Page 55 of Chaos
Papers and books cover the floor. The desk has been flipped and thrown against the far wall. A throng of leather vested Reapers gather around the back.
Every head turns to face us as we bust in.
“Time to teach some lessons,” Nikolai grumbles behind me before charging forward.
Everyone erupts into limbs flailing, yells, and cussing.
Wading through, my knuckles bleed from beating the shit out of every one that stands in my way.
Alexei and I regroup and find Knox in the center. He’s holding a long blade to the throat of the very battered club owner, Roscoe.
“Put down the knife.” I don’t want to get any closer. Blood is already dripping from where the blade is pushing into the skin.
“Fuck no. You don’t own this town. Not anymore.” Knox’s beard is coated with spittle as he talks, matching the glisten of sweat on his bald head.
“You’re wrong there, asshole. We beat your pack down.” I gesture to the room of brawling men around us. Mikhail’s guys are prevailing.
Knox points the knife at me as he talks. “Your days are numbered. We have the funds coming to shut you down.” He tilts his head back and yells, “Boys!”
The door in the back flies open and a new throng of Reapers rush into the crowded space.
Brody leads them and freezes when he sees me.
His shiny vest betrays his loyalties.
“Well, brother. Seems we have a situation.” He raises his fists and stalks towards me.
Is he kidding? Does he know what the fuck I do?
A loud hiss fills the room, and the smell of gunpowder permeates the air.
Nikolai stands with a silenced smoking pistol while a red stain spreads across Knox’s shoulder.
“The next one hits your heart.” Nikolai waves the barrel at Knox to back away from the beaten owner.
Brody stops, his brows knit as he looks from Knox, slumping to the floor, and back to me. “You don’t know what you’ve done,” he growls before jumping to his father’s side.
His hand juts out, finger pointing at me. “You and the people you care about are going to pay for this, brother.”
All the standing enemies drag their battered friends out through the back.
My stomach tightens.
Why did it feel like it wasn’t just a threat against me?
Sofia.
Shit. He knows I’ve been there. And now he knows I work for Mikhail.
“Niki, I need to go.” Panic races through my body.
This urge to protect her consumes my thoughts.
Nikolai looks at me with his expressionless face. “Is it more important than this?” He gestures to the room full of groaning and unconscious men from both sides scattered around.
“Yea, I’m sorry.” Most of the injured are getting help.
But, none of them matter as much as her.