta! ” A voice roars just before something hard slams into me.

I see stars for a split second when my head meets the concrete. I blink to clear my vision, then quickly rise to my feet. I try drawing another pistol, but it’s knocked out of my grasp. My cheek erupts in pain when a fist makes contact.

Gunfire and shouts echo off the walls.

I jerk my knee upward, hitting the fucker right in the ball sack and he roars in pain. The heel of my palm slams into his nose, the crunch is instant. He pulls away, holding his nose as blood gushes.

Using the small window of time, I’ve given myself, I pull my gun and fire a shot to his chest, and he falls with a thud.

“You good?” one of Declan’s men - Ryan - asks.

I nod, spitting blood onto the floor. My lip is split, and now I’m truly pissed.

Wasting no time, we continue plowing through. Bullets ricochet off piping, crashing into the walls, as well as the boxes spread throughout. The boxes split and send particles of different drugs into the air.

“Eddie!” I roar.

I search through the raging chaos when I finally spot him.

You know that scene in The Lion King where Scar is trying to sneak away during all the fighting and Simba spots him?

Picture that.

Eddie takes off up the stairs to the second level of the warehouse. My chest rumbles with a growl as I chase after him.

I weave and dodge my way through the disarray. The years I trained with Dani have made me quick on my feet, and for that, I’m thankful.

When I reach the landing of the second floor, Eddie is nowhere in sight.

My grip on my pistol is relaxed. I keep my eyes sharp in case he tries to ambush me.

“Not gonna show your face, Eddie?” I call out.

I spin at the sound of a heavy door slamming. “Come on, big boy. Wasn’t it you who said I would forget all about Rhys when I’ve had you?”

My steps are light and the fighting on the first floor starts to fade the further into the second floor I go.

Another boom, and I spin. Taking a left at the end of the first open room, I walk down a dimly lit hallway.

“Eddie, come out, come out, wherever you are,” I sing, poking my head into the rooms with open doors.

Something crashes in the distance, and I dart toward it.

I burst through a closed door just as Eddie turns the corner. The thrill coursing inside me has a crazed laugh climbing up my throat.

“Why are you running?!” I shout, sounding like a damn psycho ex-girlfriend.

Coming to the end of the hall, I slow my steps. Boxes and forklifts are neatly organized throughout the open floor plan.

I peer behind the stacks and maneuver my way in between the columns. I nearly jump out of my skin when Eddie pops out from behind the box closest to me. I dart out of the way and slam into a stack. I grunt at the force. Whatever is inside is hard, making the box immovable, it’s like hitting a damn brick wall.

“I thought keeping you alive would benefit me in the long run. I’d get my dick wet, then you’d make me a pretty penny when I sold you to the Russians,” he seethes, wrapping his hands around my neck.

I scramble to get my fingers between his hands and my neck, but he’s too damn strong. His anger only feeds into his strength.

“But then you had to go and get your fucking brothers involved.”

My brain struggles to process his words. The pressure behind my eyes builds as he strangles me.

“They trashed my fucking safehouse. They drew the attention of the neighbors who then called the cops.”

My feet slide along the concrete. I continue to fight for my life, but I feel myself weakening.

“After what you’ve done tonight, I’m going to do what I did to them.” He jerks me forward, bringing his face to mine. My vision blurs, and I feel as though I’m suspended in the air.

“I’m going to watch you burn alive.”

My eyes widen, focusing just enough to see the truth in his dark eyes. Blinding rage explodes in my chest. My family is gone because of him. My brothers burned because of him.

My brothers’ voices echo inside my mind, telling me to fight harder. To show this piece of shit what happens when you mess with family.

I move one hand away from where he has his grip around my neck, lowering it to my side. My fingers strain as I reach for the dagger sheathed at my outer thigh.

Tears burn and spill from the corners of my eyes.

“I’m… going…to…” My voice is a throaty rasp and it’s agonizing to get the words out.

“… watch… you… bleed, ” I growl the final word and thrust the knife into his lung.

His grip loosens. Stumbling backward, his hand hovers over the protruding handle.

I cough and gasp for air, my throat screaming in pain. My limbs feel heavy when I push off the box at my back.

With wobbly steps, I close in on Eddie. His mouth silently opens and closes like a fish. His panicked eyes dart in all directions, trying to find someone who can help him.

“You took them from me,” I pant.

He falls to his knees with wide, pleading eyes.

A sadistic smirk lifts the corner of my mouth. “I said I’d make you beg for mercy at my feet.” I crouch down on one knee, setting my forearm on my thigh.

“So, beg .”