Page 35 of Vengeful

He raised his hands to either side in surrender. "I'm just saying, is all. I've known you long enough to know you fuss over people you care about. Although, you've never fussed over me."

"Like you said, I fuss over people I care about." I smirked.

"Ouch," he said playfully. "Stab me in the heart, why don't you?" He pressed a fist to his chest.

"Don't tempt me." I turned back to Lila. "He's harmless."

"He's also right," she said.

"Does that mean I get triple?" Kent asked.

"No," she said over her shoulder. "No one needs to make a fuss about me. What we need right now is to help the twins and get out of here."

"I can deal with six armed assholes and worry about you at the same time," I said. "But if I tell you to stay back out of sight, you'll do it. No argument."

I tightened my grip on her hand when she looked like she was going to argue. "If you're the distraction that gets them killed, you'll never forgive yourself. Do what I tell you to do and we'll get out of here in one piece. Understood?"

She pressed her lips together for a few moments. "Yes, I understand."

"You understand, what?" I tapped my thumb against the back of her knuckles.

"I understand, sir." She glanced sideways at me.

"That's better," I told her. I didn't want her meek, but she had to realise how much was at stake here. Not just the twins, her as well. If the other two teams knew where she was and that she was alive, she'd immediately become a target.

Once again, I considered tying her up and leaving her, but if they found her before I got back…

"That goes for you too," I told Kent. "If I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it."

"As long as I get paid, I'll do whatever you want," Kent said. "Within reason. I'm not going to suck your cock unless I get paid quadruple."

"Everyone has their price," I said. "Now we know what yours is."

"What can I say, I'm a sucker for a beach and a good cocktail. There's not much I wouldn't do to make that dream come true. But a guy has standards."

"Since when?" I quipped.

"Since—"

My head snapped back around. I yanked Lila down to the ground and shielded her with my body.

"What—" she started.

"Shhh," I hissed.

Kent lay on the forest floor, a neat bullet hole through the centre of his forehead. A hint of blood glistened in the last rays of the sun.

Fuck. We had our moments, but he was like a brother to me. I could tell some wild stories about the stuff we used to get up to. Now…

"Shit," Lila whispered.

"Yep. Stay down." I pulled out my gun and peered between the thick branches of a Grevillea.

Two men stood near a stand of gums. Neither was Casper. They must have lain in wait for us. Now, they were doing nothing to hide their presence.

Of course not; killing Kent was like waving a flag above their heads. It was also the last thing they'd ever do.

"Keep an eye out for Casper," I told Lila. We might be dealing with both teams here, I was well aware of that. Let her assume it was only one for now. We could deal with three men. Hell, we'd deal with six if we had to.

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