by Jami Gray
‘My answer hasn’t changed since the last time you asked.’
‘Fuck,’ the other man muttered as he spun away to stare into the night. ‘Thought she’d be with you.’
Goddammit, he didn’t want to, but unable to ignore that reaction, Havoc snapped, ‘Why?’ When the other man failed to answer, Havoc grabbed his shoulder and yanked him around. ‘Not asking again.’
The man ignored his warning, violently wrenching free of his hold. Then he raked Havoc from head to toe with a contemptuous glare. ‘You’re an ass.’
Resisting the urge to rearrange the idiot’s teeth, Havoc gave him a toothy smile. ‘I’m an ass?’ His voice went hard and vicious. ‘I’m not the one that threw her to the Cartels.’
The man’s head jerked back and his face went dark, but he didn’t back down. ‘I didn’t have to throw her, she knew the score.’
Of that, Havoc had no doubt, but there was something more here, because the loyalty Mercy showed this dick was rooted deep, like the type of deep that started at the heart level. ‘Really? Why don’t you share it with me? Because from where I’m standing, you got that woman wrapped so fucking tight around your finger she’ll die for you.’
A malicious glint hit his blue eyes. ‘Jealous?’
Havoc’s jaw locked at the question because if he was honest with himself the answer to that was—probably. But he’d be damned if he’d share that with this smug fucker. Instead, he focused on his other reason. ‘More like furious.’
‘Right.’
Not missing the shit load of disbelief packed into that answer, Havoc decided he was done. ‘Right,’ he snarled. ‘Furious, because some asshole is so intent on stroking his own dick and playing whatever long game he’s twisted in, that he doesn’t give a flying fuck about the pawns he’s using.’
Havoc’s accusation hit its mark and those eyes narrowed into glacial slits. ‘She’s not a fucking pawn.’
His denial did jack shit to alleviate Havoc’s temper. ‘Could’ve fooled me, with the way you jerk her ass around and throw her to the wolves. If that doesn’t scream pawn, I don’t know what does.’
Standing inches apart, the scorn on the man’s face was hard to miss. ‘You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.’
Pressing in until they were to chest to chest, their noses inches apart, Havoc spat, ‘Then shine the fucking light on it for me.’
The other man held his gaze. Havoc watched him battle back his temper and hoped to Christ the ass would lose. He didn’t. He regained control and stepped to the side putting space between them. ‘Why? Because you think you know her?’
Havoc didn’t hesitate to pick up the challenge. ‘Know she grew up hating the Cartel after watching what went down with her momma. Know she has your back, even when it’s not deserved. Know she’s playing a dangerous game not only with the Free People to cover your ass, but with Suárez.’ With each statement, Havoc watched the other man’s face tighten as he continued to stare back towards the bar, giving Havoc his profile. ‘And if she fails, it’s not you bleeding out. It’s her.’
He turned just his head and met Havoc’s gaze. ‘You think I don’t know that?’
Done with the games, Havoc shot back, ‘Don’t know you and don’t know what the fuck you know. I only know what I see—you hiding in the shadows and her taking centre fucking stage.’
The other man’s jaw locked and he gritted out, ‘You trying to ride to her rescue?’
Havoc didn’t bother checking his harsh bark of laughter. ‘The last thing she needs is rescuing.’
‘At least you can see that,’ he muttered.
But Havoc wasn’t done twisting his point deep. ‘Doesn’t mean someone shouldn’t be watching her back.’
That earned a less humorous laugh from the other man. ‘Right, because that goes over well with her.’
Even only knowing Mercy a few days, Havoc couldn’t argue that. ‘That shouldn’t stop you.’ Or you, his internal bastard sneered.
‘It doesn’t.’
‘You sure about that?’ Ignoring his self-imposed guilt, Havoc didn’t wait for the other man’s response, instead he switched directions. ‘She wants me to work with you. That’s not going to happen unless I know who the hell I’m working with.’
With his earlier temper leashed, the man shifted until he faced Havoc and studied him. ‘I give it to you, you taking it back to the others?’
Since Havoc was curious as to how much this man actually knew about the overall situation, he went fishing. ‘Going to have to be more specific than that if you want an answer.’
The cynical smile was so quick it could be taken as a grimace. ‘The other Vultures, Istaqa, and Lilith.’
Guess Mercy wasn’t jacking him around when she said she planned on laying it out for her boss. ‘Depends on if your plan is going to mess with ours.’
‘If what Mercy’s suspects is true, chances are damn high we’re all facing the same person.’
Yeah, that didn’t do jack to ease Havoc’s worry. ‘Start talking.’
Mercy’s boss obliged. ‘Eight years ago Michael decided he wanted a clear playing field.’
Havoc’s gut went viciously tight, his body locking in place.
The other man slid him a dark look. ‘To get that, he had to knock out the only group in position to check his ass, should his lust for power override his common sense. Initially he depended on this particular group to help cement his hold on his power. They were specialists who understood that for others to live and breathe free, someone would have to get their hands dirty keeping the shit buried. They took the jobs no-one wanted, because they knew in the end, the results would keep the rest of the world safe. They mistakenly gave him their trust, thinking his goals aligned with theirs. The decision wasn’t made lightly, mainly because some had serious concerns. Still, the agreement was honoured, but they watched.’
Something in the man’s voice sent a fissure of foreboding through Havoc. He held his tongue and kept listening.
‘When they realised they were being played, they did what they’ve always done. They worked in the shadows, destabilising his partnerships and dealings, all in a futile effort to rock his balance of power, but they didn’t know how deep his rot had spread.’
Bile burned up the back of Havoc’s throat, because he had no problem seeing where this was going.
Lost in the story, the other man kept talking, his voice empty. ‘When push came to shove, their group splintered, and they weren’t prepared. Those deep in the bastard’s pockets turned, taking out the others. It was a fucking bloodbath, but a few escaped. They buried themselves so deep as to be ghosts.’
When he stopped, Havoc gave it voice. ‘The Strix.’
The man nodded.
Havoc stared into the night, images of Mercy fighting in Navajo City, her knife skills, her ability to sneak past him, how she tended to blend into any crowd. Yeah, all of it now making perfect fucking sense. Still, he said, ‘Mercy.’
Another nod, this one slower. Finally the other man looked back, his eyes burning with retribution. ‘That long game you accused me of, I’ve been playing it for eight fucking years. So has she, not as deep, but she’s been there every step of the way. The last thing I want is to watch it get fucked. So this afternoon I cut her ass loose.’
What the fuck? The news hit hard and left a mark. As much as Havoc didn’t want to get it, he did. Mercy pushing for her boss to step forward threw a wrench in his game plan. Since Michael was much like a rabid dog with a bone, if you wanted a chance at taking that bone, you had to be crazy patient and fucking smart. Havoc paced away, one hand wrapped around the back of his neck as he pondered his next move. Right now the Vultures were working the crazy patient part, with an eye towards fucking smart, hence the alliances. It wasn’t their first choice, but it was their best.
He knew Reaper was pissed as hell to be working with Lilith. There was a history there, one Reaper never shared, but Havoc hadn’t stood by his side throug
h hell and not noticed its existence. Still, whatever Reaper’s beef was with Lilith didn’t outweigh the hatred he carried for Michael. In fact, while Havoc and Vex were bringing Istaqa’s boy back and getting him on board, Ruin and his woman were in New Seattle trying to get evidence of Michael’s involvement in the shit that went down with Crane. If what Mercy’s boss said was true, he’d make a damn good strategic ally. While Havoc couldn’t speak for Reaper, he could make sure Reaper was aware of the available resources.
Turning his attention back to the man Havoc made an offer he hoped wouldn’t come back to bite them in the ass. ‘Can’t make guarantees considering who we’re up against, can only confirm we have the same goal in mind. If that’s enough for you, I’ll reach out to Reaper.’
The other man studied him, his face hard as thoughts worked behind his eyes. Whatever they were, he finally found his way through them. ‘Give him the name Math. If he doesn’t lose his shit, have Mercy contact me.’
At the assumption that Mercy would make it back to Pebble Creek with him, Havoc frowned. ‘Not sure she’ll be in a position to do that.’
Math gave an unconcerned shrug. ‘She’ll turn up.’
‘Hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure she’s in the wind.’
Math gave him an unreadable look. ‘Yeah, and I have no doubt that wind will toss her ass back on your doorstep.’
At Havoc’s disbelieving snort, Math gave him a sharper look. ‘You don’t think so?’
He raised a brow. ‘You do?’
At that, Math gave him a bitter smile. ‘Yeah, because she made it crystal fucking clear where she stood this afternoon.’ He turned away. ‘And it wasn’t with me.’
Before Havoc could respond to that unexpected revelation, the roar of approaching bikes ripped through the night catching Math and Havoc’s attention. They turned to watch five riders roll in and settle off to the side. The lead rider dismounted and scanned the crowd. When he cut to where Havoc and Math stood, he locked on to their position and began walking towards them. As he made his way over, he jerked off the bandana covering the lower half of his face. Firelight played over Dog’s grim features which went even darker as he got closer and took in Math.
The uneasy sensation Havoc buried since he left the Royale rose up and began making itself known. It seeped into Math who went stiff next to him. Together they watched Dog approach. He stopped in front of them and didn’t fuck around. ‘You lose something, my friend?’ He held his hand, palm down just under his chin. ‘Stands about yeh high? Wields a wicked blade, smart mouth and a tight little body?’
Havoc’s mouth opened, but Math got there first. ‘Where is she?’
Dog eyed him dispassionately. ‘Gone.’
Havoc blocked Math’s lunge with a straight arm. ‘Where?’
‘My man lost them in the Warren.’
That information left Havoc clenching his teeth. The Warren covered the flooded remains of the old airport and its surrounding neighbourhoods. It was dangerous, unstable, and a nightmare to track through. Next to him, Math stopped shoving against his arm and held his position. Havoc dropped his arm and concentrated on the more important part of Dog’s answer. ‘Them?’
Dog gave a sharp nod. ‘He caught sight of two men, one hauling her, the other helping the walking dead, but was too far away to be able to stay close. He lost them near the Park. He tried to pick up their trail and got nowhere, headed back in.’
Thank Christ they had a starting point. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Dog kept talking, holding Havoc’s gaze. ‘Found her bike stashed by a tattoo shop near the Square. Few blocks away found signs of a struggle in an alley. From what my man saw and what I picked up from that alley, I’m thinking your woman managed to introduce one of them to her blade before they took her down.’
‘Bullshit.’ Math’s growl earned Dog’s attention. ‘To take her down, had to be more than three. She could handle three men blindfolded.’
All the air left Havoc’s lungs and his body locked. If Mercy’s attackers were straight up bounty hunters or low-life street rats, she’d have no issues wiping the floor with them. For Mercy to get caught, it had to be planned which meant they weren’t dealing with scum, they were dealing with the fucking Cartel. Goddamn Felix!
Dog rocked back on his heels, arms going over his chest as his eyes narrowed. ‘You calling me a liar?’
Before things degenerated into a brawl, Havoc tried to reclaim the conversation. ‘We don’t have time for this shit.’ Hell, the last thing he wanted was to waste time playing referee.
It didn’t work. Math got right in Dog’s face and proved his thoughts followed Havoc’s. ‘Yeah, I am, since there is no fucking way three lazy ass Cartel fuckers took her out.’
Before Havoc could intervene, Dog grabbed the front of Math’s shirt, yanked him forward, and whipped out a familiar knife, setting the edge against Math’s throat. ‘No-one calls me a liar, asswipe.’
Havoc grabbed Dog’s wrist, twisted, and wrenched the knife free. Then he stepped between the two, forcing Dog back a step and blocking Math’s access. ‘Where did you get this?’ He held the distinctive blade under Dog’s nose.
Holding his position, Dog snapped, ‘Kicked off to the side in the ally.’
Havoc twisted at the waist showing it to Math. ‘Tell me I’m not seeing shit.’
Math took it, and ran a thumb over the hilt and along the notched blade. ‘Yeah, it’s hers.’
Shitdamnfuck. Havoc stalked away on knees gone weak, trying to get a handle on the debilitating mix of fear and fury curdling his gut. Age old nightmares crowded close determined to remind him of what could happen to a woman who found herself unlucky enough to be at the Cartel’s non-existent mercy.
Behind him Math and Dog kept at it, but he ignored it until Math’s voice pulled him up short. ‘Havoc, this isn’t the only one she carries.’
He turned to see Math frowning, playing the knife through his fingers in a mindless pattern Mercy used.
‘Was this the only one you found?’ Math directed that last question to Dog.
Dog looked between them before giving a nod.
‘You’re sure?’ Math pressed.
Dog’s eyes narrowed but he answered, ‘Yeah, I’m sure.’
Lines appeared in Math’s forehead as he muttered, ‘That doesn’t make sense.’
Havoc stalked back. ‘What?’
Dog mumbled, ‘Not sure what good a knife will be in getting your woman back from the Cartel.’
The knife stilled in Math’s hand as he balanced it between his thumb and forefinger and shot Dog a glare. ‘This is one of many she carries. She has never, and I mean, never, carried less than three blades on her.’ He turned to Havoc. ‘If they managed to get rid of one, where are the other two?’
It was slim, so fucking slim, but Havoc didn’t hesitate to grab onto the sliver of hope Math offered. ‘She has them.’
The other man tilted his head in agreement.
‘Then why the fuck wouldn’t she use them?’ That question came from Dog.
‘Because—’
‘She’s playing bait,’ Havoc bit out before Math could finish, the realisation curdling his gut. ‘Son of a bitch!’ His hands curled into fists and his vision went red. ‘What the fuck is she thinking?’ Even as he asked, he knew. He fucking knew and the knowledge seared to his soul, shredding his stubborn defences to nothing and making him flinch. As far as Mercy was concerned not only had Math cut her loose, but for all intents and purposes, so had Havoc, leaving her without a safety net. And Mercy being Mercy, was going finish what she started—alone.
His heart seized as the truth blazed through his anger and worry. He’d left the woman he loved swinging in the wind. Fuck!
Chapter 22
As another savage jolt ripped through her, locking her jaw and sending fire into her bones Mercy reconsidered the wisdom of playing bait for a psychopathic lunatic with masochistic tendencies. Especially when he had ac
cess to a damn car battery. The whip of agonising lightning stopped, but the wave of pain continued to rip along her nerve endings. She hung limp in a straight, ladder-back chair. The only thing keeping her upright was the thick rope coiled around her chest anchoring her to the back of the chair. Her wrists were strapped to the armrests and even worse, her bare feet were held in a puddle of water, the cuffs at her ankles leaving no room for movement.
Focused on breathing through the muscle twitches, she couldn’t stop her hiss as her head was yanked back. Her eyes slit open to find Felix’s shit-eating grin staring back. ‘How much more do you think you can take, hmm?’
A flat metallic taste coated her mouth, probably from biting her tongue. Like every time before, she didn’t bother answering, not that she could with her neck at that angle. Her continued silence shifted his grin to a tight-lipped sneer. ‘Stubborn bitch.’
That was her only warning before he touched the metal contact point to her ribs. He laughed as she danced under the electrical current. Dimly she registered another voice call, ‘Jefe.’
Felix shoved her head forward at the same time that he dropped the cable connected to the old battery set on the floor somewhere behind her. The force of his shove made the chair wobble. A spat of Spanish broke out, but since her brain was still jittering and her ears still ringing, she couldn’t make it out. It took a bit, but she finally managed to work up enough moisture in her mouth to get her sore tongue to move. From there she checked her aching teeth. Between the hits and the shocks, she was surprised they were all still intact. Once her synapses stopped misfiring, she blinked away the white dots streaking through her vision. It took a couple of slow blinks to get things to focus. From the ache and heat surrounding her right eye she figured she’d earned a stellar shiner. Thankfully, it wasn’t swollen shut, so while Felix and his buddy continued their conversation, she checked out her surroundings.
From the nippy air and lack of ambient light, she knew night had set. Light from the two standing solar lamps illuminated the water pooling at her feet. Not water Felix brought in, but brackish, standing water. Which meant she had to be on the edges of the city somewhere near the Great Salt Lake. Salt water and electricity, what a shocking combination. Blocking out the nutty ass voice in her head, she focused on wiggling her toes and yanked her brain back in line. Abused nerves attacked her feet with pins and needles. When she managed to flex them without locking her arches in agony, she let out a shaky breath of relief. At least she wouldn’t be crawling when time came for her to hit the road.
