Page 45 of Resurrection (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #3)

I press my body flush against the cold bricks, attempting to hide in the dark recesses of the stables building.

The voices are getting louder, closer. I don’t have enough clearance to run back into the garden center—they’ll probably see me through the open door— so I turn left and run for the gardens themselves.

The trees and bushes and overgrown shrubberies will hide me.

I make it to the Latham Garden just as they exit the stables and walk towards where I just was, my eyes remaining glued to them just in case they change direction.

“What about the guys she was with? You know they’re gonna put up a fight if they find out we’re trying to take her.”

Fuck yeah, they’re going to. Jax alone would wear your balls as a necklace as you watched from the ground bleeding out like a stuck pig.

But where the hell is he? If he was still on the steps, he would have definitely spotted these guys and taken them out.

Or, at the very least, would have been interrogating them.

Just then, one of the interlopers lifts his hand and waves a gun in front of him, making my heart sink to my feet and confirm my suspicion as my breathing stops completely.

“Not a problem. Tall bastard went down like a sack-a-potatoes just before you got here. Sonofabitch never stood a chance.”

They shot him?! They fucking shot Jax?! How? I heard nothing!

My eyes close of their own accord as I try to regulate my breathing, trying to stay quiet and not give away my position even though my world is ending all over again.

I can’t let myself lose it here. I can’t.

If they really managed to take out Jax, I need to do everything in my power to make sure he didn’t fall in vain .

In and out, I breathe. My lower lip trembles uncontrollably. My knuckles, blaring white as my fists tighten beyond the point of self-control.

Focus....

I can do this....

I continue to measure my breaths, willing my body to surrender to me as I try to reign in my shock and terror at the revelation—A feeble attempt at forcing myself to keep it together as white hot rage fills my soul.

They shot Jax.

They’re still looking for me.

The Phoenix Rising encampment wants me.

I need to stay focused on what I can control, and right now, I need to control myself before these guys find me and try to take control of me for themselves. I need to remember that Cole and Hawk are still there. I have backup.

Hawk and Cole...

I need to get back to Hawk and Cole. Shit. They’re still in the Governor’s Mansion. They were sound asleep. Sadie was there too, only outside wandering the grounds. I can’t help the thoughts careening through my mind: Are they ok? Or did these douche canoes take them out as well?

“As for the others, Drone said they never left the house. Rake and Silver are on it. And that means, this little beauty’s a lone flower in a field, ready to be plucked.”

Fuck my life right in the ass. Why, the hell, is everyone always trying to kidnap me? I’m not even all that appealing, for crying out loud! I swear, I have no idea what goes through these people’s minds.

There’s one thing I do know for sure, though, and it’s that I’m not going down without a fight. And this time? I’m better trained and better equipped. These guys can go fuck themselves if they think I’m going to be an easy target even if Cole and Hawk have no idea what’s going on out here.

They turn and start to walk in my direction but I stay hidden, scrunched low along the brick walkway and against the neglected landscaping, ready and waiting for them to close the distance.

Luckily, Jax taught me well and I remembered to bring my own backup just in case.

I lift my gun but continue to slowly creep backwards, hoping and praying for another route to escape through since there’s too much foliage in the way to get a clean shot at my would-be abductors.

The guys looking for me walk with purpose, stalking down the path and looking up, down and all around for me.

I spot an exit point leading to the South Lawn and turn, slowly maneuvering towards it while trying my best to not draw any attention to myself in doing so.

The exit is right there, I’m about to head through the archway, but just as I do… strong arms wrap around me .

Before I’m able to comprehend what’s going on, a hand covers my face, preventing a scream from leaving my lips, as the other winds around my waist, pulling me backwards, away from my hideout.

I kick and sway and swat and bite, doing everything I can think of. Even going for the guy’s nuts. But he’s quick and turns away at the last second every time, evading all of my attacks.

This guy’s good. Too good. Nothing Jax nor the others taught me seems to be working, but there’s one other bit of information that has me pausing a second later.

The mansion and all the buildings are getting smaller, farther away in the distance.

Instead of bringing me to where the two other guys are looking, he’s pulling me away from them, completely in the other direction.

Even so much as heading through another archway and entering a new garden.

What the fuck?

When we’re far enough away, he drops his head down to my ear, halting my heart, stealing my soul, and having me question everything I thought I knew was real as he whispers, “It’s ok, mi alma. I’m going to get you out of here….”