Page 96 of InfraRed

A loud bang slams against the side of the plane. Oxygen floods my aching lungs when he drops my skirt. Hope ignites in my heart.

I can feel him. He’s here. He found me.

And his words reverberate through my mind.

“Laws are meaningless if it means protecting you. Wars are mild compared to the carnage I will inflict on anyone who touches you.”

And I know without a doubt, someone will die tonight.

I just pray it’s not the man I love.

Graham

Lightning strikes in the distance as the first drops of rain fall from the starless sky. I stare out the window, my chin resting against my hand as my jaw clenches so tightly that pain stretches through my face and neck.

We’ve been off the main highway for miles, traveling toward some off the map location. A private, unknown airstrip that Will says belongs to one of the New York bosses. Which means Dominic’s information was accurate.

Sick, maniacal thoughts fight with consuming fear. I envision inflicting maximum damage on Krista and whoever was involved with taking my girl while fighting the images of what they’ve done to her.

Please, let her be okay.

The road goes dark as Will cuts the headlights and turns. He must know the road well because we travel another mile or two in darkness and rain. When lightning strikes again, the silhouette of the private jet comes into view. “We’ll have to park here and walk the rest of the way, or we’ll lose the element of surprise.”

I’m already climbing from the SUV, not giving a shit about anything but getting to Casey, when a hand grips my shoulder. “Someone needs to stay here,” Henry tells me.

“If this is your way of suggesting me, you have lost your goddamn fucking mind.” I jerk away from him, ready to punch him in the face if he tries to stop me.

He drags a hand over his head, shaking it with annoyance. “It doesn’t have to be you. And you know it won’t be me, but when we get Casey out of there, we need to get her in the car as fast as we can. Someone needs to get to us.”

“I will do it,” Christian says as the sound of metal on metal reaches my ears. I look and find him crouched on the ground with the long case he placed in my backseat opened and him putting together a rifle. “I’m going to be the long distance on this.”

“Do we have any idea how many there might be in there with them?” Will asks. “The Grasso I remember went nowhere alone. Any chance he’s changed that pattern?”

“None.” This comes from Sebastian, making Henry and Will both raise their brows. “He will have a minimum of six guys with him, not counting the pilot and this Lambert guy. He doesn’t even appear at business meetings without men surrounding him.Fighetta del cazzo.”He spits on the ground, then adds, “And expect high-powered fire. He’s got a lot more than these,” he waves his 9mm before shoving it in the back of his pants. “But if we can help it, I need one of them alive.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Henry asks.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” He tilts his head to the side, his multicolored eyes looking like steel.

I’ve had enough of the bullshit. My girl is in there, and every second that passes is another second she feels fear. Another second I can’t fucking breathe.

I turn away from them, clinging to the shadows. The sudden storm that blew in and the heavy cloud cover dimming the moon couldn’t have happened at a better time.

I sense the other two behind me as we slip through the darkness, closing in slowly on the plane. My heart pounds harder with eachstep. The restraint it takes not to barrel in there is more than I ever knew I possessed.

Something snaps beneath our feet. I spot movement ahead of us near the plane’s tail and stop, not wanting him to see us yet, and alert whoever is inside the jet. The person stands taller, looking around. He can’t see us, but I remain still.

“Keep moving,” Sebastian hisses. “Christian will handle him if he becomes a problem.”

I start forward again, and the guy spots us. He reaches behind him for a weapon, but before he can pull his hand from behind his back, his body is thrust against the side of the plane.

We don’t stop moving, but we’re also waiting for someone to appear at the door of the plane. Sure enough, light appears when the door opens. Another person steps out, looking around. We’re close enough now to be seen and seen we are. He yells at whoever is inside. No sooner than the words leave his mouth, he flies back.

Chaos proceeds as more men scramble out of the plane. Gunfire from both sides ensues, but it’s obvious we’re outmatched when a submachine gun fires.

“Fuck, we’re too wide open,” Henry yells just as the smell of exhaust appears, and Christian slides my SUV around us.

We lean against the black, bulletproof vehicle panting as we fight to catch our breath. “This is the best thing to happen all night. You should pull that stick out of your ass and enjoy the fun. It will be over before you know it,” Sebastian says, laughing as if this is a thrill ride for him.

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