“That’s the gist, yeah. But we need to stay focused.” Declan fixes his brother with a hard stare. “No going off-piste,” Connor snorts.
“Do we know who these sick bastards are?”
Declan turns to Kane and nods. “Yeah. Milo has a list.” His lips flatten into a grim scowl. “We’ll deal with them all at a future date, but for now, the priority is finding and extracting our target. Kill if you have to, but don’t make it too showy. The hunters all have body-cams, and even with masks, it’s better if we’re not caught on the event livestream.”
“My wife, notthe target.” I’m not comfortable with her being called a target. She’s way more than that. “Once we get a sight of her, Kane and I will go in and retrieve her. She might panic if you guys jump her.”
Declan nods.
“What about the other victims?” Ash asks. “Milo thinks there are at least ten women lined up as prey for the hunters.”
“We don’t have the resources to pull off a big rescue mission,” I point out. “If we draw too much attention, the cops will be on our case. I’m already in the FBI crosshairs back in the States. The last thing I need is more scrutiny from law enforcement in this country.”
It’s only through the grace of my lawyers that I was allowed to leave the US. They argued I had a business to run, and since the feds hadn’t charged me yet, there was fuck-all they could do to stop me from traveling overseas.
“Yeah, but these women need help.” Dear Lord, save me from a guy with a savior complex. I nearly roll my eyes.
“I know.” Declan grinds his teeth while Ronan sharpens a wicked-looking hunting knife. The guy’s a lunatic. I pity anyone who ends up on the wrong end of that knife. “Once we’re out of the way, Milo will call in an anonymous tip to the authorities. He says they’re already aware of what goes on but haven’t been able to pin anything on Barrington. Most likely he has people in high places on his payroll. Much like Forsyth did.”
Ronan hums in amusement. “Damn, I’m in the mood for barbecue now.”
I wonder, not for the first time, what actually happened to Lucian Forsyth. The media said it was a tragic fire, faulty wiring or something, but I suspect that’s not the full story.
“Right, let’s get going. The fun and games begin in an hour, so we need to be in place.”
Ronan examines his hunting knife and grins at me.
“I vote we hold our own game. The man with the most kills wins!”
Declan shakes his head as he pulls on his jacket. We’re all armed to the teeth, but Ronan’s carrying a bunch of knives as well as a crossbow and multiple guns.
“Jesus, Ro. You been watching Rambo or something?” Connor snorts as Ronan adds a katana to his haul.
“The Hunger Games, Con. My pixie made me watch the movie with her. I learned a few things.” He taps his nose and grins. “Watch and learn, boys!”
We head to the boundary of Barrington’s estate. Milo gave us coordinates for one of the few spots not covered by cameras. Probably because it involves climbing into a fucking ravine.
Getting back out will be easier because we won’t need to evade cameras. By then, Barrington will know we’re here.
He has dogs and a small army of mercenaries on his payroll, but I’m not concerned. This is an in-and-out mission. By the time they figure out we’re here, vicious wolves among the sheep, it will be too late.
I’m not planning to kill any of the participants, but if they shoot at me, they’re all fair game.
Declan’s taken point on this mission. Ordinarily it would be me, but he knows the terrain, so it makes sense to let him lead. For now. Kane’s still quieter than a fucking crypt, but I figure he’s busy blaming himself for not anticipating this mess.
“I’m chipping her when we get her home,” I tell him under my breath as we trudge down a narrow game path. That way I can track her down myself next time without having to deal with outsiders I don’t trust.
“She’s not leaving my side when we get her home,” he mutters.
Our breath steams. The air is thick with the promise of snow. Small flakes have already begun floating down from the sky like confetti.
It reminds me of my wedding day. The happiest day of my life. Or it would have been if my bride hadn’t fucked off.
“My side, you mean,” I correct.
“No, Angelo.” He slams to a halt, nearly tripping me up. “She’s mine too.”
“Gentlemen,” Declan hisses. “Can we save the dramatics for later? Milo says the hunters are on the move and the prey are heading our way.”
