Page 98 of King of Obsession

I turned back to the binoculars, pulse-quickening. The game was on.

Two massive black Ram 1500 trucks emerged from the Conti property, moving with predatory intent.

‘Damn, they’re huge,’ Cleo whispered, a mix of awe and apprehension in her voice. ‘Like tanks on wheels.’

I grunted in agreement, my eyes never leaving the approaching convoy. The Caputos had spared no expense regarding their fleet - or their security.

But today, their arrogance would be their downfall.

The rigs rolled past our hidden position; close enough, the pulsations from their tires reverberated over my chest.

The acrid scent of diesel exhaust mingled with the earthy fragrance of the forest. I held my breath, willing our camouflage to hold.

Cleo’s fingers dug into my thigh as the seconds ticked, an eternity compressed into a few heartbeats.

The growl of the engines receded as the vehicles continued down the winding road toward Moss Vale.

A third truck pulled up to the compound entrance, braking with a hiss of hydraulics.

My muscles tensed as a solitary figure emerged from the vehicle, his movements casual and unhurried. He strode, heading for the gates, and reached into his pocket for what I assumed were the keys.

I glanced at Cleo, a silent question in my eyes.

She nodded, her jaw set. ‘Go. I’ll cover you.’

Without hesitation, I eased open the SUV door and leaped out, my feet hitting the ground with a soft thud.

With a Sig in each hand, I darted across the road, my heartpounding in my ears as I closed the distance between myself and the unsuspecting guard.

Halfway there, a flicker of movement caught my eye.

I’d been tagged.

Two other figures burst from the truck, weapons drawn, their faces contorted with rage. They’d spotted me, and they were out for blood.

I fired in rapid succession, my gun bucking in my hands as I squeezed off shot after shot. Gunfire shattered the morning stillness, echoing off the surrounding trees.

The first man went down, a bullet catching him square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering uselessly beside him.

The second man took a hit to the shoulder, spinning him around and sending him sprawling.

‘You’re a dead man!’ the third man at the gate snarled, his eyes blazing with hatred as he fumbled with his firearm, his hands shaking as he attempted to draw a bead on me.

I didn’t bother with a witty retort.

Instead, I let my Sig do the talking. I fired once, twice, and he stumbled back, a look of shock and pain etched on his face.

Blood blossomed on his chest, spreading rapidly as he fell to his knees. He tried to speak, his lips moving, but no words came out. Instead, a crimson spray erupted from his mouth, splattering his feet.

Two more quick shots, and he joined his buddies on the ground, either unconscious or lifeless. I didn’t have time to check which.

I turned to tag Cleo behind me with her rifle, ensuring no one was at my rear. She jerked, her face dark and solemn.

‘We must get rid of them,’ I rasped, advancing toward thefallen men. ‘Roll them into that ditch over there. It won’t hide them for long but’ll buy us some time.’

Together, we worked fast, dragging the bodies to the deep trench on the side of the road and pushing them over the edge.

We found branches to cover the corpses.

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