Page 101 of Ruthless Commander

I turned along the street, slowed, then came to a stop at the rear of the compound. “I go in first.” I reminded her.

“You go in first.”

I parked the car and got out, scanning the fence in the distance before I opened the trunk and reached inside. The rolled-up tools stowed away in the back of the space gave me everything I needed. I grabbed the wire cutters and closed the lid before heading for the fence line.

If there were men waiting, then they were hidden amongst the shipping containers stowed away in the yard. I needed to be there first.

Snap.

Snap.

Snap.

I worked fast, severing enough strands to push through before holding it open for Xael. One glance in her eyes and she lifted the gun in her hand. But I was already turning, habit kicking in as I strode forward, the muzzle of my weapon aimed forward.

My boots crunched on dirt and rocks as I pushed in. Xael was right behind me, timing her steps with mine. Anyone who was waiting would think there was just one of us…and they’d be wrong.

I scanned the first container, then quickly moved through three more, pushing my way sideways through the compound. One after another were unlocked…until one wasn’t.

The sun glinted off the thick shackle of the padlock attached to the largest of the containers.

I glanced around, searching for movement, then stepped closer.

Nothing short of a damn diamond-disc grinder would get through that. I glanced around, then lowered my weapon. There was no one here. I met Xael’s gaze, then turned back to the lock. The one damn secured container in the entire lot. That had to mean something.

But as I looked, I realized it was a combination lock.

I knelt, my mind racing. If this was Edon’s, then I had a good chance. I tried his date of birth, the lock stayed secure. I tried mine, with no luck. The date we’d arrived in the US, no luck either. I was about to give up until it hit me. My mind raced, trying to remember the one date that would be more important to my brother than any other…

Then my fingers worked.

The lock snapped open. I stared at the thing, dumbfounded, then met Xael’s stare. Her eyes were wide, riveted as I worked the lock free, then opened the door. The metal hinges squealed as the heavy door swung open.

I expected blood…

I expected the body of my brother.

But I hadn’t expectedthis.

It wasn’t a container designed for torture. It was only designed for a base.

Stacked boxes filled to the brim were at the rear.

And a cot, shoved to one side, with what looked like his bags of clothes.

I stepped inside and moved to his belongings. The moment I opened the first bag, I knew it was his. “It’s all his things. He was here alright…and by the looks of this, recently too.”

“Then where the hell is he?”

I zipped up my brother’s bag and rose. “That’s a very good question.”

I made my way out, securing the container behind me, and stared at the empty yard. “What the fuck are we doing here?”

I had no idea. But what I did know was that we both needed some place to shower, get some rest, and try to figure this out. “Come on.” I murmured. “Let’s find some place to stay.”

“Thank God.” She gave a sigh. “If I have to smell myself another damn second, I think I’m going to puke.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that and nodded toward the cut fence line. We made our way out, heading back to the car. Where we were going to find a place, I had no idea. But I’d find somewhere.