Page 151 of Fractured Future
“I’ll be the fuel to your fire, red. Just tell me who you want to burn first.”
My mouth twists into a smile just for him.
“Blaine Madden and his crew.”
“Deal. We’ll give them hell.”
Treacle-like pleasure slicks down my spine at the dangerous spark in his eyes. “Yes, sir.”
“I see doors opening,” Warner announces. “Let’s roll.”
Creeping along the half-wall, we circle towards the side of the dilapidated warehouse so we can catch their backs while exiting the meeting. Sure enough, two conversing men have walked outside.
“No one exiting at the rear yet.” Archer’s update comes through our comms. “We’re in place for any runners.”
Raising his balled-up fist, Warner gestures for us to hold position. His entire focus is locked on those swinging, dented doors. We need to wait for everyone to clear before we move in on them.
Through my wavering vision, I squint hard to keep the doors in focus. Waiting for Blaine Madden to show his stupidlyhandsome, scarred face. I’m going to cave it in for making me feel foolish.
What I’m not prepared for is the slow gait of a tall, well-dressed man who emerges, deep in conversation with three others in rapid, exotic Spanish. The familiar mug of the guard at his back makes my innards contract.
“Oh my God,” I blurt.
Immediately, Warner spins towards me. “What is it?”
Words fail to surface as the four men light up cigarettes, completely brazen in the open air despite being inourterritory. Thinking their power still protects them. Just as much as their money does.
Not for much longer.
I couldn’t hurt them last time. No more than I did before they drugged, sold and shipped me off to the highest bidder. Now I have the chance to inflict an ounce of that pain on them.
Disregarding the plan, I ready myself to launch at none other than Luis—the man who sold me to Gael—and his disgusting lackey, Diego. He survived that shot to the leg after all.
“Forget Madden,” I rush out. “Get them! Now!”
“Ember, wait!”
“No time!”
Warner’s shouting registers, but all I can focus on is the roaring of fast-moving blood in my ears, demanding that I lay hands on the man who set me up to endure such depravity before my body fails me.
I’m going to destroy every last joint, bone, ligament and fucking tendon in his body. One by one. Alphabetically. Numerically. I don’t give a shit—as long as he tells me who he sold Gracie to.
Giving the rest of my team no choice but to follow, I execute the approach we planned, moving fast alongside the warehouse’sexterior. Smoking, the four men are now sharing laughter with the other two who first emerged.
At the sound of our rapid approach, one of them startles. Miguel, I think. I recognise his sneering, rat-like features from our time in the cages. His eyes widen when he spots me barrelling towards them.
“Mierda!”
I drop to the ground and propel myself towards his exposed legs before he can draw his weapon on me. My outstretched foot connects with his ankle, causing him to catapult towards the ground.
Miguel lands hard on his side, head smacking against cracked concrete. I have long enough to look up into Luis’s surprised eyes as he watches me take out one of his men.
Before he can react, Luis is side-tackled by a growling Hyland running full-speed into him. In his element, he resembles an angry boulder rolling over a trapped animal.
“Fucking bitch!”
Scrabbling to reach me, Miguel gets hold of my leg and yanks. I’m dragged towards him close enough to receive the punch he haphazardly throws. It brushes my jaw, barely making contact.
