Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Will he be man enough to turn the doorknob and step through or is he going to take a seat on the bed with his gun pointed in this direction so he can take a potshot? Knowing this little weasel, he’ll choose the latter.
The scuffle downstairs has subsided and nobody has come up the stairs after me, so it’s safe to conclude that my men have cleared the house. Now, it’s my turn.
I grab the doorknob. When it turns, I know that my theory is correct. He didn’t lock the door because he was waiting on the other side ready to fire. A cold grin covers my face, and my body tenses just a little more.
He took my friend, tried to kill me, and more importantly, put Jessie and Macy in danger. The only punishment for that is death.
I throw open the door and take cover. Declan fires wildly and I count every round. When the gun is spent, I make my move. I see him on the bed dressed in full body armor reaching for a second gun.
He looks up at me and scrambles to secure the weapon, but he isn’t fast enough. I pounce like a ravenous tiger and pick him up by his collar. He stumbles on his feet, pushing against the force of my grip, and I head butt him over and over again before pushing him away. I want him to take a shot at defending himself. There’s no honor in an easy win.
“Your men are dead downstairs. I’ve sent crews to all of your outposts. Anyone there who didn’t switch sides is dead, too. It’s down to you and me now. This is your one chance to take me out and take over my crew. That’s what you’ve wanted from the beginning, right? Are you man enough to try it on your own?”
He stares at me in stunned disbelief. I guess he never thought it would come to this. He thought he was invincible, and that was his biggest mistake. I put my sidearm in the holster and hold out my hands.
“Come on, Declan. This is your chance. If you don’t beat me, at least you’ll go out like a man and not a bitch who hid in his bedroom.”
I pummel his face and body with a ruthless assault of lefts, rights, and crosses. In this manic state, the face of Macy’s father flashes before my eyes. Then, little Macy and how frightened she was when I had to take her from her home. Most of all, I see Jessie. Fresh-faced, sweet, innocent Jessie. He sent his people after my girl, and for that, I will end him.
He leaps forward and takes a shot. I block his blow and return one to the center of his face. He stumbles backward and pulls a knife from behind his back. He runs at me and I grab his arm, holding it above my head.
“You just don’t have a fair fight in you, do you?”
“Fair fight? What did a fair fight get you, Jack? A good man died in your arms because you wanted to fight fair. Those bitches you’re so attached to? They’re next once I finish you.”
His words stun me, and in the brief seconds it takes for me to absorb it, he hits me in the ribs and I let go of his arm. His blade slices my arm. The pain only serves to fuel my rage, and I proceed to pummel him until he falls to the floor.
He scurries to the far side of the bed with me hot on his tail. He reaches onto the bed and grabs the gun he left there. I shake my head. I guess I should have known you can’t get a rat to play by the rules.
He raises his weapon, but he’s too late. I’ve already taken aim. One bullet. Just one bullet was all it took to end this war for good.
“No, you won’t touch them. You never would. I wouldn’t let you.”
The gunshot brings Rory and the others up the stairs and into the room.
“It’s over, boss. All of the outposts have folded. You own the city now.”
Tension leaves my body, and I let my head fall back. “And my girls are safe. Let’s go get them.”
12
JESSIE
“Are we going to be alright, Miss Jessie?” Macy asks me as I brush her wet hair.
“What do you mean? Look at this place. It’s so fancy. Even that giant tub with the bubbles was cool, right?”
“You know what I mean. I’m not a baby. Uncle Jack is worried that those men from the zoo are going to hurt us. So, are we going to be okay?”
“Macy, do you know your Uncle Jack? He’s the bravest, strongest man in the world. He’ll never let anything happen to us. As long as he’s out there protecting us, we’re perfectly safe.”