Chapter 4 - Viper
"The red building," I report to Reaper as we crouch behind an overturned shipping container. "East side, single entrance that I can see."
Gunfire erupts to our left as Ghost takes down two Vultures MC trying to flank us. The compound has descended into chaos. Buildings burning, men scattering, the acrid smell of smoke and blood heavy in the air.
"Copy that," Reaper nods, checking his weapon. "Wilder, circle around north. Ghost, give us cover. Viper, you're with me."
We move quickly through the compound, using the burning buildings and abandoned vehicles as cover. My mind briefly flashes to the Stone sisters and Blade waiting for us down the road. I hope they made it to the bikes without trouble.
There was something about Amy, her resilience despite her injuries, the intelligence in her eyes even in crisis, that caught my attention. Professional curiosity, maybe. Not many people can think clearly with a gun to their head.
Movement at the red building snaps me back to focus. The door flies open, and two armed guards emerge, scanning the compound with obvious panic. Behind them comes a third figure. Taller, older, with silver at his temples.
Charles.
"Target confirmed," I whisper to Reaper beside me. "Exiting now with two guards."
Reaper tightens his grip on his rifle. "We take the guards first, then Charles. No mistakes."
I line up my shot on the nearest guard. One squeeze of the trigger, and he drops. The second guard whirls, firing wildly in our direction as Charles bolts toward the western fence.
"He's running!" I shout, rolling to avoid the return fire.
Reaper takes out the second guard with two precise shots. "After him!"
We sprint across the compound, Wilder converging from the north as we chase Charles. He’s surprisingly fast for his age, desperation lending him speed. He reaches a gap in the fence and squeezes through, disappearing into the scrubby woods beyond.
"Split up," Reaper orders as we reach the fence. "Wilder, left flank. Viper, right. I'll take center. Drive him back toward the compound if you can."
The woods are silent except for our breathing and the occasional snap of a twig. I move slowly, scanning between trees, keeping the fence line in sight to maintain my orientation.
A flash of movement ahead makes me freeze. Charles's expensive suit stands out against the natural browns and greens of the forest. He's hunched over, breathing hard, glancing frantically in all directions. He doesn't see me yet.
I raise my rifle, lining up the shot, when a branch cracks to my left. Charles's head snaps in my direction. Our eyes lock for a split second before he bolts again, crashing through the underbrush.
"Got eyes on target!" I call into my comm. "Moving west, fast!"
"Copy," Reaper responds. "Herding him back your way."
I pursue, keeping Charles in sight without closing the distance too quickly. Reaper's plan is solid. We want him cornered, not scattered deeper into the woods where he might escape.
Ahead, Wilder appears between the trees, cutting off Charles's path forward. The man skids to a halt, wheeling around only to find me blocking his retreat. He turns again, but Reaper steps out from behind a large oak, rifle raised.
Charles freezes, trapped.
"It's over," Reaper says calmly.
For the first time, I see raw fear flash across Charles's face. The composed, powerful Vultures MC’s President is gone, replaced by a cornered animal who knows death is imminent.
"Wait," he gasps, holding up his hands. "We can make a deal. Money. I have millions. Offshore accounts. Properties."
"Not interested," Reaper responds, moving closer.
Charles's eyes dart between us, calculating even in his panic. "You think killing me ends anything? My Club is bigger than this compound. My connections reach to—"
"Your men are dead or scattered," I cut in. "Your operation here is finished."
A sheen of sweat covers Charles's face despite the cool morning air.
"You're making a mistake. I have information. About other enemies. About law enforcement operations in Pine Haven."
Reaper's expression doesn't change. "The only mistake was letting you operate in our territory for as long as we did."
Charles backs up until he hits a tree, nowhere left to run. His composure cracks entirely, the facade of the powerful crime boss crumbling. "Please. I can be useful to you."
"Like you were useful to all those women?" Wilder asks, disgust evident in his voice.
Something changes in Charles's expression. Desperation giving way to spite. If he's going to die, he wants to wound us first.
"You're so righteous," he sneers. "Playing heroes. Tell me, how is your little rescued pet? Ellen? Evie? The one you keep at your clubhouse?"
Reaper goes completely still. The mention of Evelyn—his woman, a trafficking survivor he rescued—hits exactly as Charles intended.
"Shut your mouth," Wilder warns, but Charles is beyond caution now.
"I heard she was quite popular before you found her. Used goods, but still pretty enough to—"
The gunshot echoes through the trees, cutting off Charles's words. Reaper stands with his pistol extended, expression cold as ice. A single bullet hole marks the center of Charles's forehead, his eyes wide with the shock he didn't have time to process.
The body slumps to the ground, blood soaking into the forest floor.
For a moment, none of us speak. Then Reaper holsters his weapon. "It's done."
No ceremony. No gloating. Just the simple finality of justice served.
"What about the body?" Wilder asks, nudging Charles's leg with his boot to confirm he's dead.
"Leave it," Reaper decides. "Animals will take care of it. Nothing to connect him to us."
I check my watch. "We need to move. Blade and the girls have been waiting, and those police sirens are getting closer."
We navigate quickly back through the fence and across the compound, staying low to avoid any remaining Vultures MC. The fires have spread, consuming most of the buildings now. Good. Fire destroys evidence.
"Set the final charges," Reaper orders as we reach the edge of the compound. "Nothing left but ashes."
We work quickly, placing the remaining explosives in strategic locations. Three minutes later, we're sprinting down the road toward the rendezvous point, the compound a safe distance behind us.
"How far to the bikes?" Wilder asks, pace steady despite the weight of his gear.
"Quarter mile," I respond, scanning ahead. "Should be just around that bend."
Reaper triggers the detonator as we run. Behind us, a series of explosions rocks the compound, far larger than the controlled blasts we set earlier. The shock wave rushes past us, hot air pushing at our backs.
We round the bend, and I spot them. Blade is standing guard with Ace while the Stone sisters huddle together nearby. Our bikes wait, partially hidden among the trees. Relief floods through me at the sight of Amy, battered but upright, alive and free.
"About time," Blade calls as we approach. "Started to think you boys got lost."
"Had to make a stop," Reaper says grimly. "It's done."
Kelly steps forward, eyes wide. "Charles?"
Reaper nods once. "Dead. All of it, finished."