33. Colton
Chapter 33
Colton
I grip the wheel tighter, my knuckles milky white beneath the streetlamps above. My mind races as I speed down the dark road, the voices surprisingly silent. I know I can’t just walk up to my father’s house if he has Luella because he’ll expect that. I exhale my annoyance as I realize I can’t do this alone, not unless I have a machine gun.
Quite frankly, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility, but my father has at least thirty men on the grounds at all times. The chances of one of them sniping me from the roof is highly likely, and I’m positive my father will have told them to shoot me if they see me.
People owe me favors, bad people. Being the son of Xavier Blackwood has its perks, but to get them to go against him? Unlikely.
I hum a tune I’m unfamiliar with, as I rack my brain to figure out who to call. I need someone who isn’t afraid of my father, maybe someone who would do it for money. I have Wolfe, a friend of mine who is hell bent on tearing the trafficking world apart after what happened with Molly, Jagger’s girl. But the problem is, he would find out that I’ve known about this for years and did nothing.
Coward.
But Luella needs me. I failed to protect her; by acting like an obsessive prick, I drove her away. The thought of Luella in danger, possibly at the mercy of my father, makes my stomach churn. I can’t let her face that monster alone. I know what he’s capable of, the horrors he inflicts on people. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, and the thought of Luella enduring that makes me want to tear the world apart.
I need to find someone who can help, someone who isn’t afraid of my father’s influence. The list is short, but there’s one name that stands out: Jasper. He’s a former soldier turned gun for hire. He’s worked with my father before, but his loyalty is to the highest bidder. I’ve seen him in action, and he’s as ruthless as they come. If anyone can help me storm the fortress that is Blackwood Manor, it’s him.
I dial his number, the phone ringing ominously in the silent car. He answers on the third ring, his voice gruff and alert despite the late hour.
“Colton Blackwood,” he says, a hint of surprise in his tone. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I need your help,” I respond, cutting straight to the point. “I need a a team, and I need it now.”
There’s a pause, a rustling sound as if he’s sitting up in bed. “What’s the target?”
I take a deep breath, my grip tightening on the wheel. “Blackwood Manor.”
Another pause, longer this time. “You’re serious?”
“Deadly,” I reply, my voice like ice. “My father has someone. I need to get her out.”
Jasper chuckles, a low, menacing sound. “You’re hiring me to go against your old man? This just got interesting.”
“I’ll pay you double your usual rate,” I state, knowing money talks with him. “But I need you to move now. Tonight.”
“Double, huh?” he muses, and I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. “Alright, Blackwood. You’ve got yourself a deal. But I want half upfront, and the rest when the job’s done.”
“Done,” I agree, relief washing over me. “Meet me at the old mill outside of town. Bring as many men as you can, and make sure they’re well-armed. We’re going up against a small army.”
“Consider it done,” Jasper replies, and the line goes dead.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my heart pounding in my chest. This is it. I’m going to war against my father, and I have no idea what the outcome will be. But I know one thing for sure: I can’t let him have Luella. I won’t let him break her like he broke me.
And break her he will. Knowing him how I do, he will destroy her body first, then her mind.
I can’t entertain the thought of either, and if he does...
The voices return, sharp and loud.
This is all your fault you know. You could have told someone years ago, saved all those women. And now you want to play hero? You’re pathetic, just like him.
I grit my teeth, pushing the voices back. “Shut up,” I growl. I can’t change the past, but I can sure as hell try to change the future. And that future includes Luella—safe, alive, and by my side.
You don’t deserve her. Anything that happens to her tonight is your fault.
I close my eyes, trying to block them out, but then they change...
You should kill them all. Jasper too.
My eyes snap open, and I shake my head.
I’m fucking crazy.
Kill everyone. Then you and Luella have everything. All the money.
“Fuck the money,” I snarl, turning down the dark dirt track that leads to the old mill.
They fall silent as the old mill looms ahead, a dark silhouette against the night sky. I pull off the road, my car bouncing over the rough terrain as I make my way towards the meeting point. I watch the convoy of vehicles approaching—heavy black SUVs, their headlights cutting through the night as they roll up one by one. Jasper’s men pour out, dressed in black, armed and ready. They’ve come in force, three vehicles deep, fully prepared for the war they’re about to start. I can’t help but appreciate the sight—Jasper doesn’t do things halfway.
I step out of the car, the cold night air biting at my skin. I watch as the vehicles pull up, armed men pouring out like ants from a nest. Jasper steps forward, his tall, muscular frame silhouetted against the headlights.
“Blackwood,” he greets, extending a hand. I take it, his grip firm and strong. “We’re ready when you are.”
I nod, my eyes scanning the assembled men. They’re a decent looking crew, dressed in black, armed to the teeth. They look like they’ve seen their fair share of battles, and that’s exactly what I need.
“Alright,” I say, turning to face them. “Here’s the plan. We’re going to hit Blackwood Manor hard and fast. Our objective is to extract a prisoner and get out.”
A murmur of agreement ripples through the group, and I can feel the tension rising. They’re ready for this. They live for this.
“I’ll lead the main team into the house,” I continue, my voice steady and commanding. “Jasper, I need you to take a group and secure the perimeter. Take out any guards you see, and make sure no reinforcements get in. We need to be in and out before they know what hit them.”
Jasper nods, a grim smile on his face. “Consider it done.”
“Good,” I remark, turning back to the men. “We’re here to get in, get the girl, and get out. But if things go south, be prepared to fight. These men are trained killers, and they won’t hesitate to put you down. So don’t hesitate either."
The men nod, their faces set in determined expressions. They know what they’re up against, and they’re ready for it.
“Alright,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
I give the signal, and we all pile back into our respective cars, the SUVs taking the lead. I follow behind, my heart hammering in my chest. As the convoy snakes through the dark streets, I can feel the tension building, the anticipation of what’s coming next.
As we speed towards Blackwood Manor, the voices in my head start to scream.
Everyone is going to die tonight.
Who are you going to kill, Colton? Your father? What for, for killing your mother or stealing your woman?
“Shut up!” I hiss, knowing shouting at your own fucking mind is a sure sign of crazy. But fuck it, who cares? I’m already about to lose everything if I don’t get in there and save the woman that’s mine.
How dare he take her? I fucking told him that she belonged to me. If he lets anyone harm a hair on her head, I’ll cut their fucking heads off.
The mansion looms ahead, every window a reminder of the man who shaped me into the monster I am. I can almost hear his voice, smell his whiskey.
Soon, it’ll be over. One way or another.
I can see guards patrolling the grounds, their silhouettes stark against the bright lights.
The SUVs come to a stop just outside the mansion’s sightline, their engines dying in the silence of the night. One by one, the doors open, and Jasper’s men slip out like shadows, their movements smooth and soundless. Dressed in black from head to toe, they merge with the darkness, their weapons glinting faintly under the moonlight.
I step out of my car, the cold night air biting at my skin. My heart races, but my breathing remains steady. I nod to Jasper, who motions for his men to fan out, covering every angle of approach. They move like phantoms, their footsteps barely a whisper on the gravel path, blending seamlessly into the shadows cast by the towering trees.
No words are spoken. There’s no need. They’ve done this before—each man knows his role, slipping through the darkness like the trained predators they are.
As they approach the house, they hug the walls, bodies pressed against the cool stone, disappearing into the cover of the shrubbery. The guards, oblivious, patrol the perimeter, their gazes sweeping the grounds but missing the danger lurking just out of sight.
The group halts at Jasper’s signal. He raises two fingers, and half the men peel off, moving swiftly and silently toward the back entrance. The others creep forward, their eyes locked on the guards. Every movement is calculated, every breath controlled.
Like ninjas in the night, they close in on the house, invisible to the men who are about to meet their end.
I turn to Jasper, who has a feral look in his eyes. “You ready?”
He grins, his eyes gleaming in the light. “Let’s do this.”
He tosses me a gun, and I catch it, the cold metal a familiar and reassuring weight in my hand. I check the magazine, then chamber a round, the click echoing in the tense silence.
As we approach the house, the voices in my head start to scream again. But this time, they’re not telling me to run. They’re telling me to fight, to kill, to destroy. They’re telling me to embrace the darkness, to become the monster I was always meant to be.
I’m coming, Luella. I’m coming for you. And God help anyone who gets in my way.