Page 89 of The Hermit

Alan comes to a screeching stop beside us, and the guards quickly jump out of the SUV. Leo, Enzo, Ilias, and their men join us, and all hell breaks loose as we take a stand.

The gunfight doesn’t even last five minutes, and the moment the last Russian drops, I hear the sound of a truck rumbling to our right.

Santiago brings the rigged vehicle to a stop, and leaning out the window, he shouts, “You couldn’t wait for me?”

“Your slow-ass truck took for fucking ever,” I shout back.

I rush to the SUV, and opening the back door, I hold my hand out to Grace. “Come,milácik.”

She grabs hold of me, and I pull her out of the vehicle. The moment she’s on her feet, I hold her close to my side.

When she glances at the dead bodies, she murmurs, “Good God, Dominik.”

“You brought your woman to a fucking war?” Ilias asks, his tone thick with disapproval.

I tip my head in Cassia’s direction. “Don’t fuck with me today, old man.”

Gripping Grace’s hand, I walk to the truck.

Santiago glances at the two men in the front with him and says, “Ride with Evinka.”

After they climb out, I help Grace into the truck before getting in beside her, then say, “Let’s fucking end this.”

Everybody piles into their vehicles, and Ilias and Leo take the lead while Enzo and Evinka bring up the rear.

“What do you think of my baby?” Santiago asks.

“A little on the slow side, but it will get the job done,” I mutter.

He pats the dash. “Don’t listen to him, my princess. You’re a big, beautiful beast.”

“Jebat,” I mutter under my breath while shaking my head.

Santiago steers the beast toward the other side of the district, then glances at Grace and asks, “Having fun, Mrs. Varga?”

She shakes her head and mutters, “I wish I could actually be of help instead of just being along for the ride.” She waves a hand in front of her face, then adds, “And it doesn’t help that this place is hotter than Satan’s buttcrack.”

He lets out a bark of laughter. “Satan’s buttcrack. I like that. I might use it in the future.”

When we pull up to the abandoned building, it’s to see half an army of Santiago’s men waiting for us.

We climb out of the truck, and Santiago meets me at the front of the beast.

His eyes lock with mine, and for once, he has a serious expression on his face as he says, “See the number of men I’ve brought to fight the bratva?” He waits for me to nod, then continues, “I want the same amount from the other alliance members stationed on the island, and you better arm them all. When shit goes down in my backyard, you better show me the same support I’m showing you today.”

“Of course,” I mutter.

“Why are we here?” Ilias barks. “We should be attacking the factory. I want that Pavlov dead!”

Christ, the man is testing my already non-existent patience.

“We’re regrouping,” I snap angrily. “Just be ready to head out.”

Cassia steps closer to her father, and also looking annoyed, she tells him, “You’re going to give yourself a heart attack if you don’t calm down.”

He shoots her a glare, snapping, “Shut up!”

“That’s enough,” Leo says as he joins us. “The war isn’t between us but out there.”

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