Page 74 of The Reaper

“HEATH!”

The sound of my name had never been sweeter. Archer. He was alive.

“Archer, over here!” I called back. He appeared from behind a group of trees to our left, running when he spotted us. Archer’s mouth found mine, gripping my body with his arms for all I was worth. “I’m okay,” I said when our lips parted. My eyes fell behind him and met a pair I didn’t recognize.

I drew my gun, pointing it at the man.

“He’s with me,” Archer said.

“El Jefe?” Tobias said.

So, this was El Jefe. What’s he doing here? I thought he was after Archer. After us. “Looks like you’ve seen better days,” El Jefe said.

“He saved my life,” Archer explained. “He came to fight with us. He’s on our side.”

“I think we got them all, but I suspect more are coming. This is The Firm, they always have backup,” El Jefe said, looking around the woods littered with dead bodies.

Archer eyed Andrew and Tobias before returning his focus to me. He stood next to me, intertwining our fingers. Andrew raised an eyebrow, his gaze bouncing between us. “Andrew,” he said, proffering his hand. “Heath’s brother.”

“Archer.”

“You’re The Reaper,” Andrew said.

“Let’s do the whole family reunion later,” El Jefe urged, leading us at pace to our cars. “We gotta go before they get here.”

Archer’s phone rang before we made it out of the woods. “Talk to me, Zero.” He paused for a few seconds. “Fuck!”

We stopped; all eyes were on him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking up at the sky. “How many?” he asked, nodding and cursing some more. “I will.” Archer ended the call and brought his attention to us.

“How many?” I asked.

“Three cars. At least eight men, according to Zero’s tracker.”

“Goddamn it.” Tobias ran his hand over his short hair.

“Zero’s working with you?” El Jefe asked.

Archer nodded. “She knows about The Firm.”

“Good. She’s a great asset to have on your side.” El Jefe tapped Archer’s back.

“What now?” Andrew asked, still holding on to Tobias.

Archer grimaced. “We keep going until we can’t.”

Thirty-Four: The Reaper

The rugged fifty yards between us and the road, where our vehicles were parked, was the longest dash of my life. I released Heath’s hand and hurried toward Andrew, draping Tobias’s other arm over my shoulder and wrapping my arm around his waist so Andrew and I could carry him together. Faster. I didn’t know how much time we had before The Firm’s backup caught up with us. Time was a commodity we didn’t have. My brain feverishly thought of ways we could get out of this mess alive. It was the fucking reason why I didn’t involve myself with anyone in the past, but as I fought with these men who risked their lives to battle with me, I couldn’t find it in me to regret any of my decisions.

“Just leave me here,” Tobias said. His injured leg brushed a small mound on the ground. He shut his eyes, releasing rapid exhales through his mouth. “I’m slowing you all down.”

“We’re not leaving you,” I said.

“It’s not worth it. Go!”

“You’re fucking worth it,” I said. “So save your breath. Not gonna happen.” My phone rang and dread took residence in the pit of my stomach. It could only be Zero with more bad news.

“Man, there are two more cars behind the other three heading your way,” Zero said when I answered.

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