Page 113 of Like An Animal

There is half a second where my brain processes what the fuck is happening. Then it hits. She took a gamble and called his bluff. She knew we wouldn’t make a move until she was out of harm’s way.

Isaac slowly backs away before running for his life, but I fire off a single shot, hitting the piece of shit in the ass. He falls down, crying like a newborn baby, before Xavi rushes right over to Bron. Picking her up, he carries her out of sight of the gun men on the second story and I rush after him.

“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Xavi announces as the woman I recognize from the footage Arnold showed me– the woman he said disappeared– Cheryl Parker, my wife’s aunt, walks over.

“I’ll do it.”

Before I can grab her, Xavi punches me hard in the shoulder. The move grabs my attention away from the wound on Bronwyn’s neck. She has pressure on it, but it’s not enough. She needs medical attentionnow.

“No. I’m taking her. This isyourmission. Neither your wife or your daughter will be able to walk outside without looking over their shoulder until this is finished.Youhave to finish it. I’ll get her to the closest hospital. Grove Hill General is only five minutes away.” Xavi presses his hand to my shoulder, understanding on his face. “You’ve got this, brother.”

“Don’t kill anyone you see in white,” Bron rasps as she holds firm pressure against her throat. “White means they're either in training or in trouble. Everyone in black is fair game.”

That makes things simple.

Lifting my radio, I speak into it. “Avoid hitting anyone wearing white. Keep them out of the way until everyone has been dealt with.” I move over to my wife and press a kiss to her forehead. “See you soon, little ghost.”

We slaughteredevery single masked man and managed only to kill two dressed in robes. The rest were easily detained, including Isaac. He’s the one we wanted the most.

Once we started leading everyone out of the compound, I saw we weren’t alone.

Ten white vans huddle around the entrance, but I relax once I see a face I recognize.

Francine Gray.

“Didn’t think I’d see you so soon, Jer,” she says as she walks over to me, wearing a bullet proof vest.

“What are you doing here?”

She smirks. “Did you really think you could bust a pedophile ring without us hearing about it? Xavi rang us for back up, but when he explained the situation, I knew the Bastards weren’t the only assistance you needed. This is F.R.E.E. It’s an organization founded by myself and Sorcha. We focus on rescue, recovery, and relocation of victims of sex trafficking and abuse. We have a facility set up in town that can help them get back on their feet after what they’ve been through.”

Well, that’s convenient. I hadn’t even thought of what we were going to do with all these kids and women that are clearly emaciated and malnourished.

“Thanks.”

“The Bastards are two minutes out. You may have busted the ring, but they committed these crimes in our territory. If there is anyone specifically that you want to take and deal with as you see fit, be my guest, but we’ve got the rest of them.”

“Only the one called Isaac,” I say as Nikolai walks out, dragging the devil I spoke of by his ankles, slung over his shoulder.

“Let me go! Somebody stop him!” Isaac screams and thrashes.

I can’t help chuckling. “You shouldn’t have murdered his son, Isaac. Maybe he would be more accommodating.” Then, I turn to Francine before saying, “Thank you for your assistance, but I want to be there when you put these fuckers down.”

Her eyebrow raises with confusion. “Why?”

“Because every last one of them raped my wife.”

Her expression falls. “Oh, my god. I’m so sorry, Jer.”

“I need to go check on my wife at the hospital. Can you call Xavi when you’re ready?”

She nods before patting my shoulder. “I’ll keep you updated.”

Just then, another white van drives up and the Bastards hop out.

My work here is done.

I walkinto the hospital and find Xavi sitting in the waiting room, blood covering his hands and his shirt.