Chapter 46 Planning to Hack Me to Death?
Over drinks, the replacement paperwork was signed and Ryan learned how the order had come about.
Victor had noticed him during a visit to the hospital. Everything else had followed from that chance encounter.
After saying goodbye to Parker, Ryan called him.
George had paid for his treatment, and Victor had apologized. As far as Ryan was concerned, their earlier dispute was settled. Now Victor had helped him, and the least he could do was acknowledge it.
“Mr. Carter. Good evening.”
“You did all that without saying a word, Mr. Mercer. Looks like I owe you.”
Victor was pleased to hear from him. His father’s advice had changed his view of Ryan completely. Whatever resentment he’d felt was gone.
“It was very little. The hospital needs equipment, and your company has a good reputation. Buying locally makes servicing easier, too.”
He continued warmly.
“We intend to use your company for future equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals. I hope you’ll be willing to handle the business.”
He made a stream of valuable orders sound like a request for help.
Ryan smiled.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Victor felt a quiet surge of satisfaction. They now had a reason to stay in touch, which mattered more than any debt Ryan might acknowledge.
“You saved my father. There’s no need to keep score. Speaking of him, he’s much improved. He’d like to invite you to dinner.”
“Of course.”
“And perhaps you could examine him again? He’s older, and he has other health concerns. I worry.”
“I can do that.”
“He finishes the medicine tomorrow. Would tomorrow evening suit you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll collect you after work.”
Ryan ended the call and walked into the parking lot.
As he approached his SUV, the sliding door of a nearby black van opened. Seven or eight men emerged, carrying machetes and steel clubs. They spread out around him.
Ryan stopped, took out a cigarette, and lit it.
“Who hired you?”
A young man stood beside the van with a video camera.
“You’ve got nerve. They said you could fight.”
“Jason Wallace, then.”
Ryan hadn’t been in Asheville long. The wolf attack was the most obvious reason anyone would know what he could do.
Marcus had a grievance, but Ryan had also saved his life. That left Jason.
“Don’t know him,” the young man said. “I take orders from my boss.”
Ryan tapped ash from his cigarette.
“I’ll ask about your boss later. What are the instructions? Beat me? Cripple me? Cut me to pieces?”
“All of the above. We’ve been told to take our time.”
“Someone really dislikes me.”
The young man raised the camera.
“Do it.”
The attackers charged.
Ryan flicked his cigarette into the first man’s face. The man flinched, and Ryan closed the distance before he could recover.
He caught the steel pipe, kicked the man’s leg, and took the weapon as the bone broke.
Then he turned on the others.
The pipe struck with brutal precision. Men screamed and fell, clutching broken arms and legs. Ryan had no intention of showing restraint to people who had come to torture him to death.
None of their weapons reached him.
Beside the cameraman, a middle-aged man drew a straight sword.
He rushed Ryan from behind and slashed downward.
Ryan stepped aside without turning. The blade flashed past his shoulder.
“Finally joining us?”
The swordsman answered with another strike, then another. He was trained; each cut flowed smoothly into the next.
Ryan gave ground lightly, staying just beyond the blade.
A slash went wide.
He stepped in and smashed the pipe against the man’s wrist. Bone cracked. Before the swordsman could recover, the returning swing struck his head.
He dropped without a sound.
Ryan turned toward the camera, letting the pipe rotate once in his hand.
“Your turn?”