Page 38 of Savage

Maybe I should have waited for the others at the house, but I’m too fucking tense, and as the GPS guides me closer to my destination, it sets my mind at ease. At least if something happens before the others join me, I’ll be in a position to force my way into the property. The thought of killing Bane while rescuing the girls makes me want to do it anyway. But I know I have to be patient.

Tapping on the phone screen, I send a voice message to Falcon. “Get me the layout of the property. I’m heading there now to see if there are any guards, cameras, and other shit I can take out before you arrive.”

I hit send, and follow the route on my Maps app. I know Falcon will come through. He’s a whiz at this computer shit. If I can get onto the property and disable their security, maybe I can buy us some more time.

But then again, I could get myself killed and then Harper and Rayne will never get away from that monster. I can’t imagine what Harper is going through. She’s been anxious about seeing Bane since we landed in Paris, and now he’s got her in his clutches.

I hope she can switch off and not let the fucker see how much he’s broken her. She’ll have to turn off all humanity, look Bane in the eye, and show him she’s dead inside. That way, he can’t take any pleasure from hurting her. I learned that from Malcolm. It’s the only way I managed to survive the biggest bastard of them all.

Seeing you falter is a sick power trip for these monsters. The satisfaction they get from making you cry is a drug to them. If you don’t show any emotion, they can’t get their hit.

When I finally reach my destination, I find a quiet side road to park up while I wait for Falcon to get back to me. I can see the house from my location. Some rooms are still lit up, which probably means someone’s awake.

I feel an urgent need to rush in, but I force myself to stay where I am and wait. I’ve never been a patient man. It’s something I’ve had to work on over the years. I would much prefer to shoot first and ask questions later, but right now, that won’t help me or the girls.

My father’s voice is loud and clear in my mind. There are moments I feel his presence as if he’s not dead but watching my every fucking move.

“You’ll never escape this life. It doesn’t matter how much you fight it, Dante, you are my son. You can change your name and move out of this mansion I’ve built, but there will never be a time where you’re free of me. Do you know why?” he asks me as he sits back behind his enormous desk.

The solid, wooden piece of furniture takes up most of the space in the rear of his office, and the chair my father sits in is like a throne. He thinks he’s a king, but he’s nothing more than a sinner trying to play God.

“No. Why don’t you tell me?” I ask him as I lean forward.

At eighteen, I’m stronger than I used to be. He can’t bully me anymore, and I know he hates it.

“You were born to be my apprentice. The moment you opened your eyes and looked up at me, I knew you’d become the head of the organization one day. You’re my heir.”

“What about Drake?” I ask, knowing I’d never let him choose my brother.

I’ll kill my father if he ever tries to get Drake to take over. When I’m in charge, I’m going to shut everything down. I’ll make sure the Savage legacy no longer exists.

“You know your brother isn’t strong enough.” Malcolm chuckles as if it’s the funniest thing. “He will be your second-in-command. You’ll need to make sure Drake and River take their places at the table, but you will be the ruler, son.”

When he called me son, I wanted to die. I wanted him to watch me take my life right there in his office. The thought of him seeing his favorite son bleed out on his pristine carpet was something I often considered.

Instead, I waited.

Like I’m doing now, watching the house where my girls are currently being held prisoner. My gut twists in anticipation as a message comes through on my phone from Falcon.

I open the plan of the mansion and surrounding area he’s sent me and scan the details. It’s a pretty straightforward layout, so now I know where the rooms are, I can focus on where the entry points to the property are.

There are guards stationed at the main entrance, but there are two other smaller gates at the back of the house. They could be our best option. I was hoping to sneak in alone and get the lay of the land, but when I read Falcon’s message, I know I’ll have to wait.

There are too many cameras for me to hack into and create an intermittent signal. Wait for us. You can’t rescue the girls on your own. They’ll be safe enough until we get there.

I’m not sure how he can be so sure, but I tamp down my fears. Falcon is right, I can’t do this alone. My thoughts turn to Rayne’s mother. I can’t believe I let her slip through my fingers. It’s clear she’s working with Bane because he helped her escape, but where is she now?

15

RAYNE

The cold cell is a stark reminder of my past life. Even if I close my eyes and imagine myself somewhere else, I can’t force the chill from my bones.

I don’t know where Harper is being held. They dragged me down here into the basement and locked me in this cell. There’s no ventilation, and the stench of torture and death hangs heavily in the air. I thought I’d escaped my past, but it’s still haunting me, and I’ve ended up back where I started. Dante saved me once, and all I can do is pray he can rescue me, and Harper, again.

I didn’t think I was strong enough to kill my mother, but after watching her with Bane and seeing her cold, emotionless eyes, I know I’ll be able to pull the trigger if I get the chance.

Coming face-to-face with the woman I hoped would love me and give me the answers I needed was like a slap in the face. She didn’t react when I was dragged into the house. She just turned away.

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