Page 367 of The Tempted

We sprang into action, doing what men like us did best, and prepared for war. Even, Anthony and Mike gave their share, contributing to our warfare. We were dispersing responsibilities to each man when Jack’s phone rang.

Every pair of eyes were on him as we waited for him to clue us in. They say Jack’s crazy. They say he’s a loose cannon. I had never seen it first hand, not until I saw his eyes flicker and the darkness take over.

Crazy.

“Son of a bitch,” he shouted, sliding his phone across the table.

“What’d he say?” Pipe asked.

“Nothing, just that he’ll be sending me a video including his demands,” he said, diverting his eyes toward me. “Get a wire on that thing and get it done fast,” he ordered, before pushing back his chair and storming out of Chapel.

Everyone cleared out of the room and I grabbed the phone.

“Riggs,” Bones called from the door.

“Yeah?”

“Whatever happens…” his words trailed off.

“Stay safe,” I finished for him. “You too,” I added.

He nodded in agreement before taking off with Pipe. I hurried up the stairs to get my equipment and work at tapping Jack’s phone. Before I could even get started the message came through on his phone, missing the opportunity to trace it.

Strike one.

Shit.

I ran toward Jack’s room and pounded on the door.

“Come in,” he called as I opened the door.

“Message came through before I could get a tap,” I said, handing him over the phone.

The moment he hit play, the stakes in the game changed. I actually wished I wasn’t the only man in the room with him because I had no idea how to reel Jack in, but then again, he wasn’t Jack.

Jack died when he played that message.

A more vicious man emerged from the ashes.

Now, he was the Bulldog.

Heaven help us all.

“Bulldog…” I started, mesmerized by the transformation. “Jack, man, come on, don’t go there,” I said, gripping his shoulders and twisting his body around so we’d be eye to eye. “You can’t lose it, not now,” I reprimanded.

We needed a leader.

He brushed my hands from his shoulders and shoved me out of the way.

“Get your hands off me,” he bellowed, stalking out of the room.

I ran after him, fucking man was pushing forty but he was a goddamn machine. I needed to lay off the cigarettes…and the pot.

“Stop him!” I shouted, running down the stairs behind him. “Pipe! Wolf!”

“Get out of my way,” he demanded, as they barricaded the staircase.

Thank Christ.

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