Page 49 of The Devil's Conflict

“Or it could be that he bought it and Vlad or Dmitri are paying him to use it,” Shadow suggests grimly. “If he’s looking to retire, that kind of money would be tempting.”

“Check it out, Cryos,” I order.

“On it. And I’ve sent you the aerial photos to your phones. They were taken by satellite three days ago.”

I glance at the tire tracks. “Some of the tracks are fresher than that, but I can see a few that might be that old. We’ll have a look.” I hang up and pull them up, tilting my phone so Shadow can see.

The photos are clear enough, but they don’t show anything that would indicate someone being here. At least not at first glance. I enlarge the photos scanning as much of it as I can. “Wait,” Shadow says quickly, making me pause. “Go back a bit, right along the edge of the tree line.” Narrowing my eyes, I finally spot it.

There, just on the edge of the trees, is the bed of a truck, sticking out just far enough that I’m shocked that Shadow noticed it. It’s black in color, so it blends in with the thick trees. I zoom out to assess the area, and then I look around. “There,” I say after a moment, turning and heading toward it. Shadow follows, both of us quiet on our feet, eyes and ears peeled for anyone or anything that might be sneaking around out here.

When we reach the trees, I see the tire tracks start up again. Which means that whoever was driving in here, they didn’t want anyone to know that they were going this way and got rid of any that might have been here after they entered or exited. My stomach knots with anticipation.

I also realize that the truck’s path looks like it is about to run into a bunch of thick trees that no one would be able to drive through, especially not with the downed logs right ahead of and into them. But considering the drag marks on the ground around them both, it’s clear they have been moved, and recently. I glance at Shadow and he makes a quick hand signal that he’s going left, and I nod and indicate I’m good to go right.

I keep my eyes open for any signs of any kind of tripwires or cameras, but nothing stands out, especially not in the darkness. But my training kicks in as easily as it did when I was in the middle of the jungle looking for my target, and I get through slowly, carefully, and making very little sound. No point in alerting our presence. I can’t see Shadow on the other side, but I can sense him and know he’s doing the same.

I reach the edge of the thick trees and stop, listening and scanning carefully. I wish I had my night vision goggles. Still, the moon is full enough that I can see that the trees open up into a clearing and a small cabin sits.

I stay completely still, letting my senses take over. I don’t hear or smell anything, which would suggest that no one is around, but the woods are quiet. Deathly quiet. And if this placeis being used by Vlad, then I have my doubts this place isn’t guarded.

Shadow and I stay still for another solid ten minutes, both of us knowing we don’t dare move in case anyone is watching. But nothing, and no movement inside the cabin. With slow precision, we make our way to the cabin. It’s a long and careful trek, but finally, I reach the side of the house, crouching near one of the small windows. Carefully, I peer inside, but the cabin is dark, and I don’t hear a sound. But there are no spiderwebs or dust on the sill which means that this place is being used regularly.

I make my way toward the front, pulling my gun from my back. I head up the front steps. When I reach the door, I carefully turn the knob and ease it open, backing out of the opening as I do. When nothing happens, I walk inside, flipping the switch just inside the door I feel along the wall.

I look around quickly, making sure that no one is hiding in the shadows, but the place is empty of people. But plenty full of plenty else. Furniture is around the large room, including a large table in the small kitchen area at the far end. A kitchen that is clearly not being used for food, considering all the bags, scales, and drug paraphernalia that are strewn all over it. Guns are laid out carefully in a row along the coffee table in front of the couch, and boxes and baggies with product already cut and packaged are packed along the wall near the front door.

“Looks like we found one of their hideouts,” I tell Shadow when he makes his way inside.

Shadow nods, his face grim. “And considering how well hidden this place is, and how well they camouflaged the roof, you wouldn’t be able to see it on aerial views easily.”

I take in the furniture again, and then the walls and the wooden look to them. “This place looks old enough that it might have been around for Bull to use,” I point out. “We need to getsome pictures, see if we can find anything else around here, and then get back to the clubhouse to show Bullet. He might know about this place.”

Shadow nods. He pulls out his phone. “I’ll get the pictures. You see what else you can find.”

I get to work. I don’t care if they know we’ve been here because I have no doubt that Vlad and his men already do, and I make quick work of destroying what I can. This shit is going out of our territory, hitting our streets, and that can’t fucking happen. Ever.

I find nothing, no trap doors, or hidden rooms or compartments. But I have a feeling something is here. We just have to figure out how to open it or find it. And I also wouldn’t put it past whoever built this place to hide something close by but not in the cabin itself. It is far too obvious a place to hide something when you have all this land around you to use to your advantage.

When Shadow and I finally make our way out of the cabin, we don’t make any attempt to conceal ourselves this time. Instead, we walk briskly back to our bikes, and head back to the clubhouse. When we reach the gate, Theo lets us in, but holds up a hand for me to stop. I nod for Shadow to go on ahead and pull my bike over and look at Theo expectantly while he closes the gate.

“Just letting you know Thea is pissed,” Theo tells me grimly. “Oh, and one of the Misfits spilled the beans the club is dealing with the Russians. Not in detail, but she knows. And a few more of the Misfits weren’t too pleased with her and said some things that Viper stepped in to cut down, but you’re probably going to have one pissed off woman in your room when you get up there.”

Fuck.

“You got her things like I asked?” I question.

He gives me a wry smile. “Oh yeah, and that’s what started the whole thing. She was pissed that I got them and that she can’t leave. Actually, she cooled it down more than she normally would, and I think that was only because of everyone around listening. Otherwise, I’d probably already be on the ground bleeding.” But then he loses his smile and says seriously, “And she said as much which set off the Misfits. I overheard Viper as I was leaving once it all got settled telling her that she can’t do that. Especially not in front of another club. I hope that doesn’t get her in trouble. She’s out of her element here, and honestly, we talk like that to each other all the time. To her, it’s normal.”

“Nothing will happen to her,” I assure him calmly. “And I’ll explain things to her more clearly.” I pause and eye him for a moment. “You know, you’re far more calm about the fact that your sister is in my room than I figured you would be.”

Theo shrugs. “Look, I love my sister, and I can do the wholehurt her and we’ll have a problemspeechif you want, but we both know that Thea can handle herself. When we were younger, I was a bit more overprotective, but I learned pretty quick that she didn’t need her brother protecting her. So unless she comes to me, I have no say in where or with whom she spends her time. And if you make her happy, then who am I to try and get in the way of that?”

I nod. “I don’t plan on hurting her, but I know that I’m going to have to work hard to get her to want to give the two of us a real shot. Can I count on your help if I need it?”

Theo shakes his head. “I’m not getting involved. I don’t care if that means I lose my chance at Prospecting either. You want her, you figure that out on your own, because I’m not going to get my ass shot by being stuck in the middle.”

I can’t help but smile. “Fair enough.” I have to respect him for being clear on his stance and not wanting to get involved. “I’llsee what I can do about settling things down for her. And you’re doing fine and settling in okay?”

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