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And then the door flies open.
Chapter thirty-four
Alex
Amile from our destination, I cut the headlights, letting darkness swallow us as I pull off beside the overgrown brush bordering the dirt road. Our guards in the vehicle behind us do the same.
“Did he just take them to a random spot in the middle of the woods?” Leo asks, staring out his window.
“No.” I shake my head. “There’s a cabin in these woods. One he’d take Charlotte to…” My grip tightens around the steering wheel, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “To punish her.” I glance over my shoulder. “She never knew where he’d take her, but I’d bet anything this is the place.” I step out of the car, walk around to the trunk, and open it. I slide my finger into the ring loop, lift the floor, and reveal a variety of state-of-the-art guns.
Vin appears at my side. “Which one are you thinking?”
My fingers curl around the cold metal, lifting the familiar rifle. “The Accuracy International AXSR. It’s the best one for long distance.” I also grab a pistol and tuck it into the back of my waistband, ensuring I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.
“Good choice.” He reaches for the AK-47. “I don’t plan on letting any of these fuckers walk out of here alive. They’ve taken my niece. And now they’re going to pay.”
Mauro and Leo reach inside and pull out a pistol.
“We’re ready.” Leo stretches his neck from side to side.
Mauro signs, Let’s make them pay.
Vin looks at the guards as they appear before us. “Circle the perimeter and come in from the north side. Stay out of sight and be alert for anything. We don’t know how many men are with him. If we need you, I’ll release three shots into the night as your signal.”
The guards nod and disappear deep into the woods.
I turn and stride down the path, keeping my ears and eyes on alert for any sign that someone might be nearby.
I follow the tracker and push aside a few branches while rain whips against me before I finally see it: a small cabin, worn by years of sitting in these woods and enduring everything Mother Nature threw at it.
Bars cover each window, as seen by the few low lights hung by the front door. Five guards stand on the porch, hands wrapped around their weapons as their eyes scan the woods for threats.
Through the nearest window, I spot the back of Garrett’s head. He shifts in his chair, and Charlotte comes into view. My pulse slams against my ribs. I raise my gun before me and look through the lens for a better view.
Blood runs cold in my veins as my eyes track the blood dripping down her head and neck. Even from here, I can see her lids are too heavy to stay fully open, her upper body struggling to sit upright. Bruises mark her arms, and all I see is fucking red.
I’m going to end this son of a bitch.
But where is—
A guard off to the side holds my daughter as she cries, Squish squeezed tight in her arms. Now I’m certain every single motherfucker in here will never see the light of day again for putting their hands on my girls.
I look at my brothers and speak low. “I can see five guards on the porch and two inside. I’m going to take the first shot from here at Garrett, but I need a clear shot. He’s too close to Charlotte right now. Once I fire, I need you three to help me with the others. Don’t give them a chance to get a shot off on either of my girls. Got it?”
“We have your back, brother,” Vin says, his hand briefly clamping down on my shoulder.
“Clara and Charlotte will be coming home with us when this is all over.” Leo rolls his shoulders back. “I’m moving in closer. Once I hear your shot, I’ll take care of the men on the porch.” He crouches and moves through the brush, disappearing out of sight.
I’ll go with him. Mauro throws his hair into a knot and moves discreetly through the trees, following after Leo.
I reach inside my pocket for my earpiece and secure it in place. Once it’s turned on, it picks up sound correlated to what I see through my lens.
Charlotte stares at the floor. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.”
He scoffs. “It’s a little too late for an apology.” She looks up, her eyes widening with fear. “Alessandro took everything from me. My house. My money. You. And he will pay…” He turns his head to the side, his eyes fixed on Clara. “Starting with her.”
“No!” Charlotte stands on wobbly legs. “Take me, not her!”
