Page 72 of Maverick

He wheeled two large tanks combined, over to Zach. From the top, a hose came out and a valve sat at the end. Attached to that valve was a long metal shaft. A nozzle at the end completed the assembly.

Zach looked at the machine and started to shake. “What the fuck is that? What the fuck is that thing?”

Goose just smiled. “This is Faye. She’s my handmade flame thrower. You two are gonna get real cozy.”

He switched a flip and the machine roared to life. Goose lifted the nozzle and pointed it toward Zach’s arms. “Gonna talk?”

Zach just stared straight ahead. Goose shrugged his shoulders and pulled the trigger handle.

Flames shot out and scorched Zach’s arms. The skin turned bright red and started to crack. All the hair on his arm burned off and the skin started to slough off in flakes.

Zach started to scream and then Goose turned the fire off. “So, Zach. Are you gonna tell us where Willow is now?”

“Fuck...you.”

Goose laughed and turned the fire back up. He aimed the nozzle toward Zach’s stomach. “Have it your way then.”

He started to burn Zach’s stomach and moved the nozzle lower toward his privates. Zach screamed as his boxers caught fire.

“Fine! Fine! She’s at the motel on Newingworth Street...the next town over! Now please put this fire out!”

Striker shrugged and looked at Goose. They both laughed and Goose turned the flame thrower back on. “Nah. You’re a dead man, asshole.”

He took the flamethrower to the rest of his body and I turned and ran out the door. I was going to save Willow before they did any more harm to her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Willow

As I opened my eyes, the two other club members were standing over me. Their slimy smiles made me want to puke.

“Looks like our friend decided to join us again. Are you gonna tell us anything about The Devil’s Highwaymen or are we gonna play again?”

I shook my head and tried to talk. I could barely open my mouth. It was so dry. The men laughed and poured water all over my face. It was so fast I didn’t even have time to take a breath.

Struggling to breathe, the water shot down my throat and I started to feel like I was drowning. They stopped when there was no water left in the pitcher.

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