Page 42 of Reign of Hope

“You can do that by going up and seeing what the guys need in the security room or walking the perimeter. It may seem trivial to you, but it means something to them,” Anna replies.

Victorio gets up and begins to walk away, turning to look over his shoulder. “Thanks.”

I wait for Victorio’s footsteps to fade before turning to the other. “Thanks for that.”

“It’s just the truth, Ally,” Olivia says.

“We need coffee,” Elena says. “I’ll make some.”

“It’s going to be a long night,” Lucia adds.

I wonder where Zano is. Is he being safe? I need him to come home to me. I can’t imagine my life without him. God wouldn’t be so cruel as to take him from me. We’ve only just found one another.

* * *

Zano

Spike didn’t come alone, but he’s also stupid enough to leave his mark on the trail that leads to the meeting spot at the abandoned train station outside town. Several of our men hid their cars and are on foot, making their way to the meeting spot. In our earpieces, we hear them take down one Skull member after another.

Demon asked to be let out at the fenced area at the entrance. He immediately climbed up onto an old box car and is hopping from car to car while we wait for his instructions.

“Spike has three other guys with him.” Demon’s voice rings in my earpiece. “One is inside the shed with a rifle aiming out toward the street. I’ll take care of him. Hang tight.”

Elio and I hang back, eyes peeled. Several of our men check in to let us know the coast is clear from their position. Others have found positions to cover us when we make our move.

The minutes seem like hours, but still there’s no word from Demon. It’s worrisome and I’m ready to initiate contact, but Elio stops me.

“Give him time. We don’t want to distract him,” Elio says. I nod, when something catches my attention. It’s Demon. He’s waving us forward.

“There he is,” I whisper, and Elio turns his head to see Demon. Demon takes his position on the roof of the decrepit shed. I’m surprised it doesn’t collapse with his weight on it.

“Ready, bro?” Elio asks.

“Fuck yeah!” Never more ready, I think to myself. I want Spike dead, but Reno has other ideas, so I’ll have to settle for bound and gagged.

Elio and I get out of our vehicle and slink around the old box cars, peering through the gaps between them until all that’s standing between us and Spike and his two Skull gang members is a group of old barrels, piled one atop the other.

Elio draws his gun; I do the same. We decided that I would be the one to lure Spike into the open. I’m wearing Tony’s hoodie and draw the hood over my head. I need to rely on Demon and Elio to eliminate the threat of the other two men standing with Spike.

I step out from behind the barrels, and instantly, guns are aimed at my chest. The darkness hides my face.

“Tony, we’re so glad you’re alive,” Spike says in a disgustingly sweet tone, wearing the same smile as an alligator getting ready to rip its prey apart. I stay perfectly still. “Aren’t you going to say hello?” he asks, throwing out a hand.

I remain where I am, gripping the gun in my pocket, wanting nothing more than to pull it out and shoot the fucker in the heart.

In my ear, I hear Elio. “On three.” I keep my eyes peeled on Spike. “One. Two.” There’s a slight pause, then, “Three.”

Demon and Elio take their shots simultaneously. Each one hits the Skull members on either side of Spike, one in the arm, the other in the leg, both dropping their guns and hitting the ground. Spike pulls out his gun at the same time as I do, and we aim directly at each other.

“I wouldn’t do that, Spike,” I warn. “I guarantee I’m a better shot than you, and if by some miracle you hit me, my men will make you suffer until you beg for death.” That’s when Elio shows himself, and Demon whistles above him. Spike looks around and sees he’s in a precarious position.

“I’m going to die, anyway. Might as well go out in a blaze of glory,” Spike says, then gives an evil laugh. This fucker doesn’t care if he lives or dies. That makes the worst kind of prisoner because he’ll bullshit you with any kind of information to throw you off track or won’t talk at all. Killing him now or later won’t matter. Except, Reno wants him alive.

Spike has other ideas, and when I see him turn his gun on himself, I know I need to do something fast. I take aim at his knee and take the shot. Spike buckles to the ground, loosening his grip on the gun, giving Demon just enough time to leap from the roof onto the floor beside Spike to kick it away.

I make my way over to Spike, who is writhing with pain. He sees me, and I draw back the hood of my jacket.

“You!” Spike spits out. He chuckles. “Might as well kill me. I won’t talk. I’m dead either way. Either you kill me, or Drake will.”

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