Page 20 of Ruthless

“Enough.” My dad puts an end to our conversation with one firm word. “Yer sister is back now. Go help her clean up yer mess.”

“Fine.” Teegan sulks as he stands and walks out the door. I follow behind him, and so does Connor, but my dad stops him.

“Connor, a word.”

My big brother’s jaw clenches, but he nods as Teegan and I make our way back up front and out of the line of fire, but then my dad speaks, and my hope dies a small fiery death.

“I’ll see ye both at Sunday Mass, Kennedy.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

Zane

The three of us stay holed-up inside the motel and rest up the rest of the day until it’s time. There’s no way I’m chancing having another nightmare, so I stay awake the entire time. I go over all of the notes Asher has and run through the game plan until I know it like the back of my hand. Time drags ass, but I don’t stop until it’s time. None of us call to check in on the girls because it’ll only be a distraction, and when we’re on a job, we need to keep our head in the game. One fuck up, no matter how small, could end up getting one of us killed.

Hours later, night falls, giving me a reprieve from my fucked-up head, and we’re back in the Suburban with Asher behind the wheel. I’m letting him drive this time because the rock in my stomach has become a fucking boulder. Something about this whole fucked situation still isn’t sitting right with me. I hope that Isaac won’t fight us and come clean with the truth once we catch him. Everything in me knows that he won’t go quietly. We’ve been trained to fight to the death.

“How’s this gonna go? We don’t have any weapons or shit with us?” Axel asks from the back seat, rubbing his thumb along his bottom lip. That’s the only tell he has that his nerves are getting to him. We’ve hunted down others before Isaac, but none have ever been our equal. And that’s fucking with my little brother’s head.

Asher lights up a cigarette and offers me one before answering him. “Check the very back seat. There should be a black duffel bag with everything we need inside.”

Axel doesn’t say another word as he twists around and reaches between the other bucket seat. He slides out the black duffel bag, unzips it, and lets out a low whistle. “Christmas fucking came early.” He uses the moonlight to rummage through the bag, pulling out a handful of black zip ties, some burner phones, and a Glock 19. Then he digs deeper inside and cradles an MP5 rifle like it’s his new favorite toy.

“That’s military issued.” My eyebrows pinch together as I wonder how the fuck my brother got ahold of this shit. Sure, we’re doing an off-the-books job for the US government, but even they wouldn’t supply us with all of this. “Where did you get all this shit?”

“I know a guy.” Asher shrugs, but I catch his fingers tightening against the steering wheel.

“Do I want to know how you know a guy like that?” Axel never takes his eyes off the rifle as he continues to caress it with his hand like it’s foreplay for him. One thing my little brother loves more than getting laid is firepower.

“Prison,” is all Asher says, but it’s plenty. None of us like to remember the shit that happened those six years he was locked up. He goes back to watching the road while I do my best not to get lost in my head. I need to keep focused. Otherwise, this shit will go sideways real fucking fast.

We park a block over, in front of one of the rental houses that’s currently empty. Hiding in plain sight will keep us under the radar just enough to get the job done. As soon as Asher kills the ignition and the lights, Axel hands out the MP5s.

The moment we step out of the truck, the slight breeze in the air sets my insides ablaze with life. Shit is about to get crazy, real fucking fast. I slip on the same gloves Axel and Asher are wearing and wait for them to meet me on this side of the Suburban.

We’re dressed in black from head to toe as we blend in with the night. The three of us creep up the driveway of the carport of the vacant house, keeping our rifles raised and at the ready. Our heads constantly scan our surroundings, ensuring no surprises await us along the way. Each one of our senses is on high alert. No matter how small, every noise is amplified and processed for a perceivable threat. My pulse ticks in my neck like a time bomb waiting to explode the closer we get to Isaac’s house.

We press our backs against the wall and take slow, steady breaths to keep focused. Isaac’s house is pitch black, making it appear that no one is home. It could be legit that we’ve missed him, or it could be a trap. Either way, we’re not taking any chances. Asher holds out his hand to stop us and jerks his chin. A camera faces the side of the house. He pulls out one of the burner phones that were in the duffel bag and disables the cameras.

“Got about thirty seconds before his firewall senses mine. We need to hurry.” Asher waves us forward.

We climb over the four-foot fence and suction our backs to the wall. We slide along the vinyl siding, keeping our bodies pressed close to the house to blend in among the shadows. Our feet are silent against the concrete the closer to the back door we get. Once there, Axel kneels to pick the lock, but something catches my eye. I tug on his shirt to get his attention and jerk him back next to me.

“Wait.”

Axel glances at me over his shoulder and opens his mouth to ask me why but snaps it shut the second he gets a look at my face. When we’re on a job, we all know to listen to each other without question. That’s how we keep our asses alive.

“There’s a scuff mark.” I jerk my chin at the smudge on the bottom left corner of the door. It’d be easy to miss if you weren’t paying attention. That’s not the only issue I’m having with this whole situation.

Asher closes rank behind me and tenses up, sensing the same thing I am. Things are quiet. Too fucking quiet. Nothing about this feels right.

“The lock is busted up too.” Axel lightly taps on the door, and it gives way. “Fucking hell! What’s that smell?” He gags and covers his nose. The ominous feeling in my gut intensifies.

Asher and I share a look. We both know what that odor is. Decomposition has a unique stench. It’s not one you ever forget either.

“Fuck,” Asher grits out. His jaw clenches, and his whole demeanor changes. He’s picked up on the same thing I have. Someone beat us here.

“How do you want to play this?” Axel stays put and waits for an answer.

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