Page 95 of Mountain Daddy

Fuck. She’s unconscious.

Where the hell is Chleo?

I move through the house, not caring if there are more men in there. I need to find my son.

I walk past Rosa. Check out the window.

There. One of the men. He has Chleo’s hand in his. He’s dragging the boy to the car.

And my son? He’s fighting every step of the way. Crying. Trying to pull away.

I’m instantly out through the front door.

The man turns, senses me a second too late.

He doesn't hesitate. Shoves Chleo behind him. Draws his gun.

I'm faster.

My bullet catches him in the shoulder. Spins him. His shot goes wild, punches through some tree.

Chleo screams.

“Go inside,” I tell the kid. “Go sit with Rosa.”

Chleo pales, his lips trembling. But he listens. He runs in without looking back. Seeing Rosa like that is bound to scare him.

Seeing what I’ll do next? That’ll scare him more.

So I chose the lesser of two evils.

I'm on the man before he can recover. My weight drives him against the garden wall. His head cracks against the plaster.

He's strong. Trained. A professional. His elbow catches me in the ribs. Makes me grunt.

But I'm stronger. Angrier. Fighting for something more than money or revenge for once.

Fighting for my kid. For Lilly.

I smash my forehead into his nose. Feel cartilage give way. His blood sprays warm across my face.

He stumbles. I drive my knee into his stomach. He doubles over.

I grab his head. Twist.

The crack is loud. Final.

His body drops like a stone.

I search him quickly and grab what I can.

Phone.

Wallet.

Gun.

And there, peeking from beneath his collar. The tattoo. Raven over a burning building.

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