Page 29

Colt

Nova was out like a light when she finally got comfortable.

Our cabin has a state-of-the-art security system considering my line of work. I made sure I installed every sensor and gadget possible before she moved in. If something happened and I wasn’t home, I needed to know she’d be safe. No one knows where we live to my knowledge. I’ve taken precautions to keep our cabin a secret.

She’s in the bed with that damn raccoon snuggled beside her. The security system is armed, and I’ll get a notification if she even breathes too hard. I hated to leave her alone, but I don’t trust anyone. The one person I believed I could count on, my second in command, proved himself untrustworthy.

When I slipped out of bed to get dressed, a pang of guilt hit me. She’d be upset if she knew what I was doing, but when it comes to her, there’s nothing I won’t do. I can’t just sit by and let him get away with this. I know she wants to be there when I kill them, but I can’t wait. The more I think about it, the more unhinged I feel. If I don’t act now, I’m afraid of what I’ll become.

That’s why I’m in my truck, heading towards the warehouse where Max always hangs out. If he had the balls to attack Nova in broad daylight, I know he’s waiting for me where I expect him to be. I’m positive I’ll be walking into a trap, but there’s a reason why I’m the boss.

Placing some calls while Nova was resting, I found out Junior ran his mouth to his men, declaring I had a traitor within my organization. Some of his guys talk to mine and word spread like wildfire. Max was never fingered, but common sense told him I’d figure it out. Lacey was a well-kept secret; I’ll give him that. But when I saw him with her and dug into her background, I knew exactly what was going on.

I hope his blind ambitions and Lacey’s pussy were worth his life.

And hers.

They call me Devil.

They’re about to enter my hell.

Pulling into the vacant lot next to the warehouse, I cut the engine. A flicker of movement catches my eye at the side of the building when I exit the truck.

Fucking rat, Jonah.

It seems like Max isn’t the only delusional motherfucker in my crew. He’s obviously corrupted my guys, most likely spinning a tale of how much better things will be if he’s the boss.

There’s a forty-five tucked in the waistband at my back. A hunting knife on each hip. Reaching behind the driver’s seat, my hand grips my pride and joy, an AK-47 with a seventy-five-round drum.

While it may be over kill, why the fuck not?

I knew he wouldn’t be alone. Cowards never are.

I cringe inwardly, knowing Nova is going to be pissed she missed this.

Pulling it from behind the seat, I place the strap across my body, the assault rifle resting against my bullet proof vest. I grab two thirty-round magazines, slipping them into my back pockets.

I came prepared.

There’s no point trying to be stealthy since that little cunt saw me. I slam the door of the truck, heading towards the warehouse.

Kicking in the door, I raise the AK in my hands, spraying bullets across the entire fucking building. Stray bullets wiz by my head, barely missing me as I continue peppering the place until every person I see hits the ground. I haven’t seen Max or Lacey yet, but as I walk further into the area, more shots ring out.

So many faces I recognize as my own men, but there are some who are strangers.

They bleed the same.

I pick them off one by one until the drum is empty. Ducking behind a beam, I pull out a magazine, popping it in easily. Some men groan on the ground while others scatter, trying to find cover. As they take off running, I put them down like the pieces of shit they are.

There are bodies everywhere. Some dead, some wounded. My eyes dart around, looking for anyone else. I spot Jonah in the corner. We lock eyes and he drops his gun, lifting his hands in surrender.

“Where is he?” I snarl.

‘W-we were the distraction. H-he knew you’d come.”

I freeze.

Nova.

Dropping the gun, it hangs from my body as I reach for the forty-five at my back. Raising it in the air, I shoot him point blank between the eyes. As I sprint from the warehouse, I pull out my last ‘fuck you’ from my front pocket. Yanking out the pin, I toss the grenade to the floor and run like hell.

Bursting through the door, I make a hard dash for my truck, jumping inside, tossing the AK in the passenger seat.

Tires screech as I throw it in reverse, flooring the gas pedal. The truck spins around once I hit the asphalt, not touching my brakes as I shift it into drive. A loud explosion rattles the windows and the pavement, but I don’t look back.

While I have faith my security system will hold Max off from getting to Nova, how long will it last?

I don’t know how they found out where we live, but they’re about to regret it. The pedal hits the floorboard and I speed through town, everything a blur. The closer I get, the more my vision dims, my chest thumping with a dangerous force. My skin is crawling, and I want to claw it from my bones. Everything feels wrong.

My phone dings with a notification.

Pulling up the feed, I see two figures standing in our yard.

Max and Lacey.

She’s in fucking danger!

Calling Nova’s phone, she doesn’t answer, and I beat my fist against the steering wheel.

The turn for our road is up ahead and I barely tap the brakes before jerking the wheel. Dirt clouds behind me and I speed down the gravel road, the sound of rocks pinging against the truck drowned out by the ringing in my ears.

Reaching the cabin, what little bit of humanity I have left disappears.

The front door is wide open.