Page 107 of Always Been Mine

“I mean, I know what he did to your woman. If youdecide to cut him into pieces,” Viktor shrugged, “we’ll clean it up for you.”

Zach’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious?” Gabe asked, almost choking at the offer.

“I am. However, I don’t think that’s what you should do at this point.”

“Oh, yeah? Enlighten me.”

“Priority is establishing Redrook’s identity, not revenge.”

“I know that.”

“Although, I’m not too concerned because I’ve made contact with the leader of the special ops team that was supposed to ambush this meet. We’ll find out soon enough who’s pulling their strings.”

“And you trust this guy?”

“As much as I should,” Viktor said. “Understand this, Sullivan. Unless you’re on my team, I don’t fully trust you.”

“It’s mutual at this point, Baran, so luckily, I’m not on your team.”

Viktor cracked a slight smile. His expression was one of innate stoicism. Add the face paint to the whole facade, and it was damned near impossible to read the man. Now in the light of the barn, Gabe could see ice blue eyes that had seen too much death. He should know—Gabe had seen the same reflected in his own eyes.

Viktor moved closer and lowered his voice. “I know what you’ve been through, Sullivan. You’re still trying to claw your way back from who you once were. Killing Jamison at this point is not the road back. But make no mistake, I understand you. Just remember, you have to live with the consequences of your actions.”

So now, Gabe was staring at Zach with much unparalleled rage and he was torn with what he had to do. If Viktor hadn’t made his little speech, would he even think twice about slitting the man’s throat?

“How do I know this Frank Wilkes isn’t some name you pulled out of your ass, huh, Zach?” Gabe scoffed.

“You think I like being made a punching bag?” Zach asked, spitting blood on the floor.

“What’s the matter, Zach? You can dish it, but you can’t take it, you sadistic son of a bitch!” Gabe growled as he unsheathed his knife from his boot.

He waved the weapon in front of Zach’s nose, who was at the moment, just staring at Gabe, daring him to do his worst. In his peripheral vision, he saw Travis make a move forward.

Gabe held back a hand. “Stay out of this, Travis.”

“Gabe, think about it, man, would Beatrice want you to do this?”

“Are you suggesting I call and ask her?” Gabe asked derisively.

“Don’t be ridiculous—”

“She screamed, you know,” Zach sneered.

“You will shut up if you know what’s good for you!” Travis snapped at Zach. “Gabe, killing Zach is not what Beatrice wants.”

“She’ll never be safe,” Zach said and laughed chillingly. “While her father is alive, she’ll always be fair game.”

“Oh, you’ll be wasting away somewhere,” Gabe replied. His voice was calm, but the desire for retribution scalded his veins.

“You think that will stop me? How do you know she’s safe even now?”

Both men froze.

“Ah . . . your little safe house. You never considered we’d track Douglas Keller.”

“Impossible. There are sensors—”

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