It didn't take him long to locate the people he’d sensed. There were eight of them, not great odds when he had a vulnerable woman with him to protect. Killing them all wasn't difficult, it was getting it done before anyone noticed something was wrong.
Still, whatever the odds, Voodoo would make sure he got it done.
With Indigo’s life hanging in the balance, there was no other option.
No one was getting their hands on her again, that was the vow he’d made to her and he wasn't going to be another person in her life to fail her.
Following the men for a bit, he watched to see how they worked, how they moved. They were fairly thorough in checking their surroundings, although not thorough enough since none of them seemed aware of his presence.
Separating them was a given. It was the easiest way to take out a few without the others realizing it. Once he started, though, he was going to have to work his way through the group quickly. Just one left alive long enough to spot Indigo, or see him, or find one of his colleagues’ dead bodies, would be all it took to bring in a swarm of guards, more than he could take out.
Noticing a deer up ahead, Voodoo decided that was the perfect ruse to get things started.
Stooping down, he grabbed a rock, then tossed it gently toward the animal. He didn't want to hurt or scare it, he just needed a sound in that direction that would draw the men’s attention but provide a realistic reason that something other than him had made the sound.
The deer looked at the rock as it landed beside him, fussed a little, but didn't take off running, and he thanked his lucky stars as he watched the men stop, whisper between one another, and then break off into pairs.
Luck was definitely on his side tonight.
As he watched from the shadows, he saw two of the men, weapons drawn, approach the area, walk close enough to his position that they could have easily spotted him if they were looking. But they weren't, their attention was focused on where the sound had comefrom, and he watched as they spotted the deer and immediately relaxed.
Amateurs.
It was almost child’s play to sweep in behind them, come up behind the first man, and slice through his neck. The second turned right as he was about to strike, but it was already too late. He was too close, and the man didn't have any time to react besides realizing he was about to die before Voodoo was on him, burying his knife deep in the man’s neck, severing his carotid artery, and ending his life even if it would take a moment for him to bleed out.
Since there was no time to waste, the men would check in with one another sooner rather than later, Voodoo left the two men behind and took off in the direction he’d seen some of the others split up.
He wanted them dead.
Now.
Wanted to know that Indigo was safe, wanted her back in his arms where he could watch over her, then wanted her back at the mansion where he knew there were no threats waiting for her.
Another two of the men were down when it happened.
A scream.
A gunshot.
His heart in his throat as he realized that his girl had been spotted and there were still four threats out there.
January 24th
5:06 P.M.
Those voices whispering in her head that she was worthless, better off dead, that no one would miss her, and that she should just hurry up and end it all had been shoved into a box and locked away.
Most of what they said was largely true, and yet for once in her life, Indigo found that there really was someone by her side who actually saw something in her that they liked.
Of course, there was every chance that Voodoo was lying to her, manipulating her, trying to gain something from her, and would turn out to be every bit as awful as both of her exes were.
Yet she didn't believe that.
Maybe she was wrong, but maybe she was right. Maybe Voodoo wanted to help her find her footing after this, maybe he wanted to offer her a home and a family. Maybe he was attracted to her and wanted more than friendship when she was ready to take that step.
That was what she was clinging to as she gripped the gun in her hands, holding it so tightly her fingers ached.
That was why when she saw two figures moving toward her she didn't hesitate.
