Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“I don’t need—”
“You sure as fuck do, so let us all do our jobs.”
Ghost’s eyes widened, and he looked between the two of us.
“That’s impressive. It hasn’t even been that long since I’ve seen you.”
He and Rogue looked at each other then, and a knowing smile passed between them. Something was up. As soon as my brother was safe, Rhys and I would figure it out. I didn’t trust Ghost any more than Rhys did, and I wasn’t going to let anything happen to his twin.
Grant focused his attention on Ghost. “How the hell did you get here so fast? Weren’t you in DC?”
“No, I was closer than that, and I don’t have to worry about speeding tickets.”
Rhys glared at him. “Just because you’re Mr. FBI doesn’t—”
“Can we please make a fucking plan? My brother is out there, and his life is in danger.”
Rhys moved closer to me. “What’s the best way for us to cover all possible approaches?” Grant gestured for Ghost to take point.
“Are we going to assume they’re coming to the ranch?”
Ghost turned to me for guidance. I had to make a call, but I hated that I was gambling with Arturo’s life. “How likely is it that Franco has found out I’m not on my way to Chicago?”
“Not likely. He’s been limiting contact, and like you said, he thinks everyone will ultimately do his bidding, so he expects your father to succeed in getting you there.”
“Then I think he’ll come here. I think he’ll want to”—again I forced myself to push away all the feelings that threatened to overwhelm me. I had to function like the cold killer I was—“kill Arturo here so he doesn’t have to move the body.”
Color drained from Rogue’s face. “Jesus. I guess y’all are all used to”—he gestured around—“all this, but… how can you say things like that?”
“It’s the only way you can function in situations like this,” Rhys said.
I was thankful he understood.
Grant nodded. “You learn to do it because you have to.”
“Because if you don’t, you won’t survive,” Ghost added.
30
RHYS
Ghost had set us up with topnotch comms thanks to X, so we’d been able to easily communicate during our long wait through the night. As dawn approached, I began to worry we’d missed Franco’s arrival. I could tell TJ was worried too, though neither of us had spoken in a long time. Then a message came over the comms from Colton. “I’ve got him. I’m pulling out behind him on Abbot Creek Church Road.”
TJ responded that we were on our way. We were the closest team to the area, which was good because TJ would have done anything, no matter how dangerous, to be first on the scene.
“Did you see Arturo?” he asked.
“I did.” Colton answered. “He was lying on the backseat.”
I laid a hand on TJ’s thigh as he increased our speed and jerked the wheel, taking us out across a field. “Fall back but keep him in sight. He’s mine.”
After a wild ride, during which my life flashed before my eyes several times, we pulled onto the road right behind Franco’s car, well in front of Colton and Rogue. Franco sped up, but we kept up with him easily. I pulled my gun and leaned out my open window.
Following the plan TJ and I had devised, I aimed for the back driver’s side tire and got it on the first shot. Franco swerved, trying to keep going. The car veered off the road and headed right for a tree.
“Fuck!” TJ yelled as we slowed and pulled over.
“Arturo’s in the back. He’ll be okay.”
Franco must have tried to brake because the impact wasn’t as hard as I’d expected. We jumped from the truck and ran, weapons drawn. Colton and Rogue weren’t far behind us. I heard their car on the gravel road.
Franco was slumped over the steering wheel, and I saw Arturo on the floor of the backseat. I prayed he was alive.
I knew what it must have cost TJ to go for Franco first. He wrenched the front door open and yanked a dazed Franco from the car without checking on his brother. He was in soldier mode, focused on eliminating the primary threat first.
I knew he’d want me to see to Arturo, but I was going to have his back. Right now, Franco didn’t look threatening, but I wouldn’t trust that until he was secured.
Franco rallied and reached for his gun.
TJ slammed the butt of his pistol into the side of his cousin’s head.
Franco stumbled but managed to catch himself before he went down. He clung to the side of his car and managed to get his gun aimed toward Arturo.
No way in hell did we get this far to have him kill Arturo after all. I put a bullet through his right arm. He screamed, dropping the gun. TJ wrapped his hands around Franco’s throat, cutting off his air until he slumped to the ground.