Page 113 of Throttle

“I’ll live.” Danika winces. “But I wish he would have killed me.”

In the end, if we don’t get rescued. I’d wish the same for myself.

THIRTY-THREE

Throttle

A blow torch—a goddamn blow torch. From the hill, we have a view of the warehouse. This was my first lead and first gut instinct about where Tequila was.

Chain places his hand on my shoulder, aware of my intentions. “We wait for Pipe and his club, son. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

My chest is heavy, and every passing minute fills me with dread.

Chain understood our options were limited and called for backup. But it’s impossible for me to wait any longer. I have a strong intuition that she's inside. She’s in trouble. I can't even think about it, if she was...

I glance at his hand on me. My jaw clenches. “I say this with the utmost respect, Prez, but there is nothing, and I mean nothing, that is going to stop me from getting to her. Do you feel me?”

We were in a stare off until several cars and bikes arrive at the warehouse, distracting me from our leader.

Two black Land Rovers, complete with tinted windows, park and a suited man emerges.

The unmarked club members' motorcycles also park alongside, acting as security.

Hell no.

Charger's facial expression shows that he understands the meaning, just like I do. Remembering it all too well with his girl.

Tequila won't fall into the hands of the twisted mafia.

Chain turns back to me. “What kind of President. No...” He shakes his head. “What kind of father would I be if I let you go in there?”

I give a one-handed embrace to him. “It’s my choice and I am not asking.” I pull away and double check the piece Tank gave me for bullets.

Tank strides beside me. “Let’s go, brother.”

“No. You stay and wait for backup. I’m not risking your life.”

Charger walks up to us. “You don’t have a choice.” He tucks his gun in his waistband.

“No. No way. You have a family.”

“Right. And Jules would kill me herself if I didn’t help save our girl. So, let’s go.”

I assume it helps ease Charger’s mind knowing Angel, and Bullet are back with her, Mags, and Chloe.

If Venom’s club wasn’t doing business out of town, we could have used them instead of Pipe. But beggars can’t be choosers.

I suppress my gratitude of emotion, knowing it needs to wait. Hush nods over at me with his bat in hand, and him showing his commitment, overwhelms me. My chest swells. And the pride I have for these guys reaches unreal levels when Chain steps up too.

I go first, leading us to the building. Since there are only a few guys standing guard outside, I'm confident they will be easy to handle.

We run alongside the edge of the cliff, ensuring we end up at their back. Maintaining a low profile, we descend the hill and take cover beside the warehouse.

As I spot each biker, I glance at Tank alongside me. After I give him the signal, we then move as quietly as possible.

I don't hesitate to finish the guy’s life since he made his own choice.

With a knife drawn from my boot, I approach my target, swiftly carving my blade across his throat. He chokes on his own blood that spews from the fatal wound, pressing his trembling hands to it.