Chapter 27 #2
“No. He won’t.” I pull right up in front of the warehouse, because fuck these guys. I’m not scared of them. “He knows I’m not a great listener.”
I leave the engine running just in case we have to make a speedy getaway, and climb out from behind the wheel as Zeke and Pierce exit the SUV. We go into the warehouse the same way we went into the previous location, with me sandwiched between them.
Isaac is in everyone's ears, updating us with the other team’s ETA as he tries to help direct us through the space. The building is packed full of boxes and pallets. I don’t know what in the hell it all is, and I don’t care. I’m here for one thing and one thing only.
And that’s the man who belongs to me.
The three of us all come to a quick stop as voices carry through the air.
Since we can’t see much around us besides the labyrinth of whatever they’re storing here, it’s difficult to identify where exactly they’re coming from, but we can determine a generalized direction.
And that’s the way we head, cutting a haphazard path as we try to get closer.
“I’m telling you. I’m working on this alone.” My heart skips a beat at the sound of Butch’s voice. “The chief fired me for looking into this shit, and it pissed me off. I figured if I brought you guys down, maybe I could get my job back.”
That’s a whole pile of shit, but it’s probably a smart strategy. Make these guys think all he cares about is getting his job back instead of what they’re actually doing.
“Don’t play stupid with me, Morelli. You think I haven’t already talked to the chief?” The second voice is slick and smooth, but not really familiar. “He was at my house last night looking for company.”
I nearly choke as his meaning registers.
Company. He means an opportunity to fuck a kid.
Zeke and Pierce continue moving, and I move with them, but now my focus is elsewhere as I work my hands into the pocket of my hoodie, wrapping each one around the items I have stashed there. I grabbed two just in case I dropped one, but now I’ll be sure I retain both so I can be twice as effective.
Zeke comes to a sudden stop, and I’m so caught up in my own plans, I nearly run into him. My sneakers squeak against the cement floor as I work hard to slow my roll, and I feel Pierce stiffen behind me. He shifts, reaching for the weapon strapped to his thigh. Zeke does the same. Preparing.
Because I just gave us away.
In a quick move I’m not prepared for, both men step around the corner. Pierce uses one arm to keep me shoved back as he raises his firearm with the other. Silenced shots fill the air as I fight the urge to run out into the middle of it to make sure Butch is safe.
Pierce and Zeke step deeper into the fold, moving out of sight and giving me a little space to advance myself. I peek around the corner of the pallet blocking me from view, letting out a sigh of relief when I see Butch in the middle, strapped to a chair, beaten and bloodied, but still breathing.
My relief is short-lived.
As Zeke and Pierce enter the space, the other men in the area duck for cover, leaving Butch a sitting duck.
My insides lurch as a familiar face goes straight for him.
J.T. Davies waddles in Butch’s direction, his turkey neck flapping with each move of his pudgy body.
Rage has his eyes bulging as he’s reaching under his jacket for what I can only assume is his own personal weapon.
That’s not going to happen.
I know it’s stupid. I know I’m going to get a lecture about it. But I’m not going to just stand here while someone kills the man I love.
Darting from my hiding spot, I pull out my two most recent weapons of choice, clutching the cool metal as tightly as I can hold it, and race toward Davies, ready to get my new friend a set of keychains.
When I’m within arm’s reach, I yell his name, pulling the political advisor's attention my way. His eyes land on me and I smile, knowing my face is the last thing he’s ever going to see.
Using the momentum I’ve got behind me, I angle the tines of the forks in each hand directly at his corneas, sinking them deep.
Oh.
Eww.
I retch, because the feel of it is disgusting. I’m going to have to warn Raven about that part. I don’t think I can stomach ever doing this again. I’ll stick with hammers and stepladders.
Davies makes a strangled sound, chubby hands clawing at the flatware sticking out of his face as he topples forward.
Probably not the smartest way to fall.
I can’t stop myself from watching as he hits the cement floor, the weight of his body shoving both forks deeper.
Almost immediately he goes completely still.
“Shit.” My eyes jump to where Butch is staring at me from the slight bit of visible eyeball peeking through his swollen face. “I didn’t mean to kill him.”
“I know, B.” He jerks his chin toward where his arms are tied behind his back. “Cut me loose so we can get the fuck out of here.”
Zeke steps in at Butch’s side, pulling out a blade as I look around, noticing for the first time everything has gone very quiet. There are bodies scattered around, bleeding from random holes onto the floor.
I guess at least I’m not the only one who made people disappear today.