Page 120 of Sadistic Retribution

“Who the fuck was that nutjob?” Trikk asks.

I just shrug. “No idea.”

I crane my neck, finally seeing Pretty Girl and the guys running our way. There are two other women and two other guys with them.

I jump out of the car, impatient to hold her in my arms. Jax tries to grab my arm to stop me, but I shake him off.

Frost, Valley, and Trikk get out, as well. All of them are running fast, like the hounds of hell are on their heels.

I squint, trying to see the extra people with them. It's so dark out, it’s difficult to make out any features. I recognize Bryan, but I don’t know who the other new faces are. A smile hits my lips as they get closer.

“Oomph!” Phoenyxx throws herself into my arms, talking a mile a minute. She took the lead, letting the others wait behind.

She peppers my face with kisses. “We did it, Hunter! We got them out! There was a bit of a hiccup. The masks showed up, and some big-ass orderlies. But we killed the orderlies, and the masks took off!”

“Holy shit! Were you injured?”

“No, I’m good. Some of the others did, though. Razor took a knife to the gut, and Purge has a couple shallow knife wounds. 6 got the shit beat out of her, but she’s okay.”

“Tell the others to come closer,” I tell her.

She whistles. “Get over here!”

The rest of The Six walk over. I look them over briefly. “Razor, that will need stitches. Otherwise, you’ll be okay.” I turn to Purge next to check his wounds. “Those look nasty, but those areas bleed a lot. They may need stitches, but you’ll be okay, also.”

They both thank me, and I wait for the rest of them.

I hear a footstep, then see Bryan reluctantly stepping forward, eyes downcast. A high-pitched shriek damn near shatters my eardrums, and Valley flies by me.

Bryan looks up sharply, his mouth hanging open. She goes right for him, and he lifts her from the ground, with a loud whoop, spinning her around in the air, just like in those cheesy rom coms.

“Bry... my Bryan, Oh my God, My GODDDD!” Valley babbles.

Tears flow unchecked down his face. “My love! It's true! You're here! Oh, thank God. I thought I lost you. Please never leave me—I love you so much!”

He kisses her passionately. Emotion is raw in the air. A choked sob comes from Pretty Girl. I turn to look at her, but she’s beaming at the couple. They're clutching each other tightly, and it does warm my heart at the reunion of young love.

As they reunite, I ask Pretty Girl about the three others she saved. “Can they come meet us?”

“10, can you come meet the other guys?”

The woman comes forward. She is tall, and as muscular as any man, and sporting a buzzcut, which she nervously ruffles as she gets close.

“Hey, I’m 10. Thanks to you all.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Hunter.” I point to the car. “They’re Frost, Trikk, and Jax.”

She nods at each in turn.

“Are you coming with us?” I ask.

“No, I have other plans in mind,” she says apologetically.

“Fair enough.”

10 jogs off, and Pretty Girl calls after her, “Good luck!”

“And this one?” I motion toward the last guy hiding behind her in the trees.