Page 28 of Butcher

My eyes narrowed as I scanned the ground. The guys, as soon as they realized someone was helping them out and not shooting at them, had taken out the rest of the crew Randal had clearly sent after them. There were bodies littered everywhere.

A hand grabbed my shoulder and I yelped as I swung around, hitting the man in the jaw. Pain exploded in my fist and we both cursed.

“It’s me. Fuck, that hurt,” Butcher snapped, grabbing my wrist in case I did it again.

My hearing was a bit impaired from all the gunshots, which was why I hadn’t heard him climb onto, and over, the roof to me. “Don’t scare me like that!” I told him.

Both his brows lifted slowly. “Scare you? Lady, you just took out at least eight men. And you’re worried about being scared?”

I gave him a smug grin. “You’re welcome,” I told him, scooting my way toward the edge of the roof. This time we went toward the front, where the rest of his brothers were waiting after having spotted us. I watched as Butcher jumped down. “Light on his feet,” I admitted to myself. I frowned at him when he held up his arms. “Move out of theway,” I called out. How was I supposed to get down when he was in my landing zone?

“Just jump, Isla,” he replied, shaking his head.

Sighing, I slung Donna over my shoulder and did as he asked. My eyes widened when he caught me. He grinned at me, letting my body slide down his, before he set me on my feet next to him. His strength was impressive, I had to admit. Not to mention that wicked smile of his. My body was thrumming after the slow journey down his own. I did the only thing that felt appropriate. I kneed him in the balls. “Jerk.”

“How’dsheget out?” Toxic asked as the men walked up.

I grinned at him, ignoring the choked sounds Butcher was making. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I would,” Priest commented.

Yeah, so you can make sure no one else can get in or out of the compound the same way.

I met intelligent hazel eyes as the leader of their club studied me. “Nice shooting.”

“Thanks,” I told him.

“That’s my line,” he replied. “Woulda taken us a lot longer to clear these guys out without the assist.”

I scuffed my sneaker against the dirt, looking down. I wasn’t comfortable with heartfelt gratitude. I wasn’t used to people. Well, except dead people. I was around a lot of those kinds. “Don’t mention it.”

He seemed to figure out I didn’t want him to continue thanking me.

“How the hell did they ambush us?” Smokehouse asked the group.

“I must have fucked up,” Rip admitted. “I found this information on Randal Terry the same way as I did all the others. But-”

“He put it out there for you to find,” I added, cutting him off. “It’s a classic move for him when he’s being threatened.”

“So youdoknow him,” Butcher said, having finally recovered, raising a brow at me. He was still holding his balls in a protective manner.

I shook my head. “Not well, just by reputation. His name andhabits are well known in our community, but no one knows much more. Our kind isn’t exactly forthcoming with information about ourselves.”

“No, you’re not,” he replied.

“This means he knows we’re lookin’ for him,” Hush said, a grim look on his face, making us focus back on the group.

They all looked over at me in surprise when I laughed. “Sorry,” I said, giving a little cough to cover the last of the laughter. “Of course he is. He always keeps a close eye on what’s happening with a mark.”

“And you know all this because...” Lock asked, lifting a brow.

“Oh. Uh...” I glanced over at Butcher and tried to ask him with my eyes if he’d told them about me.

“She was hired by Randal,” Butcher explained.

Judging by the looks on their faces he hadn’t told them that part.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lock growled.

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