Page 40 of Savage Hunter

Ares folds his arms over the wide expanse of his chest and gives Rage his undivided attention.

“How did your brother’s head get in a jar and why did you go AWOL, brother?” Confusion colors Ares’ tight expression. He’s hurting and isn’t trying to hide it from anyone. I feel for the man. Nova puts her arms around him. He leans into her, letting her take some of his sorrow. I can’t be the only one noticing the subtle exchange and their silent communication and support for one another.

Blades of guilt slice into my heart. There was no one there for Harmonia when she needed someone the most. I failed her. The days, weeks and months she spent in fear rip at my heart. No wonder she’s running from me. I would too. Come to think of it, I don’t even know how long she was there. How long she has been here with the Savages.

I have to find her. Fierce, gut-wrenching fear that she’ll run the first chance she gets coils in me and it’s hard to get a grip on my sanity for a second. The beast in me wants to find the nearest door and block the only exit out of this place so she can’t get away now that I have found her. I scan the room again for a glimpse of Harmonia, but still no sign of where she’s gone.

Ares drags over a chair for Nova and the rest of the men stand around us—either their arms crossed over their chests or their hands stuffed in their pockets. Every single one of them hangs on Rage’s next words. Me included. It is better than turning into a raging animal and going on the hunt for Harmonia.

“It arrived at Asylum two nights before we took down the shipment they found Persi in.”

“Asylum? As in…” I ask.

Rage chuckles and then winces, grabbing for his chest. “I didn’t break out of an actual asylum, baby. I’m certifiable, but no one has caught up to me yet.”

“It’s a nightclub we own in the city,” Dragon offers.

“Ahh.”

Rage scrubs a hand down his face. “Anyway. I went out for a smoke and there he was, sitting on the edge of the dumpster in a black bag. Like trash.”

“You didn’t think to tell us?” That comes from Dragon.

“Rage never was good at asking for help.”

Ares has a certain timbre that doesn’t hide how pissed off he is any more than Dragon tries to hide his.

Rage lifts a shoulder, and it costs him in the pain department. “It’s easier that way. Fewer casualties.” Rage’s voice comes out strangled.

I know how he feels. Working with others is not my first choice either. Putting anyone in harm’s way is the last choice I would make too.

A wave of curses flows over the tight-knit group.

“Rome Sokolov, why did you think you had to do this on your own? That isn’t how we work,” Riot clips out.

“I know that, but I got him into this. Me and that shit, Euphoria. And he died on my watch. He was my blood.” I don’t fully know Rage’s history, but his monsters rear their ugly heads and I can see him trying to control the chains Rage has tied around their necks. He pulls on the links and slowly regains his composure.

“If anyone got your brother into anything, it was me.” Ares braces both hands on the end of the table. “He signed on and took the Savage cut because I asked him to. If anyone is to blame for your brother’s death, that comes to rest at my feet. Not yours.”

“Let’s back up a minute. What are we? Nothing to you?” Dragon holds his hand up with a look of defeat and confusion that mirrors the rest of the men. I simply stand back and listen. Someone at some point will drop the information I am after.

“You’re my brothers. Blood in, blood out. I remember. But I couldn’t risk anyone else dying. Fighting the Antonovs on one side and then the fucking Colombian cartels on the other. I haven’t forgotten about Society 69 either. Lilith is expecting us to do something about the information she gave us. We can’t take them all on. They would massacre us.”

“Wait, what was that?”

Riot fills me in. “My Lilith got the entire list of who is who inside the Society.”

I doubt that. “Everyone?” I don’t hold back my surprise. There are very few people who know who the queenpin is. She’s good at letting others play like they are in control and subsequently take the heat.

“There are only a few names missing. The leaders. We haven’t moved on the information because Rage here went AWOL.”

The sudden tightness in my chest releases. No one gets to the queenpin before I do. Feeling less than in the sharing mood, I zip my lips. I know I’m among friends, but I don’t need anyone getting in my way or trying to stop me. I stand back and nod. “Got it.”

“Fighting a war on three fronts with a handful of men is suicide. I’m not looking to get anyone else hurt or worse. Killed.”

That’s Ares.

I can see all the mental bells ringing in everyone’s heads like church bells going off in synchronicity. I’m not the only one getting the bigger picture here. But they all fail to see how interconnected the web of crime has become.

---