Page 111 of Tempting God

“Didn’t think we’d ever be using these again,” he says as he pulls the mask over his head. “What was it? Back in ’99?”

“I think it was ’03.” I put on my mask. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as someone my age will ever be.” He pauses. “I think there needs to be a conversation amongst the Elite Members when this is over. I’m tired of fighting them. I’m tired of doing things the old way, too.”

I’m silent, but I agree. Change is rarely easy, but necessary to survive. My grandfather and uncle both knew it. Now it’s my turn to acknowledge the fact.

“Let’s go save Elite Member Carter.”

“A touching statement,” a new voice says. “One I share. Let’s do this, gentlemen.”

26

Grant

“Go in there. And don’t make any sudden moves!”

Keeping my hands held high, I enter the mansion, stopping in the foyer.

“Where would you like me to go now?”

He shoves the barrel of the gun against my shoulder. “Don’t fucking treat this as a joke. You’re not leaving here alive tonight. Remember that.”

Oh, I’ll remember it alright. Now that I know Greer is safe and that Charles Blanc is on the way, my fears have lessened. Really, what in the fuck was Ryans thinking bringing me here of all places? I bite back a smile and walk to the gathering room.

Ryans follows and says, “Is it always so creepy in here?”

“Am I really supposed to answer that?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not creepy. It’s sacred.”

That should be warning enough for the fool, but it’s not.

Ryans gestures for me to sit on one of the benches.

“How was Henderson?” He smirks. “That lump on his forehead looked pretty bad.”

It was bad, and Brooks was still unconscious when Hendrix and I got to his house. Once we roused him, he told us who attacked him, and I knew Greer was in danger. I also know Brooks. He didn’t just sit by and watch me leave. No, he’s here, too, or close and once we have the upper hand Ryans is going to rue the day he thought he could take on the Defiant God Brotherhood.

“I asked you a fucking question!”

I answer, “He was still out of it. When I left, he was in the back of an ambulance, his wife at his side.”

He hums under his breath. “Good.”

“What was the plan tonight, Ryans? Were you trying to kill Brooks, or did you attack him just to lure me out of the house?”

“Bingo.”

“Which part?”

“Both. I was trying to kill him, but even though I failed, it still drew you from your house with all your guards.”

“And was I the target or my wife?”

This answer is very important. It’s going to determine how painfully this man is going to die. And he will die. There’s no question of that.

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