Chapter 21
Righting the Wrongs
Falcon
Having Archer show up like he did was a godsend. The team would have pulled it off without the extra man, but Archer waiting in the alley for Atilio made it all go smoothly. I’m thankful for these men being part of my life every day.
Rebel was lying in wait for the call that Atilio was on the way.
He moved the truck out into the intersection, right on cue, and had the hood up, with pylons cutting off the roadway, forcing Atilio’s driver down the path we set.
Bull was sitting at the next set point to make sure Atilio’s driver didn’t deviate from the set course.
Phoenix had been tailing Atilio from a distance and met up with Wire, who was in the van, manipulating the lights and making sure everyone was where they needed to be.
I hid between the trees and bushes that are across from the alley, but my job was to blow out the tires of Atilio’s car, and when Bull and I began shooting, it forced Atilio to seek shelter.
“He’s ten seconds out,” Wire’s voice murmured in my ear as he did the countdown.
“Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four.” I saw the headlights as they turned the corner.
“Three…” I took aim. “Two…one.” I took my shot.
Direct hit. The car swerved, and the driver hit the brakes.
Bull took his first shot, and I followed suit. The objective was to take Atilio alive.
Atilio’s bodyguard opened the back door and covered his boss to protect him. Both moved toward the alley where Archer was waiting. I ran in to assist Archer while Bull blocked the entrance of the alley.
By the time I got to Archer, he had already subdued the bodyguard and was face-to-face with Atilio, both holding their guns pointed at one another.
“I’m a fucking fantastic shot,” Archer told him.
“Who the fuck are you?” Atilio spat out angrily. “You’re messing with the wrong man.”
I snuck up on the two of them. Archer knew I was there and held his stance. I put my gun to the back of Atilio’s head. “Drop the gun.”
That was six hours ago, and since then, Wire’s been sending photos to Vito’s email of his murdered son and ex-mistress.
Vito responded immediately and put a hit out on Atilio.
An anonymous email was sent from an untraceable IP address telling him where he can find the man who murdered his son.
Archer and I hide in the shadows as we watch Vito’s men pull up and riddle Atilio’s office with bullets.
After they drive away, Archer and I go inside to make sure that Maria’s threat is eliminated for good.
Archer and I get back into the car and go to meet the others at the private airport where a plane is waiting to take us home.
“Well, that was fun,” Archer says with a chuckle.
I laugh too. “Christ, brother, you sure know how to make an entrance.”
“Got my papers and got the hell out of there. When I called to tell you, Kailyn told me what you were up to. I came to join my brothers.” Archer lightly punches my shoulder with his fist.
“It’s great to have you home for good,” I say, glancing over at him as I drive. “Are you ready to take your place with Storm Enterprises? We need you, man.”
“Yeah.” He sighs. “I’m out of the military for good.”
I know it’s taken Archer a long time to come home. He joined the army to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. He believes in fighting for freedom, and he wants to make a difference.
“You belong here, Archer. Storm is what you’re looking for. Phoenix, Bull, Rebel, Wire, and me, we all made it work. We take on the hard tasks that nobody wants, and we help good people,” I tell him.
“Storm rights the wrongs, eh?”
“Yeah, brother, we do.” I can feel Archer’s eyes on me while I drive.
“I’m in. All in,” he says.
That brings a smile to my lips. The last brother is finally home.