Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Czar had put the entire club on the line for Keys. They had committed an act of war, riding into Sid’s territory and all but threatening to kill every member of his club. Someone could report their ride to the cops. That would bring them right under a microscope once word got out. Steele knew Czar was angry with himself for not paying attention to Keys and letting this happen to him.
Every club member was protected. That was a sacred vow they all took, and they followed it to the letter. It was how they stayed alive. Until now. They had all failed a brother, and every one of them felt it. They were pulling out all the stops to find him and set things right. If that meant exposing the club to enemies, it wouldn’t be the first time.
Storm, Savage, Reaper and Steele followed Czar to the wreck of the burned-out truck. They examined the ground and the remains of the truck.
“He left us a mark in the tree,” Savage pointed out.
“He killed them all,” Reaper said. “Burned their bodies.”
“Others came.” Steele walked over to a split tree. “He hid in plain sight. Right here, listening to them, gathering information. He knew they’d come.”
“Tracks of two vehicles. Looks like eight men,” Storm said. “They didn’t bother to hide their tracks.”
“The hunters,” Czar commented. “They never even noticed their prey just feet from them. That’s Keys, blending right into the background. Best I ever saw.” He looked over his shoulder at Reaper. “No offense, Reaper.”
“None taken. I’ve watched him do it dozens of times. Fades right into whatever he’s standing next to or in.” He indicated the tree.
“He waited here when the hunters got in their vehicles and left,” Storm said, indicating the tracks.
“Waiting. Figured they sent out the bait and a couple more hunters,” Czar said. “Big mistake if Keys is in play.”
Savage and Reaper followed Czar into the brush. “There’s his mark.” Savage spotted it. “He’s following someone.”
“Four someones,” Storm corrected.
“We’ll follow the trail,” Czar said. “You get the chopper in the air and head to the next site, Storm. We’ll meet you there. There’s no question that’s where he’s headed.”
Storm nodded and took off while they continued at a jog to follow the signs Keys had left behind for them. It didn’t take long to come across the first body and then the second one.
“You see either of them before?” Steele asked.
“Nope. Definitely ex-military,” Savage said. “No one we’ve had a beef with.”
They found the second kill site. “He shot both of them,” Reaper said. “Didn’t bother covering anything up. Drug them to the cliff and threw them over.”
“He’s headed to the peak,” Czar said, already jogging toward the next site.
Keys had clearly marked every twist in the trails, every turn he made or path he took through the trees. He’d left a sign no one would recognize but them. They’d used it as children, in the Russian schools. When they snuck out through a crack in the wall to find food or weapons. Or to kill.
Both helicopters were at the peak, and their men were casting around for signs. Czar and Steele jogged up to them.
“What do you have?” Czar demanded.
“He took out two of them under their noses,” Absinthe answered for the others. “Bodies fell over the cliff. Firefight, bullets flying. One SUV took off and went that way, top speed. Keys cut through the trees running full out.”
“We’ll stay on the ground. Storm, Ice, you take the helicopters,” Czar said. “Absinthe can be Ice’s spotter; you take Reaper with you.”
Reaper clearly didn’t agree, but Czar gave him one piercing look and Reaper turned to Savage. “Don’t leave his side. I don’t care if you have to hit him over the head.”
“I got it,” Savage said. “Seeing as Czar knows I enjoy inflicting pain, I’d say he’ll behave himself.”
“You don’t actually have to hit him,” Steele said. “Just tell Blythe. Man’s pussy whipped.”
“And happily so,” Czar declared. “Get a move on. We’re catching up to him.”
They went back to a ground-eating jog, covering the terrain fast until Steele stopped abruptly. “Something’s happened. Something’s wrong. He’s cutting through the trees and brush, running full out. You can see the change in his stride.”
“Not good,” Czar admitted. “The only thing that could have triggered this is gunfire. I think the last two found his woman.”
They picked up the pace, following in Keys’ footsteps, racing down the trails until, again, they stopped abruptly. A man, still alive, was tied to a tree. He didn’t look to be in good shape. There were no bullet wounds, but he’d been worked over. He was bound so tightly it looked as if the circulation was cut off to his hands.
“A little help here,” he muttered. “Maniac had a trap set and I stepped in it. You don’t want any part of him.” He coughed and spit blood and a tooth. “Seriously, man, cut me loose.”