Page 26

Mason

T ime seems to stand still for a moment as Venom drops to the floor, dead.

Did they shoot him because the money was missing? Or is the mystery gunman Victor Kane himself?

Breaker looks confused and surprised, immediately drawing his weapon but quickly realizing it’s three against one. Several of his men and Kane’s all appear from the shadows, guns drawn, awaiting orders. The gunman speaks to Breaker pointing to Venom’s corpse. Breaker lowers his gun slightly.

So, this could be Kane. He’d have immediately recognized Venom and realized that he was an undercover cop. I’m sure in normal circumstances they’d all be running now, knowing a police raid was incoming, but there’s the small matter of the missing money. Kane isn’t going to let that slide.

I squint through my binoculars, trying to ascertain if the man before us is indeed Kane or not. Bess sent me a photo of Victor Kane. This man certainly resembles him. He’s around six foot, medium build in a well-tailored suit. He wears his dark hair short and is clean-shaven. He’s non-descript, an average-looking guy. That’s part of how Kane evades capture, he often sends others in his place or muddies the water over his appearance. The man turns toward us, and I finally get a better look at his face.

I can’t be sure from this distance but something in my gut tells me this is the guy. Victor Kane is right in my sights. I’m certain it’s him. I could end all of this right now. Without thinking, I pull my gun out and point it at Kane. If I take him out, if I shoot, I end all of this. Emma and Max will be free. I take a deep breath, steadying my hand.

“Mace, what are you doing?” Jax asks me.

“It’s Kane,” I reply, not taking my eyes off him.

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as I need to be. I can end this now. If he’s dead, Emma and Max will be safe.”

Jax doesn’t hesitate in his response. “Do it. Take the shot.”

A shot rings out from opposite us just as I place my finger on the trigger. The bullet narrowly misses Kane. Kane turns to Breaker and asks him something I can’t hear but Breaker holds his hands up in surrender shaking his head vigorously, presumably denying it was his men. Kane nods to his men and a few of them peel off in search of the shooter. Kane points his gun at Breaker, seemingly uninterested in whatever else he has to say.

I again line up Kane in my sights, trying to get a clear shot. I try to slow my breathing and focus, at this range, I’m unlikely to get a clear shot, but I have to try. There’s no time to get closer, it’s now or never.

“Mason, we need to get out of here,” Jax says but I ignore him.

As quick as a flash, Kane points his gun and fires a shot into Breaker’s knee. He drops to the floor, howling in pain, and a shootout between the Hell Riders and Kane’s men ensues. The sound of gunfire echoes into the stillness of the night. Kane moves out of range and my chance is lost.

My heart plummets as I realize that Kane is going to get away. Our only hope now is that the Feds will arrest him.

“Shit. Kane’s men have found us, we need backup!” one of our guys shouts over the radio, all attempts at being quiet gone.

In the distance, there’s the sudden appearance of blue flashing lights on the horizon and the sound of police sirens. The two groups begin to scatter, still firing at each other as they retreat, leaving a wailing Breaker alone on the ground. Only two of his men have the balls to try to help him and they hobble along slowly. It occurs to me that I could take him out now, but the cops are likely to get to him before he gets away. If they don’t Kane will come for him. My eyes frantically search for Kane. He’s the one I want gone.

“Mace, come on! We’ve got to go, the others need our help!” Jax says firmly, his hand on my shoulder as he tries to pull me away.

All I can think about is Emma and how I want to protect her, to get rid of the threat to her and Max. But Kane is nowhere to be seen. He’s got away. Reluctantly I allow myself to be led out of the room. If we stay here, we’ll be arrested and we’re no use to Emma and Max in prison.

“Fuck!” I cry out in frustration as we race down the stairs, guns drawn and prepared to fight our way to help the rest of our team.

“Guys, we need backup now!” the frantic voice rattles over the walkie-talkie the sound of gunfire in the background.

The next words he says send ice through my veins and I look over to Jax in panic. We both start sprinting, praying that the worst isn’t about to happen. Emma will never forgive us. I’ll never forgive us.

The words rattle around in my brain as I pray we can get him help in time.

All I can think is, he can’t die.

“J-Bird’s been shot. Guys, it’s bad.”