Page 41 of Liberator

“Get the fuck out!” one of the men shouted at him.

He ran out the door in just his boxers, his fat belly jiggling as he went.

“Get dressed. You’re coming with us,” the same man demanded.

Confused, I said, “What…who…I don’t.”

“Look lady. We’re not here to hurt you, and we don’t want to fuck you. We’ve got orders to get you out of this hellhole and back to where you belong. We’re the damn calvary.”

The relief was overwhelming. My assignment was over, and I was still alive. I’d been terrified since I’d lost the phone that my cover was blown. I’d expected to be executed at any time.

“I’m not leaving unless you get Trixie, too,” I stated with as much bravado as I could.

“Who the hell is Trixie?”

“She’s the girl next door. She needs out of here as much as I do,” I replied.

“Shit! You’re just as crazy as your fucking boyfriend. He’s the reason we’re all gonna be screwed if old Petrov gets wind of this shit. You dumb asses want to save every-freaking-body.”

“Rage! What does he have to do with this? Where is he?” I demanded.

“He got his stupid ass captured trying to save you. Zoe sent the whole damn army after him. We lost the draw and got sent for you. Now let’s get out of here. I’ve got orders to take you to that damn motorcycle bar.”

“You’re going to get Trixie, too. Then, you’re taking me to Rage, not the fucking bar. I have to see for myself that he’s alive. You’ll do as I say or I’ll make sure Petrov knows everything,” I replied.

“One girl or two, who gives a shit? This assignment is bullshit. At least I got to scare the actual shit out of that damn pimp. I nicked his wiener with the tip of my knife, and he told me his life story before he shit his pants. Even the bitch with him had a good laugh. I don’t think he’ll ever be the same again. He sure as hell won’t get any respect from his competition when the story hits the street. It doesn’t much matter to me where I take you. Get your ass moving if you want to get to the compound before it’s all over. I wouldn’t mind a little of the action myself.”

Trixie’s client had already fled when the men went in to get her. He’d heard everything going on next door and decided he wasn’t waiting to see what would happen to him. Trixie came quietly until my rescuers began their speed race to the compound. Then, she started screaming.

“Let me out! You’re going to kill us all! Drop me somewhere!” she shouted, on and on and on.

“Tell the bitch to shut her mouth or I’m throwing her ass out of the car while it’s still moving!”

I clamped a hand over her mouth and whispered, “These guys mean what they say. You’re extra baggage to them. This is the fucking mafia. If you think the cartel is bad, then you better understand that the mafia is a hundred times worse.”

She began to whimper and squeeze my hand until I thought all my fingers would break, but she didn’t yell anymore.

We drove directly into a war zone. Bodies were everywhere. Buildings were blown to bits. Bullet holes riddled those that were left standing. Women, teenagers, and a few kids ran as fast as they could through the gates and into the tree line,disappearing like wraiths. Trixie scrambled out of the car and without saying goodbye followed them.

I didn’t chase her. I knew she’d find a way to survive just as I had. I needed to get to Rage, who I wasn’t so sure was going to make it. He’d come here for me and now I might lose him. A feeling of deep regret settled in my heart. I’d never told him I loved him, and I might not get that chance again.

None of us knew where to go until we heard a scream. It was the kind that sent shivers up my spine and made the hair on my arms stand up. It was the sound of agony so bad that the screamer would rather be dead. It had to be Rage for me to feel it in my bones.

I raced past my rescuers and straight to the open doorway where the screams were still coming from, though not as loudly. I tripped and nearly tumbled down the steep, dark stairs. I saw Prime on his knees, cradling a man who had to be Rage, yet looked nothing like him.

His face was a mass of bruises and blood. It was so swollen he could barely crack an eyelid open. He was curled against Prime, and his upper body looked twisted. His screams had turned to mumbles that only Prime could decipher.

“The coward ran,” Prime translated for us. “Aguilar himself did this, but when he heard the explosions he ran.”

“Vikki.”

My name came out like a sigh from Rage’s lips.

“We’ll find her,” Prime said.

“I’m here,” I replied. I stumbled forward and fell down to kiss Rage’s poor face. I was scared to touch him for fear of causing more pain.

“Rage, it’s going to be okay. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have left a note. I should have made Prime tell you I’d run away and didn’t want to be found. You stubborn mule, I bet you’d have looked for me anyway. Damn your temper! Damn myfoolishness!” I proclaimed while I sobbed, and a river of tears fell from my eyes.

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