Page 42 of Sacrifice

The next message is a picture of a bloody hand with the words written over it in blood. "Bit by bit."

"Son of a bitch," I growl and look at Miguel as he makes a cross over his body. He never could handle the brutal part of our lifestyle.

"Aribella ran. That means whoever had her is scrambling to get control back. Get your men and head east. I'm going to have Diego go North. Bull can go South. My men, whoever is willing, will go West."

Miguel runs around his car and looks at me. "Keep your head together,hermanito. We will not let them get away with this."

When he leaves, I send a prayer to the heavens that I'm not too late. Getting in my car, I close my eyes and think about Aribella. She will never forgive me for this, but it won't stop me from trying to get her back.

Driving like the devil is on my ass, I get to Timberland and take Hwy 42 to the docks. I know better than to go to the Power's house. It's an unwritten rule to never cross into their sanctuary.When I pull in, Ayres and Hypnos are already there, waiting for me.

Ayres gets out of the truck with a bat, and for a moment, I wonder if I may have been set up. Hypnos gets out as I open my car door. Looking at my gun, I keep it in the seat. I will not start a war with these men.

"Vincent," Hypnos says in greeting. I reach out and shake his hand once I've closed the car door. Ayres rests the bat against his shoulders and I calm down. Marginally.

"Where do you want me?" Ayres asks, and I force myself to look at him.

"With my men. I’ve told them to take orders from you and let you take the lead."

He smirks and whistles. That's when cars start rolling up. "You got it." Ayres hugs Hypnos and jumps into a Chevelle.

"Is he..." I trail off. Insulting Ayres will not go over well.

Hypnos laughs, surprising me. "Always half-cocked and ready to beat the ever-loving shit out of anyone that breathes in his direction?" He raises an eyebrow at me. "Always, Vincent. Always."

Gulping, I gain control of myself. Hypnos waves toward the water. 'Let's go into the dock house and I'll get started on the search for the person who made their last mistake."

As we walk, I think about Aribella and a lonely tear runs down my cheek.I'm coming for you, Aribella.

Chapter Eighteen

Exhaustion sets in as the leaves crunch beneath my feet and twigs snap at my naked body. The cover is slowing me down, but I refuse to give in. This is life or death, and I choose to live.

I don’t know how far I’ve run, but the sun is lowering and it’s getting harder to see.Doesn’t matter, Aribella, keep running.I remind myself. The trees begin to thin and I feel my hopes rising. This has to be a good thing, right? Not watching where I’m going, I trip over a tree root. My body hits hard and I yelp out a squeak of fright and pain.

As the pain takes over, I look at my legs. I’ve caused the open knicks to bleed again and there’s a nasty bruise forming on my left ankle.

I take deep breaths, trying to control the pain and the stress I’m feeling. Floaters form in my eyes and I close them. Please, not now. I beg myself as I hear voices.

“Find her!” I hear a woman’s voice shout and it sounds furious. Gulping, I realize that Mossimo was right about that woman. She was playing me.

“There’s no way she’s gone this far,” a man says and I hear a slap.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. Our father will kill us all if we don’t bring her back.”

“Fucking cunt, you slap me again and I’ll let Josiah have you.”

There’s silence after that. I don’t think I want to meet Josiah if the mention of his name makes everyone go quiet. Ever so slowly, I move until I’m behind the tree and I use the blanket to cover myself.

The sound of a four wheeler coming my way makes me shake. I don’t dare to peek out of my hiding spot. If lights don’t shine my way, I’m hoping no one will see me.

“The hounds have been released, as well as the hunters.” A new voice says as the hum of a motor comes to a stop near me.

“Fine,” the woman’s voice sounds irritated, but I’m glad they are pulling back. I think about how long I can survive out here.

“Come on, hop up here. It’s getting too dark out here and once the sun goes down, it will be freezing.”

“Good. Maybe the little bitch will die out here.”

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