Page 61 of Thunder

“Shut up, Hannibal Lecter,” I snap.

"Got you all riled up, huh?" Rook chuckles, clearly enjoying himself. "All I'm saying is that we don't know who sent this. It could be a trap, or it could be legit."

"Either way, I'm going in," I declare, shoving my phone back into my pocket. "If it’s a trap, these assholes are going to regret putting themselves in range of my gun. If it’s the information we need, if it can help end this shit with the resort and free Lia from having to deal with these criminals, I’ll take the risk."

"Damn, risking your life for a lead," Bullet says, shaking his head. "You really feel something for this one, huh?"

"Like I said, she’s not just ‘this one,’" I respond, my voice rough with emotion. "She’s Lia, and she’s ‘the one.’"

"Love is great and everything. Trust me, I know with my sweety, Eliza, I’d do anything for her. I’d kill you both and make pinatas by inflating your bladders and stuffing them with candy, but there’s more you need to consider, Thunder. Like violent, merciless death," Rook says, raising his hands in mock surrender. "All I'm saying is that it could be a trap. If it is, I’m not bailing your ass out."

"Or it could be the break we're looking for," Bullet insists, trying to diffuse the tension.

My fists clench involuntarily, nails digging into my palms. The uncertainty of this situation grips me like a vice: part of me wants to believe it's a genuine lead, but another part fears the worst—that it's a trap set by cold-hearted killers.

"Either way," I say. "I have to find out. For Lia. I have to end this, to get her out of this mess. That means I have to go in.”

Bullet nods.

Rook just shakes his head, smirking.

"Fine, Thunder," he says, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. "But remember what I said about not bailing you out."

"Wouldn't expect anything less from you, Rook," I reply, the anger simmering beneath my words. “You lovely old horse’s ass.”

“I love you, too, Thunder,” Rook says. “And if you get in trouble, I’ll come and help you. If Eliza tells me to.”

“You asshole.”

Bullet studies me for a moment, concern etched across his face. "You want backup?"

"It says to come alone," I reply. "So I'm going alone."

As I pocket my phone, Bullet and Rook exchange worried glances. This text has the potential to change everything—or destroy it all.

But I'm ready to face the risk, whatever it takes, because even if I'm not sure of how much I can trust the anonymous message, I'm sure of one thing: that Lia is the only woman for me, and I'll risk everything to keep her safe.

I head to the staff fridge we keep in the garage, pulling out a trio of beers and passing them around. If I’m going to die because of some anonymous text, I’m going to have at least a bit of alcohol in my veins. I take a long drink. The taste of vengeance lingers on my tongue, a bitter-sweet reminder of the hell I'm willing to unleash upon those who dare harm her.

"Be careful, man," Bullet whispers, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

"Always am," I reply, offering him a half-hearted grin.

"Your funeral," Rook grumbles, looking away. I can't tell if he's trying to hide his own worry or if he's simply fed up with my stubbornness.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I retort, rolling my eyes.

He grumbles something inaudible.

“What was that?” Both Bullet and I say.

“I said: ‘Come back safe,’” Rook says.

I head into the lot, beer in hand. I crush the rest and toss the bottle toward the bin, nailing a long distance shot. The roar of my motorcycle drowns out every other sound in the air, fueling the storm of emotions brewing inside me—hope, love, revenge. I tear out onto the road, my bike screaming between my legs. My grip tightens on the handlebars, knuckles white, as I push the bike faster. Thoughts of Lia fill my mind, her smile like sunshine cutting through the darkest clouds.

"Stay safe, my love," I whisper to the wind, hoping it carries my words to her. “This nightmare will be over soon. I promise.”

Then my thoughts turn to the matter that awaits me at the Solverson warehouse.

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