by Jami Gray
Ignoring the demands from below, Charity kept on. ‘That bastard will hang your ass high.’
‘He doesn’t stand a chance against River Man. Besides, it’ll be hard to do from the grave, you dimwitted twit.’
Their screaming match drew the footsteps up the stairs. Since she had their only weapon, Charity motioned Echo back to the side, took a position at the top of the stairs, and dropped into a crouch. The first guard hit the top few steps. She closed in, using her blade to slice her way up the torso before she shoved her shoulder into his gut, sending him barrelling back. The one behind him got his hands up fast enough to stop being shoved backwards, but it didn’t help the one Charity sliced. The instinctive move shoved the wounded guard off the stairs and careening to the floor below. His scream ended in a dull thud.
‘Bitch.’
Was that the only word these idiots knew? Charity bared her teeth and let the second guard advance to the floor. Like the stairs, there was no railing at the edge of the cutaway floor. She just needed to make sure he took the express exit. As he moved in, she wasn’t surprised to find another chain wielding asswipe right behind him. Good, one less to hunt down later.
First, she needed to take the guard who wanted to play out of the equation. She backed up, aiming towards the centre of the room. Thinking he was getting the advantage, the man grinned, his intent to hurt clear in his expression. Except Charity had other plans for him.
The ring of heavy links hitting the floor echoed through the space. The clamour grew as Chain Man prepared his metal whip, dragging the links across the floor as he watched. Both men were focused on Charity, and seemed to have forgotten Echo. Thankfully it wasn’t taking much to keep the guard between her and Chain Man. The hardest part of this was right about … now.
Guard guy rushed her. Instead of going low, Charity held her position until the last minute, keeping her blade low and hidden. He closed in. She slipped under his outstretched arm and spun away. Staying close to his side, she used her knife to open a wicked line across his stomach and along his side. Blocking his wild hit with her free hand, she trapped his wrist and jerked back. His spine arched. With a quick reverse, she slammed the blade into his kidney and then yanked the knife free. Bracing her back against his, she lifted her feet as she rolled out of the way of the snapping chain. Instead of curling around her legs, it hit the injured moron, wrapped around and sent him slamming face down on the floor.
Charity landed in a crouch and gave a fierce grin to Chain Man desperately trying to free his tangled length of metal. Seeing it, he dropped his weapon and charged her with a bellow. If he closed in on her, she was in trouble. She danced back coming perilously close to the floor’s edge. Intent on her, he never saw Echo. She slammed into his back with a shrill scream. Charity threw herself to the side as the big man lost his balance. Echo slid down his back, her hands clawing at his legs. He kicked but missed Echo’s head by a hair. The movement was enough to send him over the edge.
When his body hit the ground the entire structure shook. Echo remained on all fours, her shoulders heaving. Charity rolled over and looked down. The guard lay face down in a widening pool of blood. Chain Man managed to twist mid-fall and landed on his back. If his spine survived the impact, the unnatural angle of his leg would help keep him in place. She needed to make sure he was breathing since she had some questions to ask.
Gathering her quickly waning strength, she shoved to her feet and stumbled towards the stairs.
Echo lifted her head. ‘Where you going?’
‘Got to find out where Ruin is.’ She braced a hand against the wall. No sense in tempting fate and repeating the previous exits. She got halfway down when Echo started to follow her. When Charity’s feet hit the bottom floor, she blew out a relieved breath. She made her way to the crumpled heap, part of her thrilled to see the massive chest rise and fall. One thick arm was caught behind his back, and based on the angle, no doubt ripped from the socket. A wispy groan escaped and the lashes fluttered up. When the other arm flopped around, she brought her boot down on his wrist, pinning it to the ground. Fear seeped through the pain and his mouth opened as he continued to twist.
‘Uh-huh, think again.’ Keeping her foot in place, she sank into a crouch and laid her knife against his throat. ‘Don’t.’
His gaze flicked to Echo, then back to her. Under her foot his hand flexed, but not with the strength that should be there. Panic widened his eyes and whimpers starting falling from his mouth.
‘Yeah, you took quite a little tumble there.’ Keeping her blade in place, she turned her attention to Echo. ‘Echo, need you to head to the Guardian Lodge with a message.’
Echo looked to the door and then back to her. ‘Did you forget about the sentry?’
Charity shook her head. ‘You telling me you can’t slip by one measly little shit for brains?’
Echo waved a hand over her battered body. ‘Normally, piece of cake. Like this?’
Feeling minutes slip by, minutes she didn’t know where Ruin was or what was happening to him, her patience died a quick death. ‘Do it, Echo.’
The icy command had Echo checking her attitude. ‘Fine. What message?’
‘Guard there, named Kayvao, knows Ruin. Tell him he’s got Vultures incoming. Then you stick around and wait for those Vultures to land and bring them back here.’
Echo narrowed her eyes. ‘You’ll owe me.’
Charity held her resentful gaze with lethal certainty. ‘No, you owe me.’
Echo swallowed, her gaze skittering away and then coming back. ‘When this is done, we’re even.’
Charity studied her and considered. Finally, she nodded. With that, Echo made tracks and slipped out the door, leaving Charity with her very own chew toy. Time was tight, but not so tight for getting answers. Turning back to the man spread out before her, she looked down and let the ruthless ‘Hound free. He paled as she smiled. ‘Playtime.’
Chapter 22
Ruin’s world narrowed down to endurance, taking the next bruising impact that sent his battered body swinging while his aching shoulders protested. Breathing was reduced to shallow inhales because those didn’t cause his ribs and diaphragm to seize in protest. He lost track of time as it warped and curled in strange ways under the constant bombardment of abuse. It took a while before he realised the whimpering protests of his body weren’t being interrupted by new strikes designed to hurt, not kill. He didn’t dare raise his head or make any move to give away that he was aware of the change.
He could hear them moving around. River Man and his Bookend Bullies. The creak of weight settling into a chair, the scuff of a boot or shoe against the hard floor, a muttered curse followed by the bark of dark laughter, the metallic groan of protesting hinges as a door was dragged open, letting a cool breeze sneak in. It brought along the unique combination of spiced foods and ammonia, helping to cut through the stench of pain-laced sweat, the coppery bite of spilt blood, and other things best left unexplored.
‘Drop him.’
It was his only warning before two sets of treads closed in. Rough hands yanked him around, twisting the chains. A hard arm wrapped around his bruised stomach and lifted, releasing the tension on the chain. He couldn’t stifle a couple of groans. There was more clanking and then the snick of a lock being released. Suddenly the pressure on his shoulders disappeared. He dropped like a stone. The only thing keeping him from smashing face first into the unforgiving ground was the small mercy of the restraining hold at his waist. He was dragged back, his arms all but numb, the chains trailing along before they dumped him on the ground. He lay there, gritting his teeth against the agonising sensation of blood returning to his strained shoulders, his head spinning.
His minor reprieve was interrupted when a hand gripped his hair and yanked his head back. Damn ass was going to snatch him bald if he kept that up. ‘You alive, Vulture?’
Since he wasn’t sure he could form more than a growl, he didn’t bother answering but managed to force hi
s one working eye open.
River Man was crouched in front of him, a smirk riding his lips. ‘Yeah, you’re still there.’ That reptilian gaze roamed over Ruin’s battered face, savage delight creeping in. ‘Not such an arrogant prick now, are you?’
Ruin continued his baleful glare and remained silent.
It didn’t stop the dickless wonder’s ego. ‘You just sit tight.’ Using his free hand, River Man patted Ruin’s cheek, leaving a sting to merge with the existing aches. ‘Reznik’s looking forward to talking with you.’ With that, he tore his hand out of Ruin’s hair, got to his feet and walked towards where his sidekicks waited. ‘The two of you go make sure things stay clear.’
The one with acne scars jerked a thumb in Ruin’s direction and glared daggers. ‘What about him?’
River Man looked over his shoulder, his smile all teeth. ‘He’s not going anywhere.’ The unholy trio walked away and disappeared through the opening.
Unfortunately, he was too right. When they were gone, Ruin finally let his eye close. His mind scrambled for options and found nothing but a slippery slope of doubt. Where the hell was Charity? Or better yet, Vex and Havoc? He was running out of time. Once Reznik arrived, all his bullshit bluster would get blown away, leaving his ass wagging in the wind. While it was surprisingly easy to get under River Man’s skin (what was that saying about no honour among thieves?), he wasn’t sure it was enough. Pitting the puppet against the one pulling his strings was a damn long shot. And there was something else going on, something he couldn’t quite see and it involved the kids. Considering Reznik kidnapped not just Lilith’s kid, but the son of the Free Nation leader suggested the crime lord was looking at leverage. But for what?
It made Ruin think the hit on Crane was just what Charity feared, an opening move in a much more deadly plan. A plan, based on the fact he was still breathing and waiting on Reznik, now involved the Vultures. And that’s where he came up short. What the hell role could the Vultures play? Why would Reznik target them? Poisonous doubts slunk closer. It wasn’t as if there was a personal vendetta involved as far as Ruin knew. Unless Havoc or Reaper were keeping secrets.
He almost laughed, but since it would make his ribs scream, he choked it back. Of course, Havoc and Reaper had secrets. Every-fucking-body had secrets. Even him and Vex. Take some of the choices they made to survive as children, yeah he wasn’t hanging that nasty stained laundry out any damn time soon. Still, he knew, down to his bones, if Havoc or Reaper thought something they carried factored in this mess, they would have spilt.
The one who liked her damn secrets was Charity. Not that she didn’t have her reasons, but it made it hard to trust her intentions.
‘Where are you taking him?’ Her last desperate question to River Man echoed through his dark thoughts, accompanied by the banked panic in her gaze as she tried to follow. Those weren’t the words or the actions of a woman intent on betrayal. Those belonged to a woman worried about her man. That nugget of realisation shored up his shaky resolve.
Lying in a battered, beaten heap as he waited for his house of cards to be ripped apart, images of her anchored him, gave him strength. Charity standing at his side, coolly taking out the Raiders as he ran hell-bent for leather to get to Simon, uncaring who had him in their sights. Her care in handling Simon’s injuries, her determination to do whatever she needed to keep him alive. The heartbreaking pain and fury on her face as she held a broken little girl. Her exchanging snarling barbs with his twin, then teaming up with Vex against Reaper. Her determination to stay with him, no matter how hard he tried to shake her. The feel of her, soft and heated, under him. Her quick wit. Her passion. Her strength of will. Her courage to share her past with him.
The flash of uncertainty when he told her he was keeping her. The sense of pride and the lessening in the hollow spots of his soul when she stayed and took up his challenge.
The searing fear and violent protective streak that had him offering his ass to River Man because the thought of her near a monster like Reznik made him sick. Made his fucking heart break.
Son of a bitch, he lost his damn mind.
He was in love with Lilith’s ‘Hound.
Chapter 23
Catching the approach of shadows, Charity lowered the lifeless body of the sentry to the ground. To her left was the doorway to the bi-level container, but she slipped around the corner to her right and waited to see who was coming. When the light spilling from the entryway lit up the familiar features of Vex and Havoc, Charity’s legs shook. Bracing the hand still clutching her bloodied blade against the container’s side, she moved out of the shadows.
The unexpected relief of fear she hadn’t realised she carried made her voice rough. ‘Welcome to the party.’
‘Where the fuck is my brother?’ Vex snarled, her glittering gaze raking Charity from head to toe.
Charity crouched and used the sentry’s pants to wipe her blade clean before tucking it away. This once, she’d let Vex get away with that tone because she got it. Boy, did she get it. Choking mix of fear and worry was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. ‘River Man took him.’
Her answer did little to soothe Vex, who continued to glare. ‘What the hell happened?’
‘Let’s take this inside.’ Not waiting for Vex’s response, Charity pushed off the side, stepped out of the shadows, and headed for the lit entry.
Havoc moved in, taking in her battered appearance. ‘Not looking so good, girlie.’ His observation rumbled through the night.
‘Not feeling so good,’ she muttered, limping inside. She waited until both Vultures cleared the door before asking, ‘How’s Echo?’
‘You mean the punching bag you sent back to the Lodge?’ Vex shot her a dark look, then stomped past, her attention riveted on what lay on the floor. ‘She was barely staying upright, so Kayvao stashed her in an empty room.’ Vex stopped next to what was left of the chain wielding bastard and used the toe of her boot to nudge his thick arm. ‘What happened to him?’
Havoc roamed the edges of the room, stepping over the body by the stairs with a soft grunt.
Charity leant against the wall just inside the door because she didn’t want to fall on her ass, and met Vex’s challenge. ‘Me.’
The other woman made a noise between a grunt and hum, then dropped into a crouch next to the body. ‘Tell me you got something.’
Watching Vex study her handiwork, Charity wondered what was going through the other woman’s head and answered absently, ‘Yeah, I got something.’
Vex lifted her head and aimed a hard-ass stare at Charity. ‘Gonna share?’
Havoc completed his circuit and stood off to Charity’s left, doing what he did best—silently witnessing the drama.
No, Charity really didn’t want to share because when Ruin’s twin learned why River Man took him instead of her, shit would hit the fan. Unfortunately remaining silent was out of the question. Reluctantly she said, ‘River Man’s got him stashed about a mile up the shore at a private home.’
Vex’s gaze narrowed. ‘So why the hell are you still hanging here?’
‘Because if I tried rushing to his rescue, neither one of us would be walking away.’
Vex straighten and slowly stalked towards her. The clip of boot heels adding a sharp counterpoint to her low, venomous tone. ‘Exactly why does my brother need rescuing, ‘Hound?’
And here came the shit part. Holding that unflinching regard wasn’t easy, but any sign of weakness was a mistake she couldn’t afford. She needed Vex thinking, not reacting. ‘He told River Man he was a Vulture.’
A sudden, shocked quiet filled the space. Charity held her breath waiting for the explosion. It didn’t take long.
Vex rocked back on her heels, her face going momentarily slack, then livid, as gut-clenching fury took over. ‘Why the hell did he do that?’
Charity straightened and moved away from the wall. If Vex attacked, Charity needed the room to manoeuvre. ‘You tell me.’ It wasn’t a flippant response, s
he truly wanted Vex to explain it because even now, Charity couldn’t wrap her brain around why Ruin basically offered himself up in her place.
A hair-raising growl escaped Vex and she lunged, only to pull up short when Havoc slipped between the two women, blocking her access to Charity. He folded his arms over his chest and gave Vex a one-word order. ‘Calm.’
The growl was louder this time. Vex slammed her hands against Havoc’s chest, sending a sharp smack echoing through the room. ‘Fuck calm, Havoc.’
Hearing the fear under Vex’s anger, Charity flinched.
‘She dragged his ass into trouble and now she’s left him hanging for her.’
Vex’s accusation layered another caustic cut to Charity’s lacerated conscience, dumping more acid on the already sickening brew stewing in her gut. Knowing what she risked, she stepped around Havoc’s back and struck back. ‘He didn’t give me a choice, Vex. I warned him about playing games with Reznik, but did he listen?’ She shook her head, her temper steadily climbing, propelled by her worry of what might be happening to Ruin even now. ‘No, he didn’t. Instead, he opened his big, dumb mouth before I could get a word in and basically handed his ass right on over to Reznik’s minion. He’s your twin, why the hell would he do such a dumbass thing?’ Fear, anger and frustration boiled over and she stepped into Vex and snarled, ‘Why?’
Gold shot amber eyes that were achingly familiar, studied her, dark with indiscernible thoughts. Strangely Vex’s anger edged back, slowly replaced by a disconcerting scrutiny. Then she backed off, shaking her head.
Vex’s unexpected reaction threw Charity off balance. ‘What? What do you know?’
‘Nothing.’ Before Charity could press for more, Vex switched topics. ‘Fill us in.’
Realising that neither Vulture knew the latest developments since they were long gone when Ruin called back to Pebble Creek, Charity brought them up to speed. ‘We crashed the Raiders’ meeting with a local information Broker called River Man. Seems both the Raiders and River Man answer to Reznik.’
