King(47)

Evie had placed too much trust in Rabbit because they had been in the military together. She had also trusted King not to hurt her, afraid of being hurt. Both of them had let her down. She clung to The Last Riders for a reason—she would never have been in this position with the club.

King saw movement behind the warehouse as the Predators moved in. Jackal and Ice were in the lead, giving directions and spreading the men around the warehouse. After Jackal used the darkening sky to get closer to the building, unlocking a side door and going inside, Ice and Max followed behind.

King and Henry used the cars parked outside to hide, making their own way to the door. He reached out to touch the handle when the first shot could be heard from the inside.

“Shit.” King jerked opened the door and stepped into Hell without a second’s hesitation.

* * *

Evie tried to loosen the tight zip-tie around her wrists, but she quit when two cars pulled into the warehouse. Men climbed out of the cars, holding guns casually by their sides.

Rabbit got out of one, casting a look of apology in her direction. Evie had already figured out he was the one behind her being taken as insurance against King. She had played right into his hands when she had asked for his help in finding out the information she wanted.

Evie was watching as the drugs and money were exchanged when the one who had been left standing guard over her suddenly fell to the concrete floor next to her. Evie stared at him blankly before looking up to see Jackal pulling a knife covered in blood out of the man’s back.

When Jackal put his finger to his mouth, telling her without words to remain quiet, Evie nodded her head, showing she understood. Jackal then bent over her chair, cutting the cord at her wrists.

He jerked her from her chair as a bullet struck it, toppling it backward. A small scream passed her lips as Jackal pushed her down to the floor, covering her body with his while grabbing his own gun and returning fire. The men scattered like ants, each running to their own cars.

They didn’t make it. They were gunned down steps from their cars. The one who had kidnapped her was one of the first to be killed. Ramos and Moran were each next.

Once their bosses were no longer in control, their men fought unsuccessfully for their own lives. All thirteen of the men were killed. The only one spared was Rabbit, who had hunkered down by the table and didn’t move.

When no one was left moving, Jackal helped Evie to her feet. “Are you hurt?”

Evie started to shake her head but dizziness overcame her; only Jackal’s hand on her arm kept her from collapsing.

“I was hit on my head.”

“Can you walk?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t take his hand away. “We have to get out of here.”

“Evie!” King grabbed her, hugging her close. She tried to move away from him, though. He didn’t let her go, yet he allowed her to put some space between them.

“Let me go.”

King’s arms dropped from her at her cold request.

“King, we need to leave,” Jackal ordered. King nodded, stepping back.

It was completely dark when they left the building.

“I’ll get the car.” Henry jogged off.

“King, thanks for having my back,” Rabbit said.

“How did they know about Evie, Rabbit?” Kings harsh voice had Rabbit coming to a stop.

Evie looked at the man she’d thought was her friend. He was going to try to talk his way out of it; it was what made him so good at his job.

The Predators were coming out of the warehouse behind them. Max was carrying the bags containing the drugs and the money.

“What about my cut?” Rabbit asked, as if he had been the one to rescue them.

“You're not—” Evie began angrily.

A shot rang out in the night; Rabbit fell backwards, a hole in the side of his head. The Predators ran for cover, trying to figure out where the shot had come from.

Instinct set in. Evie threw herself into King's arms, pressing against him as tightly as she could. “Don’t move!” Evie yelled to everyone around her.

They were under the scope of a cold-blooded killer, and any move they made could be their last.





Chapter 20




“Evie...”

“Don’t move, King.” Evie pressed against him harder.

King’s car pulled up to them and he reached out, opening the door. “Get in. If he shoots me, it’s what I deserve.”

Evie glanced around. The Predators were all escaping, blending into the night. They weren’t his target, though; King was. “Get in the car first.”

“No.”

Evie reluctantly let him go, turning to the direction the shot had come from and staring into the darkness. “Please,” she mouthed, no sound escaping. She felt the hair on her arms stand in warning. “Please, don’t.”