Page 15 of Reign
“Yep!” is all I say as I head for the back door. Something crashes behind me, and I look over my shoulder as Dario comes my way.
“That’s bullshit! We aren’t your henchmen. Help us get rid of the body, then you can go play!” he orders, and I sigh.
“Already barking orders, I see,” I reply, and he rolls his eyes.
“Someone has to keep you in line. Clearly the others can’t,” he chides as Kane looks back and forth between us, waiting for something to happen.
“Same ol’ Dario, or is it Zayn?” I taunt making him growl.
“Alright, alright, lads,” Kane says, stepping in and pushing us apart with his hands. “No need to get our panties in a bunch. Just get a tarp and lay it out for us to roll him up in? Aye?” he says, nodding at me.
“Fine, I’ll go look in the shed,” I tell them, turning and stepping out into the night. I didn’t realize the sun had set so quickly.I just want to get to my girl already. I don’t like to keep her waiting.Stepping inside, I pull the string and the light above me illuminates the room.We really need to restock our weapons. We’re running low after yesterday's bullshit.I huff, bending down and grabbing a gray and blue tarp, along with some rope. Shutting off the light, I exit and start walking back, but a scream has me stopping in my tracks.Was that Jade?The hairs on the back of my neck slowly stand as if someone is watching me.Something isn’t right.
Rushing back into the Mill, I drop the tarps and grab the knives from the table.
“What the fuck are you going to do with those? We don’t have time to dissect him,” Dario states. His annoyance with me is dripping from his lips.
“Something is wrong. I heard a scream in the woods,” I tell them, and they immediately grab weapons and head out the doors.
“What’s the plan?” Kane asks, and me and Dario look at one another with a grin.
“We go hunting!” Dario says as I take off to the right and they go left. I’m guessing Kane’s never hunted in the woods before since he’s Dario’s new lapdog. Another scream echoes through the night, and the smell of fresh blood hits my nostrils.
As I run, I stay light on my toes and breathe through my nose, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.I really hope this is part of her game and she’s not hurt out there.No one would be stupid enough to come here and try to take her. That’s just asking to die.
Slowing down, I listen for anything rustling, any fucking sound leading me to her, but it’s quiet.Too fucking quiet.But I keep moving as another scream echoes so loudly I know I’m getting close.She’s in pain. Someone or something has hurt my girl.Taking out my knife, I spin it in my hand, ready to cause bloodshed.
Groaning hits my ears as Dario and Kane come into view with two masked men on their knees, both with guns pointed at their heads.
“Well, what do we have here?” I ask in a sinister tone.
“Dead men if they don’t answer my questions,” Dario spits. Walking up to them, I rip their masks off and throw them to the ground, then reach into my holster for my other knife, bringing the blades up right under their chins.
“Good evening, boys. I just have one question. If you answer correctly, my friends will let you live. I think that sounds like a splendid deal. Don’t ya think?” I ask, and one man sputters around, thrashing against Kane’s hold.
“P-please don’t kill us. We were paid to scare the girl,” he stammers as I press the blade harder into his skin, making him wince.
“Would you shut up? They aren’t going to let us free,” the other man states as if he knows we're lying.
“No, really, if you answer my question, we will let you walk out of here untouched. Scout's honor,” I say, removing my knife from his chin and pounding my fist against my chest.Is that how Boy Scouts do it? I’m not sure, nor do I care. I just need it to be believable.
“Yeah right. That’s not how it happens in the movies,” he says, and I laugh.
“Well, this isn’t the movies; this is real life. Just answer the question,” I say, and he quirks a brow.
“What is the question?” he asks, and I smile, bending down, bringing my face a mere inch from his.
“Who sent you?” I ask softly, licking my lips.
“Umm, it was—”
“Would you shut up? Do you have no loyalty?” the other man says to his friend.
“I don’t give a fuck—I just want to go home to my wife and kids,” the friend says with so much panic in his tone.
“See, he just wants to go home, and you both will if you tell me who paid you,” I ask again, growing impatient.
“Dalton Callaghan,” he says, and my eyes widen for a fraction of a second before I growl in his face, sending my blade right up through his chin, watching as the tip comes out through the tip of his nose. His friend screams, thrashing against Kane, and I laugh. Dario wastes no time dragging his knife across the remaining guy's neck, as another scream flies through the woods, sending chills up my spine.
