Page 46

FORTY-FIVE

DRAKE

I called ahead and dropped Jesse on the corner of the highway, where an ambulance was told to wait.

After a brief explanation, they head off on blues and sirens and my heart settles.

Jesse passed out ten minutes ago and after stopping to check he was breathing, I made the call and hope they can treat him in time.

As I speed toward the house, I detect the gentle hum of several helicopters and my relief is put on hold. Are we too late? Fuck!

As soon as I screech to a halt, I note Frankie’s car and my fury consumes me. What the fuck. If Frankie is here, it’s possible that Cassie is too and Ryder King is about to explode like a nuclear bomb.

It strikes me how many fucking cars are here. Did they sell tickets or what?

As I move through the shadows, I head to the back of the house, my weapons that were stored in my trunk now firmly around my person. I will wage a small war if they have got my girl and Cassie and as I stick to my training and proceed with caution, my machine gun is primed and ready for attack.

I hear voices and curse when I hear Frankie yell, “Not so fast!”

I stop and listen and as I glance up, I notice the surprise attack coming from behind the kids. Fuck and double fuck. He knew they were coming, or prepared for it. Of course, he has security. He would be a fool not to.

As soon as he finishes speaking, a slight movement in front changes to several around me and out of the shadows emerges Satan’s army.

Men in black suits, more at home in a boardroom than a shootout and as the man laughs at how clever he is, a sinister voice says smoothly, “Now what do we have here?”

It’s as if a small army has descended on the room and the guns trained on the hooded figures are definitely not their own.

“What the fuck is going on? Who the hell are you?” Christian is fast losing his cool and the newcomer laughs, which sends shivers down my spine.

“First, tell your men to lower their guns and let the kids go.”

“Now why would I do that?”

The man sneers and as he speaks, several gunshots crack the air and my heart almost fails as I notice every single gunman fall behind the kids upstairs.

“That’s why?” The newcomer sneers and heads toward Christian Duprey, confident that several guns are backing him up.

Christian obviously doesn’t realize that and wields his sword, stepping toward Imogen and holding the point to her heart.

Thank god she can’t see what’s happening and I take aim with my gun, the middle of his head in my sight and as I prepare to fire, the man says, “Consider your society is now closed for business. Consider yourself my prisoner and consider yourself well and truly fucked.”

There’s silence and then I notice the kids backing away from the edge and I swear to God I will never ask for anything else in my life because the familiar sight of my team reassures me they are now safe.

I’m astonished at how many guns are trained on one group of people and knowing the Reapers will be marking every single man here settles my heart just a little.

As soon as the kids have left the room, the guy who’s now in charge laughs softly. “You’re a brave man threatening a woman who is tied up and defenseless. It reminds me what a fucking nobody you are.”

Christian sneers, “You know nothing about me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I know everything about you.”

He raises his arm and two similar figures step to his side and he growls, “Allow me to introduce my brothers. Dante, Romeo and I’m Lucian and in case you’re in any doubt, we fucking hate everything you stand for and our one pleasure in life—call it a hobby if you like, is heaping more misery on people like you than they have ever done in a lifetime.

Consider yourself our prisoner, as well as your sick friends and for your information, our prisons are a one-way trip. ”

“You’re such a big man.”

Christian laughs out loud like a maniac. “But I am in charge here and if you want to save these women, you will do everything I say.”

“I don’t.” Lucian shrugs. “My only interest in this has already left the building. If you kill these women, their blood is not on my hands.”

Christian’s eyes flash as the two men stare one another down and as he lifts the sword, I don’t even hesitate. My shot releases from the gun and hits him square between the eyes and as soon as the bullet enters his brain, all hell breaks loose.

Under the cover of fire, I run at speed toward Imogen, knowing my brothers have my back as they take out every fucking member of this society. The guys in black fall to the ground in cover, as Ryder yells, “Get down on your hands and knees and don’t move!”

A shower of bullets finds every mark and as I reach Imogen, I seize the samurai sword and cut the chains binding her to the bed.

I am joined by another Reaper who does the same to Delilah and as we shield their bodies from the gunfire, I kiss her softly on the cheek and whisper, “I’ve got you darlin’. You’re safe now.”

It’s a strange thing to say when we are experiencing Armageddon, but as my body shields hers, the bullets would have to pass through me first. Imogen dies under my dead body and that will never change all the time I’m allowed to protect her.

The silence is surprising. As the last body falls, it’s eerie as fuck. No groans, no cries of pain, merely calm deadly silence.

Then it comes. “All Clear.”

I waste no time and pull away from Imogen and stare anxiously at her face. She’s not moving—at all.

“Fuck.” The low growl from Blade, who is in a similar position beside me with Delilah, reinforces my thoughts exactly.

“They’re drugged.” He growls and as I remove her blindfold, I swallow hard when Imogen’s beautiful eyes stare back at me, full of tears and something else, but despite everything, it’s evident she can’t move a muscle.

I stroke her face tenderly and whisper, “I’ve got you darlin’.”

I wish she could smile, could answer me even, and then I am pushed aside and before I can react, Flash pulls her into his arms and cradles her like a baby.

“I’m here darlin’. I’ve got you.”

The torture in his voice will live with me to my dying day and Blade growls, “They need a doctor.”

The screech of a siren outside answers him, and Ryder’s concerned voice at my ear says gruffly, “The paramedics are here. They’ll take care of them.”

“I’m going with her.” Flash says gruffly and Ryder slaps him on the back, genuinely concerned.

“Of course.”

If ever there was a time I felt helpless, this is it. I failed. Imogen is here because of me—because I failed to protect her and I will never forgive myself, even if she makes a full recovery.

I can’t even find the right words to comfort Flash. He’s my brother, and I have done the unthinkable. I not only fucked his virgin daughter, but I let her down—both of them down.

Ryder places a strong hand on my back and says roughly, “Good job, soldier, but it’s not over yet.”

He issues his instructions like the commanding general he is.

“Take the girls to the ambulance. The paramedics have no other business here.”

He refers to the bloodbath in the room. As Reapers, we are used to cleaning up shit for the government and there will be no repercussions for what happened here tonight. However, explaining that to civilians is another matter entirely.

I watch helplessly as Flash carries Imogen out of the room, shielding her face from the carnage as she lies helplessly in his arms. Blade does the same for Delilah and I pray to God she makes it.

It’s as if that fucking samurai sword is speared straight through my heart as I turn my attention to the job at hand.

Ryder approaches the Romanos, who are obviously pissed their prize has been snatched from them at the last minute.

He offers Lucian Romano his hand, and I’m surprised when he says gruffly, “Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

Lucian nods coolly. “I can’t pretend I’m happy about the outcome. I wanted nothing more than to deal with that creep myself.”

He sighs. “But the outcome is the same. It’s done and another sick society has been disbanded.”

Ryder nods, a grim expression on his face. “Your son.” He turns to Dante, who shrugs, apparently unconcerned his son was caught up in this. His words are delivered in a husky drawl. “Luca was acting for the family. He will never be contained when men like that prey on others.”

Ryder nods and I’m surprised when he says grimly. “That’s his excuse and I understand his involvement. I don’t understand Frankie Majerio’s.”

Dante grins as Lucian laughs softly. “Strange things happen when families work together. His uncle, Malik, was brought in when Frankie’s friend was involved.

The Majerios are loyal to their friends, and Frankie required Malik’s help with that.

Malik discovered that I was already aware of The Serpent Society and we pooled our resources.

It was through his information that I learned of this place, the people involved, and the location of the other houses dotted around the country.

As we speak, the rest of Club Mafia have carried out similar raids on their houses and every member of The Serpent Society is now presumed dead. ”

“I see.” Ryder sighs heavily. “Then our job is done. All that remains is to clear up this shit and have a strong word with our kids.”

My heart physically shakes when a flash of anger heats his eyes, and I wouldn’t want to be Cassie or Jack right now when he turns his attention to them.

Then my heart sinks further when his gaze turns to me and he angles his head to the door.

“A word, soldier.”

He shakes the Romano’s hands and jerks his head toward the carnage left in the room. “We’ll clean up. Thank you for your time.”

As we walk away, the Romanos and their men slink back into the shadows and as we hit the wall, Ryder says in a low voice, “I’ll expect a full debrief in the morning. There’s enough to deal with tonight, and the questions can wait until then. Just one thing though before you leave?—”

My heart sinks.

“Flash is aware of your interest in his daughter.”

“You told him?”

I’m surprised at that and Ryder shakes his head. “No.”

“Then who?”

Ryder grins. “It appears that Imogen did what most girls do when they want their daddies knowing something.”

He grins. “They tell their mom and ask her to tell him first.”

“Jennifer did?”

“Apparently, Imogen called her and told her everything. She also said that if her daddy had a problem with her loving a Reaper, he should question his own mind. If it’s good enough for her mom, then why not his daughter and he should be thanking you.”

“I let them down.”

“You protected her. You saved her life.”

Ryder states fact. “Without your tip, we wouldn’t be here now. You did your job, soldier, and you did it well. Now haul your ass over to the hospital and go and get your woman, while I have a very stern word with my daughter.”