Page 40 of Jester

“Got her tied up and sedated,” he texts.

The plan for the “jock” and “angel” Dolls is to leave them behind in town. The other seven young women will come with us.Well, that’s the plan, anyway.No one explained to any of them what was about to happen, just in case they got scared and blurted it out to their captors.

They’re not the only ones in the dark. Theo told us how one of the women is Giselle’s sister. She’s the one who recorded the message used by a lawyer last year. Celine also helped Giselle escape.

All that information was shared with Overlord who told Ghost, Thorn, and me. But no one told Giselle. That way, if Celine doesn’t survive tonight, Giselle doesn’t need to know what she lost.

With one Doll tied up, and a single security guy still in the house, we quickly clear the rest of the house.

Ghost and I meet up with Thorn’s team near the mansion’s main hallway, leading to Reinhart’s library where he spends most evenings. I assume the final security asshole will be located with his boss.

As we arrive near the library, a short, older man whispers from the shadows. Puppet nearly takes a shot and kills our inside guy. Thorn stops the younger man from making a mistake. Everyone’s gotten jumpy from the lack of resistance.

“I ordered the Dolls to the ballroom,” Theo whispers. “The staff wanting to go with you are with them. The others have left for the night.”

“Where is Reinhart?” Ghost asks.

The butler looks at him and then points down the hall. “He’s with his favorite bodyguard.”

I signal for Thorn to go with Theo to round up whoever we’re taking with us. Ghost and I move toward the library. I feel my sexy biker wanting to take the lead as if what awaits us is too dangerous for me to face. Mostly, I think his pessimistic nature insists the hunt’s gone too easily, so I’m sure to die in the next minute.

I gently push open the library door, preparing for a gunfight. The bodyguard is transfixed by something outside and never gets a chance to notice us, let alone pull his weapon.

As his man hits the ground, Zack Reinhart goes stiff in his luxurious chair. He owns the same blue eyes as Giselle. I wish I could be shocked by a man willing to enslave his own children, but I’ve seen a lot of fucked-up things over the years.

Reinhart’s hand holding a brandy glass begins to tremble. His gaze locks on Ghost and me moving closer. We look fearsome no doubt in our black tactical gear, night-vision goggles, and painted faces. We might as well be the Grim Reaper for what we offer him tonight.

When I don’t fire my weapon, Ghost takes the hint and steps closer.

“Giselle can finally be happy,” he says, sounding more sentimental than I expect.

Zack’s eyes narrow as if irritated by how his toy managed to bring down hell on him.

Ghost fires once in the guy’s face, ending him immediately. A year ago, he asked if dead was enough. Watching Zack Reinhart leave this existence feels like a good thing, even if he goes easily.

Turning to me, Ghost holds my gaze, searching for a reason to panic.

“We haven’t completed the mission, so stop flirting with me,” I tell him, winning a scowl.

Ghost gets his head back in the hunt as we leave the library and move toward the ballroom. Seven costumed women stand in the center while another one is passed out in the corner. The staff stands nearby, looking nervous while each carries a single duffle bag.

I try to imagine moving all these people off the property and to the getaway RVs. Without a doubt, this is the part of the plan bound to fail. Because killing assholes comes easy for me, but playing hero has never been my strong suit.

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