Page 33 of Crusher

The ride to the industrial park should’ve taken forty-five minutes, but we made it in thirty. We pull off about a half-mile away from the site, hiking the rest of the way on foot. After going over the plan and checking our weapons, we split up and surround the building. We got eyes on every exit of the warehouse, while mine remains locked on the front entrance. The full-length windows are old and dirty, but I spot two Outlaws sitting in the lobby at a folding table, playing cards. And no one is walking the perimeter.

Fucking idiots.

“They can’t be serious,” Mack says incredulously. “No matter how sure I am that the coast is clear, I ain’t ever been that comfortable while standing guard.”

“That’s what happens when you get cocky. You become sloppy assholes who get people killed,” Sentinel hisses as if he takes their actions as a personal offense.

“How many do you think they got in there?” I ask, waiting for Breaker to respond over the phone.

“Looks like about eight. They brought Sadie and two other girls in through the front, but a truck full of women showed up around back about fifteen minutes ago, escorted by six Outlaws. Must be their usual shipment.”

“Hmm… makes me wonder if they keep the new girls separate for a reason,” I question out loud.

“I think we all know the answer to that, which means we don’t have much time,” Sentinel warns.

I know what he’s insinuating. That they’ll probably rape the women they just took before throwing them in with the others. But God help me if I don’t get to Sadie in time. I’d take my own life before I see that happen to her.

Mack must sense the fury pouring off me and claps a hand down on my shoulder. “Let’s get this shit started, then. Surprise 'em before they get a chance to even think about taking their dicks out.”

He unsheathes a hunting knife that was secured to his massive thigh, masterfully twirling it around in the air. Then, he stalks off, disappearing for a moment before emerging from the shadows at the right front corner of the building. He signals us to move forward and take the position at the opposite side, before we close in on the men playing cards.

Once we’re in place, Sentinel gives the order to go, and my brothers and I swiftly descend on the warehouse. There’re four of us out front and we can easily take down the two up here. That leaves ten of us at the sides and the back, outnumbering their six men no matter how armed they are.

Sentinel trails behind as Mack and I creep toward the unsuspecting men. The fuckers don’t even look up from what they’re doing, completely oblivious to the shitstorm about to rain down on them. We barge inside, our movements like lightning, and I slip behind one of the seated men just as Mack grabs the other. One shot to the temple and he falls at my feet, while Mack slits his man’s jugular, wearing a sick smile of satisfaction.

Sentinel steps forward, a gun poised in each hand. He lifts his chin in the direction of a dark hallway behind a desk that sits at the back of the room. We nod our understanding and follow his lead as our eyes adjust to the darkness, seeking out any potential threats.

We stay close to the walls, clearing rooms with dirty mattresses on the floors as we pass by. I lock down my thoughts, refusing to let my mind wander to the twisted and demented shit that’s taken place in there. Sentinel peeks his head around a corner and raises a couple of fingers, indicating the number of Outlaws up ahead. Which means there’re four left for our brothers to handle while we take out these two.

My pulse quickens as we get closer, knowing Sadie is almost within reach. I have no idea where the fuck she is, but I’ll search every goddamn inch of this place until I find her. I swear, when I get her back, I’m not letting her out of my sight ever again. I don’t care how much she fights me.

I nod to the men alongside me, and we step out of hiding. Mack sprints forward, dropping down to his knees and deeply dragging his blade across one man’s thigh. The fucker howls out in pain as he falls to the floor, clutching his wound. Then, Mack presses the muzzle of his gun against the guy’s forehead and fires a single bullet. Meanwhile, Sentinel rushes the second Outlaw, aiming straight for the chest as he squeezes the trigger. Two shots and that one’s down permanently too.

We hear firing coming from the back of the property, and we assume it’s our brothers taking out the rest of the trash. But one shot in particular sounds suspiciously close, as if it were fired from the darkened room just a few feet away.

My breath hitches at the blast of the single gunshot, and I immediately spring into action, ignoring Sentinel’s yell of caution. I barrel across the threshold but stop dead in my tracks when Sadie spins around, pointing a gun in my direction.

I raise my hands in surrender, aiming my weapons at the ceiling before shouting, “It’s me! It’s me!” hoping she doesn’t shoot me by mistake.

My gaze roams over her body, taking in her puffy wild eyes, bruised face, and busted lip. Her dark hair is a mess, tangled up and covered in dirt, and her clothes are torn and filthy like she’s been dragged outside. She holds the weapon fairly steady, but her bloodied hands tremble around the textured grip.

Then, I notice the red splatter on the front of her white t-shirt, and my eyes drift to the sack of shit bleeding out at her feet. He’s got a gaping hole in his chest as he lies there gasping for air with his jeans unbuckled and his zipper lowered. Now, I desperately want to shoot him in the dick for thinking he could touch my woman with his sorry excuse for a cock.

Returning my attention to her, I call her name in a soothing tone. “Sadie.” She doesn’t lower the gun. “It’s me, baby. It’s Landon.” She still doesn’t respond, but her shoulders and elbows relax. “You’re safe now. Just breathe for me.”

I step toward her, moving slowly so she doesn’t feel threatened. Then, I holster my weapon before I lift my hand, letting my fingers brush along hers until she gradually releases her grip. Taking the gun from her, I flip the safety on and tuck it into the back of my waistband. As soon as it’s secured, I drag her into my arms and bury my face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in.

“Thank fuck you’re okay,” I mutter against her skin, feeling her heart beat rapidly against mine. She’s alright. She’s safe. And I’ve never been more grateful for anything in my life.

I hear movement behind me and glance over my shoulder at Sentinel and Mack. “We’re done here and we’ve rounded up the other women. They’re a little worse for wear, but they’ll be alright,” Sentinel announces.

I nod, not letting go of Sadie.“Then, let’s get 'em the fuck outta here and burn this bitch down.”

We let Mack and the boys have some fun, torching the place with the bodies of the dead Outlaws inside. We had to load the women back in the truck they arrived in because we didn’t have a vehicle large enough to transport them. They were scared at first, but Country jumped inside, promising them that they’d be safe. And once we get them across town, we’ll make sure they have the means to get back to wherever they came from. I’m sure they all have someone they want to get home to.

Sadie stands beside me at my bike, watching the flames as they eat away at the building. She doesn’t speak, hasn’t said a word since I’ve brought her outside and wrapped her up in a blanket. We don’t have long before the cops come checking things out. Or before whoever the fuck the Outlaws have been working with shows up for their shipment. They’re going to be fucking pissed when they find out the women aren’t here. But, that’s a problem to deal with another day. I have my woman to take care of and she’s all that matters right now.

I lace my fingers with hers, gently giving her hand a squeeze until she turns her head to look at me. I lean in to kiss her, but she cuts me off, speaking for the first time tonight. “Took you long enough. Good thing I didn’t wait for you.”

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