Page 71 of Up in a Blaze

Tech snorted. “But we’re not.”

I didn’t give a fuck what they were saying or anything about the Murphys. I wanted Henri here. I wanted the van to pull in so I could start destroying those motherfuckers.

“Saint and State will get answers from the employees at least,” Tech said.

A sharp whistle sounded. We all looked down to the other end of the shipping container. Country waved us their way. Tech quickly looked at his screen and said, “Ship’s docking. We gotta move. It’s pulling in five containers down,” Tech said.

I stretched my neck, cracking the tension.

Torch pulled a knife free and smiled at the ground. He tapped his knuckles against his temple. His switch had been flipped, and he was ready to take lives to protect the unfortunate and the brotherhood around him.

In a lot of ways, I was like Torch, only my switch was always on.

Stealthily, we crept down between the containers. I was behind Tech, Torch at my back. It wasn’t hard to guess that Country or Death had ordered Torch to keep on me. He was the only crazy one who’d go against me like I had him when he lost it.

Christ, Henri had ripped me a new one after I’d fought with Torch.

Henri.

Fuck.

My throat thickened.

Tech suddenly stopped and turned to me, gaze wide.

“What?” I demanded.

“The van just arrived.”

My heart hammered and blood raced.

Country moved close with a phone to his ear. “Yeah, watch them. Make sure they don’t signal the drivers in any way. Text when the van passes through checkpoint. Shit’s about to get real.” He hung up. “That was State. The owners were paid off with an excessive amount of money to get rid of their employees for the day while they manned the entrance and looked the other fuckin’ way when they got a delivery of people. Saint and State will stay with them.” His hard gaze locked with mine. “We stay hidden and quiet until we know we can get Henri and Sawyer without anyone gettin’ hurt. Even if we have to wait until they’re on the boat and safely locked into one of those containers before we take control. Hear?”

“I fuckin’ hear,” I clipped.

Country sighed. “Know how you’re feelin’, brother. But know we’re right here with you.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. I’d think about why he was suddenly calling me brother later.

Country turned, and the brothers parted for him to get close to the edge. I stayed behind him. I needed the perfect view of the van arriving.

I had to see Henri. Had to make sure he and Sawyer were all right.

Henri had better fucking be okay.

Torch was close at my back. Almost breathing down my neck if he were a bit taller.

“Loyal. If Torch’s attention switches, you’re on Blaze duty,” Country said.

Fucking hell. Another babysitter.

I could feel the gazes of other brothers on me. Like I was a rabid animal ready to attack anyone. Quake and Wreck, the biggest out of the brothers, got close to my side. They were ready to take me to the ground if I tried anything stupid.

Let us just pray that no one had harmed Henri or Sawyer.

My heart lodged in my throat when I heard the van’s approach.

Everyone stayed silent.