by Matt Rogers
It worked.
Both of their hands flew to their faces.
Now Rollins could be precise.
He set to work clinically destroying each man.
The second guy had made it to his feet, hurling a chair aside and fumbling at his waistband for something shiny and metallic. Rollins’ pulse skyrocketed and he turned his attention immediately to that threat. He bundled the guy into the concrete balustrade separating the square from the small beachhead, and delivered a pair of colossal elbows into the bridge of the guy’s nose. The pain froze the man in place, and Rollins followed through with a thunderous uppercut, putting enough kinetic energy into it to cause serious damage.
The guy went tumbling over the balustrade and hit the wet sand with a shallow thump, probably unconscious, definitely out of the fight.
Rollins smashed the sole of his boot into the gut of the third guy, who had only just managed to get his wits about him after the left hook had knocked his equilibrium off. The acute pain doubled him over again, and this time Rollins could load up for the knockout punch.
He threw it.
It landed.
Goodnight.
Brain probably still rattling inside his skull, the third guy keeled over face-first into the pile of overturned furniture. Rollins surged forward, grabbed the last guy by the collar, headbutted him square in the face, kneed him in the stomach, smashed a fist into his jaw, kneed him again in the ribs, and then hurled his broken body over the same balustrade to join his friend on the damp shoreline.
Rollins turned to see King still sitting in the same position, hands folded behind his head in lackadaisical fashion, watching the proceedings with the demeanour of an ancient Roman entertained by the gladiatorial display before him.
‘Still think you’re not evolving?’ King said.
Rollins caught his breath, lactic acid burning in his shoulders from dishing out all the heavy hits. ‘You might have a point.’
Wordlessly, King got to his feet and gestured for Rollins to make his way out of the square, fast. Bedlam had erupted in the peaceful coastal village of Vernazza. Violence had been carried out in the public arena that Rollins imagined ordinary civilians hadn’t witnessed up close in these parts for many, many years. The pair of them hurried straight out of the harbour, ducking into the shadows, returning to where they thrived.
‘You made up your mind?’ King said as they walked.
‘I made it up hours ago. But I think you knew that.’
‘I knew it. Otherwise you never would have seen me.’
‘What happens now?’
‘Your position’s still open. I made sure to check before I came here.’
‘Does Black Force know where I am?’
‘Probably. I don’t think they’re paying close attention, though. You know as well as anyone how much psychological vetting goes into the recruitment process. They knew you had your head on your shoulders. I don’t think they were too worried about what you might do.’
‘So you really did come here of your own accord.’
‘For the millionth time, yes.’
‘To bring me back?’
‘Yes.’
‘You knew I’d come back?’
‘I had a hunch.’
‘Well… your hunch was right.’
‘I thought so.’
‘You don’t seem surprised.’
‘I don’t get a hunch unless I’m almost certain.’
‘Did you know all this madness would happen?’
‘We operatives seem to be a magnet for violence. I don’t know how, or why. But it makes it all the more important that Black Force recruits good people.’
‘I’m a good person, then?’
‘You made it into the program. Which means you’re always welcome back.’
‘Then I’d love to come back.’
‘Never thought I’d hear it,’ King said with a devilish grin. ‘Welcome back, soldier.’
‘Just like that?’
‘Just like that.’
Leaving behind a trail of devastation — something he’d become all too familiar with — Sam Rollins disappeared into the night.
Back on active duty.
A warrior once more.
MORE BLACK FORCE SHORTS COMING VERY SOON…
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Books by Matt Rogers
THE JASON KING SERIES
Isolated (Book 1)
Imprisoned (Book 2)
Reloaded (Book 3)
Betrayed (Book 4)
Corrupted (Book 5)
Hunted (Book 6)
THE JASON KING FILES
Cartel (Book 1)
Warrior (Book 2)
Savages (Book 3)
THE WILL SLATER SERIES
Wolf (Book 1)
Lion (Book 2)
BLACK FORCE SHORTS
The Victor (Book 1)
The Chimera (Book 2)
The Tribe (Book 3)
The Hidden (Book 4)
The Coast (Book 5)
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About the Author
Matt Rogers grew up in Melbourne, Australia as a voracious reader, relentlessly devouring thrillers and mysteries in his spare time. Now, he writes full-time. His novels are action-packed and fast-paced. Dive into the Jason King Series to get started with his collection.
Visit his website:
www.mattrogersbooks.com
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amazon.com/author/mattrogers23
