Page 21 of Wrath

“Right on my tail.”

“Shit...Where are you?”

“About ten miles out of Seattle at the industrial park.”

“You gonna be able to shake him?”

“I’m trying.” I could see the van’s headlights drawing closer, so I told him, “But he’s not backing down.”

I knew I could handle the guy, but having this guy on my ass in a place I didn’t know was going to make it tough. And to be there without my brothers was only going to make it tougher. I was trying to think of my next move when Cotton asked, “What do you need us to do?”

“Just be on standby. I’ll call back when I can.”

I didn’t bother hanging up. I just left the phone sitting in the passenger seat and continued speeding towards downtown. I noticed that the van’s headlights had drawn closer, and in a blink, bullets shattered the back glass, sending glass blasting through the SUV. Several more shots were fired, and I could hear the bullets as they ripped through the seats, shredding the leather.

I hammered down on the accelerator again, causing the engine to roar. The sound helped to drown out the questions racing through my mind. Should I pull over? Should I continue to run? Those questions would’ve been easier had I been armed. Hell, there was a trunk load of weapons in the back, but without ammunition, they were of no use to me. I always carried, but Bruton wouldn’t allow it on the run.

He’d assured me and Cotton that his men had it covered.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

As soon as I made it back to the city, I started weaving through the busy streets, and after a few surprise turns, I started to put some distance between us. Even though I had no idea where I was going, I listened to my instincts, and it wasn’t long before the man was consumed by the very darkness from which he had emerged.

When I felt certain I’d lost him, I eased off the accelerator and took a couple of deep breaths. Once I’d collected myself, I grabbed my phone and was about to call Cotton back when I heard him shout, “Wrath! Wrath! Are you there?”

“Yeah, Prez. I’m here.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. I think I lost him.”

Cotton sighed with relief, then said, “Good... Now, get your ass home.”

“I’m headed that way. I should be there within the hour.”

Or so I thought.

Sadly, my encounter with the lone shooter wasn’t over—far from it.

CHAPTER8

Mia

Not being at the office for days on end had cost me. Even though I’d tried to stay on top of things, I was extremely behind and had to work late. I wanted desperately to just go straight home, but I’d promised Hadley that I would come by and take a few pictures of her daughter Willa. She was about to turn two, and she wanted to get a few pictures made for the birthday invitations.

I’d agreed to take them weeks ago—long before I spent the night with her brother. Even though I felt a little awkward about it, I couldn’t break my promise. When I got to her place, I grabbed my camera bag from the backseat and headed up to the front porch. I was just about to knock when the door flew open, and Hadley appeared with a grimace on her face. “I was just about to call you.”

“Oh? Is something wrong?”

“We’re going to have to reschedule the pictures. Willa is teething, and she’s in a terrible mood. There’s no way she’ll ever settle down enough to let you get any good pictures.”

“Are you sure?” I pushed. “I don’t mind trying.”

“I just hate to put you out.”

I loved Willa. She could be a handful, but she was an absolute doll. Besides, I’d dealt with fussy kids before, and while it had been tough, I’d always managed to get a few good shots. With that in mind, I gave her a smile and said, “You aren’t putting me out at all. I want to be here. I want to try and get some great pics for you.”

“Okay. You’re very sweet, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

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