Page 85 of Last Chance

“Not yet.”

“Keep it that way.” Zane ended the call.

Sawyer frowned. Z wouldn’t say that if his wife’s life was on the line. Granted, Sawyer and Janie weren’t at that point yet, but he saw them moving in that direction. Janie Moran was special.

He slid his phone away and laid his hand on her shoulder. “Doing okay?”

She nodded. “They aren’t saying anything.”

“They will.”

Brody eyed the two men, who glared at him and the others. “Why were you following us?”

No response.

“Sir.” Max showed Brody something on his phone.

After a quick glance at Sawyer, Brody turned his attention to the two men. “Oscar De La Cruz and Cristo de La Cruz. You’re both members of the local Vatos Locos gang.”

Not what Sawyer wanted to hear. Unfortunately, he wasn’t surprised. At 10,000 members strong, the gang had many foot soldiers to call on for any job.

The thugs straightened and exchanged glances.

“Let me tell you how this is going to go. You either tell us what we want to know the easy way or you can tell us the hard way.”

“The easy way is less painful,” Max said. “Of course, I’d rather you choose the hard way. Nothing I like better than working over a couple of losers. Improves my day.” He smiled, more a baring of his teeth, and flexed his hands as though loosening them for heavy physical labor.

“So,” Brody said. “Who’s going to talk first?” He waited a beat. “No takers?” Their team leader shrugged. “Too bad for you. Don’t say we didn’t offer.”

He flicked a glance at Sawyer. “In or out?”

Sawyer hesitated.

“Go.” Janie brushed her fingers over the back of his hand. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Taking Janie at her word, Sawyer said, “Stay here.”

She nodded.

He strode to the strangers sitting on the ground. Sawyer knelt on one knee behind the bigger of the two men.

Max knelt behind the skinny guy.

Both men tried to turn to see what Max and Sawyer were doing.

Sawyer smacked the back of his target’s head. “Eyes forward,” he snapped.

“Look at me,” Brody ordered in the harsh cop voice they’d used on the job in Texas. “Why were you tailing us?”

The men looked sullen.

Brody gave a slight nod.

Max and Sawyer clamped a hand over each man’s mouth and pinched hard between the neck and trapezius muscle. Excruciating pain zinged through the thugs’ bodies and they howled in agony, although the shouts were muted.

After a minute, Brody gave the signal to ease up.

Skinny shuddered and sobbed. Big Man glared at Brody.

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