Page 98 of Reaper Released

“Okay, let’s tool up. Leave in five, okay?”

Viking spins around. “I’m coming!”

“We’re all coming!” Tank nods.

“Give me five. I can set a search going and then set off; you’ll need me there too!” So Dice runs to his room. Tank, Viking, Priest and Blade go to tool up. Ares gives me a nod. He knew things would be serious if I called him by his name and not Boyband.

“Ray, do you need anything?” Dozer shouts as I’m about to head out of the clubhouse.

“I’m good, Dozer. Sorry to leave you hanging again!”

He shakes his head. “Don’t worry, just find her!”

Nodding. I run out the door and up to the apartment.

Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I put in my ‘alternative’ PIN number, turning my phone into the secure direct line. Ringing twice, the automated voice chimes through as I race through the apartment to the weapons room.

“VERIFICATION.”

“Sierra 8674463,” I recite.

“VERIFIED! … IDENTIFICATION?”

“Black Queen, Delta 1.”

“CONFIRMED! … REQUEST?”

“Patch to White King, Alpha 1!”

“White King!” the disguised male voice comes across.

“Request backup on standby, availability?”

“White King and Black Rook available!”

“Await further instructions, full tact ready!”

“Affirmative!”

Hanging up, I grab my backpack and load it up with guns, ammo, knives, grenades, smoke bombs, and knuckle dusters. I grab my jacket and helmet and run for my bike. Steel is hot on my heels, and the boys barrel out of the clubhouse door, packed and ready. We load up and get out of there!

Storming into the villa, I call Carmen. “I’m here. What do you know?”

“I’m coming. Meet me by the pool.” She throws her arms around me.

“Ray, what's happening?”

“I don’t know yet, Carmen, but we’re on it, okay? Bear with me, okay? I got you.”

She nods and grabs my hand. On the outside, she appears calm, every bit the cartel queen she is, but when she takes my hand, I can feel the tremble in it. I squeeze ever so slightly, and as our eyes meet, there's a silent plea. Save her. I nod once, and then I slide my own mask into place. Tali doesn't need Ray. Tali needs Reaper, and that's what she's gonna get, and whoever hurts her is gonna wish they'd stayed in bed this morning!

Dice grabs his laptop and starts checking footage. About thirty minutes after school ended, Tali walked out of the gates and headed to the coffee cart. She was surrounded and dragged into a van. After showing us a few stills, there were four guys. Three who grabbed her, and one who remained in the driver's seat. I recognise three of them as Hellhounds.

“This has to be something to do with the deal with Miguel! There, those three, they're Hellhounds, and I bet my life on it the other one is too!” Pacing backwards and forwards, I grab my phone.

“Dice, can you track her phone if I call it?”

“If she answers and she stays on long enough, yes!”

---