Page 81 of Leading Conviction

“Everything okay?” Snake asked over the headset.

“Everything’sfine.” Hawk gave Draco a pointed look. “Draco just lost his damn mind for a second.”

“I’d say sorry, but that felt fucking good,” Draco answered simply, relaxing underneath Hawk’s hold. “That’s for stealing a year of my life, motherfucker.”

Hawk turned around to see Vlad sucking in a breath as he covered his chest and side… the two places where he’d shot Draco over a year ago. Hawk let go of his friend, slowly realizing the reason for his outburst.

Draco had been in a coma for over a year thanks to Vlad and while he didn’t die, he’d still never get back that time he could’ve had with Nora.

“I guess I should be glad you didn’t kill him,” Hawk muttered.

“Yup,” Draco answered back, pulling a toothpick from his vest pocket.

“There’s still time,” Phoenix said, his eyes slightly crazed. Phoenix had been held captive by the General for nearly three months and Vlad had been one of his torturers.

“I pulled the two exact wrong motherfuckers for this job, huh?” Hawk huffed.

Phoenix shrugged. “What can I say? I feel a little murdery today. Especially toward a sadistic Russiansvoloch.” On the last word, he kicked Vlad in the side where Draco had shot him.

Vlad grunted and closed his eyes but didn’t give in to the taunt.

Hawk shook his head, but he knew how to pick his battles, and stopping Phoenix from kicking his torturer wasn’t one of them. Instead, he decided to take the declaration as a way to incentivize Vlad.

“You hear that?” Hawk asked, toeing the man’s boot. “My men want to kill you. What do you have to say about that?”

Vlad’s bored, tired expression only infuriated Hawk more. He couldn’t imagine what Phoenix and Draco were thinking.

“You do not have to threaten my life. I will answer your questions.”

Phoenix snorted. “Oh, Ihighlydoubt that.”

Vlad shrugged, the picture of indifference. “I do not care what you believe. I have no ties any longer. No loyalties.”

Hawk frowned. “What’s that mean?”

“It means I, ah, what do you Americans say? I tried to ‘shoot my shot’. It did not work. It was a risk to take to get rid of thatdurakof aPakhan.”

He spat on the ground. Hawk, Phoenix, and Draco stuttered back but his aim was nowhere near them. The act was more in disrespect for the General than an attack against them.

“Wait, are you talking about taking down the General?” Phoenix asked. “Is that why you kept asking me all those questions about the General during our last little torture sesh?”

“It is,” Vlad answered. “I work for great men. I do not work for adurak.”

“Hate to break it to ya, buddy. You worked for thatidiota long-ass time. What gives?” Phoenix asked.

“I come to know too late he is obsessed. Not with doing a good job, you see. Obsessed with job, I could respect.”

“What was he obsessed with?” Hawk asked. He had a feeling he wouldn’t like the answer and dread pooled in his gut.

“You. Your team. Sex. His daughter. Sometimes it was all at the same time.”

Bile rose up Hawk’s throat as he responded, “From what I understand, he’s been that way for a hell of a lot longer than any of us ever knew. What made you finally lose respect for him?”

Vlad jutted his chin toward Phoenix. “It was in the taking of this one.”

“Who, little ol’ me?” Phoenix gasped dramatically, pressing his hand to his heart. “Aw, say it ain’t so.”

“Phoenix, shut the fuck up,” Draco grumbled.