Chapter 38 #2
“Oliver Cooper,” I say, and there’s no recognition in his gaze. “Just as I thought. He’s a lower guard and pretty new. No money troubles, wife, or girlfriend, but they got to him somehow.”
“Are you sure?” Neo asks, but he doesn’t seem to be questioning me, more like he’s sad to confirm one of their own betrayed them.
“I’m sure. We found a link, but I’ll let you question him.”
“I suppose that means your job is done then,” Zayn reasons, and his eyes are downturned. I shouldn’t stay. I should accept the money and get the hell out, never looking back, but for some fucking reason, I can’t say any of that when he looks so sad.
“I think I’ll stick around for the fireworks. Besides, my house isn’t exactly far.” His head jerks up, his eyes gleeful, and I realize he was manipulating me.
We jerk to a stop, and that’s the only thing that saves his life.
“We are here,” Dodge announces. “He won’t see us from here.”
“Good, stay back. If he spooks and runs, I’ll be pissed as hell if I have to chase him,” I threaten as I get out of the car.
Rounding the corner of the parking lot, I step over the concrete blocks and through the trees, and then I see him.
He’s framed by the city lights behind him as he leans into the metal railing in front of the river.
It’s dark now, and not many people are out here walking at this time of night, but it’s like he hasn’t realized the sun has set.
Guilt? Fear?
Maybe he feels us closing in and came here for one last look at freedom.
Either way, it doesn’t matter. I start toward him, my footsteps light and silent.
There’s a crack behind me, and I turn as Zayn winces, mouthing, “Sorry,” as he steps on a tree branch.
Whirling forward, I expect Oliver to have moved, but he’s oblivious.
Shit, he really is a new guard if he didn’t hear that.
When I step up behind him and press my gun to his head, he doesn’t stiffen like I expect. “I knew you’d find me.” When he turns slowly, his eyes widen. “I thought it would be Kane.”
“I’m here.” They fade out of the darkness behind me, spreading out like an execution squad.
“Why, Oliver? Money? You know we look after our own,” Kane asks, needing to understand.
“No,” he whispers as he sinks to his knees, tears filling his blue eyes. He’s young, but right now, he looks ten years older and ripped apart, as if the betrayal has ruined him, yet he doesn’t try to run or defend himself. “Not money.”
“Then what?” Kane presses angrily.
“Tell them,” I murmur. “They need to know.”
“Please, I’m sorry, sir. I had no choice. He took my sister,” he sputters and cries, bowing his head in shame.
Fear. Loved one. I knew it.
What would I do for my sister? Anything.
“I understand.” His head lifts at my words.
“If someone took my sister, I would burn the world for her. You did what you thought was right, but it won’t save you.
You betrayed your people and almost cost us our lives, but I promise I will find your sister and save her if I can.
” She has to be kept somewhere. I can find her. I’m good at that.
“Thank you,” he whispers in relief. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
I glance at Kane, waiting. It’s his choice, but I know what I would do.
“I’m sorry, Oliver. We can’t let this stand. We’ll make it quick.” He nods at me and moves me aside, pulling out his own gun. “He is one of mine. It’s my duty.”
I’m just putting my gun away, Oliver’s quiet sobs filling the air, when I hear engines.
It’s the only thing that saves our lives.
I throw myself at the brothers, knocking them all to the ground as lights flood the area and bullets whiz over us.
Instantly, I hear Dodge and their guards shoot back.
Risking a look, I tighten my hold on my Glock.
“Stay down,” I bark at them as I get to my knees, ignoring their insistent voices and tugging. When I don’t die, I scramble to my feet and rush toward the gunfire.
They, of course, do not listen, the stubborn idiots.
I hear them running after me, but I’m faster and I get there first. I scan the area as I use a tree for cover.
Some of the Sai guards are down, having clearly been taken by surprise.
The rest have spread out, using cars and doors for cover.
To the right are three trucks, their lights so bright I can’t see who’s firing, but they are aiming at the brothers’ men now.
Semi-automatics, at least fifteen of them.
I calculate it all in the time it takes to blink, and then I shoot.
My aim is better than the guards’, who are firing wildly to suppress the assailants, and I take them by surprise.
I shoot out their headlights, giving us better vision before they realize I’m here.
I spin and press my back to the trunk as they fire at me, but then they have to switch back to the guards.
Kane ducks in at my side, his gun out, and when we nod, we both slip around each side of the tree and fire. I hear shouts as bodies drop. I step from behind the trunk, ignoring the guys’ calls. I’m not letting these assholes get away. I skinned my fucking elbows, and they will pay for that.
Dropping my pistols when they are empty, I swing my shotgun around and start to fire as I advance on the trucks, reloading as quickly as I can.
When I reach the first, I kick the passenger door shut, knocking the man inside back.
He raises his hands, but I fire then turn and shoot the man who rushes toward me around the back of the car.
He flies back from the wound, and I drop to my knees as glass from the back window explodes across me.
Lying on my side, I shoot under the car when I see the man’s feet, and he screams as he crumples.
Sliding through the open back door and out the other side, I kick him in the face and shoot him in the back before reloading.
I just duck behind the car as it explodes with gunfire from the others.
I hear screams, and I look out to see Zayn and Neo taking care of one man, and Kane and Dodge the other. Huh. I guess it’s easier when there are a few of you. Keeping my gun out just in case, I step out as the night falls silent.
As I walk their way, I fire into a man’s face as he groans, reaching for his gun. I step over him and join the brothers. Dodge and his team set out, checking the dead, and I finally relax my hold as I run my eyes over Kane, Zayn, and Neo.
They are doing the same to me, but they seem satisfied I’m not hurt. “Was it a trap?” Kane snaps.
“That or they followed us. We need to find out. Where’s Oliver?”
“Here,” he whispers, appearing around the truck, the back of his jacket held by one of the Sai guards.
Sirens tear through the stillness of the night, and I curse. How the fuck are we going to explain this? We aren’t in my neighborhood. I have no contacts and no time.
“Clear,” Dodge calls, kicking one of the downed men.
“This is why I always come prepared,” I mutter as I run my eyes over them.
“We should get going, sir, and leave the police to deal with this. I will get their information later,” Dodge advises worriedly as the sirens grow closer.
“It’s not safe,” Kane counters, dragging me away, but I’m staring at the dead men.
Who is trying to kill the Sais now?
Is it a new enemy or an old one?
They were right. They really do have a lot of people trying to kill them. I should switch sides, since it would probably be safer, but then again, I never did like boring safety.