Page 291 of The Reluctant Hero

The precision he uses sliding that needle into her knee is like watchin’ a surgeon work. The metal wedges behind her kneecap while her muffled shrieks stain the air. He does the same on her other knee.

A single fingertip gets placed on each one to shift in the smallest movement.

Fullerton passes out.

“Wake her,” Gabe says calmly.

Mik grabs a rag soaked in rubbing alcohol and presses it over her face. A few seconds later, she wakes and looks around inconfusion. When Mik rips the tape off her mouth, she screams. As if that’s the worst pain she’s ever felt.

“Let me explain,” Gabriel stands up, regaining her attention. Her smudged red lips curl in a snarl. “You’re hooked up to an IV with antibiotics, so I can take my time. Weeks if needed. We have ways of waking you if you pass out. I want the names of everyone involved in the sex trafficking. Drug suppliers. And anyone that paid.”

Her mouth opens, ready to spew out curses. Before she makes a sound, Gabe leans forward and shifts a needle. I watch her kneecap press against her skin, bulging.

Now, all she has breath for is a scream of agony.

“Jake, take notes,” Gabe crouches down and starts pulling out more needles.

It might be sick as hell, but I’ve never been so proud of him.

Gabriel

I make it up the stairs feeling lighter somehow.

Fullerton gave us everything, including any other bank accounts that have money in them. I’ll give her the night and make sure she’s being honest tomorrow. I don’t want to miss any details.

The doors close behind us, leaving Fullerton and a few doctors in the gym. A maid steps out of a doorway, looking pale.

“Mr. Matthias is here,” she informs me, unable to meet my eyes. “The sitting room.”

Even the staff knows how bad I take knowing my father is nearby. They’ve heard the phone calls.

This time, I nod and dismiss her without the normal frown. She seems a little surprised as she hurries away from me.

“I got this,” Ace tries to pass me.

“No,” I tell him with a resigned sigh. “I have this. Everything is ready.”

Everyone looks at me in surprise as I pace away from them.

As soon as I pass the threshold of the room, he begins. He’s seated on the same couch he used before with the same guards behind him. I move the armchair around until we’re facing each other as he rants. His words mean nothing to me now.

“You used Amanda as bait to draw out the rats in your midst,” I interrupt him without tone.

I unbutton my jacket and sit down, meeting his eyes without flinching.

“That wasn’t wise.”

He blinks in surprise, caught off guard by my flat accusation. I speak again before he can.

“All of your agents hidden throughout town have twenty-four hours to pack up and get out. They’re burned.”

Jake and Cade walk in with bright smiles. Cade drops a stack of sheets onto the coffee table between us.

Father’s eyes move to it, his brows furrowing. When he sees the list of names, his eyes widen and dart back to mine.

“Did you think I was idle while this was going on?” I ask with a raised brow.

Any names I couldn’t dig out, Tera found easily. That woman has a gift with computers. I owe her. And Shade. The man that’s never had cover when pain rains down. I’ll be that umbrella. I have way too many people in this town that need it. I’m ready to take on the job.

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