Page 28 of Hawk

“He’s a fuckin’ prick,” Vic bit out.“He’s getting old and it’s showing, but he’s still dangerous.I can, and will, help you take him down.”

“I’ve never known him to miss a shot,” Carrie said, her eyes still wide.The lights were still out in the compound, but with the blinds pulled, there were a few emergency lights we had on while we prepped for a fight.“And he used a visible red laser guide.It’s why I shoved you, Vic.I saw him target you.Why would he do that?And why would he want to kill you, Vic?”

“Because I’m the glue holding the others together.If I leave him, our brothers will follow me.He sent me to find you and bring you back, Carrie.He’d still have you even after he killed me.”Vic shook his head.“I led him right to you.It never even occurred to me he might follow me here.”

“I’m so over that bastard,” Carrie muttered.“Are you guys coming or what?”She stomped toward the door and I was helpless not to follow.

“Got your hands full with that one, mate.”Griffin was one of the most upbeat men I’d ever met.He’d also been through shit.I’d been the one who’d sent him to Kiss of Death after his stint in Terre Haute.I’d been with him in the same block, but a different wing.Guy had a knack for picking fights without even trying.

“Yep.”I clapped him on the shoulder and hurried after my woman.

As I stepped outside and situated the earpiece for my radio on my ear, I watched Carrie as she mounted my bike like she meant to take the fuck off.Jogging the short distance, I took the handlebar.“I got this, honey.”

She snorted.“Got your ass in gear, didn’t it?”

I barked out a laugh as I climbed on my bike.A prospect tossed us both helmets.We put them on and fastened the straps.“Remind me to spank your ass for that later, woman.”

“Only after we put this fucker down.”Yeah.Carrie was good and pissed now.I knew the feeling.But under the anger, there was a fear so bone-deep it brought me to my knees.Flagg had been aiming for Vic, but he could have just as easily hit Carrie when she lunged to push her brother out of the way.

I followed Knight’s directions as we sped through alleys surrounding our property.There were several warehouses besides ours in the area.Knight had found the bastard at the far end of the warehouses next to the shipping yard on the Cumberland River.I knew the place well because I’d told Knuckles years ago when we’d first picked up this property it would be the perfect place for a sniper ambush.He’d agreed but then life went sideways and we weren’t able to build a defense against it.

“There!”Carrie pointed to a figure sticking to the shadows.“What the hell is he doing?”

We were on the guy before I could answer.I couldn’t positively ID the man in front of us, but if Carrie said that was Flagg I was taking her word for it.

Just as I was about to run him down, something hit the front wheel of my bike.The machine jolted, then the back end tumbled over the front.Me and Carrie both went flying.

I hit the pavement hard, rolling to try and minimize the impact.Carrie landed a few feet away, her body tucked into a ball as she rolled smoothly to her feet, taking up a fighting stance as she tossed her helmet to the ground.The training her father had put her through was showing its value.

“Carrie!”I shouted, scrambling toward her.Blood trickled down her temple, but her eyes were clear and focused.

“I’m fine,” she called back, scanning the area.“Where is he?”

A sharp crack split the air and chunks of concrete exploded near my feet.I dove for cover behind a dumpster, pulling Carrie with me.

“He’s got help,” Vic’s voice came through my earpiece.“Looks like Gage.”

“My brother.”I glanced her way and saw a deep sorrow etched into her face.This was hurting her in ways I couldn’t imagine.

Knuckles and Vic continued on after the man on foot while Bohannon stopped to help us.The vice president fired his pistol back in the direction the last volley of shots came from.“Either of you hit?”

“We’re good.”I leaned around the dumpster, peering over the edge to get a fix on our attacker.Movement on the rooftop of the warehouse to our left caught my eye.A figure in dark clothing moved position to take another shot.“East side by the river.The weak spot, Knuckles.”

“I see him.”

“Don’t hurt him!”Carrie screamed.“Not yet!”

“Fuck,” I muttered.I’m sure Carrie needed answers, and I was going to give her everything I could.“Don’t kill the bastard yet, Knuckles.We need to know who it is.Carrie will have questions.”

There was a pause on the radio before Knuckles came back with, “No promises.”

“Carrie!”Our attacker addressed her directly.“It’s me!It’s Gage!”

“Vic said it was you.”Carrie’s voice was shaky.“You were always the rogue.Father always muttered about you being the only one he couldn’t predict.But I never thought you’d try to kill me for him.”

“Wasn’t trying to kill you.I was pushing you guys away until I could get your attention.”

“You shot at us!”Carrie yelled back, sounding as mad as she looked.“I’d say that’s trying to kill us!”

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