Page 48 of Assassin's Prey
“They’ll be expecting something,” Remi agreed. “Not us.”
“They still haven’t found the camera I planted,” Eli said. “They won’t be finding us.”
“Just don’t get cocky.” I put extra bite into the command. The last time I brought them into danger, Remi had almost died. Since then I’d kept them well out of range. They weren’t walking into the mansion with me, but Rathlin would step up patrols in the woods. I knew because it was exactly what I would do.
The humor dropped from Eli’s face, and I saw my warrior side reflected in his light eyes. “We’ve got your back, Levi. Promise.”
And we kept our promises. “You better.”
“Let’s go,” Remi said and slammed the door shut.
I watched them jog into the nearby woods and disappear. An hour later I drove onto my parents’ property. There were fifteen or twenty men waiting along the front drive, all fully armed. When I parked the car, it was Rathlin who came to my door.
“The mighty Assassin.” His grin had an edge. “I never thought I’d see you face-to-face. Wish it was under better circumstances.”
No, he didn’t. I lifted my sunglasses, smirking when I saw his muscles go tight. A healthy caution was necessary in our business, even when you thought you had the upper hand. Rathlin was cocky, but he wasn’t a dummy, just like I’d told my brothers. “Let’s get this over with,” I said, settling the glasses atop my head. I held out my arms.
Rathlin nodded at two of his men. They started the pat down at my boots, only hesitating when they reached the Kevlar vest covering my chest.
Rathlin raised a brow. “You know that has to come off.”
“Fine.” I turned to the still-open door of my car and moved to get in.
Rathlin held up a hand. “A vest isn’t going to do you any good, man.”
This time I was the one who raised a brow. “I know. You could aim for my head anytime. So why fight over the vest?”
He firmed his lips, obviously considering the argument—and maybe how badly his boss wanted me inside. “Fine. Loosen the straps and let my guys check under it.”
He was thorough, I had to give him that. I left my keys in my car and followed him up the front steps when his men were finished. That was the only crack in my warrior cool, the moment I came face-to-face with that door. Remembering the last time we’d walked through it as a family, almost twenty years ago. And then I tucked the memory away, along with any emotion I dared to feel, and walked inside.
Rathlin made a beeline for the stairs. He hadn’t even realized I’d stopped until one of his men called his name.
“Redding is upstairs,” he said.
“I’m sure he is. Call him down.”
Rathlin frowned. “Those aren’t my orders.”
“Gentlemen, tell your fearless leader why he shouldn’t try to force me away from the wide-open first floor,” I suggested.
A collective, somewhat smothered gasp echoed in the room as a tiny red dot appeared between Rathlin’s eyes. He couldn’t see it himself, but he didn’t seem surprised when one of the goons who’d fondled my balls outside told him about it. I shook my head. “You know my reputation. What the fuck got you thinking I wouldn’t know my enemy?” I jerked my chin toward the ceiling. “Call him down.”
He did. I took the opportunity to walk toward the seating area in one corner of the large room, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows. Rathlin frowned but didn’t bother protesting.
Redding did. Obviously furious as he jogged down the stairs, he made his feelings even more plain with muttered curses as he crossed the living room. I didn’t bother hiding my satisfaction.
Redding narrowed his eyes on me as Rathlin’s men spread out, their backs to the windows like a living screen. I sincerely doubted that they were prepared to give their lives for Warren Redding, but I kept silent until the man stood in front of me.
“Didn’t think we’d meet again so soon, did you?” the older man asked. “If you think you have any control over the situation, think again.”
I let my gaze drift to the stairs and back. An ugly red flush crept up Redding’s cheeks.
“One sniper doesn’t give you the upper hand,” Rathlin pointed out. He stood, legs spread, arms relaxed at his sides. He knew how this was going to play out, even if Redding didn’t.
“No.” I settled into a straight chair facing the couch and casually crossed one leg over the other. “It doesn’t.”
Immediately four red dots appeared, scattered across Redding’s chest and face. The ring of men had no chance of covering every portion of the windows. And even if they had, well, I wasn’t afraid to make a hole if I needed one.
