Page 99 of Brutal Obsession

Finn floors the gas, and the van lurches forward. A few seconds later, a small explosion rocks the night.

Darren loves his explosives.

Rory sighs as Darren picks up his sniper rifles and starts firing at any survivors. “So much for surprising them.”

“Give me a break. It’s not like they didn’t know we were coming.”

“Both of you, shut it and quit bickering.”

The barked command comes from Riley.

Even more surprising, the two of them listen.

More gunfire follows.

Rory hollers over the noise. “We’ll search the main compound first.”

“She won’t be in the main compound. Here.” In my hand, I hold a tablet with the blueprint Rory managed to pull. I point to a lone building on the back side of the property. “That’swhere Enzo would have her.”

Rory offers me a curt nod. “We’ll follow your lead then.” He climbs up to the front seat to give Finn directions.

I’ve been stalking Enzo De Luca for the past several weeks. I’ve analyzed his movements, documented his whereabouts, dug as far as I could into his mind.

As much as he disgusts me, I understand him. More than I want to.

Because Harper connects us.

Enzo wants her.

Maybe in the beginning this was about tormenting Finn or avenging his brother. But somewhere along the way, Enzo developed a sick fascination with Harper all his own. It’s easy to recognize the symptoms.

If abducting Harper were about Finn or revenge, Enzo would’ve already made his move. He would’ve called in a ransom to Shane—Harperisstill a protected daughter—or at least flaunted the fact that he has her.

But we’ve heard nothing.

Enzo kidnapped Harper on his own. He didn’t tell anyone about it. He’s holding her as his personal captive instead of sending her to a generic De Luca facility for confinement or torture.

In other words, vengeance against Finn isn’t his motivator.

He’s taking Harper someplace where they can avoid disturbances.

Somewhere private, detached, and difficult to find.

Like an isolation unit on the back of this property.

We explode out of the trees, driving deeper into a dark and lonely De Luca compound. Other than the welcoming committee, the place seems deserted. Those left of the bunch pursue us in vehicles of their own as Finn races down a dirt access road that leads around to the back of the property.

The compound is about the size of a neighborhood baseball field. Multiple buildings connected by covered walkways comprise the main structure. The property itself is divided bywinding dirt roads and ten-foot walls. If I had to guess, this place was either a prison or a military school before the De Lucas bought it.

“I don’t get it. Why bring her here?” Darren shuts the tiny window and moves to the opposite side of the van, next to me. “This makes no sense.”

“Look alive,” Rory warns, retrieving a gun from the holster on his chest. “I think they’re expecting us.”

“They should be.” I rip the van door open sideways the same second Finn stomps the brakes. Tires screech to a halt below. Darren and I fly out into the night, the woods engulfing the property and darkening our environment even more.

“Go! We’ll cover you!” Rory shouts at our backs as we pound the dirt. The rev of oncoming vehicles behind us rises through the air, followed by bullets spraying the back of the armored car.

The exchange of gunfire gets louder even as we sprint away from the action. My pulse, thundering in my ears, obscures almost every other noise.

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