Page 98 of Death Wish

Jesse caught Boudreax’s knife hand as he plunged the wicked-looking blade in a downward strike. With a quick twist, he disarmed Boudreax, and planted his foot on the outside of the man’s right leg. He wrapped his arm around Boudreax’s neck and used his index finger like a fishhook, and yanked the other man’s head to the right, forcing him to roll.

Reversing their positions, Jesse plowed his fist into Boudreax’s jaw, followed up with a left hook, then a right cross, and his opponent was out.

Breathing hard, Jesse rose and flipped Boudreax onto his stomach. He used zip ties to secure the security chief’s hands and ankles, then used two more ties to secure his hands and feet together, hogtying him. Although the ties wouldn’t hold permanently, killing Boudreax wasn’t necessary. If he got loose and came after them, Jesse would kill him without regret to protect Simone.

He stripped the security chief of his weapons, confiscating the Glock and extra magazine, and tossing the other weapons far enough away that Boudreax would have to be on top of them to see them. The jungle growth was thick in this area, and the sunlight was waning by the minute. Soon, the area would be pitch black.

Jesse headed back to the location of the fallen tree. About halfway to his destination, his watch vibrated. He glanced at the screen and grabbed his phone to call Fortress.

“Yeah, Murphy.”

“It’s Jesse.”

“Simone’s in trouble.”

Jesse broke into a run. “Sit rep.”

“Sophie Westlake found her and is forcing Simone to walk toward a waterfall. It’s a steep drop, Jesse.”

“On it. Backup?”

“They just arrived at the edge of the jungle. They’re heading your way.”

“I left Boudreax trussed up like a calf.” He rattled off the coordinates. “I don’t want him coming up on my six, Z.”

“I’ll pass the word and send Simone’s GPS signal to your phone. Watch your back. Westlake sounds like she’s desperate.”

“Copy that.” Jesse ended the call, brought up Simone’s tracker on his phone, and picked up his speed.

His gut churned. He’d screwed up by leaving Simone alone. Now, Dragon Alley’s vice president had the woman he loved in her clutches.

He leaped over the fallen tree, seeing signs of a fight between the two women as he passed. How had Westlake found Simone? She must have stumbled across her by pure chance. Westlake was not a woman comfortable in such an untamed environment.

Jesse bulldozed his way through thick plants and undergrowth, shoving past large leaves, and startling wildlife in the area.

As he ran deeper into the jungle, the sound of a waterfall grew louder and louder. Jesse pushed himself harder, sweat running down his back. The humidity was dense enough to slice with a knife. Every breath was a fight. Just one reason he enjoyed living in middle Tennessee rather than this close to the equator. Plus, he enjoyed the change of seasons.

A gunshot broke the silence.

Jesse’s heart skipped a beat. Despite the heat and humidity, ice water flowed through his veins. No. He prayed Simone was safe. If he lost her now, he’d never forgive himself.

He sprinted toward the waterfall, the roar of the flowing water so loud he couldn’t hear anything else.

Finally, he broke free of the jungle and skidded to a stop. In front of him stood Sophie Westlake and Simone. Sophie had a gun pointed at Simone who was bleeding from a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

“Get going, Simone.” Sophie took two steps closer to Simone. “Move or I’ll shoot you again.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“You’re a loose end I’m snipping off. Jump. Now.” She fired off another round.

Jesse broke into a run as Simone cried out, clutched her right side, and stumbled backward. She tumbled over the edge and into the water. “No!”

Sophie spun, panic on her face, and fired her weapon again. This time, the shot went wild.

Jesse tore the gun from her hand and punched her in the jaw.

The woman crumpled to the ground and didn’t move.

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