Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Which brought me back to Victor. He wasn’t nearly as smart as he thought he was. I gave myself about a thirty percent chance of killing him tonight, but I also thought it very likely I’d shake his confidence enough for him to rush to put distance between me and him. Victor would make mistake, and Wylde or Ripper would have him. Assuming I was right and he knew I was after him. If he did, he’d be ready to get away. Of course, if Piston hadn’t been on my ass, I’d have put my chances at fifty-fifty.
“Cost me this kill and you won’t last another hour, let alone week.”
Without acknowledging him further, I moved from my scouting position and toward cabin. I didn’t have to look at him to hear his amused chuckle. I decided then that, no matter what, once I finished here, I was going to kill Piston.
The darkness was full of night noises. Bugs, frogs, and occasional cry of owl or small animal punctuated darkness. That was good because it meant everyone here was in house and not disturbing nature. It didn’t miss my notice that, even though Piston often annoyed me, he’d managed to not announce his presence to wildlife around us. I didn’t want to admire him for that, but it had been my experience that not many warriors could lie in wait long periods without disturbing creatures around him. Piston could. Even when he interacted with me, he managed to keep his energy low or something. It was almost like he was part of nature itself and I was the intruder.
Once closer to cabin, I circled around back. There wasn’t window or back door, but was easier to slide underneath. Building was set on slope, so one side was about three feet above the ground, held by posts at corners.
I rolled under crawlspace. As I suspected, even though this place was built with comfort in mind, there was still rustic, authentic feel about the place. As such, wood board floor had gaps and made it easier to see who was inside and where they were.
Victor!
He was here. Figure in window was, indeed, Victor. So many lives he’d ruined. He’d terrorized Katya. Millie, too. I certainly hadn’t been his only victim. Even now, he managed to control my life. He’d sent his men to get me. They took my young friend, Lemon, instead. It made me want to put distance between me, Salvation’s Bane, and Grim Road. Which just pissed me off even more. Because, while I loved all old ladies of every club I’d spent time in, Lemon was one woman who truly got me. Even more than my own sister. I’d never told her about my life before and she’d never asked, but Lemon just knew. She was more intuitive than any woman her age had right to be and it made me want to make sure she was always this confident. I felt almost… motherly toward younger woman. It brought out in me Russian mother bear.
I rolled out from under cabin and to my feet. Darting around building, I took step forward, getting ready to kick in door when solid body shoved me to the side and I fell. Piston rolled to his feet, putting himself between me and threat I hadn’t seen.
The fight was immediate and intense. Both men threw series of complicated punches and kicks. Like style of fighting Millie used. There were no rules to this fight other than to stay alive.
For some reason, I hesitated. I glanced at Piston who was holding his own. Though the two men seemed to be equal in skill, Piston was by far stronger physically. He was also vicious like I’d never realized. That brief moment cost me.
Victor saw me and drew his weapon. I sprinted few feet separating us and kicked out just before gun went off. I hit his hand so his aim went to the left, the gun flying across the yard. There was muffled grunt and I froze split second before whipping around to see if he’d hit Piston. Moment I did, Victor shoved past me, pushing me hard enough to make me stumble forward two steps. And he was gone.
Rage washed over me, through me. He’d been right here! Piston dropped body of man he’d fought and stalked toward me. I was so angry I wanted to lash out, to kill everyone in my way. It was past time Victor died and I’d been so fucking close!
But thing that overpowered all my anger, was fear. Fear knowing Victor had hit Piston. That Piston could have been seriously hurt or dead. Fucking man had gotten under my skin but good. So much so that thought of him in danger overrode all the instincts I had telling me to hunt and kill Victor. I’d literally spent lifetime hunting this guy down. Since I was barely out of my teens when he’d sold me to FSB in exchange for whatever favors he’d wanted. Even when I’d lived in his house with my mother and sisters, I’d known I’d have to kill him some day. This had been closest I’d been to him in at least decade. Who knew when I’d ever have this chance again? Fear of waiting another ten years for the opportunity to kill Victor fed my anger, but gave the emotion different target.