Page 105 of Shephard
The pain was blinding and I stumbled forward, but I’d never allowed anguish to get in the way of my mission. My training was so deeply ingrained I spun around, immediately attacking. After issuing several brutal punches to the man’s jaw, I noticed my two brothers were on the porch, watching the brutal game. I could imagine the enjoyment they were experiencing.
Being a wrestler in high school added various moves that had nothing to do with military training.
But Boris was no pushover, rearing back as he’d done before, almost catching me with the tip of the bullwhip for a second time.
Only this time, I was quicker in my footwork, not only managing to catch the whip in mid action, but lurching forward until I was able to wrap the thin piece of leather around his neck several times. With rage fueling me, I yanked him to the ground, immediately throwing my leg over his in a typical wrestling move.
“It’s time for you to meet your maker,” I hissed.
He was stronger as a broken old man than I’d given him credit for, able to shove me aside while his fingers dug into the strap.
At least my agility was still well honed, able to smash his face with my fist and resume the strangling hold. Now I had both legs wrapped around him, tightening the whip with every brutal tug. He was going nowhere.
His choking sounds were music to my ears, my mind returning to the horrible day when I’d almost lost my life.
And to the day I’d destroyed so many lives. The haunting images were right there burning in the forefront of my mind, but as his life began to fade, so did they. This wasn’t justification or a method of salvation.
Just a moment where I wanted to move on with my life.
I now had so much to live for.
Including a beautiful, bratty woman that had sparked every concept of electricity deep within me.
I uttered a primal roar as I felt his life ebbing. When he slumped, only one hand twitching in the throes of death, I issued a deep sigh.
“May you rest in hell,” I muttered a few seconds later.
“Fascinating technique,” Jagger said as he issued a round of applause.
“We could both learn something, brother,” Hunter told him.
I jerked on the whip last time before tossing Boris’ body to the side. The pain across my back was a reminder of why I’d just taken a life.
My last mission.
One that should have ended years before.
In finding out Russ had sold his soul to a dangerous organization from overseas, I’d realized that I was considered expendable. Plus, I knew too many secrets. They’d capture and torture me for whatever I could provide before dumping my body into the ocean.
Exhaling, I struggled to stand given the pain, spitting on the man before walking away.
“What now?” Jagger asked as I lumbered closer to them.
“Now, I run a resort.” It was crazy that I was almost looking forward to it, eager to live what most would call a normal, if not boring life. That suited me just fine.
“Can you do that?” Hunter asked.
I laughed and rubbed sweat from my face. “I’m going to try.”
“You do have a reason to settle down,” he suggested.
“Yes, I do. Speaking of which, if there’s one thing you need to know about our illustrious park ranger, it’s that she doesn’t follow rules.”
“In other words,” Jagger said as the rain began to fall, “you better get your ass home.”
Home. Anywhere she was living could be considered home. Even if I’d suck at being a partner. But I was willing to learn new things. A grin crossed my face from the thought.
Remembering my weapon, I turned around to retrieve it from the ground.